New 911 next week - paintwork

[marky999]

A subject done to death, but I have a specific question, so please be patient...

Has anyone picked up a brand new 911 and not bothered paying for the paint protection stuff (I've been quoted £600 and have done a search of the arguments for/against) AND not even bothered getting it done elsewhere....Is the car okay as is, new from the showroom, to go and play with?

I'm away for a while over Christmas and NY and thinking of using the car a couple weeks then leaving it with a detailer to sort while I'm away but don't know if the delay from the collection date would do damage. I'm not remotely technical and not massively OCD - it's a car not a museum piece, but want it to look good.

Also, don't know if the new one comes with the film protecting the rear arches or whether I should ask for it to be fitted?

Thanks guys.
Mark

[Twinfan]

I've added nothing to my Cayman. The car has paint on it, it looks fine to me and it has a paint warranty. I'm not paying up to £1000 for what someone once described as a "posh wash".

Enjoy your new 911!

[marky999]

Thank-you! just wanted a bit of reassurance...And I loved my Cayman, fantastic car

Twinfan said:

I've added nothing to my Cayman. The car has paint on it, it looks fine to me and it has a paint warranty. I'm not paying up to £1000 for what someone once described as a "posh wash".

Enjoy your new 911!

[oldnbold]

If by paint protection stuff you mean the super polish type snake oil that dealers try and flog you, rather than protective film. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY.

Save your money and take the car to a professional detailer, they will do a far better job than the minimum wage wash monkey's that are resident in the dealers preparation area.

[Twinfan]

I personally don't see the point in detailing - it's a car, it'll get wet and dirty, it'll get stone chips, birds will crap on it etc etc.

Unless you're going to try and keep it immaculate 24/7, and are prepared to put in the countless hours washing and polishing it, then I wouldn't bother!

[sidicks]

Twinfan said:

I personally don't see the point in detailing - it's a car, it'll get wet and dirty, it'll get stone chips, birds will crap on it etc etc.

Unless you're going to try and keep it immaculate 24/7, and are prepared to put in the countless hours washing and polishing it, then I wouldn't bother!

I think you're missing the point about how a decent paint preparation can provide some protection and make it much easier to clean in the future. But of course, each to their own!

[Twinfan]

Nope, I've heard the supposed "benefits" but I don't care/want/need them for £1000

[IREvans]

marky999 said:

A subject done to death, but I have a specific question, so please be patient...

Has anyone picked up a brand new 911 and not bothered paying for the paint protection stuff (I've been quoted £600 and have done a search of the arguments for/against) AND not even bothered getting it done elsewhere....Is the car okay as is, new from the showroom, to go and play with?

I'm away for a while over Christmas and NY and thinking of using the car a couple weeks then leaving it with a detailer to sort while I'm away but don't know if the delay from the collection date would do damage. I'm not remotely technical and not massively OCD - it's a car not a museum piece, but want it to look good.

Also, don't know if the new one comes with the film protecting the rear arches or whether I should ask for it to be fitted?

Thanks guys.
Mark

Everyone's different, but I've never had any special waxes or coatings, or any kind of paint protection film fitted to any of my cars - whether its the M2, or 991RS. Of course, they may pick up a few stonechips, but I'm not really concerned. When I clean them, they look great, and when I sell or px them, if there's some stone chips, then I'm sure it'll be taken into account in the deal.

And yes, most cars with pronounced rear arches will have some clear film protecting that area.

[ooid]

I personally prefer this guy's detailing techniques !




http://petrolicious.com/this-porsche-356-is-driven...

Edited by ooid on Saturday 10th December 00:09

Edited by ooid on Sunday 11th December 11:00

[marky999]

Really appreciate the feedback, thanks guys. And love that photo above!

I'm gonna give the paint wax/polish thingy a miss. Might get it done a few weeks later elsewhere from a detailer...will ponder.

[Freds]

marky999 said:

Really appreciate the feedback, thanks guys. And love that photo above!

I'm gonna give the paint wax/polish thingy a miss. Might get it done a few weeks later elsewhere from a detailer...will ponder.

Just a suggestion, their work is superb. https://en-gb.facebook.com/Migliordetailing/

Edited by Freds on Saturday 10th December 12:07

[Cheib]

If you're talking about the Swissvax treatment I wouldn't waste your money. I had it done and wasn't that impressed, six months later I had a proper detail done and the stuff he put on was still making a difference months later.

