Why bother cleaning?

Sancho · 27th February 2008, 16:09

Other than so it looks nice. Is there any harm in leaving the outside dirty? I have a (half-baked, unsubstantiated) theory that a good waxing, then let the dirt sit on top for years is the best way to protect the paintwork.

Sorry for offending the entire valeting forum.

JohnDotCom · 27th February 2008, 16:14

If its from the Roads recently you might also have a High amount of Salt on and Under Car which won't be doing it a World of Good.
Had to wash mine again today purely because the Seagulls decided it was my cars turn for bombing Runs!

trebor · 27th February 2008, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sancho

Other than so it looks nice. Is there any harm in leaving the outside dirty? I have a (half-baked, unsubstantiated) theory that a good waxing, then let the dirt sit on top for years is the best way to protect the paintwork.

Sorry for offending the entire valeting forum.

But what are you protecting it for - eventual resale, as if you leave it dirty whilst you own it you will never see the benefit of a nice clean gleaming car, and it will never stand out in the crowd.

There would be a massive problem with the wheels not being cleaned as baked on brake dust would be a nightmare to remove after a long period

If you are ever passing the Midlands, pop in and i will clean it for you.

pondweed · 27th February 2008, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sancho

Other than so it looks nice. Is there any harm in leaving the outside dirty? I have a (half-baked, unsubstantiated) theory that a good waxing, then let the dirt sit on top for years is the best way to protect the paintwork.

Sorry for offending the entire valeting forum.

I find that my lichen-encrusted outer surface tends to lower mpg but contributes to saving brake pad wear through enhanced drag.

Re the above, you are fine if its inorganic, but green moss, slime and decomposing bird poo all have a good effect on breaking down rubber and paintwork. Back to nature, man.

windrush · 27th February 2008, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sancho

Other than so it looks nice. Is there any harm in leaving the outside dirty? I have a (half-baked, unsubstantiated) theory that a good waxing, then let the dirt sit on top for years is the best way to protect the paintwork.

Sorry for offending the entire valeting forum.

No offence but are you some kind of nut

Sancho · 27th February 2008, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by windrush

No offence but are you some kind of nut

Sadly not, just a lazy lazy man looking for justification. Now the sun's coming back out, I might have a chance to wash it other than in the dark I suppose.

Jules · 27th February 2008, 20:50

It rather depends if Sancho intends using the said car or is simply storing it outside while not intending to wash it!!

He does have a valid question though.
I took a Rover 400 in part ex from a friend 2 years ago that I know they had never washed from new (3 years worth)!

Well guess what, after 2 days of "detail cleaning" the paintwork came up just fine, no scratches, fading etc. The original Lustre of the paint really shone through. It didn't have alloys though BTW instead just steels & plastic wheel trims which are very low maintenance anyway.

My conclusion was that this car had been "preserved" while in use!!
You can't really win with washing as no matter how careful you are, the washing process puts very minute scratches in the shiny surfaces, plus oxidisation and extra risk of corrosion occurs each time you introduce water to a metal car.

If you think about it on a microscopic level each particle of dirt/grit isslid along the paint before it comes off!
Not to mark the paint while washing would mean "lifting" each particle off one by one, a pretty impossible task.
Pressure washing first goes someway to help, but drawbacks are you are forcing water into all sorts of crevices where its not ideal for it to end up.

Over washing is also just as bad too! A neighbour of mine washes his like clockwork 11 am every Sunday, rain or shine (the whole family have such a routine which we don't envy in the slightest!!)
It's a 3 year old Vauxhall Vectra and he's washed it to death...looks as dull as dishwater as he has simply worn the top coat off the paint.

Choice is yours really no easy answer!

baxlin · 28th February 2008, 13:20

Years ago my Dad used to put seat covers (remember them?) on his car the day he got it new, and they only came off the day the car was sold. With pristine seats.

Even as a lad I could't understand his logic, particularly as the covers were usually those awful transparent placcy things - "so you can still see the seats..........."

Malcolm

PYTHON2674 · 28th February 2008, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebor

If you are ever passing the Midlands, pop in and i will clean it for you.

Cheers Trebor,

Is that offer open to all members as I will be up that way in about 3 weeks time! Just enough time to get her really dirty for you

Tom Collins · 28th February 2008, 16:09

How about mine too, I'm in the Midlands and my 75 hasn't been washed since mid November.

27th February 2008, 16:09	#1
Sancho Loves to post Mercedes 220SE Coupe, Mitsubishi Delica, Nissan Micra Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: London Posts: 358 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Why bother cleaning? Other than so it looks nice. Is there any harm in leaving the outside dirty? I have a (half-baked, unsubstantiated) theory that a good waxing, then let the dirt sit on top for years is the best way to protect the paintwork. Sorry for offending the entire valeting forum.

27th February 2008, 20:50	#7
Jules This is my second home ZT 260 SE Twilight and 10 other 75 ZT's :O Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Conwy NORTH WALES Posts: 11,094 Thanks: 512 Thanked 1,116 Times in 763 Posts	It rather depends if Sancho intends using the said car or is simply storing it outside while not intending to wash it!! He does have a valid question though. I took a Rover 400 in part ex from a friend 2 years ago that I know they had never washed from new (3 years worth)! Well guess what, after 2 days of "detail cleaning" the paintwork came up just fine, no scratches, fading etc. The original Lustre of the paint really shone through. It didn't have alloys though BTW instead just steels & plastic wheel trims which are very low maintenance anyway. My conclusion was that this car had been "preserved" while in use!! You can't really win with washing as no matter how careful you are, the washing process puts very minute scratches in the shiny surfaces, plus oxidisation and extra risk of corrosion occurs each time you introduce water to a metal car. If you think about it on a microscopic level each particle of dirt/grit isslid along the paint before it comes off! Not to mark the paint while washing would mean "lifting" each particle off one by one, a pretty impossible task. Pressure washing first goes someway to help, but drawbacks are you are forcing water into all sorts of crevices where its not ideal for it to end up. Over washing is also just as bad too! A neighbour of mine washes his like clockwork 11 am every Sunday, rain or shine (the whole family have such a routine which we don't envy in the slightest!!) It's a 3 year old Vauxhall Vectra and he's washed it to death...looks as dull as dishwater as he has simply worn the top coat off the paint. Choice is yours really no easy answer! __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Newbies do now!! 1. Plenum drains..all 3 or 4 year dependent 2. Cooling fan..All speeds functioning 3. Bonnet cable divider block

28th February 2008, 16:09	#10
Tom Collins Posted a thing or two Mondeo 2.0 cdti Ghia Auto Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Leicester Posts: 1,731 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	How about mine too, I'm in the Midlands and my 75 hasn't been washed since mid November. __________________ In vino veritas [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain?

27th February 2008, 16:14	#2
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	If its from the Roads recently you might also have a High amount of Salt on and Under Car which won't be doing it a World of Good. Had to wash mine again today purely because the Seagulls decided it was my cars turn for bombing Runs!

28th February 2008, 13:20	#8
baxlin This is my second home Volvo C70 Convertible and JZR 3 wheeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tring, Herts Posts: 3,961 Thanks: 124 Thanked 173 Times in 124 Posts	Years ago my Dad used to put seat covers (remember them?) on his car the day he got it new, and they only came off the day the car was sold. With pristine seats. Even as a lad I could't understand his logic, particularly as the covers were usually those awful transparent placcy things - "so you can still see the seats..........." Malcolm