Washing & waxing the Esprit

[chasevdr]

Ugghhh! Just spent the whole day washing, cleaning, polishing and waxing the car. Anyone who details cars should be paid a small fortune for what they do. Started at 9:30 and I finished at 6:30. With all those scoops, panels, bodywork so close to the ground I am going to be hunched over for weeks. For some reason I always forget how much work it is. Of course Lotus owners are known to be obsessive-compulsive, but I don't suffer from that affliction. When I can walk upright again I will consider driving again. For now though, I am going to put on those two car covers, park her in the corner, and sleep content knowing the car is sparkling.

[86turbo]

It's a good feeling. That said, my car is still usually covered in a protective layer of silt that repels insects and prevents unwanted attention (laziness sometimes has benefits). Reminds me I should wash mine tommorow, I can't really see out of the windows anymore
Dan

[unity1]

The full job always takes me around 3 hours. The poor girl is oftern filthy these days (not much wring with thats I hear you say ). The nice field views outside my house are being 'developed' so everything gets covered in dust on a daily basis. Currently only wash her if I'm going somewhere instead of just a drive.

[Watership Down]

Spent most of Friday afternoon preparing the 87 Esprit for a car show in my town (washing,waxing,etc)the next day. Saturday morning rolls around and I drive to the meeting area. I pull in and someone says whoa! "This is for cars that are 1975 and older", but I wasn't told that. Thats the first time since I tried to get into an "X" rated movie in the early 60s that I have been told I was too young!!

[Autocross7]

chasevdr said:

Ugghhh! Just spent the whole day washing, cleaning, polishing and waxing the car. Anyone who details cars should be paid a small fortune for what they do. Started at 9:30 and I finished at 6:30. With all those scoops, panels, bodywork so close to the ground I am going to be hunched over for weeks. For some reason I always forget how much work it is. Of course Lotus owners are known to be obsessive-compulsive, but I don't suffer from that affliction. When I can walk upright again I will consider driving again. For now though, I am going to put on those two car covers, park her in the corner, and sleep content knowing the car is sparkling.

Hey I'm good with that getting paid a lot part! I detail cars to give my brain a rest from work... I love it! It is the only thing I do that is actually done when it is done. I find it takes ma about two hours to do it fair... but I clean it - engine bay and all - about twice a week. So, when I clean, there is not any real build up to do away with.

It is so much better to be in a car ready for a show!
Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[chasevdr]

Autocross7 said:

chasevdr said: Ugghhh! Just spent the whole day washing, cleaning, polishing and waxing the car. Anyone who details cars should be paid a small fortune for what they do. Started at 9:30 and I finished at 6:30. With all those scoops, panels, bodywork so close to the ground I am going to be hunched over for weeks. For some reason I always forget how much work it is. Of course Lotus owners are known to be obsessive-compulsive, but I don't suffer from that affliction. When I can walk upright again I will consider driving again. For now though, I am going to put on those two car covers, park her in the corner, and sleep content knowing the car is sparkling. Hey I'm good with that getting paid a lot part! I detail cars to give my brain a rest from work... I love it! It is the only thing I do that is actually done when it is done. I find it takes ma about two hours to do it fair... but I clean it - engine bay and all - about twice a week. So, when I clean, there is not any real build up to do away with. It is so much better to be in a car ready for a show! Drive topless!!! Cameron

As a person who has been washing the exotic only for 1.5 yrs, I am wondering what your preferred products are? I have a list of favorites but several of them are tough to remove if you put just a little too much of it on. They can leave a subtle haze that requires a microfiber towel to remove. The ones I have settled on after trying many different brands in order of use are:

(1) Wash with Meguiar's Gold Class car wash
(2) Apply 3M Wax/Residue remover
(3) Wash with Meguire's Gold Class car wash
(4) Meguiar's Medallion Premium Paint Cleaner
(5) Meguiar's Show Car Glaze (Pure Polish #7)
(6) Zaino Bros Show Car Polish Lok (#1)
(7) Zaino Bros Show Car Polish for Clear Coat (#2)
(8) Souveran Pinnacle Natural Brilliance (Pure Brazilian Ivory Carnauba)

I use the Carnauba in addition to the Zaino Bros stuff because it adds a depth that the extremely reflective Zaino Bros Polish does not achieve (in my humble opinion). Besides, it smells nice and it can't hurt to put on the good ol' fashioned carnauba.

[rob.e]

Just thing guys - all that time you've spent.. you could have been driving..

[judgea]

I cheat, but it really looks good: I use "Armor All Car Wash" pre-moistened wipes. They work really good if car is not too dirty; i.e., not thick w/mud, but just dusty. I avoid washing altogether. This stuff apparently won't hurt the car's finish. Then I use the spray "Turtle Wax Ultra Gloss". Use the spray b/c you just spray & wipe; not much work. This stuff has some carnuba, although probably not much, still works good for a fast job. I use it on the bumpers also. This is all I do weekly, unless I want to spray/clean the radiator with water. Works well; recently, someone commented how good of a car it must be b/c the paint job looked so good for a 15+ yr. old car.

[janszott]

I don't know if you can get it 'cross the pond, but I use Mr Clean AutoDry for quick cleanups. I really works well and it only takes 5 minutes to do the whole car.
www.homemadesimple.com/mrcleanautodry/howto.shtml

Jan
91SE Canada