Caterham wash procedure?

[subirg]

Well... I don't want to sound like a nancy, but the R400 needs a wash! It has been out in the wet a couple of times and is now totally filthy. So... my question is simply this:-

What's the recommended way to wash down a Caterham? Clearly a trip to the carwash is out of the question, so a 'hand job' is clearly required. Can you hose the car down? Does lots of water over the bonnet cause problems with the electrics?

Any and all hints/tips appreciated!

Thanks al!

ps: some of you may recall that my car had the wrong diff fitted at birth. Well - after 3 attempts, Caterham have finally sorted it out today. The beast is now running perfectly! Can't wait for my next track day at Oulton in early November!!!!!!!

[LukeBird]

My dad hand washes his car, its not difficult, only being small
With regard to hosing, sometimes it gets a little water into the footwells.
Other than that, I don't think he's had any problems

[casbar]

Hand wash, I then hose off with a gentle spray. I have a K, so if I remember I put a bit of plastic over the plug cover to stop water getting into the plugs.

My air filter isn't exposed, so no probs there. When I had a xflow with exposed air filters, I was careful not to spray water into the filters. Other than that no real issues

[susser]

I take my bonnet and nose cone off. Saves getting water on the electrics, minimises water into the footwells.

[Snake the Sniper]

Ok, mines not a Caterham, but if it's nice enough to clean it, shirley it's nice enough to go drive it. I've only ever felt the need to actually wash mine twice in a year and a half.

[jon.b]

Hose it down. Wash it well. I never worried too much where the water went. Bail the water out the footwells after and then most of all take it for a good blast before you put it away so all is dry.

[casbar]

I posted how I wash mine, but to be fair, it only gets washed once or twice a year as well

[subirg]

Thanks all! First wash coming up tomorrow (followed by blat obviously!)...

[Incorrigible]

subirg said:

Well... I don't want to sound like a nancy

I fear it may be a little late for that

[subirg]

Incorrigible said:

subirg said:

Well... I don't want to sound like a nancy

I fear it may be a little late for that

If I'm ever asked whether I wash my car, my official response will always be 'i never had wet bucket relations with that car'. End of.

[Scalper]

don't worry too much about it
sometimes I even use a pressure washer with no adverse effects

as others have said you will get some of water in the footwell, however by putting some plastic over the heater you can prevent the water from getting in and ending up in the footwells