Removing dust safely...
Discussion
... right well my S1 Exige has been sat in the garage (undergoing rebuild/restoration) for the past 2.5 years. I've been refurbing the car under the skin and mechanically. The bodywork is fine, not perfect (few stonechips) and I'll probably get it resprayed next winter (just coming into summer down here in NZ now).
The thing is, while the front clamshell was stored under cover in my bedroom during the rebuild (and is clean) the roof, doors, sills and rear clamshell have all been stored in the garage and covering them was impossible/impractical. As such they've accumulated a thick layer of dust. My landlord is a carpenter so much of it is sawdust and just general dust, rather than it being abrasive. No angle grinders etc have been used around the car or in the garage so the dust is fairly "soft".
I decided to let it get dusty instead of preriodically cleaning it because I figured removing one lot of heavy dust is less likely to damage the paint than regular dusting to remove light coatings.
Here's a picture of the car in the sun showing the state of it:
Now, I want to get the car cleaned up a bit as it's leaving for wiring and mapping this weekend. Since everything's still exposed, I don't really want to get it sopping wet and sudsed up, although am happy to give it a light wash if this would be beneficial.
The car has been brushed up against a few times and the dust has come off in places where this has happened and I can't see any swirls from it.
Given that the paint isn't 110% perfect and will be re-done in another 8 months or so, I'm not worried about the odd near-invisible mark here and there... but I don't want to remove the dust only to swirl up the paint something proper.
Can anyone recommend a treatment/technique to help minimise the damage in getting it clean?
The car was washed, clayed, polished and then twice waxed before it came off the road and has been in a dry garage ever since so the paint (under the dust) is still very shiny and smooth feeling.
Any takers?
The thing is, while the front clamshell was stored under cover in my bedroom during the rebuild (and is clean) the roof, doors, sills and rear clamshell have all been stored in the garage and covering them was impossible/impractical. As such they've accumulated a thick layer of dust. My landlord is a carpenter so much of it is sawdust and just general dust, rather than it being abrasive. No angle grinders etc have been used around the car or in the garage so the dust is fairly "soft".
I decided to let it get dusty instead of preriodically cleaning it because I figured removing one lot of heavy dust is less likely to damage the paint than regular dusting to remove light coatings.
Here's a picture of the car in the sun showing the state of it:
Now, I want to get the car cleaned up a bit as it's leaving for wiring and mapping this weekend. Since everything's still exposed, I don't really want to get it sopping wet and sudsed up, although am happy to give it a light wash if this would be beneficial.
The car has been brushed up against a few times and the dust has come off in places where this has happened and I can't see any swirls from it.
Given that the paint isn't 110% perfect and will be re-done in another 8 months or so, I'm not worried about the odd near-invisible mark here and there... but I don't want to remove the dust only to swirl up the paint something proper.
Can anyone recommend a treatment/technique to help minimise the damage in getting it clean?
The car was washed, clayed, polished and then twice waxed before it came off the road and has been in a dry garage ever since so the paint (under the dust) is still very shiny and smooth feeling.
Any takers?
Do you need to get the car clean, as you said your gotting on with the last of your tasks then i would have thought you would be putting on the back clam shell.
If i were you i would leave the car the way it is and use it as a reminder not to rub the paint as you work on the car then when put back togeather give it a good prewash then a propper scrub down.
Good luck finnishing yors mods.
Cambelt
If i were you i would leave the car the way it is and use it as a reminder not to rub the paint as you work on the car then when put back togeather give it a good prewash then a propper scrub down.
Good luck finnishing yors mods.
Cambelt
Well the car's off to wiring (the first time it's really been outta my hands) and when it's back, the engine will be running, the rear clam gets bolted on and it's off for its MOT.
I'll have time to give the rear clam a proper wash (separately) but the midsection of the car would be better cleaned up soon, and without getting too wet.
I'll have time to give the rear clam a proper wash (separately) but the midsection of the car would be better cleaned up soon, and without getting too wet.
has it been totally dry all the time its been stored? If so, you have no worries and I would suggest getting a new microfibre and gently and slowly go over the car a couple of times - no pressure on the cloth and just let the fabric function do its thing. Its likely you'll just be able to wipe that back to shiny and then a squirt and rub of Quick Detailer if you have some
If you think it might have got damp....then id get a hair dryer or leaf blower of whatever (on cold) and blow as much dust off as possible. then get a cloth, find a small area and gently wipe. asses if the dust has bound to the wax at all. If not, proceed with cloth as above. If so, dab off with a damp sponge if you have the patience
If you think it might have got damp....then id get a hair dryer or leaf blower of whatever (on cold) and blow as much dust off as possible. then get a cloth, find a small area and gently wipe. asses if the dust has bound to the wax at all. If not, proceed with cloth as above. If so, dab off with a damp sponge if you have the patience
Air line first, then some form of duster without any pressure, then a damp microfibre with no pressure, then a clean damp microfibre over that.Is there no way of using a hose in a directional way to wash off the worst? Maybe aim to the middle of the car downwards? You have the sunsine to dry it off.........
the dust is very loose on the surface, itsnnever gotten wet so it comes off easily. its not bound to the surface at all. thatswhy I thought dry dusting might be okay if done gently... any form of washing I'd have thought would've left some on the surface but more stuck to it once dry?
Esprit said:
Bear in mind I'm down in the bottom of the world and many of the products you have available at your local motor-factors aren't available here unless you're prepared to wait 6 weeks.
I don`t know which part of the world you are actually from but the product I mentioned is only available direct or via distributors (worldwide) and isn`t available in local motor factors. http://www.optimumcarcare.com/distributers.htm?fal...
Edit:-
Optimum have recently released Opti Clean which would be even better for your situation (think of it as a QD on steroids)
http://www.optimumcarcare.com/oclean.htm?li=2
Edited by diesel piston on Saturday 23 October 12:00
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