Keeping it clean
Discussion
Two weeks to go before I take delivery of my new 981 Boxster S.
The OPC has thrown in GardX treatment (which, after doing a few Google searches doesn't appear to be the great deal I originally thought it was!), but I wondered what most people did to keep their vehicle clean? I'm assuming normal car washes are out, but what about jet washes and then a wipe down? Or bucket and cloth? Waxing? Detailing?
Just thought it would be interesting to see if there's a concensus on the best and most practical way to keep it looking new as long as possible.
The OPC has thrown in GardX treatment (which, after doing a few Google searches doesn't appear to be the great deal I originally thought it was!), but I wondered what most people did to keep their vehicle clean? I'm assuming normal car washes are out, but what about jet washes and then a wipe down? Or bucket and cloth? Waxing? Detailing?
Just thought it would be interesting to see if there's a concensus on the best and most practical way to keep it looking new as long as possible.
Porsche911R said:
people do all sorts from a simple wash to full on 2 days detail you need to pick what you are happy with , but I am sure you know how to wash a car so I'll leave it at that.
what will happen is 50 people will tell you what product they use and how it is the best.
No products but I do recommend using 2 buckets to wash your car, one with clean soapy water and the second for rinsing your mitt to prevent dirt being dragged across your paintwork and causing swirl marks!what will happen is 50 people will tell you what product they use and how it is the best.
Personally I'd get a pro detailer to have it as soon as you get it. They will do any paint correction needed, the dealers wash monkeys will no doubt have put a few swirls in the paint, and then machine polish and wax and seal the paint. Probably £300 ish.
After that if you want to keep it tip top wash it yourself using the 2 bucket method with micro fibre wash mits. You will find that after the detailer has done his magic the car is easier to clean and can be done in less than an hour.
If you're not that bothered about it just use the local east european hand car wash.
After that if you want to keep it tip top wash it yourself using the 2 bucket method with micro fibre wash mits. You will find that after the detailer has done his magic the car is easier to clean and can be done in less than an hour.
If you're not that bothered about it just use the local east european hand car wash.
massive spread;
as you say from car wash (I kid you not) through to a full detail and a regular maintenance package.
Go with what you want.
Two bucket advice is the best - grit causes more scratches / swirls than you can imagine
I've just spent (on and off ) 2 weeks machine polishing my GT3 sealing / waxing ready for the winter months use ahead.
That wasn't a full time process obviously, but the paint is near perfect now - and will stay that way as I use 2 buckets !
If you've got a pressure washer get a proper snow foam lance and some snow foam - it really does work if you let it sit for a while then pressure wash it off.
If you want to send yourself mad, just have a browse of detailing world....
as you say from car wash (I kid you not) through to a full detail and a regular maintenance package.
Go with what you want.
Two bucket advice is the best - grit causes more scratches / swirls than you can imagine
I've just spent (on and off ) 2 weeks machine polishing my GT3 sealing / waxing ready for the winter months use ahead.
That wasn't a full time process obviously, but the paint is near perfect now - and will stay that way as I use 2 buckets !
If you've got a pressure washer get a proper snow foam lance and some snow foam - it really does work if you let it sit for a while then pressure wash it off.
If you want to send yourself mad, just have a browse of detailing world....
This...
tyrrell said:
Well the dealer prep monkeys should put plenty of scratches and swirl the paintwork whilst applying the Guard X, I would actually pay the dealer not to put it on, but then I am a very fussy bugger.
...followed by this...oldnbold said:
Personally I'd get a pro detailer to have it as soon as you get it. They will do any paint correction needed, the dealers wash monkeys will no doubt have put a few swirls in the paint, and then machine polish and wax and seal the paint. Probably £300 ish.
After that if you want to keep it tip top wash it yourself using the 2 bucket method with micro fibre wash mits. You will find that after the detailer has done his magic the car is easier to clean and can be done in less than an hour.
If you're not that bothered about it just use the local east european hand car wash.
After that if you want to keep it tip top wash it yourself using the 2 bucket method with micro fibre wash mits. You will find that after the detailer has done his magic the car is easier to clean and can be done in less than an hour.
