Washing my TVR
Discussion
I'm a lazy git (I've got four kids and my wife describes herself as a single mother of five), and really can't be bothered to get a bucket, sponge and chammis out to clean my Griff. Obviously I wouldn't stick it through a proper carwash - even I'm not that dumb. However, is it possible to clean it with a jet wash type system. Anyone got any opinions on the matter.
Corin Denton said:
I would only use a jet wash to clean under the arches on extreme occasions. I would never use it on paintwork, ever. Takes off all the wax etc.
Also may strip off a lot of the waterproofing on the roof. I actually like washing cars, try it. It's pretty satisfying.
Except you get really
when some idiot truck deposits a load of cement dust over your car!!!
srebbe64 said:
I'm a lazy git
Me too.
I hate doing chores and mundane things at any time of my 'awake' hours.
However, it is curious to me that I wash my Griff at least twice a month. It is a labour of love I suppose and I honestly take pleasure in washing the car in exactly the same way, every time I do it.
Oh, those curves
Caress with the sponge and lovingly finish with a chamois.
jet wash is superb for cleaning your car if you take the paint off etc your putting the nozel to close,
using a jet wash first before sponging remove's alot of the grit which scratch's the paint when you apply the sponge i wouldnt be without 1, you just have to use it sensibly, ie dont be tempted to blast off those fly's at close range they could be stone chip's
and end up the size of a 20p piece,
also use the jetwash to clean out your chamois or in my case a vileda flunky the best for drying ya car off
and if your feeling generous buy some tango from autosmart and apply after washing of sud's then re rinse off
has the same affect as rain x but for the paintwork aswell.
using a jet wash first before sponging remove's alot of the grit which scratch's the paint when you apply the sponge i wouldnt be without 1, you just have to use it sensibly, ie dont be tempted to blast off those fly's at close range they could be stone chip's
and end up the size of a 20p piece,
also use the jetwash to clean out your chamois or in my case a vileda flunky the best for drying ya car off
and if your feeling generous buy some tango from autosmart and apply after washing of sud's then re rinse off
has the same affect as rain x but for the paintwork aswell.
Oddly enough, jet washing a muddy car can cause scratching. I can see no real benefit of jet washing other than under the wheel arches and under the car. It's a lazy way to clean a car! Sadly, most of the dealers do it just before you get your car back so even though you lovingly wax your P&J, most of it gets blasted off by them! AIMHO
how can using a jet wash be lazy if you are still using a bucket and sponge 
so if you dont spray of the mud how do you remove it ?
and i dont think by just washing your car you take the wax of unless your using fairy liquid
i was a valeter in the past and have used hundred's
of different product's and believe me you need a jet wash as for dealers they dont sponge your car they use truck wash / t,f,r traffic film remover which is an alkalie they spray on then they blast it off and then chamois the grit and dirt in to your paint
ie always state that you dont want your car cleaned.
so if you dont spray of the mud how do you remove it ?
and i dont think by just washing your car you take the wax of unless your using fairy liquid
i was a valeter in the past and have used hundred's
of different product's and believe me you need a jet wash as for dealers they dont sponge your car they use truck wash / t,f,r traffic film remover which is an alkalie they spray on then they blast it off and then chamois the grit and dirt in to your paint
ie always state that you dont want your car cleaned. loose cannon said:
how can using a jet wash be lazy if you are still using a bucket and sponge
so if you dont spray of the mud how do you remove it ?
and i dont think by just washing your car you take the wax of unless your using fairy liquid
I agree - it's more of a hassle and takes more time, as you have to connect up the jet wash, and as lc says, you just use it sensibly - use it from a distance on the roof etc, don't direct it into vents on your bonnet, use it closer for wheelarches. Still have to do all the other stuff!
loose cannon said:
how can using a jet wash be lazy if you are still using a bucket and sponge
so if you dont spray of the mud how do you remove it ?
OK - I take it back
I know what you mean - I use a jet wash on boats/patios etc and you're right, they are a pain in the
and not an easy option. I remove mud etc with a hose. I don't use the jet wash as it can scratch it if it's covered in mud (I live on a farm so my interpretation of "covered in mud" may be far far worse than yours). I also have distant memories of jet washing the lacquer off my alloys many years ago so I hate them for that as well!
just fond memmories of valeting and making a silk purse out of a sow's ear 
FlipFlopGriff said:
I use a new sponge every other wash - as they only cost about 50p I don't see any issue as the car is worth so much. The old sponge then gets relegated into cleaning the alloys.
FFG
Wow - that is commitment (bordering on obsessive, albeit). Don't suppose you want to come over to my place and wash my Griff? I'll provide the sponge.
look here lads (car valetor since 1985)
a jet wash is a good idea as you must remove all the small particles of dirt on your cars,then and only then you can sponge your car without causing scratches.
point taken jet washes if held to close can get under paint chips and make them worse ie,bigger or causing lacquer to map (spread)
the secret to a clean car is to sponge/shampoo it so well that after you leather it your leather is perfectley clean if you can see any dirt at all on your leather then you aint sponged the car good enough
one more point on jet washes they will only take the polish of the car if they are used with hot water.(steam cleaners are used with hot water by most dealers
a jet wash is a good idea as you must remove all the small particles of dirt on your cars,then and only then you can sponge your car without causing scratches.
point taken jet washes if held to close can get under paint chips and make them worse ie,bigger or causing lacquer to map (spread)
the secret to a clean car is to sponge/shampoo it so well that after you leather it your leather is perfectley clean if you can see any dirt at all on your leather then you aint sponged the car good enough
one more point on jet washes they will only take the polish of the car if they are used with hot water.(steam cleaners are used with hot water by most dealers
There are minimal scratches on our paint so I don't agree. It is washed carefully, weekly (so never too dirty) and polisheed with P21 every 3 months and then waxed (P21 again).
I change the sponge regularly as it a £4k respray job so it needs to be looked after. 50p every couple of weeks is no issue when compared with the alternative.
FFG
I change the sponge regularly as it a £4k respray job so it needs to be looked after. 50p every couple of weeks is no issue when compared with the alternative.
FFG
Well I did it. For the first time in my life I cleaned a car. Went to Halfords, bought all the gubbins, came home and spent two house bringing the motor up to a glorious shine. What a great feeling! Much cleaner than my BMW - whereby I stick it in the cheapest drive-through! Might do it again next week, beofore the novelty wears off!
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