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Slideywindows



Member Since: 09 Sep 2016
Location: North Essex
Posts: 1283

England 
It is, of course, totally a matter of choice.

However, a permanently muddy, non-workhorse Defender parked on a spotless middle-class housing estate might say something about you, that could send a message of immaturity to your neighbours.

("Look at me. I'm all rufty-tufty. Unlike the rest of you winkers. Sniff my diff, etc....)


Whatever your choice, I think it is wise to keep the underside and chassis as clean as possible.

But only because you may live to regret it, if you don't.....
Post #899199 20th Apr 2021 4:54pm
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markb110



Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2633

England 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Sometimes it’s not worth it

Post #899204 20th Apr 2021 5:31pm
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5035

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
A clean car is excellent

A clean and polished car offers protection

Cleaning a car is hateful and a waste of life and water Mike
Post #899239 20th Apr 2021 9:03pm
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Leamreject



Member Since: 19 Dec 2020
Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa
Posts: 970

Italy 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Fuji White
Keeping it clean is easy and rewarding, its when you don’t clean it frequently it becomes a chore

Each to their own.... Whistle Ride like you stole it!!
If I’m not on a bike it’s because only a 4x4 will do…
2011 2.4 Puma 90 HT
Post #899241 20th Apr 2021 9:09pm
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J77



Member Since: 04 Nov 2019
Location: Fife
Posts: 3395

Scotland 
Whether it be an old Defender or a new Defender there’s nothing wrong with looking after them.

My one will get its first wash this weekend, and yes it will get polished. I’m not ocd about it, it won’t get full detail. 24MY 90 D250 HSE, Tasman Blue
Post #899246 20th Apr 2021 9:30pm
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mse



Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5035

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Scotia Grey
Leamreject wrote:
Keeping it clean is easy and rewarding, its when you don’t clean it frequently it becomes a chore

Each to their own.... Whistle


I frequently wash the cars, except when saving water...It’s a chore even when you do it regularly , but there are ways to make it easier, still a waste of water

And where we live it’s dirty when you leave the house!

But then I wash an polish my tractor Mike
Post #899248 20th Apr 2021 9:54pm
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Swac3



Member Since: 21 Feb 2015
Location: Aberdeen
Posts: 363

Nope, not just cos its a defender, Never really washed any of our cars routinely.

Sometimes i look at them and just think sheesh that could do with a wash and pull the jetwasher out, sometimes they even get a polish of sorts.

The interior is the same, when i was single the passenger footwell often looked like someones bin. Even now passengers may struggle to find floor mat to put their feet on.

You know you don't clean them enough when you're blasting what appears to be concrete from under the wheel arches and theirs literally piles of crud on the floor under the car when your are done.

That said I'm a little OCD about the front and rear glass, dirty windscreens drive me insane. You can even see it in the car infront, you know the ones, those that brake or slow down at night every time theres an on coming car because they cant see anything through the milky haze. 3 Landrovers
Post #899249 20th Apr 2021 10:18pm
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Co1



Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3674

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 HT Loire Blue
Simon Audi wrote:
I wash at least once a week all 3 cars....

Pressure Rinse
Snow Foam
Pressure Rinse
Wash with sponge and bucket
Pressure rinse
Black car (LR) DI rinse with a watering can.
Towel Dry

Once every 6 months a Polish with a DA polisher and a Wax

Interim Wax every 2 to 3 months


I find it theraputic and relaxing.


What’s a DI rinse?
Post #899256 21st Apr 2021 5:12am
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JPE



Member Since: 19 Nov 2018
Location: South West England
Posts: 334

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
I have to say I've washed mine a lot over the past year through the lockdowns. It didn't really need it, it wasn't like it was going anywhere to get dirty! Confused

I've always been pretty obsessive about power washing the chassis, but with restrictions lifting its now caked in Salisbury Plain mud which I'm really struggling to get off! I needed to apologise to my neighbours for the state of our shared drive which after a couple of power washes is also caked in the stuff.

Happy days. Very Happy
Post #899263 21st Apr 2021 6:26am
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Ashbyandy



Member Since: 17 Dec 2015
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 223

England 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 Adventure Phoenix Orange
Co1 wrote:
Simon Audi wrote:
I wash at least once a week all 3 cars....

Pressure Rinse
Snow Foam
Pressure Rinse
Wash with sponge and bucket
Pressure rinse
Black car (LR) DI rinse with a watering can.
Towel Dry

Once every 6 months a Polish with a DA polisher and a Wax

Interim Wax every 2 to 3 months


I find it theraputic and relaxing.


What’s a DI rinse?


It’s De-Ionised water,doesn’t leave water marks, like window cleaners now use
👍
Post #899264 21st Apr 2021 6:29am
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SJT



Member Since: 18 Jan 2021
Location: Somerset
Posts: 27

United Kingdom 
I always rinse off the bubbles with a couple of cans of rainwater. Does the trick, leaves no residue and is free!..... never takes me more than 10 minutes to wash any car.. D5. Previously 90HT, D4, D4, D4, D2, D1 (3 door V8!)
Post #899272 21st Apr 2021 7:21am
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boxoftricks



Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Home Counties
Posts: 747

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver
Heaven forbid any of the new defenders get muddy........ Rolling with laughter
Post #899275 21st Apr 2021 7:32am
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kenzle8a



Member Since: 12 Feb 2020
Location: None
Posts: 1074

 
While not owning a new Defender, We've never left any of the farm stuff caked in mud as its a pain in the arse if you need to work on anything and it acts as an abrasive on any moving joint. Its also a great way to trap any acidic substances in nooks in the chassis which leads to more rust and more failure.

Put it this way in the worst of the winter salt, mud and grime my 2003 110 was washed depending on how bad it was, sometimes daily. It may be a utility truck but if its caked in crap and rusting out its not much use. I've never understood why its cool to not take care of something, new or old.

When I worked on grain stores we would steam and hot wash all the trucks, loaders and site vehicles every 5 days, you could eat your dinner of the bucket of the loaders.
Post #899278 21st Apr 2021 7:50am
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Tim in Scotland



Member Since: 23 May 2007
Location: The Land that time forgot
Posts: 3753

 
boxoftricks wrote:
Heaven forbid any of the new defenders get muddy........ Rolling with laughter


Plenty of them are, and they are being used as work vehicles not mall cruisers/ school buses Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come
2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed!
Post #899290 21st Apr 2021 9:07am
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markb110



Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2633

England 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
In the days of Series ownership, cleaning the truck involved a four inch brush and a big tin of NATO green....... Very Happy

This method also gives added grip when walking along the side panels.... Whistle

I am sure newer owners will catch on to the benefits of this method.... Thumbs Up
Post #899306 21st Apr 2021 10:17am
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