Washing an Ultima

[mt308]

I've been warned that when I get her home off the M1 on Wednesday she will be covered in salt. Other than wait and wait (and not have her for Easter) I'll live with it but obviously want to give her a good wash down on Good Friday...

I have booked the afternoon off work and purchased train tickets.

I assume loads of water gets in through the side pod grills and drains down into the bottom of the side pods then hopefully out of the drainage holes. Though I would guess if you wash it and leave it sitting there it might not make it to the holes and therefore you end up with standing water in the side pods for days? Perhaps its best not to point a hose straight into the grills and just try to wipe them? (inevitably some water will end up in there even so though I expect).

Any tips?

[Graham-P]

Well you're braver than me, I've driven in very heavy rain etc but I'm leaving mine (not far from Hinkley) until the weather man stops predicting snow for this week
As far as washing I use only a bucket of warm water and good quality shampoo and micro fibre towels, raise both clips so that when you wash the water runs off and doesnt pool anywhere. Your wheels will take a lot of punishment from the salt as the centres are not coated, and any unprotected areas such as track rod ends etc will surface rust by the time you reach home.
I would forget the hose, just go in with bucket and sponge for the non bodywork cleaning.
I did the train trip from Hinckley to Essex a couple of weeks ago when I dropped the car off, changed four times and seemed liked it took forever, good luck with the journey.


Graham

[Ult-Jim]

First time I washed my car I taped up all the shut lines / intakes and was very careful with the hose pressure. Still got water in, so a quick drive after washing is essential, especially as it stops the brake disks going rusty. Use a soft mitt and a drying towel, not a chamois or rag and use the two bucket wash method with a grill at the base of the buckets to prevent scratching swirls in paint of gel coat. Wash the lower half of the car in sections with a clean bucket of water as that is where the grit is that will be picked up in your wash mitt and may potentially create swirl marks in paint and yes in gel coat as well. After a good wash I had the car on a ramp to make sure the underneath, and inside the front and rear clips are dry and clean. I even washed inside the front clip where dirt gets flown up. After that I have the wheels off cleaned individually and so on... I could go on for a life time about methods, procedures and products, but more can be discovered on detailingworld, well worth a look if your car is a keeper and you want it looking good. I have started polishing my gel coat, ali side pod parts and polycarbonate windows to be followed by special sealants and waxes, still in progress, ideal job while the weather prevent driving and saves spending 100's not getting a pro to do it. Plus its a good way to get to know your car if you did not build it yourself. Ok I admit I am a polisher...

ps don't forget claying as well

Ul-jim.

[V8Dom]

work of advise from a car dealer... if you wash your car then want to store it, drive around the block after to dry the brakes...

The discs will rust straight away and the discs and pads corrode together leaving rust marks where they join.

Whoops!

dom

Edited by V8Dom on Wednesday 27th March 18:36

[Storer]

Have you been drinking Dom, or did you not read that back before you posted it??????




Paul

[dandare]

Storer said:

Have you been drinking Dom, or did you not read that back before you posted it??????




Paul

[F.C.]

mt308 said:

I've been warned that when I get her home off the M1 on Wednesday she will be covered in salt. Other than wait and wait (and not have her for Easter) I'll live with it but obviously want to give her a good wash down on Good Friday...

I have booked the afternoon off work and purchased train tickets.

I assume loads of water gets in through the side pod grills and drains down into the bottom of the side pods then hopefully out of the drainage holes. Though I would guess if you wash it and leave it sitting there it might not make it to the holes and therefore you end up with standing water in the side pods for days? Perhaps its best not to point a hose straight into the grills and just try to wipe them? (inevitably some water will end up in there even so though I expect).

Any tips?

Yes, wash it on Wednesday or you will have salt damage to your wheels (assuming they are Image polished rims)by Friday.

[pilbeam_mp62]

I don't understand why you would drive it back through the bad weather, with salt and spray etc. when you could call Joe Coleman at http://movemymotor.net/home_page and he will collect it in his covered transporter, for a reasonable price.

He took my Ultima to and from the factory a couple of times a few years ago, and he did an excellent job.

Regards

[ROWDYRENAULT]

I am very spoiled and I intend to remain that way. By that, I mean that I live in Southern California where rain is not a common event and I have a 4 point lift in my garage. The Ultima typically goes on the rack when it comes home and at that point it gets a post flight inspection with rag and detail spray in hand. On a normal outing this is a 1/2 hour deal and when its done I know all the bolts and fittings are where they need to be and the chassis is clean. A couple of times I have got caught in rain and this turns into a 1/2 day event because mud and crap gets everywhere. All of this is stated because I will tell you that running the car on a salted road on purpose is a mistake. I understand that my Ultima brothers who live in England live in a different reality and rain and perhaps salt can not be avoided but believe me when I tell you, you will never get all of the salt out of all of the nooks and crannies and you will pay a price long term. Take the man aboves suggestion if you need it home that bad put it in a tailor. Just my opinion, Lee

[Ult-Jim]

pilbeam_mp62 said:

I don't understand why you would drive it back through the bad weather, with salt and spray etc. when you could call Joe Coleman at http://movemymotor.net/home_page and he will collect it in his covered transporter, for a reasonable price.

He took my Ultima to and from the factory a couple of times a few years ago, and he did an excellent job.

Regards

Thanks for sharing that info. Always useful to know.
Ult-jim

[pilbeam_mp62]

Ult-Jim said:

pilbeam_mp62 said:

I don't understand why you would drive it back through the bad weather, with salt and spray etc. when you could call Joe Coleman at http://movemymotor.net/home_page and he will collect it in his covered transporter, for a reasonable price.

He took my Ultima to and from the factory a couple of times a few years ago, and he did an excellent job.

Regards

Thanks for sharing that info. Always useful to know.
Ult-jim

In fact, I have just noticed that there is a picture of my car being delivered to the factory on the website.

http://movemymotor.net/enclosed_trailer

Regards

[mt308]

Thanks all for the very helpful comments and links.

I have seen sense and decided to leave her up there.

I now need some rain and some warm weather!

[V8Dom]

mt308 said:

Thanks all for the very helpful comments and links.

I have seen sense and decided to leave her up there.

I now need some rain and some warm weather!

no you need sunshine and warm weather...

[pilbeam_mp62]

V8Dom said:

mt308 said:

Thanks all for the very helpful comments and links.

I have seen sense and decided to leave her up there.

I now need some rain and some warm weather!

no you need sunshine and warm weather...

I think he wants rain to wash the salt off the roads ? !