Quick Cleanup?

[jdebaun]

OK,

Pleased to report that ERA 390 is safely & happily at it's new home here in Danbury CT!

Quick question - what is a good solution for a quick surface clean or touch-up after a drive? Want to make sure I don't harm that ol' fashion paint finish.

Thanks!

[Manowar]

Beautiful old car.
Get a car duster, microfiber cloths (very important), Griots or Mothers detailer spray. Never wash it. My paint is 16 years old. Only just starting to rag-scratch now.

[jdebaun]

Thanks Manowar! So at 14 yrs, my paint isn't that old at all

Picked up the microfiber cloth, a pack. I'll look for Mothers, should be able to find that locally.

Jerry

[WarrenG]

Meguire's Detailing spray also works well. Just keep turning to a clean section of the cloth to avoid dragging dirt across the paint surface.

[mpanten]

Another vote for the meguires quick clean, although im sure Mothers is just as good.

[era2107]

Walt at Conn. Custom Car Painted my car and recommended Meguires Final Inspection Detail Spray. It works very well on dust & dirt. Does not cause any mirco scratches. You can get it through NAPA ($6 -$7 ). I buy it by the case. I also by Microfiber Towels at Sam's Club $11.00 for 25. FWIW.

[jdebaun]

Thanks again to all!!

I'll have to go check out both the Mothers & Meguires, maybe buy one of each and label it Mother Meguires??

Sounds like both will do a great job.

[MaSnaka]

Zaino Bros. has some good stuff too. I think you have to order it by mail. I like the resuts. Shiny.

John

[ERA2188]

Man O War. Just curious. You say "never wash it". Will washing with a mild detergent (I have used Joy liquid on boats, cars, everything for years) and a clean cloth - drying with a towell - cause scratches? And the Meguiers and microfiber cloth won't? My old cobra was Viking blue and never showed any scratching, but my new ERA, being painted a navy blue, probably will. I appreciate your input. Thanks, Rickd

[mikiec]

The problem with Joy liquid or any other dishwashing stuff is that it removes all the old wax and polish. Zaino says use Dawn to clean off all the old wax etc. before starting with their process.

If you do wash the car, use a good automotive car wash liquid.

The car can be washed.. Just becareful of getting to much water in the cockpit.

Mike

[Manowar]

Rickd,
I should correct my earlier statement by saying "I never wash it" rather than command everyone else not to wash.
I found early on that washing a Cobra creates much more effort to keep immaculate as water will roll into every scoop, slot, nook and cranny. (What the hell [i]is[i] a cranny anyway??) especially soapy water. Then it's blow it out and try to dry and you've got a soaked dash, carpet trunk and engine bay.
The best way for me was always to blow off dust/pollen with 100psi air, then use a seasoned duster which picks up beautifully-then detailer w/micro cloths which do no harm.
At the times when I had splash from the road/mud/sand I use the same start but spray the detailer liberally and let it soak the splash for a while. Gentle wiping done in stages with frequent change of cloth always works with no harm. Bird crap must be caught immediately with detailer and tissue or toilet tissue or it will etch.
The other reason I learned this stuff is that the magnesium wheels do not tolerate even a sneeze of moisture before they turn to crusty milk. So no soapy washes in the driveway. See my gallery-car is 24 years old, this candy paint blend is 16.
Find what works best for you-nobody has to be so anal as me.:P

[wtm442]

I used to wash mine. But now its just microfiber cloths and some spray detailer/cleaner. I keep the spray bottle and some cloths in a baggie in the trunk. After using the cloth, wash it.

If you drop the microfiber cloth on the ground, do not use it. Throw it away. Even after washing, it will retain dirt and scratch the paint.

[cscobra]

My first post after all this time. I visited ERA on July 31 and was most impressed, as was my wife. We will likely go this way.

Regarding detail cleaners: I formerly used Maguire's religiously (1952 MG TD, 2004 SVT Mustang Convertible, 2000 BMW 323Ci before the Mustang, and my wife's 2004 Crossfire). I tried Mother's on a lark--no dust build-up over time (unlike my experience with Maguire's), and it left a very slick surface with a nice sheen (again, unlike Maguire's).

I am now a Mother's man. I feel especially safe entrusting my MG's paint to this product.

[JWheaton]

Jdebaun,

I've used Groits Speed Shine on ERA #389 since I acquired the car a couple of years ago. Generally the car looks good. As with anything it is going to be a matter of how/where you store the car and how often you clean, wax and such.


Will you be going to Lime Rock on Sunday of Labor day weekend?

[jdebaun]

cscobra, welcome to the insanity & thanks for the Mother's-ly advice. You can't do better than ERA, so let us know if we can help with anything.

JWheaton - Thanks for the info. Won't be able to go to LRP as we get back from vacation the evening of the 2nd. I would like a photo of 389 & 390 some time tho!

[bcrumpley]

I like the quick detailing spray if the car is just dusty and needs some freshening up. However, if it's actually dirty, I use Poorboy's Spray and Wipe. Really works well, especially on a car that's a pain to wash with a hose.

[cscobra]

Thank you, jdebaun. It's good to be aboard.

Know of any good sources for used (rebuildable) XJ6/XKE rear suspension/drive assemblies? I'd like to do the rebuild myself (ditto for the toploader).

Thanks again.