Slowgoing

OK so I just got the S2K a week ago and it is time to get this puppy washed. I realized as I went to wash it that I am unsure as to what to do during a normal weekly cleaning when it comes to the roof.


1) Do I just go over the top with the sponge and the regular car wash soap? (OK wool mitt, not sponge, that apparently is the better option I found when reading this forum.)
2) What about spraying the car with the hose? Do I need to treat it any differently or can I just let it fly at any pressure and from any direction?
3) Also I read about cleaning the wheel barrels? What is a wheel barrel?

Well, I think I have asked my share of seeming self evident questions that I truly don't know the answer to...

Thanks in advance for the help.

Vi37573r

Treat the top how you would treat any other surface of the car. Wash it with normal soap and don't let it dry up. You can buy some vinyl protectant like Raggtop if you have an OEM or buy an equivalent cloth protectant.

If the paints in decent condition (i.e. no paint/clearcoat chipping) then you can use the hose like any other car.

The wheel barrels are the inside of the rim behind the face. You'll need a long skinny brush that can reach back there. Something like this would work.
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Chemical..._p/acc_s31.htm

Glad to see a new owner looking to take care of the car. Proper car washing technique will stop you from inducing swirls and scratches in the paint. Check out the FAQs for lot of useful information on taking care of the car.
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/221...-step-by-step/

Slowgoing

VI37573r

Thanks much for your reply.

M

takeshi

Sure. I use a brush and Raggtopp's cleaner. There's more than one way to skin that cat.

You probably don't want to use high pressure near the seals.

osoquik

Here's a quick list of things, I bought when I first started.

-Two wash mittens (one for top half & other for lower half of car).
-Two 3 or 5 gal buckets.
-Quality car soap.
-Microfiber drying towels (large & small).
-Raggtop cleaner & protectant.
-Leather cleaner & conditioner.
-Brush or cheap sponge for the wheels/tires.

Lastly, whatever else you might want: (tire wet, glass cleaner, interior cleaner/dressing or etc.).

Slowgoing

Thanks for all to for the replies.

For Ragtop cleaner I thought the top was cloth and then I saw some information saying even though it is woven like cloth it is really woven vinyl. Just to make matters more complicated the previous owner replaced the top with a not OEM top. How can I tell what I've got?

Thanks,
M

MuttGrunt

Post a few pics of the top. If it's an OEM type replacement, it'll have a smoother finish. If it's a cloth top, it'll be a bit blacker and more fluffiness to the texture. You should use the right protection product as the vinyl top protectant is loaded with UV ray inhibitors to protect the material from breaking down more while the cloth protectant is designed more for greater water resistance to protect the cloth from wear.

osoquik

Here's a couple quick vids to show which one you have.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng_FJlUKtKA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzaqle5ZTDg