[Shadow]

how do you wash a lotus? i see a lot of concern about driving in the rain. will soap harm critical parts when it goes into the mesh?

 

[4380r]

how do you wash a lotus? i see a lot of concern about driving in the rain. will soap harm critical parts when it goes into the mesh?

Wash it just as you would any car that you care about. You can go crazy if you like with the Zaino style cleaning/detailing, or a simply two bucket method, clean cloths, clean water and a good soap designed for cars.

You won't hurt the car. Lots of folks keep them outside and drive them in the rain with no problem.

Just don't take it through a power wash.

 

[RacyTracy]

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f92/its-all-about-wash-wheels-wheel-wells-tutorial-37467/

 

[kestrel74]

Automatic car washes....... cheerleaders on the corner with buckets of dirty water..... whatever works.:shrug:

 

[...m...]

...i've heard that automatic washes can cause problems...

 

[kestrel74]

...i've heard that automatic washes can cause problems...

Ok, so I added a :shrug:

 

[proskills]

I know it says in the manual not to use pressure washers, is this really a problem?

 

[IamBatman]

like this

 

[qu1Z]

I know it says in the manual not to use pressure washers, is this really a problem?

It's not a problem, just do it from a distance. I use a pressure washer all the time. Followed by a soapy glove, rinse and shammy. NO NOT A SHAM-WOW.rotfl

 

[sleepe]

automatic car washes reuse their dirty water... wash after wash...it does get filtered, but only to the degree that sand is removed so it doesn't clog the high pressure nozzles

stay away

 

[serpent]

you wash a lotus like any other car that you love and care about

 

[Vampyre]

Automatic car washes....... cheerleaders on the corner with buckets of dirty water..... whatever works.:shrug:

Dirty cheerleaders with buckets of clean water is preferred...:nanner2:

 

[SweetDaddyD]

Dirty cheerleaders with buckets of clean water is preferred...:nanner2:

^^ Agreed.

In 1967 the standard by which all cars should be washed was set.
It still works today.
Behold the ultimate car wash tutorial and documentary.

<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kliy32YWFcU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kliy32YWFcU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>

 

[kestrel74]

rotflrotflrotfl Great !! What a classic !

 

[SweetDaddyD]

One of these days I'm gonna buy that movie.

 

[chapster5]

The best way ive heard is use your tongue
(Ive heard it workd wonders on the windows)

 

[uclacyc]

The best way ive heard is use your tongue
(Ive heard it workd wonders on the windows)

I have some dried puke on the back window from a friend on NYE, that needs cleaning up on my beater.

 

[chapster5]

I have some dried puke on the back window from a friend on NYE, that needs cleaning up on my beater.

Drag him back make him lick it off :shrug:

 

[mikester]

how do you wash a lotus? i see a lot of concern about driving in the rain. will soap harm critical parts when it goes into the mesh?

There is a lot of information on this forum about detailing the Elise/Exige, just search around.

One thing about these cars that's different from other cars is, that you want to wash them with the nose pointing downhill (if you're on an inclined surface like a driveway). Otherwise, you'll collect a lot of the wash water in your trunk. Even with the nose pointing down the incline, you may get some water there so I'd advise putting a towel down or at least removing anything that you don't want getting wet.

Power washers are not recommended because they may damage the starshield. But as long as you're careful about not blasting very close to the surface and esp. near the edges of the starshield, and as long as it's not a super-powerful power washer, you should be fine.

 

[darkSol]

Automatic carwashes are not recommended because water WILL get through the top of the side windows... I tried it once 3 years ago (thought to myself "what's the worse that could happen?") and laughed my completely soaked ass off all the way home.

Even with a large towel pressed against the top of the window -> roof seal (softtop/hardtop... doesn't matter!) water still sprayed at 100psi+ into the cabin and all over me!

It was tragic and immensely funny at the same time