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Steam Clean Bodywork?


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#1 Wiggy

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Posted 07 June 2018 - 03:21 PM

Back when I was a bigger idiot, my Mini was laid up for about 18 months........under a Plum Tree. Not ideal, I know. After that it was garaged. Fast forward a few years and I'm recommissioning her, but the paintwork is coated in very hard to shift sap. It's all over the shop! Apart from that, the paint is in very good condition.

 

I've washed her several times, snow foamed, etc, but can't shift it. 

 

Would I be completely off my rocker to use a Steam Cleaner? There doesn't seen to be a great deal of info online about it.

 

If I were to use one, would I use the Mitt, or just blast and wipe with a cloth?

 

Opinions / experiences, please.  :teehee:



#2 Jgguinness

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Posted 07 June 2018 - 03:57 PM

https://www.wikihow....p-From-Your-Car

 

http://www.halfords....iABEgLopfD_BwE#



#3 cookie4343

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Posted 07 June 2018 - 04:42 PM

Try a clay bar I’m pretty sure that would do the job.

#4 mr3speed

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Posted 07 June 2018 - 04:52 PM

Anything alcohol based will shift that

#5 Wiggy

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Posted 07 June 2018 - 04:59 PM

Oh I know the alternatives. But I'm interested in the concept.




And it'd be less effort. ?

#6 mr3speed

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Posted 07 June 2018 - 05:02 PM

Oh I know the alternatives. But I'm interested in the concept.




And it'd be less effort.


One way to find out!

#7 minifreek1

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Posted 12 June 2018 - 08:56 AM

FFS Dont use a scouring pad....... not that Iv ever done that...... :shy:



#8 Wiggy

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Posted 12 June 2018 - 09:44 AM

Ha! No chance.

I'm gonna give the steam a go on my ropey E46 as a test, then have a go on the Mini.

#9 nicklouse

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Posted 12 June 2018 - 10:48 AM

used to use steam cleaning to blast old paint of bits of metal.

 

I would just keep wetting it down as what you want to do is dissolve it not blast it off. hot water  may work better than cold. but to use a steam cleaner you have to be very confident in the condition of the paint and car.



#10 Steve220

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Posted 12 June 2018 - 11:03 AM

Hot water shampoo then a full claybar treatment

Edited by Steve220, 12 June 2018 - 11:03 AM.


#11 Dusky

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Posted 14 June 2018 - 10:56 AM

Anything alcohol based will shift that

Will also remove all the paint depending on the age/system.



#12 MatthewsDad

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Posted 14 June 2018 - 12:25 PM

I once removed encrusted lime tree sap from a car that had been sitting under a tree for a couple of years. It's a slow process, you can't just remove it in one afternoon. I soaked the sap under wet towels a small section at a time, with a bit of mild detergent soaked in the fabric. It will come off, just takes time. Can't see a problem with steam, just test on a small area first.

#13 Homersimpson

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Posted 14 June 2018 - 04:47 PM

Steam cleaning sounds like a recipe for stripping off the paint, I wouldn't even think about it!



#14 midridge2

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Posted 15 June 2018 - 06:10 PM

HGV,s used to be steam cleaned before they went for test, I never remember paint being blasted from them.



#15 Homersimpson

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Posted 15 June 2018 - 09:39 PM

HGV,s used to be steam cleaned before they went for test, I never remember paint being blasted from them.

It depends upon whether they have the original paint or if its ever been resprayed, I once steam cleaned a big patch of the lacquer off a rover 220 bonnet!






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