Ferrari that has never seen water...what to do???

**Jamtek** · 03-10-2008, 08:33 PM

Hi All:

I really enjoy this forum and need some expert help. I recently fulfilled a longtime dream and purchased a 1988 Ferrari 328 GTB. It is in mint condition and has only 12,000 miles on it. Everything about it is showroom new-looking. My problem is it has never seen water!!!

The previous two owners never used water to wash the car--only wipe downs every time it was driven, spray detailer, and wax intermittently. It looks perfect so I can`t deny that their methods worked.

I just took delivery and got a little road spray on it--nothing major but I can`t see just wiping it off with spray detailer. I live in New England so eventhough we had heavy rains that washed the roads off the night before I drove on them, the road spray has a little sand and possibly salt dust in it.

I really want to wash it with water like I`ve done to all my other cars. But, a car that hasn`t seen water in over ten years--now I`m feeling paranoid!

What do you think?

--Jim

**mikebai1990** · 03-10-2008, 08:36 PM

Water will be fine for it. Just because it hasn`t seen water in ten years doesn`t mean it won`t be able to take it over anything like that. However, if you wish not to use too much water (hose, conventional wash), ONR (Optimum No Rinse) is a viable replacement for conventional washes. Road spray can be removed with clay and some clay lube.

**imported_agentf1** · 03-10-2008, 08:38 PM

Wash it, it will be fine.

Or you could carefully do a QEW wash.

**orionredwing** · 03-10-2008, 08:40 PM

Congrats on your car! Sounds exciting. If you`re paranoid about washing, you can simply wash the affected panels / portion of the car. Unless it`s all over, you don`t need to wash the entire car, and can revert back to quick detailers for the rest.

That way if you`re worried about inducing swirls from your wash process, it can be localized.

**Todd@RUPES** · 03-10-2008, 09:18 PM

Any pictures in direct sunlight. I can promise you the car doesn`t look fine as it seems like the owner`s obsession with improper techinque has probably caused more harm then good.

Wash the car, if you are obessed about not letting "water touch it", then invest in a de-ionzier like the CR spotless to keep minerals out of the water. It is the minerals that do the damage anyways.

That said the 3x8`s are about the most realiable Ferrari`s ever made and you would be fine (and it would be smart) to wash the car properly.

**Todd@RUPES** · 03-10-2008, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by Jamtek

Hi All:

I really enjoy this forum and need some expert help. I recently fulfilled a longtime dream and purchased a 1988 Ferrari 328 GTB. It is in mint condition and has only 12,000 miles on it. Everything about it is showroom new-looking. My problem is it has never seen water!!!

The previous two owners never used water to wash the car--only wipe downs every time it was driven, spray detailer, and wax intermittently. It looks perfect so I can`t deny that their methods worked.

I just took delivery and got a little road spray on it--nothing major but I can`t see just wiping it off with spray detailer. I live in New England so eventhough we had heavy rains that washed the roads off the night before I drove on them, the road spray has a little sand and possibly salt dust in it.

I really want to wash it with water like I`ve done to all my other cars. But, a car that hasn`t seen water in over ten years--now I`m feeling paranoid!

What do you think?

--Jim

I would PM rydawg about getting your car detailed so you can see what it really should look like. Here is a 328 with Boxer trim I did about a month ago...

http://autopia.org/forum/click-brag/...?highlight=328

**Brian_Brice** · 03-10-2008, 09:34 PM

328, nice model

**imported_JoshVette** · 03-10-2008, 10:08 PM

I agree with Todd, if never washed with water yet constantly wiped down, I`ll bet it`s got plenty of marring and swirls even though I know it looks perfect right now. Imagine how much better it will look after properly polished out to perection.

Just wash it with water, it won`t melt.:grinno:

**imported_DieselMDX** · 03-10-2008, 10:52 PM

I agree with TH001 comments.

where in New England?

**Jamtek** · 03-11-2008, 05:45 AM

Thanks to everyone for the good advice. I`m in the Nashua area of New Hampshire.

Todd...love the pics of the 328 you did--looks awesome! Wish you guys had a satellite office in the North.

--J

**Setec Astronomy** · 03-11-2008, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by TH0001

Wash the car, if you are obessed about not letting "water touch it", then invest in a de-ionzier like the CR spotless to keep minerals out of the water. It is the minerals that do the damage anyways.

Huh? Minerals do the damage to what? The paint? I`m presuming the OP is going to dry the paint after. In this context I would be concerned about corrosion to non-painted areas, and/or water remaining in hidden areas. Deionoized water can be much more corrosive than tap water.

**imported_rydawg** · 03-11-2008, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by Jamtek

Thanks to everyone for the good advice. I`m in the Nashua area of New Hampshire.

Todd...love the pics of the 328 you did--looks awesome! Wish you guys had a satellite office in the North.

--J

I am right in Hudson on the Nashua line. Feel free to send me a private messege.

**jimmie jam** · 03-11-2008, 08:28 AM

i have had my C6 for 14 months now. 2,300 miles of dry weather driving. i do not like to pour water on my garage queens but it won`t hurt it. i have "washed" this car 3 times in over one year and i would bet you that you can`t tell. just blow/wipe dry carefully and completely. after the wash do a complete detail (whatever you want to do) and then you can continue the "no water" method like its previous owner and i do with the wipe downs. you will be good to go!

congrats on the "new" car.:spot

**Todd@RUPES** · 03-11-2008, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Jamtek

Thanks to everyone for the good advice. I`m in the Nashua area of New Hampshire.

Todd...love the pics of the 328 you did--looks awesome! Wish you guys had a satellite office in the North.--J

Thanks man, and congrats on the new car. I would look up forum member Rydawg as he is the closest I have to a satelite and I will personally guarantee his work! 328`s are beyond cool, no grab a bahama shirt, grow a porn stache, some gold framed aviators, and have a good time