Washing the SRT... your gonna want a compressor! I've got a paint question too!

[jwwiii]

Washing the SRT... your gonna want a compressor! I\'ve got a paint question too!

Yippee!

50 more miles driven blissfully yesterday before today's expected snow. Then, it was time for a bath!

So, I lovingly bathed the SRT with my Zaino soap, used my California water blade, and my cotton towels. Looked beautiful! THEN...

I opened my trunk. No problems, just lots of WATER in the top channels. This will be interesting to dry, I said to myself, as I rolled the end of my towel to wick the water out. I realized then that I must buy an "oil-less" compressor to blow this stuff out where I can dry it up easily. Any body recommend a quality compressor that can be "wall mounted" and that has a soft rubber hose tip that won't scratch? Please let us know!

Then I opened my hood, and noticed that the water was prevalent there too; it just KEPT COMING from behing the "fangs" insulation mat under the hood. I recommend that you dry your hood first, the OPEN IT FULLY to let the water drain down while you dry the rest of the SRT. These are not REAL problems, as we have all experienced "delayed hood drainage" with the "speakers" on all previous Vipers.

Now, a QUESTION for real paint Guru's: I cannot wash my car unless temps are above freezing. BUT, my wife has a "Professional-commercial" quality STEAM CLEANER. It is ADJUSTABLE for wetter/dry steam output. It CLEANS ANYTHING like crazy. IS IT SAFE TO CLEAN THE LOWER SILLS AND BEHIND EACH WHEEL WITH MOIST STEAM? It seems perfect if used very "wet" so there is lots of dripping water to rinse away salt (OH GOD NO, HE DOESN'T ACTUALLY DRIVE IN THE WINTER DOES HE?). No I don't drive on snowy roads; but heck ya, I do drive when it's dry (salt powder is evident, but not wet). WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE STEAM?

IMPORTANT OBVIOUS OBSERVATION: If you drive your new SRT in temps below 32 degrees, our tire rubber compound is VERY HARD and SLIPPERY. I was aware of this, and could get WHEELSPIN in 4 gears at around 3,000 rpm. BE CAREFULL ACCELLERATING. Braking was no problem. Those Brakes are awesome, and don't utter a squeak for once.

Please let me know about the compressor of choice for "wall mount, and about using moist steam on Viper paint.

Thanks,

Jim Wallace

 

[Frank 03SRT]

Re: Washing the SRT... your gonna want a compressor! I\'ve got a paint question too!

Use a leaf blower and it works great.

Also, wash your car in the garage. Take a defrosted hose, hook it up, run it under the garage door, leave the door open one inch, and wash to your heart's content. I have done it a dozen times. Did it last night at 20 degrees.

 

[Warren S]

Re: Washing the SRT... your gonna want a compressor! I\'ve got a paint question too!

Jim,

First, congratulations on your new car! About compressors, I'm not sure what a "wall mounted" one you mentioned, but I've seen many upright type air compressors that available at Sears and many auto parts outlets. The hoses, attachments, and rubber-tip nozzle you get separately. The problem with the smaller tank ones is that you'll have to pause every now and then so there will be enough pressure in the tank. And I wouldn't use too much pressure or bring that nozzle tip too close because I heard this may cause your paint to chip.

I think the leaf blower is the best alternative.

Moist steam? I probably would set it at the wettest.

I've washed my car in the garage too. But that's to keep it from drying too quickly in the California sun. The Viper is one of the toughest cars to wash in my opinion.

Have fun!

Warren.
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