Roadster care and maintenance

[Claybuster]

Hi All,
My MkIV is nearing completion, and I'll be starting the registration process with the State of Florida (Ugh...) soon. After unloading her from the trailer after taking her for the required weight slip, she was sitting in the sun on my driveway. I got to thinking about how to take care of the investment.
For those that have had completed cars for a while, how have things like the seats, dash and steering wheel held up against the sun and weather along the way? I have the FFR leather seats with diamond stitch fabric, vinyl covered dash, and of course, the beautiful wood steering wheel. I'd like to keep them looking good!
This car will be a garage queen, so it will be protected form the elements most of the time anyway. But any further advice for how to take care of those kinds of things is welcomed.

Oh, and if anybody will be in the Florida Panhandle in November, come say hello at the Emerald Coast Cruizin. It will be my first show.

Jason

[CraigS]

Use a leather treatment once per year and you will be good to go. I suppose you could find a boating supplier who sells UV resistant clear coat and coat the wood wheel but I doubt it is needed.

[gbranham]

Agree with Craig, but don't ever call an FFR an investment. Strictly speaking it's the exact opposite of an investment! :)

Greg

[MaxVmo]

Good topic—what do you all use to “wash” the car?

[AtlantaCobra]

I wash with normal car wash and just careful around the "sensitive" areas. Use a detailer between washes, but every once in a while, she just needs a good hand wash.

[Claybuster]

Haha! Good point, Greg. Kinda like a boat...

[OSU Cowboy]

I have taken mine to a manual car wash before - when the front end gets covered with bugs and/or the wheels get pretty grimy. Just got to be careful with the wand angle around the open cockpit of course. A little water in there doesn't hurt though. Beyond that, I'll clean the windshield with glass cleaner and use Lucas Speedwax for normal dust.

[OSU Cowboy]

And didn't mention - but when I do take it to the manual carwash, I will let it sit in the bay for 20 or 30 minutes before starting to allow the pipes to cool. Not doing this may very well lead to some really persistent water spots.

[cv2065]

I never 'washed' the car. I only used Meguiars Ultimate Quick Detail Spray and microfiber cloth after each drive or two. Soaked small areas at a time pretty good, wiped clean, then used a dry microfiber to take off any residue. Stuff dries quick but use a light hand as even certain types of microfiber can scratch. It also worked great on PPF, windshields and powder coated areas. For the wheels I used a large microfiber bottle brush and Chemical guys Wheel and Tire Cleaner with hose.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Simple Green and Scotchbrite were my products of choice for detailing the Mk3 :P

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218531&d=1757363565

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218532&d=1533058873

Jeff

[cv2065]

Simple Green and Scotchbrite were my products of choice for detailing the Mk3 :P

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218531&d=1757363565

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218532&d=1533058873

Jeff

I know you warned me of that low sheen black but man that looks sweet!

[Fman]

I also have never washed my car other than wiping it down with a quick wipe and micro fiber after every drive. I use specific towels for the wheels and separate towels for the body. I also keep it covered with an indoor satin cover, keeps it dust free for weeks.

This is the best quick wipe I have found:
https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-WAC233-HydroSpeed-Ceramic-Detailer/dp/B08P5435D3/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=22CRSF80APXBL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.F391vTxswmzUF26Ex7Fr4IMhZIxwKEivt wK4RsdgvMKKU-WGjq8VF11kybtyDgGZQVC4Lghup7TfznvYupaqGDgvBXl4lAYS FQfoERGa9D0lIGCUZJj7-6US1E4vIP6ELxHt4bsBfJlHMWkB6Rfqx0rkiH8opfeKsZfH-byAGQBuWpw2TaJHuivy7ZpZag16KmBY7qyh8jD1X4cPErAiPCQ 4bzur9bjr-tsowIt9pU9K_Dxwnbg7bPqBLUEjX5V9QoDQ_HMUHDvK_LtNsBw HnlsFGygb1YZGCpRN-sL0EwU.J19vpAWBV7L2VbrYPjmhhgMtejg_sdzQgU1gChX3h9U&dib_tag=se&keywords=chemical+guys+hydro+speed+ceramic+quick+d etailer&qid=1757374525&sprefix=chemical+guys+ceramic+quick%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Satin cover:
https://www.carcoversfactory.com/car-covers/1965/ford/shelby-cobra/all-body-types/indoor-premium-satin-edition-car-cover