[k3bab]

Hey, it really depends on several factors

Having just gone though this experience myself I can share a few insights:


Don't bother with Swisswax. I had it applied by OPC before hand over of car and I wasn't impressed. Made washing the car very difficult for the first few months.

- if it is a darker colour, especially black it will be prone to swirl marks when washing unless the strictest discipline is followed

- the 1000 pound polish and wax is a waste of money for a new car.

- if you want to protect against swirl marks ceramic coating is the best option. I've had this done to my car after a few months of ownership when I started noticing swirl marks on the paintwork.

- it takes a professional to apply ceramic coating and requires a very thorough clean, clay bar and machine Polish before.

- most ceramic coatings will come with a warranty and will make the car very easy to wash, dirt and dust repellant properties and a protective coating stopping grit swirling the paintwork when washing

It cost just over 1000 pounds took 3 days to apply and looked more shiny than when it was in the showroom. Incredible finish.


There is a company which specialisesin ceramics near me (Reading, Berkshire) if interested let me know and I'll post the link to their website.

[Twinfan]

Or you can not give a stuff about swirl marks and save £1000

[Tony 1234]

Twinfan said:

Or you can not give a stuff about swirl marks and save £1000

Yes but they do look naff though

[paul789]

k3bab said:

Hey, it really depends on several factors

Having just gone though this experience myself I can share a few insights:


Don't bother with Swisswax. I had it applied by OPC before hand over of car and I wasn't impressed. Made washing the car very difficult for the first few months.

- if it is a darker colour, especially black it will be prone to swirl marks when washing unless the strictest discipline is followed

- the 1000 pound polish and wax is a waste of money for a new car.

- if you want to protect against swirl marks ceramic coating is the best option. I've had this done to my car after a few months of ownership when I started noticing swirl marks on the paintwork.

- it takes a professional to apply ceramic coating and requires a very thorough clean, clay bar and machine Polish before.

- most ceramic coatings will come with a warranty and will make the car very easy to wash, dirt and dust repellant properties and a protective coating stopping grit swirling the paintwork when washing

It cost just over 1000 pounds took 3 days to apply and looked more shiny than when it was in the showroom. Incredible finish.


There is a company which specialisesin ceramics near me (Reading, Berkshire) if interested let me know and I'll post the link to their website.

Interesting. I live near Reading too and had a ceramic coating on my last car, a B8 RS4. Are you referring to Auto Curators? If not, I'd be keen to hear of any other specialists in the area. To be clear, Auto Curators are outstanding, but it's always useful to collect details of recommended outifts!

[T25UFO]

I agree with k3bab. I got the Swissvax treatment thrown in for free when I purchased my last 911. Nice, but doesn't last. The ceramic coating is something else - my local OPC has just started offering Gtechniq treatment and this is particularly good with any dark colour paintwork (e.g. Jet Black Metallic) which is always difficult to keep clean. The car must be properly detailed before the coating is applied. When the car gets dirty, just hose down and it looks perfect again. No more polishing needed and it's supposed to last for five years. Don't know the cost, but I thought it was more like £600 is ordered with a new car. Is it worth it? To me, yes; to others maybe not.

[HokumPokum]

only if you ever intend to wash the car yourself.....

otherwise waste of money. most wash outfits will strip the car of it's coating with their cheap shampoos.

[marky999]

Thanks for taking the time to give such a useful insight (everyone here is being very helpful). I'm up in Yorkshire but will decide what to do in next couple of days. Exciting times!

k3bab said:

Hey, it really depends on several factors

Having just gone though this experience myself I can share a few insights:


Don't bother with Swisswax. I had it applied by OPC before hand over of car and I wasn't impressed. Made washing the car very difficult for the first few months.

- if it is a darker colour, especially black it will be prone to swirl marks when washing unless the strictest discipline is followed

- the 1000 pound polish and wax is a waste of money for a new car.

- if you want to protect against swirl marks ceramic coating is the best option. I've had this done to my car after a few months of ownership when I started noticing swirl marks on the paintwork.

- it takes a professional to apply ceramic coating and requires a very thorough clean, clay bar and machine Polish before.

- most ceramic coatings will come with a warranty and will make the car very easy to wash, dirt and dust repellant properties and a protective coating stopping grit swirling the paintwork when washing

It cost just over 1000 pounds took 3 days to apply and looked more shiny than when it was in the showroom. Incredible finish.


There is a company which specialisesin ceramics near me (Reading, Berkshire) if interested let me know and I'll post the link to their website.

[marky999]

Again thanks guys...will decide in next couple of days before I pick it up. Santa is coming early!