DD the Solstice & Rain

Koobie · 08-05-2008, 09:44 AM

Hey guys,

I was just curious to those that DD their Solstice, what do you do when it gets done raining really hard to keep your Solstice in top shape? My fiance has the car today at her job and we both do a 9 - 5 job. When we get home tonight should we wash it, wipe it down, or what?

What about the chrome?

Sorry if the questions are a little dumb, but I'm really wanting to keep this car in great shape!!

BANDITCAR · 08-05-2008, 10:58 AM

It depends. If it rained while the car was parked and then everything dried up before you drove it, a simple quick detailer wipe down would prolly be sufficient.

If the car was driven in the rain or while the road was wet then I would suggest washing it due to the level of road filth that will kick up on the paint. You'll definitely need to use soap and water to get that off safely.

Randy@ddmworks · 08-05-2008, 11:27 AM

If you got the car as a DD, then treat it like you would any DD. Unless you ran through a mud puddle, or have lots of debris on the car, it won't hurt it to set a day or two until you have a chance to wash it. Just keep some good synthetic Paint protection on it or Wax it every week or two. I like the synthetic paint polymer stuff..last for 6 months and makes it really easiy to clean up a DD. I don't have time to clean my car daily or weekly. I leave my house at 6am and get home at 11pm 5 days a week, during which I put over 500 miles on the ODO

Koobie · 08-05-2008, 11:36 AM

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I don't think its going to dry up by the time we get home. Tomorrow is looking like rain as well. I'll wait until Thursday!!

lil goat · 08-05-2008, 12:30 PM

Check out the forum on Autogeek.net, they have a ton of ideas and recomendations, as far as I am concerned most of what they sell in auto parts stores is junk. There are a lot of great sealants available.

Ex-Miata Man · 08-05-2008, 07:54 PM

Koobie,
My Sol is a DD with 66K+ on the odo and she has to sit out in the weather all year. Use a good synthetic cleaner, clay bar her twice a year, use a protectant and wash her as often as reasonable. In between complete polishes, use a good detail spray. My car still shines better than the day I brought her home from the dealership....she has stone chips to show her miles but she still has the shine. Enjoy your ride!

MountainKing · 08-14-2008, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ex-Miata Man

Koobie,
My Sol is a DD with 66K+ on the odo and she has to sit out in the weather all year. Use a good synthetic cleaner, clay bar her twice a year, use a protectant and wash her as often as reasonable. In between complete polishes, use a good detail spray. My car still shines better than the day I brought her home from the dealership....she has stone chips to show her miles but she still has the shine. Enjoy your ride!

Agree with this all the way. I'm also a DD and it stays outside, although I don't even have 5k on it yet but I try to wash it once a week and do a quick detail a couple times a week. Beyond that I have a full detail done once in the spring and once in the fall. I am hoping in another year or so I can turn this car into a weekend driver.

GXPsy Rose · 08-16-2008, 05:43 AM

My sol is also my DD. She get's rained on all the time at work. No big deal. Hubby keeps her well waxed and polished (usually monthly) and a weekly bath. Most of the water just rolls right off the finish. As for the top, I let it air dry. Her car cover never goes on at night if she's still wet. I keep microfiber towels, quik detailer and a bottle of water behind my seat for the times when birds fly overhead while I'm at work. She too has her stone chips to show her miles but she still has the shine. She's just over a year old with 18K

SCCA HP Racer · 01-02-2009, 04:43 PM

I'll tell ya...my GXP is my daily driver with 26k on it. I treat it just like my previous cars. Wax maybe twice a year and wash it not so often. Right now it is filthy, but every time I wash it, it always comes out looking fantastic. The finish is very durable, just like any other car, stone chips are normal.

I admire those that wash their car once a week or more, but I don't have the time or the means. I live in a high rise in Atlanta, so washing it is an event because I have to go to a quarter car wash. One tip, don't use the brush at the quarter car wash...bring your own bucket and sponge...no matter what the signs say.

I've never done anything to my top, but am considering getting the Raggtop or 303 stuff, though the top still looks fine.

I'm sure mine is one of the least maintained Solstices out there, but let me tell you it still looks great when it is clean!

Mac · 01-03-2009, 03:10 PM

I just did the top with 303, wow looks better than new. Yea washing is a pain, best to do it only as needed, save water. In our town they are talking about passing a law "No washing your car at home". I think the coin op washing guys are at the bottom of this.

303 here was at a local canvas'er shop, 23$ for 16oz spray. Could be used on clothseats too. protect the car though not good for paint rubber plastics etc.

stang · 01-03-2009, 04:14 PM

My Sol is still covered in mud from a bad storm before Christmas. Looks like I went mudding.

I have a good tech wax on it, so I know it will shine like new whenever I get around to bathing it.