Even amongst supercars, the McLaren F1 stands out. So when you might want to clear a kind of legendary machines, you do not simply use atypical cleaning soap and water. You go for dry ice blasting.
On this Hagerty video, skilled detailer Tim McNair exhibits how you can clear an F1 with dry ice. He views dry ice as “simply one other weapon within the arsenal” within the battle towards dust, however this course of is a step past how most homeowners clear their automobiles—and extra dramatic to observe as properly.
An F1 is an efficient automobile to display dry ice cleansing on as a result of, McNair explains, in contrast to many collector automobiles, homeowners really are inclined to drive them. Positive sufficient, when the wheels and among the underbody panelling are eliminated, loads of dust is seen on this instance, which has the high-downforce equipment signified by a big rear wing.
These soiled areas are blasted with pellets of dry ice, which removes dust on affect. It does this with much less moisture and extra precision than different cleansing strategies, making it significantly helpful for tight, intricate areas like wheel wells and brake assemblies.
As soon as the dust is blasted off, it is time to element. On an F1, that requires a number of sorts of cleansing merchandise and strategies due to the totally different supplies concerned. On the brakes alone, McNair meticulously applies brake cleaner with cotton swabs and bamboo skewers, then switches to mascara brushes and fantastic metal wool for anodized parts—to keep away from damaging them. Every part then will get wiped down with a spray-on metallic detailer.
Alongside the best way, McNair highlights some attention-grabbing particulars of the F1, like the electrical followers within the wheel wells that blow air into the headlight enclosures to maintain them from fogging.
McNair additionally offers a fast overview of the steering wheel. What appear like paddle shifters are literally controls for the horn and excessive beams. And since the wheel has a racing-style quick-release mechanism that makes direct wiring to the steering column not possible, these features are activated by infrared beams. These are the belongings you discover if you spend hours detailing a automobile.