The Bongo in Winter - wax, cover, drive?

Anything non-technical about the Mazda Bongo Friendee van

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Treetalk
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The Bongo in Winter - wax, cover, drive?

Post by Treetalk » Wed Nov 28, 2018 3:35 pm

Greetings All,

I am just wondering how best you could keep a bongo in winter outside, when you have no or few plans to use it. I've looked at indoor storage and price seems prohibative for me.

1. Should you wax the bodywork on the outside to add a bit of protection? Pay someone to do this, or DIY easily?!
2. Is it worth buying a cover for the vehicle? I've seen that fit Bongos which cost about £85.
3. Should you drive it sometimes to keep it "ticking over"? I've read its good to do 20 miles once every couple of weeks, or alternatively best to do nothing at all.

Many thanks.
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Jillygumbo
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Re: The Bongo in Winter - wax, cover, drive?

Post by Jillygumbo » Wed Nov 28, 2018 6:01 pm

Bongos like to be used. I go camping all year round as well as use it as a daily vehicle.
Jillygumbo, Tonto & Ruca
The night conceals the world, but reveals the universe!
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BongoBongo123
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Re: The Bongo in Winter - wax, cover, drive?

Post by BongoBongo123 » Wed Nov 28, 2018 6:48 pm

A waxing never hurts. As Jilly says better to run it about a bit. And if it is a AFT lifting roof then I like to raise it on schedule every 6 weeks through the winter. A balance between not wearing it out and keeping it from seizing up.

All the rust sorting and what not should be under control come end September according to my rule of making it up as a I go along using common sense. :lol:
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Re: The Bongo in Winter - wax, cover, drive?

Post by Bob » Wed Nov 28, 2018 7:29 pm

Agree with the above comments.

Un-used vehicles always give problems on recommissioning.

Flat (therefore stuffed) battrey, tyres 'flat spot', rubber components (hoses/belts) harden, oil and coolant seem to 'sludge up', aircon seals fail (there's a lubricant in the gas and it should be run weekly)...

I make sure the cars get a run every week. :wink:
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Re: The Bongo in Winter - wax, cover, drive?

Post by Treetalk » Sat Dec 01, 2018 5:07 pm

thanks y'all, make sense.
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Re: The Bongo in Winter - wax, cover, drive?

Post by mikeonb4c » Sat Dec 01, 2018 5:40 pm

A good waxing with Collinite 845 (which is super quick to put on and to buff off) has served my Bongo very well in recent years. Its excellent stuff, with lots of excellent reviews
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