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Slideywindows

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

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.....

20th Apr 2021 5:54pm

markb110

Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2520

Sometimes it’s not worth it

20th Apr 2021 6:31pm

mse

Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5024

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

20th Apr 2021 10:03pm

Leamreject

Member Since: 19 Dec 2020
Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa
Posts: 955

Keeping it clean is easy and rewarding, its when you don’t clean it frequently it becomes a chore

Each to their own....

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

20th Apr 2021 10:09pm

J77

Member Since: 04 Nov 2019
Location: Fife
Posts: 3246

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

20th Apr 2021 10:30pm

mse

Member Since: 06 Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 5024

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....

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

20th Apr 2021 10:54pm

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

20th Apr 2021 11:18pm

Co1

Member Since: 19 Aug 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 3615

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?

21st Apr 2021 6:12am

JPE

Member Since: 19 Nov 2018
Location: South West England
Posts: 315

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!

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.

21st Apr 2021 7:26am

Ashbyandy

Member Since: 17 Dec 2015
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 217

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
👍

21st Apr 2021 7:29am

SJT

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

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!)

21st Apr 2021 8:21am

boxoftricks

Member Since: 06 Feb 2019
Location: Home Counties
Posts: 745

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver

Heaven forbid any of the new defenders get muddy........

21st Apr 2021 8:32am

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.

21st Apr 2021 8:50am

Tim in Scotland

Member Since: 23 May 2007
Location: The Land that time forgot
Posts: 3750

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

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!

21st Apr 2021 10:07am

markb110

Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2520

In the days of Series ownership, cleaning the truck involved a four inch brush and a big tin of NATO green.......

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

I am sure newer owners will catch on to the benefits of this method....

21st Apr 2021 11:17am

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