Marco

Anyone got any good tips on cleaning out the goo and gunk from the rear wheelarches, and suspension components?

TIA

STLPCA

Marco
Hello again. I recall someone posted a photo of their incredibly detailed wheel liners, suspension, etc. If my memory isn't failing, it was someone in the Chicago area. Car was up for the winter. Nice garage too - TV on the wall, racing posters, remotely located air compressor, etc. That would be the guy to ask - if he's out there???????

[edit]
Just found the thread - <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001719" target="_blank">Up For The Winter - Rich '95 993</a>

Click to
<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~vwaudi/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html" target="_blank"> Rich's website - impressive concours prep pics. </a>

Marco

Dan, thanks again!!! The pictures are pretty amazing. These look like newly assembled components.

Rich, any tips or just good old fashioned elbow grease?

TIA

DJF1

Marco , check out the Pelican Pars website Tech section :

<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911tech_articles.htm" target="_blank">Pelican Parts Tech section</a>

It has articles on how to clean your engine etc...

Very tedious job from what I can see

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

jw97C2S

Marco
I used a variety of differently shaped stiff brushes and Simply Green to clean them. Spray some Simply Green on the wheel well (remove the fender liners first) and let it sit there for a minute. Then scrub with one of your brushes and hose off. Repeat this on each area until the wheel wells completly match the color of your car and the suspension pieces are clean. You'll run into some tough spots so you can also use a little 3M Adhesive Remover. After a thorough cleaning all you'll need is a quick cleaning every 6 mos.

Good luck
Jim <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

Marco

Jim and DJF,

Thanls for the tips!

Marco <img src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" border="0" alt="[blabla]" />

E. J. - 993 Alumni

I thought those pieces were black?

E. J.

Greg Fishman

EJ,
His ABS thingy doesn't have an Afro? What is up with that?
Greg

Robert Henriksen

[quote]Originally posted by E. J.:
<strong>I thought those pieces were black?

E. J.</strong><hr></blockquote>

What, EJ, your 100,000 miler doesn't look like that? I thought that's what everyone's car looks like!

I will admit one thing -- I wonder how many hours a year it takes (or *would* take) to maintain that kind of concours condition if one drives the typical ~9,000 miles/year.

LAURIER

Marco,

Follow Jim’s advice, he’s right on. I buy simple green at Home Depot by the gallon and use it full strength. If the factory sprayed cosmoline on the fender liners (like my car had) you will need to use the 3M adhesive remover immediately followed by 303 or some armor all type product. 303 is the best because it’s not greasy and won’t collect dust. As for the exposed sheet metal under the car, use the simple green followed by 3M imperial hand glaze and wax. While you’re in there clean and wax the brake calipers and carefully clean the suspension components. This should keep you busy for the better part of a weekend.

Some of the best concours guys in the country belong to The Chicago Region PCA, so bring your car to the local concours events and you will learn a lot.
<img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

E. J. - 993 Alumni

[quote]Originally posted by Greg Fishman:
<strong>EJ,
His ABS thingy doesn't have an Afro? What is up with that?
Greg</strong><hr></blockquote>

Now that is hilarious! <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" /> <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

Seems like as soon as I clean off the fro - it comes back again, bigger and better. Must be the afro-sheen I use to clean them.

I looked at the picture again and think my car must have a special option called 'black suspension' or something similar. I don't think my car looked like that picture when it was new from the factory.

E. J.

Robert Henriksen

[quote]Originally posted by Silver Bullet:
<strong>Well, if I had to store my car for the winter, I'd probably be tearing it down and cleaning it all winter long. At least I get to touch the car...However, doing it all at once before storage...I don't think so... </strong><hr></blockquote>

Good point, I tend to forget about those long winters in storage. No wonder some of the best concours guys are in the Chicago area!

Greg Fishman

Ej,
I actually cleaned the underside of my race car pretty good a couple weeks ago, but now that I have seen this I am not so proud of my work. I used some engine cleaner and a stiff brush to get the old oil, cosmoline, and track junk off. I can't imagine doing this on my street car, I think my wife would send me to Eastern State(pysch hospital) if I attempted this.

Actually I think a better way to clean these areas would be to rent a steam cleaner. My mechanic's shop had one they used to clean the race cars with after each race. Sounds easier than the toothbrush method.

Greg

E. J. - 993 Alumni

[quote]Originally posted by Greg Fishman:
<strong> Sounds easier than the toothbrush method.

Greg</strong><hr></blockquote>

Don't know Greg, at least this way you'd use your toothbrush. And your wife would like that too. <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

E. J.

tom_993

[quote]Originally posted by E. J.:
<strong>

I don't think my car looked like that picture when it was new from the factory.

E. J.</strong><hr></blockquote>


It wasn’t that clean when it was new from the factory. All those parts were coated in cosmoline. While I love that clean look, I wonder if there is corrosion danger (on a car that’s driven regularly, not a garage queen) by cleaning it all off. It seems ironic to me that this clean look is preferred in concours, but it is not the “as delivered” look. But what do I know about concours…

I wonder how much all that cosmoline weighs?