Steve Whiteley Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 hi all, Silly question perhaps, but as I'm a newbie to a smart TR, I thought I'd get a straw poll of what you guys do to clean your pride and joys. Having just got a mint condition 6, I'd like to keep it like that way as much as poss! I have nenetol with the tassled brush to keep it polished but would you use a power hose on such a motor? Wash first, chammy then polish? Also to clean the engine bay (which is shiny and spotless) and the underside (I don't have a ramp or pit unfortunately). Ta for any tips. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PILKIE Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 (edited) HI. surgical rubber gloves,cotton wool buds,a toothbrush for stubborn bits,wet wipes,slowly,bit by bit. My tr6 is going in for paint soon,and I will then be refitting all its cleaned,painted and polished bits, back on over the winter,ready for the spring. I wont want to use it in the wet!! but........ I do my rover v8p6 with a 1lt spray bottle with some diluted wash and wax. about 1/2 a bottle normally does the whole job!! I start with the webasto roof,then treat the vynil to some armourall. then to the glass, I clean/polish a window at a time,then clean/polish a body panel at a time, and finally the chrome and rostyles get a good buffing Taking your time pays as you end up with a gleaming motor with no streaks. I forgot to say,I do the interior first to get the dusty bit out of the way!! I dont take the engine out like some people do!! crazy!! I just give all accessable areas under the bonnet and arches a good clean down with wd40 on a cotton rag till clean. It normally takes me 1 day once a month to do a full job on it. it is my everyday car,so it can be hard work!! Edited October 21, 2006 by PILKIE Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alpha206 Posted October 11, 2006 Report Share Posted October 11, 2006 (edited) I bought my TR in April and have washed it once...in April (actually, my Avatar photo was taken that day...)Although I planned for dry use, it got caught in the rain on numerous occasions and I have merely shammied it off each time. For the bodywork I wouldn't personally bother with a pressure washer (you must be one of those lucky s*ds who hasn't got a hosepipe ban! ) as they can do more harm than good. With the HP ban, I've found a watering can (without rose) is the best way to rinse the car down, before washing it with a good car shampoo and risinng off with said watering can. Having used Autoglym for several years I converted to Meguiar's about 4 years ago and haven't looked back (I've won my class with my Volvo 3 out of those 4 years). Most of the time I just shampoo (Gold Class) & shammy, but every 3 or 4 months I follow with clay block (to remove surface contaminants), scratch-X (to remove swirls - if needed) and (currently) Gold Class polish. We've all been to shows where the approach is down a dusty track (and always get behind the autojumbler in his clapped-out Transit who puts his foot down and coats your P&J ) - like you I use the tasselled brush. For finger marks or rain spots I always carry some Meguiar's Quick Detail (or a new one whose name escapes me) and a terry towel which works wonders. I would avoid using a pressure washer underneath particularly if undersealed - but IMO a low-pressure hose should be OK to remove dirt along with a good helping of elbow grease! For the engine bay, I've found a regular (weekly?) wipe with a damp cloth on the painted bits followed by the detail spray keeps ther muck from building up. Anyway, them's my thoughts - others may disagree. By the way, I'm not affiliated to Meguiar's in any way but if anyone from that company is reading this I won't refuse any free samples.... Edited October 11, 2006 by Alpha206 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Whiteley Posted October 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 "hosepipe ban!" ? What's that??? I believe there is one here but to be honest I take little notice of it - I use water pretty sparingly as we're on a meter and most goes into our cesspool which costs to pump it away....so I reconcile very occasional use of a hose with that Hmmm....some involved cleaning routines there guys....will experiment. I'm having my drive redone and gates put in etc, so when I went to put it in the new garage yesterday it got a bit muddy (especially after wheel spinning to get up the slope ) but am gonna wait till all stuff is done outside before cleaning. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ron Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 (edited) £1 to the kid next door or once a year when the bob-a-job comes round Ron Edited October 12, 2006 by ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rarbowman Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 £1 to the kid next door or once a year when the bob-a-job comes round Ron Inflation has obviously not reached SW Scotland. I have to pay £4.50 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ron Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 £4.50 Extravagance man, just sheer extravagance! Ron [AKA Private Frazer] Quote Link to post Share on other sites
67_gt6 Posted October 12, 2006 Report Share Posted October 12, 2006 Thumb over the end of a hosepipe produces enough pressure to remove dust, loose dirt etc. Then sponge/bucket/zymol. Then cover in Bilt Hamber Autobalm which is the dogs danglies. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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