Washing the 40?

Rich E. · 12-23-07, 07:54 PM

Well SPF GT #2200 is finally home from the long trip back east and time has come for its first wash. I'm wondering what you guys use and what can and can't get wet. What do I do about the front hood. There's kind of a big hole there......

TIA
Rich.

Chris Martino · 12-23-07, 08:45 PM

A hose free clean is best using a heavy, wet wash cloth or sponge to wash and rinse using the same technique. Dry with good quality chamois. I would avoid heavy water application in areas that are prone to possible leakage.

Or spray like hell the first time and see where it leaks!

Chris

chuck smith · 12-23-07, 09:09 PM

I wash my CAV jusrt like any other car, hose and all. I get a few drops on the inside of the windows but no big deal. As far as the front goes, I drench it. It is no worse than when it is driven in the rain.

Dean Lampe · 12-23-07, 11:34 PM

You drive in the rain!

I LOVE GT40- Paolo · 12-24-07, 04:23 AM

hummmmmm....

Tony Hunt · 12-24-07, 06:09 AM

The first time I washed my GTD with a hose, I spent the rest of the day drying the carpets out.
Since then, I have developed a system that works, even when it's filthy.
You will need one of those squirty bottles that fires a fine mist spray. Fill it with water, to which has been added a small amount of washing up liquid. It shouldn't be concentrated enough to foam.
Spray this on sections of the car at a time, starting with the windscreen and windows, working over the roof and down the doors. Then, before it has a chance to dry or run off, take a hand sponge and a bucket of clean water and wash the areas with it. This is what removes the dirt; the spray merely wets the surface.
Remove the front nostril, open the front and rear clips and wash in the same way in the open position. Don't get water into the plenum chamber, you'll be mopping it out for ages afterwards. White spirit or kerosene is very good for removing bugs and tar.
The front nostril is cleaned off the car, allowing the splitter to be cleaned properly. The wheels can be cleaned with a stiff wheel brush and hosed clean. Run the car after cleaning to dry out the brakes and discs.
Change the water in the bucket frequently. If you can see dirt in the water, it needs changing.
Once the car is clean, leather and polish.
Needless to say, do this out of direct sunlight and in as cool conditions as possible.
This method works very well if the car is really dirty. If it's not too bad, I just lick it clean.

Tony

Peter D · 12-24-07, 07:05 AM

I'm with Tony here - no hoses (just asking for information that you don't need) !!

I use one of those "micro-fibre" mits dipped in a bucket of water with about 20mls of car-wash detergent, wring it out a bit, run over 1/4 of the car at a time, then wipe it off with a chamois. A final work-over with the chamois & voila, a clean car ! It actually takes less time to do it this way than it takes to do other cars with the sponge / hose / chamois.

I do the polished wheels with a stiff brush dipped in the bucket, then run over them with the mit, then the chamois.

Another advantage of this approach is that you can do it all in the garage !

Kind Regards,

Peter D.