Cleaning...When does it stop? Am I obsessive?

Dave Ploss · 03-09-2003, 06:28 AM

The weather is turning somewhat nice in MA and I decided to clean the engine bay. I got the car in Nov 02 and haven't had much time to play with it due to the weather and an unheated garage.

Finished the engine and it looks good....not concours but good. Then I made my big mistake. I took off the wheels and looked at the wheel wells. The car is clean but not there. I'm a former racer and I don't like oil and grease on lines and fittings. At the oil tank i couldn't even see where the face of the large nut was on the line. It is now an obsession. I've got to get it clean enough so I won't get oil and grease on me when I change out the front suspension and bushings.

I know I'm anal but have I gone over the top? I'm doing searches on cleaning wheel wells and what type of paint to use....I gotta take up golf or something.

Thanks for listening to the rant.

Dave

Chuck Moreland · 03-09-2003, 07:31 AM

Dave, cleaning the engine, wheel wells and underside is just routine.

I can't stand working on dirty greasy parts. I don't want concourse, but nuts and bolts must be clean and visible.

I use a power washer all the time. If the wheels come off, odds are I'll take a minute pressure wash the wells. Makes all the difference.

Try this, you may find that painting is totally unnessasary.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

You only cross the line to anal when you break out the Q-Tips.

GeorgeK · 03-09-2003, 07:35 AM

Sooner or later we all turn into maniacs... It is part of the process

GeorgeK

kstylianos · 03-09-2003, 07:56 AM

Dave,

I spent 4 hours last weekend cleaning the engine and tranny w/ castrol super clean, various brushes and a pressure washer. They are out of the car. Yesterday I sent another 4 hours cleaning the naked engine compartment and underside. I was laying on my back underneath the car, pressure washer in hand, in the middle of the water runoff just to get to those little corners nobody will EVER see. By the way, my obsession started with the wheel wells

I don't think you are overboard quite yet.

rfuerst911sc · 03-09-2003, 08:12 AM

Resistance is futile,you will be assimilated!! You are well on your way to being a Porsche nut!!!!!! All kidding aside,it is nice to work on a car that is relatively clean,makes the job easier and safer.Also if it ever comes time to sell most buyers will appreciate the fine detail and care that went into the car.Time to go wash the SC,later.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Porsche Ownership - a secret society for the clinically compulsive and anal retentive.

Why just do it when you can over do it?

Welcome.

Dave Ploss · 03-09-2003, 11:58 AM

Now that I realize resistance is futile, is a 1300 psi pressure washer enough? There are several electric ones with this but going bigger is bigger $$$.

I know I'll be using it in the future but I don't want overkill....If I have 2000 or 2300 psi, I know I'll try to use it.

I'm going to be re-doing my front end starting next weekend, so I want the stuff clean.

Dave

Silveresrty911S · Silveresrty911S's Garage

Just bought a 1300 psi from H.Depot about two weeks ago for 90.00. Used it on the wheel wells and then decided to jack it up and do the whole under carriage after I did a citrus degrease on her. One of those "while I'm in there" projects before my paint job. Started stipping her at the paint shop and you wouldn't believe the dirt and crap that was around the rear tail lights and rocker trim, ect......... ect..........probably made some more work for next weekend for all you anals

The 1300 psi worked great, just keep them away from your painted Fuchs, I'm refinishing mine and it took a bit of black off the rim, works great on concrete too!

Dave Ploss · 03-09-2003, 01:09 PM

silveresrty911s:

that was the exact unit I was thinking of. I'll pick one up thei week and clean and disassemble on Sat.

It was in the 40's here this weekend and felt like it was summer. However, it's back to the single numbers in the AM and highs of 20's tomorrow. Next weekend is supposed to be in the 50's.

I can't wait for spring to finally get here.

Thanks.

Dave

Rob McKibbon · 03-09-2003, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeK
Sooner or later we all turn into maniacs...

I thought I saw some dirt on George's motor...... but low and behold, it was only a spot on the monitor!

Finally I can justify buying that power washer I've always wanted

911SC Pilot · 03-09-2003, 06:32 PM

I washed my baby today, I just have the engine to do.,.,.a little dirty you think?? Whats a good way of cleaning my engine area, with out causing damage with the water and electrics?

Dave Ploss · 03-10-2003, 02:36 AM

911 SC Pilot:

Is that sun?.....and grass? Haven't seen those for a while. Weather just said snow for Thursday into Friday.

Wed is supposed to be in the 40's....I'm going to power wash the wells on Wed! Get it in while you can.

Dave

Silveresrty911S · Silveresrty911S's Garage

911 SC Pilot,

Just go to the home page of Pelican parts and at the bottom is the cleaning , detailing & polishing. It gets a little involved and has you cover or bag items in your engine bay if you power wash or steam clean.

What size tires do you have on those 7" rims?
Thanks.........

millzeee · 03-10-2003, 04:22 AM

just a tip try putting hot water through your washer, i was amazed how much more muck came off. i have a 115 bar karcher washer with a detergent feed which is good, but put hot water through it and its amazing i washed the engine of my 88 golf and it seriously looks like a new car, be careful though as it takes the paint off