If you're not that bothered about it just use the local east european hand car wash.
Orangecurry said:
This...
Top advice and pretty cheap and easy! You can get carried away buying your own detailing kit which I did but I'm a bloke and we love shiny things!tyrrell said:
Well the dealer prep monkeys should put plenty of scratches and swirl the paintwork whilst applying the Guard X, I would actually pay the dealer not to put it on, but then I am a very fussy bugger.
...followed by this...oldnbold said:
Personally I'd get a pro detailer to have it as soon as you get it. They will do any paint correction needed, the dealers wash monkeys will no doubt have put a few swirls in the paint, and then machine polish and wax and seal the paint. Probably £300 ish.
After that if you want to keep it tip top wash it yourself using the 2 bucket method with micro fibre wash mits. You will find that after the detailer has done his magic the car is easier to clean and can be done in less than an hour.
If you're not that bothered about it just use the local east european hand car wash.
After that if you want to keep it tip top wash it yourself using the 2 bucket method with micro fibre wash mits. You will find that after the detailer has done his magic the car is easier to clean and can be done in less than an hour.
If you're not that bothered about it just use the local east european hand car wash.
The best results I have had after years of doing my own detailing is to get a Gtechniq 'dealer only' applied product (e.g platinum or Crystal Serum) & then you can enjoy maintaining your car with gtechniq products. Rob at Gtechniq will advise you where your nearest Gtechniq certified detailer is. I had their Platinum products applied on my 997 just under a year ago & it still beads very well & paint still feels like silk. The Platinum products covers everything: exterior paint, glass, soft top, wheels & interior. My interior just doesn't collect dust either. It isn't cheap - expect to pay anything from £550+, but can take 2-5 days. The Platinum comes with a five year guarantee & £100 worth of Gtechniq goodies that you will actually use. Their Crystal Serum is meant to offer even better gloss & protection. I will def go down the same route when my 981 Spyder lands in May.
Go to a detailer that uses Siramik products. Had mine done at the beginning of October and water still beads straight off. Mine had SC15 but I'm going back in a few weeks to upgrade to diamas. I just pressure wash rinse, bilt hamber auto foam snow foam, rinse again and I'm good to go 
Its to rinse the grit out the wash mitt, personally I just give the mitt a blast with the hose to hell with lugging two buckets around.
Fill your boots " warning extreme OCD in the link " http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
Fill your boots " warning extreme OCD in the link " http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
The two bucket thing is good because as much as you try to wash a car top-down, there are always situations where you're moving from a heavily soiled are to one that's comparably cleaner, so in these cases you want to try to get the worst of the dirt and grit out of the wash mitt in between.
I'm going to have my car corrected, detailed and sealed, purely with the intent of making it quicker and easier for me to clean; I love driving cars, don't mind getting them grubby and don't particularly enjoy washing them.
I'm going to have my car corrected, detailed and sealed, purely with the intent of making it quicker and easier for me to clean; I love driving cars, don't mind getting them grubby and don't particularly enjoy washing them.
Digga said:
The two bucket thing is good because as much as you try to wash a car top-down, there are always situations where you're moving from a heavily soiled are to one that's comparably cleaner, so in these cases you want to try to get the worst of the dirt and grit out of the wash mitt in between.
I'm going to have my car corrected, detailed and sealed, purely with the intent of making it quicker and easier for me to clean; I love driving cars, don't mind getting them grubby and don't particularly enjoy washing them.
Exactly my reasoning for getting a ceramic, super duper, hydrophobic, massage your thighs coating. Ok, I made the last bit up I'm going to have my car corrected, detailed and sealed, purely with the intent of making it quicker and easier for me to clean; I love driving cars, don't mind getting them grubby and don't particularly enjoy washing them.
I use this guy for all my detailing, he is the UK distributer for Siramik, and he's fantastic. This is the stuff I'm upgrading to from SC15, http://reflectology.co.uk/diamas-professionali/I only 'contact clean' the wheels now, and even those are a doddle as muck just slides off. Just rinse, snow foam, sometimes top up with Siramik maintenance wash and rinse again. No messing with waxes, polishes and sealants for hours. Keeps it looking great for months, if not years
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