Hand Washing the C8
an american revolution
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 488
Likes: 373
From: south florida
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
wash the whole car first avoid spraying too much water above the engine, then clean the back windshield along with side ventilator
then carefully remove the soap and dry it quick otherwise
the back window will fog up
after cleaning the whole car, open both the front and back trunk and dry the water inside around the edges under the hood
and remember
never take it to car wash
never use a pressure washer
after the car is dry i personally like to use an electric blower to the get the remaining
water out of front for back grillers side doors and ground effects engine compartment front trunk and wheels
it takes me around 10 min to clean my c7zo6 with a wrap
however with c8 it's takes 30-45 min
good luck
then carefully remove the soap and dry it quick otherwise
the back window will fog up
after cleaning the whole car, open both the front and back trunk and dry the water inside around the edges under the hood
and remember
never take it to car wash
never use a pressure washer
after the car is dry i personally like to use an electric blower to the get the remaining
water out of front for back grillers side doors and ground effects engine compartment front trunk and wheels
it takes me around 10 min to clean my c7zo6 with a wrap
however with c8 it's takes 30-45 min
good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 769
Likes: 529
From: Moon Township, PA
Originally Posted by vett778491
C8 owners: what techniques are you using to prevent water from getting into the engine compartment while hand washing the C8?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 668
From: Orange County, CA
Get a water filtration system or filter that will give you spotless rinse water. This is the best way to go.
Wash it when the engine is cold and just rinse off everything. Inside the hatch and any other place you may get spotting. The spotless rinse is such a stress reliever. Almost like mini therapy for OCD.
Wash it when the engine is cold and just rinse off everything. Inside the hatch and any other place you may get spotting. The spotless rinse is such a stress reliever. Almost like mini therapy for OCD.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 113
Likes: 39
From: Binghamton, NY
Regarding the automatic soft brush car washes...Won't the water just drain down through to the ground through the top vents on the HTC. It must have drainage ports they built in? I believe the wheels will fit into the tire guides ok? I realize the soft brushes might not be the best but living in the Northeast wanting to drive all year what is one to do? Thank you for any of your responses.
Last edited by Vette2020; Aug 1, 2020 at 06:06 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Get a water filtration system or filter that will give you spotless rinse water. This is the best way to go.
Wash it when the engine is cold and just rinse off everything. Inside the hatch and any other place you may get spotting. The spotless rinse is such a stress reliever. Almost like mini therapy for OCD.
Wash it when the engine is cold and just rinse off everything. Inside the hatch and any other place you may get spotting. The spotless rinse is such a stress reliever. Almost like mini therapy for OCD.
The CR Spotless system that produces 100% distilled water is one of the best things I've ever purchased. Hooked up to a low pressure washer (under 1400 psi), you don't even have to dry after rinsing.
Note: You don't need the pressure washer, but it uses a lot less water to rinse, and you won't have to replace the resin nearly as often.
Last edited by Foosh; Aug 1, 2020 at 12:41 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 53
Just put in a couple of bath towels for Heaven's sake. You can wipe off the few drops of water when you wipe the dust off of the engine. This ain't Rocket Science. Just my two cents.
Last edited by srosenbldr; Aug 1, 2020 at 02:00 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 1,170
From: C&D 10 Best loop
Just wash it normally and then open the hood and pressure wash the entire engine bay, paying special attention to all electrical connections. You want to focus your high pressure spray on the connections to get the dirt out so the electrons can flow. Then open the airbox, shove the pressure wand into the intake, and pressure wash all the carbon off the intake valves.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,559
Likes: 4,501
From: North Dallas 40 TX
Just wash it normally and then open the hood and pressure wash the entire engine bay, paying special attention to all electrical connections. You want to focus your high pressure spray on the connections to get the dirt out so the electrons can flow. Then open the airbox, shove the pressure wand into the intake, and pressure wash all the carbon off the intake valves.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 646
From: Retired to Mississsippi.
No more. Nowadays, Common Sense is as rare as Unobtanium and Trial Lawyers are as common as Mosquitos in Minnesota.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 527
Likes: 307
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 271
Likes: 69
From: San Diego
Hand wash
I also have the CR spotless system for my black C7, great device. I only use it for the final rinse though. I have attached a foam filter to the intake of the leaf blower to be sure nothing small like sand, pebble etc gets to the car. I have heard blue painters tape over the engine cover as a tool. I have ordered a vert so my results may vary.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 1,921
From: San Jose
I use the CR spotless system but the reason I like using Press n Seal is that I I do a foam pre wash. Rather than letting that get into the bay or using towels full of soap, I use the waffle towels to soak up excess water after the exterior wash, then use those towels to clean the engine bay.