[cdurbin328]

I finished my build a little under 2 years ago and I've never full on washed it. She stays inside my shop out of the weather. I just hit it with a california duster and then wipe it down with some quick detailer. For the interior I just wipe it down and hit the seats with some leather conditioner. She still looks as good as the day I finished her.
I'm in the Florida Panhandle. I live in Navarre. Hit me up sometime.

218572

[Claybuster]

Hey, thanks all for the great tips to keep my ride looking good. I'm not quite there yet. I'm stopping by the paint booth to take a sneak peek today.
Jeff, I love that color scheme. I never would have though of something like that. After lots of going back and forth, I decided on Ford Antimatter Blue Metallic and no stripes.
Fman, Thanks for the car cover suggestion. I was looking for something just like that for when she comes home for final assembly.
Chris, I look forward to seeing that beauty in person. Another great looking color set. I am in Pensacola and Destin from time to time for work. I'll PM you.
Jason

[Presdough]

I use Sprayway glass cleaner on the body followed by Meguire's ceramic wax.218590

[Aleinsteingenius]

For years I washed my Harleys with filtered water from the Mr Clean filter you screw onto the end of a hose. (The only hose attachment I ever saw that actually works!). It would leave no spots and then I would blow it off with a dedicated electric leaf blower. The Harley Davidson leather treatment with beeswax kept the leather like new for years and yes I did ride in the rain a lot. I am still building but hope to treat the cobra in a similiar way.

[rthomas98]

Wash much the same as those mentioned above. I do a good handwash in the beginning of the season. Then detail spray. I plan on doing the final hand wash really soon before the winter comes. But in addition for the sun I bought a cockpit cover for the car to keep the sun from beating on it. Where I got it is not a vendor on here, so you would need to PM me and I give the details.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218876&d=1757899360

[Railroad]

Probably the 3rd wash since paint. 1st time for ceramic wipe down.
218885218886

[rthomas98]

Where is that cover from?

As I stated in the comment. Please PM me, not a forum vendor.

[ProfessorB]

I know you warned me of that low sheen black but man that looks sweet!

Sure does!

[MikeHolt]

Good topic—what do you all use to “wash” the car?

Water. I don’t use soap…thus no residue. I only just started using a ceramic spray (Meguiar’s). Works pretty well.

[CW_MI]

When the time comes, I'll probably do just like my other vehicles. Have the car ceramic coated with Opti-coat, then for washes, use Optimum no rinse wash, with a top of Hyperseal ceramic detailer.

[Blitzboy54]

I kept a small fleece blanket in the car for 2 reasons. First if the wife gets chilly and second when we stopped somewhere and it was parked in the sun I would throw it over the dash. Keeps the gauges from getting sun beat and kept the shifter, and buckles from getting too hot while I was gone. Worked great.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

I never 'washed' the car. I only used Meguiars Ultimate Quick Detail Spray and microfiber cloth after each drive or two. Soaked small areas at a time pretty good, wiped clean, then used a dry microfiber to take off any residue. Stuff dries quick but use a light hand as even certain types of microfiber can scratch. It also worked great on PPF, windshields and powder coated areas. For the wheels I used a large microfiber bottle brush and Chemical guys Wheel and Tire Cleaner with hose.

Pretty much the same except I foam washed the car twice in 10 years. Sealed the joints with blue tape for the wash. Use micro fiber to finish the Maguire's.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=216693&d=1753292633

Pretty current picture of body. Was swapping out the FFR seats.

[brewha]

Optimum No Rinse is what I was use in between longer rides to get the road film and dirt off. Wash and dry. It leaves no spots and shines like new paint.