Sunday, March 29, 2009
Cleaning the new car for the first time.
Saturday,March 28, 2009
Cleaning the new car for the first time.
Today started out good. Even though the sun wasn`t shining through the clouds, it still felt warmer out. At 9AM it was 41 degrees F. with no wind blowing. It was supposed to hit the high 50`s, so I decided it would be a good day to clean my car. I went down cellar and turned on the well water line that connects to my outdoors faucet. Then I started getting everything together and setting it out on my back porch- the small ladder, the large sponge ( never ended up using it), the long handled brush that connects to the hose, the water proof gloves, soft cloths, old soft white socks, etc. I like using old socks with the ribbed top folded inside for rubbing on the cleaner as I can slide my fingers up inside the sock- like a mitt. I have trouble hanging onto a regular small cloth, But do use the larger soft cloths for wiping off the cleaner. Then I went out to the shed for the long hose, and drove the car from the garage to the empty lot I own on the other side of the house where the faucet is. Now, figured I had everything ready, so went to get the cleaner/wax container.
Now, this is where the day started going wrong. Reaching for the cleaner on the high shelf in the laundry room, it slipped from my crocked fingers, hitting the floor. The plastic bottle broke-splitting down the whole seam side and dumped all over my laundry room floor. I used a large putty knife to scoop it up and most of it was ok to still use. Had to finish washing the floor and other items before heading back outside. Took what could be used and headed outside. Next, when I hooked the hose to the faucet, it leaked. Checking I noticed the gasket was missing, so I borrowed one from another hose- fit and worked great. So another problem solved. Now, to hook on the long handled brush. The brush came unhooked from the handle, found the head where it connected was cracked. So, back to the house for the old brush. This one leaked- so borrowed the second gasket from the other hose to stop that leak.
Finally was able to start hosing off the car and start cleaning it. Before I finished, I found out why they always say to keep the cleaners off any rubber decoration on the car. Long before I was finished the rubber gloves were being destroyed. Spent all morning cleaning and waxing the car. It was worth all the time and trouble I went through just to see it shining like new again. What should have been about a couple hours work ended up taking me all morning to accomplish. I sure will miss that larger, longer handled brush. It had a neck part that could be adjusted to any angle and the center of the large sized brush swiveled as the water flowed through it. It was great for washing higher outside windows on the house.
Wish the long handled additions would fit the old brush, but no way. I will need to check Sears to see if they still sell the better brush. Guess mine just wore out from years of use. I can`t complain as it gave me good service for years. As they say, nothing lasts forever.
My daughter Theresa offered to wash the car for me this afternoon after she got home from work. But, that first new car washing is when you notice if there is any defects in the paint, so better to do it myself and know. Plus, she works two jobs all week long and I felt she needed to rest and be with her husband when ever she had any spare time.
Cleaning the new car for the first time.
Today started out good. Even though the sun wasn`t shining through the clouds, it still felt warmer out. At 9AM it was 41 degrees F. with no wind blowing. It was supposed to hit the high 50`s, so I decided it would be a good day to clean my car. I went down cellar and turned on the well water line that connects to my outdoors faucet. Then I started getting everything together and setting it out on my back porch- the small ladder, the large sponge ( never ended up using it), the long handled brush that connects to the hose, the water proof gloves, soft cloths, old soft white socks, etc. I like using old socks with the ribbed top folded inside for rubbing on the cleaner as I can slide my fingers up inside the sock- like a mitt. I have trouble hanging onto a regular small cloth, But do use the larger soft cloths for wiping off the cleaner. Then I went out to the shed for the long hose, and drove the car from the garage to the empty lot I own on the other side of the house where the faucet is. Now, figured I had everything ready, so went to get the cleaner/wax container.
Now, this is where the day started going wrong. Reaching for the cleaner on the high shelf in the laundry room, it slipped from my crocked fingers, hitting the floor. The plastic bottle broke-splitting down the whole seam side and dumped all over my laundry room floor. I used a large putty knife to scoop it up and most of it was ok to still use. Had to finish washing the floor and other items before heading back outside. Took what could be used and headed outside. Next, when I hooked the hose to the faucet, it leaked. Checking I noticed the gasket was missing, so I borrowed one from another hose- fit and worked great. So another problem solved. Now, to hook on the long handled brush. The brush came unhooked from the handle, found the head where it connected was cracked. So, back to the house for the old brush. This one leaked- so borrowed the second gasket from the other hose to stop that leak.
Finally was able to start hosing off the car and start cleaning it. Before I finished, I found out why they always say to keep the cleaners off any rubber decoration on the car. Long before I was finished the rubber gloves were being destroyed. Spent all morning cleaning and waxing the car. It was worth all the time and trouble I went through just to see it shining like new again. What should have been about a couple hours work ended up taking me all morning to accomplish. I sure will miss that larger, longer handled brush. It had a neck part that could be adjusted to any angle and the center of the large sized brush swiveled as the water flowed through it. It was great for washing higher outside windows on the house.
Wish the long handled additions would fit the old brush, but no way. I will need to check Sears to see if they still sell the better brush. Guess mine just wore out from years of use. I can`t complain as it gave me good service for years. As they say, nothing lasts forever.
My daughter Theresa offered to wash the car for me this afternoon after she got home from work. But, that first new car washing is when you notice if there is any defects in the paint, so better to do it myself and know. Plus, she works two jobs all week long and I felt she needed to rest and be with her husband when ever she had any spare time.
Labels: First washing of new car
