Save water. Bathe with a smart.

[stevenvillatoro]

Yesterday I gave my smart its first bath. It made me realize the importance of this cautious first-bath ritual in the smart/owner bonding process.

Although I'd had my smart for three weeks now and 800 miles (they grow up so fast, don't they?), it was only when getting up-close-and-dirty that I got to really become "one-with-the-smart" and explore some of its more subtle design points, while learning about its care-and-feeding needs.

1. I used a constant water supply, to minimize any abrasiveness, especially with the polycarbonate roof panel.
2. All windows are mega-easy to clean, inside and out. Windows are usually my pet peeve on any car.
3. There's less square-footage for bugs to hit. There's virtually no hood. And there's no below-the-bumper real estate to clean. So, the hardest part of car washing is made... ummm, smart!
4. All the wheel wells are plastic, super-simple to clean.
5. Watch out for poking your eyes out when the wipers (front/rear) are pulled away from the windshield.
6. The wheels are very easy to clean, even with 12 spokes. Their surfaces are angled outward with lots of room for sponges/mitts. After spending some time with them, seeing their construction carefully, I've come to like them much more than expected.
7. Costco's no-wipe tire cleaner is great for all lower panels, as well as the tires, and doesn't leave an artifical-looking shine.
8. Costco's pop-up leather wipes are convenient for the seats.
9. Pick up a made-for-car-drying silicone 'squeegie' and you can dry your smart, and minimize any spider-webbing or abrasion (especially on the roof), in just seconds.
10. The door jambs, hatch, etc. are a piece of cake. No excuses to leave dirt here!
11. LOVE my rubber floor mats. (Who would'a thought???) Clean, clean, clean.
12. I'll bet that smarts will stay looking new longer than any car on the road. Get a ding? Swap a panel. No time to wash it? Drive through a sprinkler. It seems that anything that might wear out on this car can be replaced in virtually minutes at a low cost, in the privacy of your own home.

If you can name ANY car that's simpler to wash, lemme know... I'll buy one. Please add your smart-specific washing tips and tricks as you learn some of your own. Thanks!

[LIVNLTL]

Smartwaiters take note. Good stuff. Thanks steveo.

[skyzdlimit59]

Thank you for great info. Anyone out there with the cabrio - would love to hear how the ragtop cleans.

[MarkB]

I was hoping to see girl in bikini washing Smart....dang.

[jaxbchSmart]

micro fiber wash mitts from griots garage (www.griotsgarage.com). they will help avoid swirl marks. i prefer micro fiber drying towels too. use with a light misting of the griots garage spray on wax while the car is wet, it will dry like its the shiniest car on the block.

[SmartShanna]

Excellent post, Steven. When my smart finally arrives I would like to hire you to be the designated bather**whaddaya say?

[stevenvillatoro]

Sure, Shanna. Think you can afford me? <wink>

[SmartShanna]

Well, Steven, since the whole process is so quick... ;)

[young-nyc]

well there's a quickie for yah =P

[tnt0604]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

Sure, Shanna. Think you can afford me? <wink>

Be Careful - I had to marry my 'Detail Man' in order to have my Baby (MINI) properly cared for ;)!

Check out http://danase.com/index.html The Detail Man says their products are far superior at a lower price.