Weird Z3 cleaning problem...

[Dino D]

So looking at the pics above you may be wondering what is the problem?
There is one shiny Z3, all good here. But something weird has been happening...

Well the thing is I used to be a supporter of the better local hand car wash (who only use autoglym products by the way) and used to go early before the mitts were totally full of grit I really enjoyed the liberal coating of tyre slick they managed to get on the rears every time, it meant leaving the place with armfuls of 'oppo' at 20mph was totally justified!

But this year I decided to stop that after getting my summer wheels beautifully custom finished. Bare aluminium lips need a special touch... (they got cleaned, polished and waxed and put away for winter):

Now I've been washing it myself since spring this year. From owning a bucket and some random car shampoos and sponges I've now got a range of cleaning products, brushes and micro fibers that rival a hairdresser and make up artists studio. The latest microfiber towel I go is so fluffy and big I might use it myself as it better than my own bath towel.

Then somehow a dual action took polisher found its way into the garage. But the best thing I discovered was wax. What a great invention and makes for a shiny car that is so easy to clean and beads like mad.

So what the problem here you ask?
Well I've being trying not to use the car on wettest mucky days and avoid any salt (not had any) but I can't keep out of it so use it gets used a bit and of course it gets dirty (it's a good car in this weather, those of you with adjustable dampers must try stiffening the rears and softening the fronts for winter so glad I went for these).
As a result I'm washing it weekly and spraying underneath and especially trying keep the new suspension clean.
This is more washing than it got in the summer...
All ok so far I guess, relatively normal some may say but now it starts getting weird.

I did something I've never done. I washed and waxed it and never even took it off the drive today...!!! Not even a lap of the estate to airdry!

It gets weirder..

I then got an idea about jacking it up and cleaning my springs and struts periodically given the road grime they are exposed too:

Also having thoughts of lifting to bonnet but not to fix something or check fluids but go and clean under there!!

I've always liked a clean car but thought the people who spent more time cleaning than driving were in need of help. Then the realization hit me (when I was taking my microfiber clothes and mitts out of the tumble dryer and folding them neatly) that today I was that person...

 

[Low Rider]

You've got a lovely shine on your Zed there Dino

 

[Stevo7682]

Some would say dedication
BUT others would say OCD

 

[Stevo7682]

It does look really nice though

 

[Bazza]

Dino looking good

 

[DavidM]

It may be difficulty to sustain your cleaning energy as time goes on - your car though is looking just fine!!

 

[Grumps]

Some would say dedication
BUT others would say OCD

Some would say OCD, others would say totally bloody barking!

 

[billz]

Most would say OCD i am just glad i am not like that. I only do my springs 4 times a year when i take the wheels off to clean the inside edges. Car looks great by the way

 

[Grumps]

Your car is looking mint @Dino D. If we can get mine back upto anything like that I'll be a very happy grumps.

 

[Antm72]

Nothing wrong with that

Used to do this years ago even to the extreme of car unused out of garage washed and put back Must have had alot of time on my hands i think.
i can understand cleaning out the coilover threads as salt damage is not great and can cause problems you can not rectif.
The cars looking great and the summer wheels look top

 

[andyglym]

All perfectly normal and rational behaviour in my view @Dino D. Not one for detailing personally but you just can't beat the satisfaction of standing back and looking at your Zed post an 8 hour session. Using Cotton buds to clean the air vents and polishing the dust caps is also perfectly normal behaviour. Keep it up mate, she'll last longer and go MUCH faster due to the high shine enabling her to slip through the air that much quicker and reducing the Coefficient Drag. Science fact.

 

[Sean d]

I too have turned into that sad bloke down the street thats always cleaning his car, strange thing is that its only happened since I acquired the Z3.
Is this beginning to sound like an AA meeting

 

[Dino D]

Oh dear, I thought by sharing it would help ease the wierdness....but now all you lot have done is given a me a list of things I still need to do:
1. Take wheels off and clean inside edges
2. Build garage to store it in
3. Get earbuds for interior
4. Dustcap polish
5. Try harder, seems 8hrs is the norm, this was just a couple of hours...

Have to say it's good for fitness, especially as I have limited time I need to work fast, soon build up a sweat even in winter. I guess now I know why I've seen anyone's overweight work at a car wash!

 

[Grumps]

I too have turned into that sad bloke down the street thats always cleaning his car, strange thing is that its only happened since I acquired the Z3.
Is this beginning to sound like an AA meeting

I'll organise the meeting in the local village hall, we can have canapés!

 

[hard top]

I'll organise the meeting in the local village hall

I will organize it down the pub and we can all have a pickled egg....

 

[Grumps]

I will organize it down the pub and we can all have a pickled egg....

Now who don't love a pickled egg, don't like them pickled gerkin things tho....arghhhhhh!

 

[Althulas]

Nothing wrong with OCD, I've been gossiped about in my village that I spend more time than cleaning it and have got underneath to clean on occasion but your pace does slow up at times but now have the perfect remedy for cleaning underneath your pride and joy.

Well the oldest one is pregnant and I already have a scheme of a overalls and a little trolley for the young one to be comfortable underneath well as soon as it the little one develops the strength and coordination to wield a tooth brush quality time with grandad to come

 

[billz]

I'll organise the meeting in the local village hall, we can have canapés!

Thats a bit tooooo posh for most of us on here. Think you should keep calling them car ports

 

[hard top]

don't like them pickled gerkin things tho....arghhhhhh!

They are bloody good them, over here, years ago, vendors used to walk around the beach and sell them to the punters sun bathing.

 

[Gundun]

What a lovely shiny ride. This is actually the very first Z3 that I see whose rear camber hasn't been messed up by the lowered suspensions...how did you do that?