The Clean Up Operation
Naturally when you have a lot of 'fun' there's always plenty of cleaning up to do afterwards... Having spent a day at the
Dunsfold Supercar Event and having picked up a stray cone with the front end there was lots of cleaning to do! As I'm such a polisher, and the 'cone collection' was at low speed there wasn't any damage to the car apart from a scuff.
![Cone collection wasn't part of the agenda! Cone collection wasn't part of the agenda!](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNxj3B7ZU0U/V341ZHNbngI/AAAAAAAADEo/Gsydruc_zT0L22VaLS_U0VwwlenpuvwggCLcB/s400/dunsuper_39_27476772514_o.jpg) |
Cone collection wasn't part of the agenda! |
The cone left a bit of scuffing on the near-side front of the car, which I thought could be permanent...
![Scuff marks on near-side front of car due to cone abuse :-) Scuff marks on near-side front of car due to cone abuse :-)](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eB3IcVz7lAo/V31abytu7dI/AAAAAAAADDk/uaZiqrd1cuY9ekLrNrvEjAvMXzJCiL_RACLcB/s400/IMG_8672.jpg) |
Scuff marks on near-side front of car due to cone abuse :-) |
For those of you who have followed my blog in detail you'll probably assume I've got stacks of car cleaning products, and yes I do - for this job AutoGlym Intensive Tar Remover worked a treat! As you can see below, a couple of minutes of elbow grease and the scuff marks were removed - phew!
![AutoGlym Intensive Tar Remover worked a treat at removing cone scuffs AutoGlym Intensive Tar Remover worked a treat at removing cone scuffs](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I7o4xd-Jz8Y/V31ab_bKrLI/AAAAAAAADDg/DlHWN1IvP04DYkRPtCGtozCXQ9u2LptUgCLcB/s400/IMG_8674.jpg) |
AutoGlym Intensive Tar Remover worked a treat at removing cone scuffs |
This is what was left of a practically new set of AVON CR500 rear tyres after the event... With the front's also on their way out a new set was ordered earlier on this week.
![Used and abused AVON CR500 rear tyres Used and abused AVON CR500 rear tyres](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ro02K0a7rfQ/V31ab122lpI/AAAAAAAADDo/Bub-4A74E68_h2jeAIHwX1wnCuLuvvfPACLcB/s400/IMG_8676.jpg) |
Used and abused AVON CR500 rear tyres |
It doesn't take a miracle worker to figure out where all the rubber from the rear tyres went... Plenty on the tarmac, some up in smoke and a sh1t load underneath my arches...
![Underneath rear arches were caked in molten tyre rubber Underneath rear arches were caked in molten tyre rubber](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y24IiZWtnps/V31acjc3rcI/AAAAAAAADDs/AjN-55dJLf4xmiM1T9X4ThABLU8NiXSmwCLcB/s400/IMG_8678.jpg) |
Underneath rear arches were caked in molten tyre rubber |
Seeing as the tyre rubber was in some hard to reach areas, around the watts link arms, suspension springs and so on, I thought it best to remove both wheel arches to get good access. The picture below shows the amount of muck I had to deal with.
![Rear wheel arches removed revealed just how much muck required cleaning off! Rear wheel arches removed revealed just how much muck required cleaning off!](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dggd8i6gIFw/V31ac1yqpCI/AAAAAAAADD0/2ihww4aqu_0F9iOrjEumekO7kPaDm2OWgCLcB/s400/IMG_8679.jpg) |
Rear wheel arches removed revealed just how much muck required cleaning off! |
A quick rustle around in my 'cleaning products box' and the Meguiars 'All Purpose Cleaner' seemed the best product to use... I had it fairly well diluted, wetted all the grime, sprayed the cleaner on, left it for a couple of minutes and took the picture below - you can see it getting to work.
![Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner getting to work on all the grime and rubber Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner getting to work on all the grime and rubber](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eD3AlI76sF8/V31ac4IPEAI/AAAAAAAADDw/NCfSllygjMUMLCezmgHQdnFJaVVObnxlQCLcB/s400/IMG_8680.jpg) |
Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner getting to work on all the grime and rubber |
Using a fairly soft bristled brush, I got into all the hard to reach areas, rinsed and dried the area and any final remaining bits of rubber/tar were removed with the AutoGlym Intensive Tar Remover product and the end result looked pretty much like new.
![All dirt, grime, rubber and tar removed and looking pretty much like new again. All dirt, grime, rubber and tar removed and looking pretty much like new again.](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtvxCDa9UFE/V31adOGuVdI/AAAAAAAADD4/dqAO6_M3ntg6gD0tizNUjuyzrcagfDUZgCLcB/s400/IMG_8681.jpg) |
All dirt, grime, rubber and tar removed and looking pretty much like new again. |
The underside of the wheel arches also needed a good clean, so whilst they were removed I removed all the debris, and gave the edge and inside of the arches a thorough clean.
![Underside and edges of arches also needed a thorough clean. Underside and edges of arches also needed a thorough clean.](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPnx8LJNq9M/V31admmnlNI/AAAAAAAADD8/iftF0QeiEP4BBsQUsT0KFJ1PRNh-Cm_NQCLcB/s400/IMG_8682.jpg) |
Underside and edges of arches also needed a thorough clean. |
Now that the wheel arches were also cleaned, it was time to put everything back together and as you can see from the picture below it all looks mint again - happy days!
![Wheel arches refitted and everything looking in great order again. Wheel arches refitted and everything looking in great order again.](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhSVse2w-00/V31adq-meMI/AAAAAAAADEA/SdqwKnkdsqAb4r_KEc5T-Sk543gmhAnxQCLcB/s400/IMG_8684.jpg) |
Wheel arches refitted and everything looking in great order again. |
The rest of the car was also meticulously cleaned, and I've put on the ZZR tyres (as the CR500's are dead) and seeing as the ZZR's are on - I was left thinking 'why not waste the opportunity of another good bit of weather?'... so I've booked up a track day at
Donington Park for tomorrow. Cool...!
![All ready to go for some more track action at Donington Park tomorrow! All ready to go for some more track action at Donington Park tomorrow!](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U1XUIh-BsWs/V35eWqawl-I/AAAAAAAADE8/eZftI_O9tKIfOPHOz-FNdTbyQ6y8Cw8gwCLcB/s400/IMG_8691.jpg) |
All ready to go for some more track action at Donington Park tomorrow! |
Not having been to
Donington Park before (with the R500) I've decided to fit the RaceCo exhaust, and will take the carbon airbox just to ensure I don't get any noise issues - the limit there for this track day is 98db (drive-by), so I should be fine, but it's a long way to drive to be 'black flagged' for noise!
Naturally all fluids, pressures, suspension settings and bolts have been given a check over and I'm looking forward to more track action tomorrow! Awesome.
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