Few things feel as rewarding as rolling back the workshop doors after months of silence. Your classic has rested through cold mornings, condensation, and the faint smell of rubber and dust. Before the first key turn, a proper wash helps the car wake up gradually — not as a cosmetic act, but as a careful inspection ritual.
Start by opening the garage or unit to let the air circulate. If the car was stored under a cover, remove it gently and shake it out rather than dragging it across the paint. Dust behaves like sandpaper when moved the wrong way. A soft microfibre duster can lift the surface layer before any water touches the panels.
Prepare two buckets: one for the shampoo mix and another for rinsing the mitt. Use a pH-neutral automotive shampoo — the kind that cleans without stripping wax. Check tyre pressure and ensure valves and caps are intact; sometimes the smallest crack lets in moisture that will reappear as oxidation on wheels.
When the hose comes out, keep the pressure low and the distance wide. Let the water run down panels, sweeping away loose debris. Concentrate around badges, seams, and window trims where winter condensation may have gathered. Avoid aiming directly at vents or carburettor openings, especially on older engines that breathe through mesh or open snorkels.
Work from the top down: roof, glass, bonnet, sides, and finally the lower panels. Rinse the mitt often in the clean-water bucket. If the car has wire wheels or intricate alloys, use a dedicated soft brush and separate bucket to prevent grit transfer. Patience matters more than speed — an extra fifteen minutes here may save hours of polishing later.
Once the wash is complete, use a large microfibre towel rather than chamois leather. Blot rather than drag; capillary action will do most of the work. Compressed air or a small blower can help remove water trapped around mirrors and trims. At this stage, take a walk around the car in daylight and note any marks, fogged lenses, or damp seals.
Open doors and bonnet to check inner seams. If you find surface rust starting near hinges, treat it early with a corrosion-safe product. Lubricate locks and bonnet catches lightly. A single afternoon spent like this resets the car’s balance between preservation and usability.
Finish with a quick protective layer: a mild spray wax or sealant adds slickness and helps future washes. Wipe the interior glass to remove storage haze, and let the cabin air for an hour before closing it again.
When the car finally rolls out, the wash has already told you most of what you need to know — how the paint survived, whether seals stayed supple, and which areas deserve more attention. That first rinse is the conversation between owner and machine restarting after the long pause of winter.
Colmore Classic Auto Care
28 Livery Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham B3 2BP, England
Tel 441 121 784 613 Email [email protected]