Newb Question - How to wash car

[chris_c201]

Folks,

Just picked up my exige this week (04 190 touring).

I've read through various threads and one fundamental question remains... when washing the car, do you have to be careful about getting too much water into the engine bay?

Apologies if it's a stupid question but don't want to do anything daft!

Cheers,
Chris

[tuscan_thunder]

As long as you work sensibly, avoiding exposed connectors and the air intake and don't soak anything, you should be fine.

You can safely power wash your engine so with general washing there should be no issues.


If in doubt, feel free to email or call for advice: enquiries@polishedbliss.co.uk 0845 454 0017

[tut]

Leave it out in the rain and gales as I did yesterday and it self cleans without even touching it.

tut

[chris_c201]

Haha... funnily enough i've read enough to see that might be your opinion

Cheers for the advice Tuscan..

[campbell]

Chris, "home washing" is unlikely to tip any amount of harmful water into the engine bay. Cleaning the engine itself is obviously a different subject, and the experts are already arriving to assist on that one

One tip might be to get the car out for a wee run after cleaning (not too far, obviously, if you want to retain that cleansed look, and not if it's wet or grimy clearly!!!) but this will help dry off the whole engine bay.

Just my 2p as an amateur latherer.

On early Eliges with thin spark plug cover strips, it's possible for water to ingres and end up in the plug bores so some care is worthwhile there...especially if the car has to stand outside in the rain, particularly right now! Some have covered the plug/rocker cover with placcy bag or similar...removed before driving of course!!

However I think from S2 vintage onwards, the cam cover is one-piece so water in the plug bores should not be an issue.

[douglasgdmw]

Chris,

Welcome to the Lotus fold

Do not know where you are based but if you are local to Edinburgh then would recommend you get Ally out (360 Complete) as he will make the car sparkle with his detailing work. The good thing is that once he has done it, it's so much easier to keep the car clean if you use the correct products.

I also purchase all my stuff from Polished Bliss, excellent to deal with and the website is great.

Cheers
George

[chris_c201]

Cheers for all the info folks.. car was spotless when I picked it up Wednesday but it's dirty already as I drove it a couple of days this week in the horrible weather (couldn't resist!)

WIll give it a wash this week, it's an S2 so doesn't sound like washing the outside should cause any issues with too much water getting into the engine bay...

I am based in Glasgow but work in Edinburgh, what is a ballpark for getting Ali to work his magic?

Thanks again,
Chris

[douglasgdmw]

May give you an indication:
http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... 13&t=15244

Cheers
George

Ps Please note I think his website is currently down but probably best to PM him

[BiggestNizzy]

On early Eliges with thin spark plug cover strips, it's possible for water to ingres and end up in the plug bores so some care is worthwhile there...especially if the car has to stand outside in the rain, particularly right now! Some have covered the plug/rocker cover with placcy bag or similar...removed before driving of course!!

Magnecor leads stop this as they have a rubber seal on them, they aint cheap but I haven't had any trougle since fitting them

[tuscan_thunder]

Chris, "home washing" is unlikely to tip any amount of harmful water into the engine bay. Cleaning the engine itself is obviously a different subject, and the experts are already arriving to assist on that one

One tip might be to get the car out for a wee run after cleaning (not too far, obviously, if you want to retain that cleansed look, and not if it's wet or grimy clearly!!!) but this will help dry off the whole engine bay.

Agreed, if in doubt, fire it up as you wash or immediately afterwards. I don't foresee you having issues with water ingress.

Chris,

Welcome to the Lotus fold

Do not know where you are based but if you are local to Edinburgh then would recommend you get Ally out (360 Complete) as he will make the car sparkle with his detailing work. The good thing is that once he has done it, it's so much easier to keep the car clean if you use the correct products.

I also purchase all my stuff from Polished Bliss, excellent to deal with and the website is great.

Cheers
George

Thanks!

[Stewart]

Chris

I had a 190 exige for a year and a half. I always snow foamed it and power washed it. This included firing the pw straight at the grill directly above the engine. Never ever had an issue but I did always have a very clean engine bay as I always gave it a quick rub down with a waffle weave drying towel when finished

[campbell]

as I always have a quick rub down with a waffle weave drying towel when finished

Fixed that for ya, Stewart.

Sorry, 3 glasses of Merlot later

It IS a Friday night, after all...

[Stewart]

as I always have a quick rub down with a waffle weave drying towel when finished

Fixed that for ya, Stewart.

Sorry, 3 glasses of Merlot later

It IS a Friday night, after all...

Good idea, I was just contemplating a wee Highland Park

P.S.
Photos of the rub down now added

[campbell]

Oooh

[RDH]

I liked JJ's methods
http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... ilit=Clean