Washing your car

[alfagtv58]

In the current water wise environment, what is everyone doing for washing their cars at the moment?

Given we are not allowed to do it at home, it only leaves the local car wash bay things.  I find they are pretty useless for a detailed job as you tend to rush through it to save a $, and those brushes are rubbish.

Add to that an unregistered race car, and it makes it very difficult indeed.  Load onto trailer just to take it 2kms up the road and have to try and wash on a trailer....hardly going to get a good job that way.

[Joe Garra]

It's very self-indulgent, but I use a mobile car wash fellow (approved by the local water authorities). He comes to my work here in Werribee, every wednesday, and washes either mine(164Q) or my wife's (159 wagon) , whichever is dirtier. Wash, dry, glass, and vacuum for $40.

[Fast Eddie]

i bought some of that waterless carwash system stuff which is meant to pick up and surround the dust particles in bubbles so that you can wipe it straight off but i am still too scared to use it on the GTA.

Instead, of late i have been going to a commercial washbay type joint, rinsing the car using the sprayer, applying the detergent via the sprayer than using my wash glove to actually wash the car before rinsing off with the sprayer again.  Finishing off with my own chamois.
I WILL NOT use their brush unit on any of my cars!

but, as you say it doesnt really help a non rego'd car

[alfagtv58]

It's very self-indulgent, but I use a mobile car wash fellow (approved by the local water authorities). He comes to my work here in Werribee, every wednesday, and washes either mine(164Q) or my wife's (159 wagon) , whichever is dirtier. Wash, dry, glass, and vacuum for $40.

Actually thats not a bad idea, $40 is pretty damn good if it includes a vacuum.  The business next door to my work does a similar thing, maybe i should go and collar him next time he's there.

[Scott Farquharson]

Post his details...Sounds good.

[alfagtv58]

I just remembered the company my wife works for has someone come in and wash/detail cars on site, so i asked her for their details;  there are prices on the website.

WaterWise Car Care
12 766 957 327
38 Baratta St, Blackburn South, Victoria 3130
Telephone: (03) 9878 2843
Fax: (03) 9878 0743
Mobile: 0425 811 881
Email: h2owise@bigpond.net.au
www.waterwisecarcare.com.au

[Joe Garra]

My guy, for any westies, is Michael, Gold Car Wash , 0414 271 734

[Sheldon McIntosh]

You guys wash your cars?

Why, does that make them faster?

[John Toomath]

Evan,

Here's your chance to get up close and personal with the car you adore. Play your cards right and Phil might even pay you to keep the GTV clean.  However you'll have to come up with something better than drooling on it as the means to get it clean.

[Colin Byrne]

You guys wash your cars?

Why, does that make them faster?

it defiantly makes them rust faster,  if that's possible

[nerineandgary]

Now you guys are just skirting around the problem. You know I like clean a Alfa.
2500 litre rainwater tank from Bunnings $360.00, pump tank stand and fittings to down pipe $330.00, wash your cars when ever you like Priceless!!
On a more important matter for you racers. As you know I am building a 105 2000 Group S car and as I have my tax return I thought I would buy some shiny new wheels. I have screwed down a good deal on Performance Superlites 14 x 6", 4/108 stud patern and 26 P off-set. Is this off-set correct for our cars? or don't I have a choice. On the issue of tyres, I have downloaded the CAMS list and there is toooooo many to choose from. What is your recommendation for tyres?

[Colin Byrne]

hi garry
i'd talk to vin about wheel offsets, as you can imagine he has a lot of info about it, i think handeling wise you want to widen the track as much as possible.
Tyre wise i'm running Bridgestone RE55's and am loveing them, they seem very competitive, lots of grip and are wareing well, but i only have yokohama R spec to compare to.

[branko.gt]

Now you guys are just skirting around the problem. You know I like clean a Alfa.
2500 litre rainwater tank from Bunnings $360.00, pump tank stand and fittings to down pipe $330.00, wash your cars when ever you like Priceless!!
On a more important matter for you racers. As you know I am building a 105 2000 Group S car and as I have my tax return I thought I would buy some shiny new wheels. I have screwed down a good deal on Performance Superlites 14 x 6", 4/108 stud patern and 26 P off-set. Is this off-set correct for our cars? or don't I have a choice. On the issue of tyres, I have downloaded the CAMS list and there is toooooo many to choose from. What is your recommendation for tyres?

Gary,

Are you sure you want 14" wheels. You do realise that for GroupS 1750 you are allowed to use 15" wheels.  Unfortunately you cannot go any wider then 6".

Branko

[Gary Pearce]

Thanks Branko, firstly it's a 2 litre and according to my interpretation of the CAMS group S regs the wheels can't be any more than 14 x 6

[Scott Farquharson]

Now you guys are just skirting around the problem. You know I like clean a Alfa.
2500 litre rainwater tank from Bunnings $360.00, pump tank stand and fittings to down pipe $330.00, wash your cars when ever you like Priceless!!
On a more important matter for you racers. As you know I am building a 105 2000 Group S car and as I have my tax return I thought I would buy some shiny new wheels. I have screwed down a good deal on Performance Superlites 14 x 6", 4/108 stud patern and 26 P off-set. Is this off-set correct for our cars? or don't I have a choice. On the issue of tyres, I have downloaded the CAMS list and there is toooooo many to choose from. What is your recommendation for tyres?

Hi Gary,

I have the superlites on the Alfetta but not sure of the offset for the 105. 

It is true you can use 15's on the 105 however bigger OD means slightly taller gearing if you are running a 4.3 diff or taller stay with the 14's.  As for tyres you should probably stay with either the Bridgestone RE55 (Trackside Tyres - Craig 9761 5557) Yokohama AO48 (Traction Tyres 9764 2811) or Dunlop D01 (Stuckeys 9386-5331) in a 195 14 60.  I have used the Bridgestones and the Yokies and both were excellent.  I have used the D01's on other cars but not in this size and they are pretty good too.  Price will be the factor.  Bridgies and Yokies are about $950 to $1050 a set.