How clean a car can be

[Raj]

Yesterday I collected my other car from detailer.
I am surprised how clean we can keep our cars.
The car’s engine bay was very bad (worst than any car I owned in 15 years) I didn’t even dare to take a pic of it and was a bit worried about what to do with it. It was all covered with spider web, leaves, thick layer of mud and dust.

Yesterday I looked at the engine bay and no words. I would have taken before pic if I knew car that bad can be transformed to this level.

Now I am thinking of getting Landcruiser to this standard inside out and full body paint work. However, I have to have a 1 year plan with one panel/task at a time.

I asked him about ice blasting, he told it ll be expensive and not worth if I am driving the way I am currently. It’s worth if I am preserving and planning to keep as future classic

 

[Juddian]

Looks new, excellent job.

Dirty engine bay you say, hold my late uncle's beer, he bought a new Vauxhall Viva HB back in the 70s and promptly pumped the contents of a 45 gallon drum of grease into the sills over the whole underbody inside the doors wings bootlid etc and every where he could access to pump or spray it, raising the bonnet revealed the filthiest mess you ever saw, however it never rusted and no trouble with seized bolts.
Wish i knew the reg number, unless its been pranged it'll still be rust free under that layer of grease and accumulated muck, probably on the concours circuit now.

 

[Towpack]

A neighbour of ours back in the early 70's used to spray old engine oil underneath and inside the body panels of his car. It was a big Vauxhall, possibly a Cresta or a Viscount. He's had it 9 years when we moved house in '77 and it looked liked new but his drive was an environmental disaster.

 

[frank rabbets]

 

[GeekOKent]

I think cars need to be used for what they are intended, some will do long term preservation etc but end of the day, if it ticks your box - it's all good.

A great aspect to consider is that some people will pursue a lower milage vehicle, while others won't touch a car that's not been used enough.

 

[Towpack]

If I was having a vehicle cleaned and detailed back to like new condition I wouldn't want to leave it like that if it was a daily driver. I would apply some sort of protective treatment wether it's additional paint in certain areas, ACF50, Corrosion Block, Lanoguard etc..etc. That's the first thing I do with new bikes when I get them home and I'd do the same with a new car if I ever bought one as Andy Lomas has done/is doing with his new Cruiser.
If it's a show pony destined to sit in a garage or showroom for most of it's life then maybe not necessary.

 

[Raj]

I would apply some sort of protective treatment wether it's additional paint in certain areas, ACF50,

I thought of Krown for this new looking car but since it’s a hybrid, with all high voltage electrics and what not, I didn’t dare to do anything else.
I didn’t even expect the detailer to work on the engine bay. He did it as compliment.

I will explore ACF50 for this. If I can spray around all visible pipes under the bonnet.

 

[Towpack]

ACF50 is dielectric and supposed to be safe on HV electrics/electronics. I've used it on 2.5Kv with no issues.