Porsche light alloy wheel care + PUs

[nel]

I was surprised to read in the 993 owner's manual that Porsche recommend three monthly applications of Vaseline to the alloy wheels. Surely that'll make them look like shit and the stickiness will help the collection of brake dust? To date I've just cleaned them with Autoglym wheel cleaner - nothing else. Any recommendations?

After cleaning the car tonight I touched up some stone chips on the front PU. Even if you don't tailgate they seem to accumulate pretty quickly - it's a pain in the ass. It almost makes me sympathise with the yanks and those ugly "bras" they strap to the pointy end of their equipment. Is the only answer accepting periodic resprays of the PU?

[turbobloke]

nel said:

I was surprised to read in the 993 owner's manual that Porsche recommend three monthly applications of Vaseline to the alloy wheels. Surely that'll make them look like shit and the stickiness will help the collection of brake dust? To date I've just cleaned them with Autoglym wheel cleaner - nothing else. Any recommendations?

I'd steer clear of the vaseline, continue with wheel cleaner

nel said:

After cleaning the car tonight I touched up some stone chips on the front PU. Even if you don't tailgate they seem to accumulate pretty quickly - it's a pain in the ass. It almost makes me sympathise with the yanks and those ugly "bras" they strap to the pointy end of their equipment. Is the only answer accepting periodic resprays of the PU?

Not the only answer, you could get the nose looking good again and get an Armourfend film on it:
[url]www.armourfend.com/[/url]

edited to add their website just in case they're new to you

>> Edited by turbobloke on Friday 13th August 00:15

[nel]

turbobloke said:

Not the only answer, you could get the nose looking good again and get an Armourfend film on it.

Yep, I suppose that's a practical option, but don't they end up looking a bit dodgy at the edge of the film where water and wax gets underneath it?

[rich1231]

nel, I have had armourfend on my car for 2 years and its great. Not one chip has got through it, 28000 miles on. the edges do look like a scratch close up, but its nothing that bothers me.

[turbobloke]

nel said:

don't they end up looking a bit dodgy at the edge of the film where water and wax gets underneath it?

Suppose it depends on who applied it i.e. how well, but this hasn't been a problem. If you go down the Armourfend route why not get one of their people to apply the film for you. Then if you're concerned about the edges looking OK use one of those carnauba wax liquid sprays that don't leave a residue, rather than the white powder producers.

[nel]

OK thanks - I've emailed Armourfend to ask if they have french agents applying the film or whether I'd have to come to the UK to get it done. It sounds like a practical solution.

[nel]

In case any other 993 owners are interested, here is the info from Armourfend with prices.



Detailed below are the available areas for your PORSCHE 993:
Part Number Description Unit Price
PR/2701/1 Bonnet £70.00
PR/2701/2 Door Inner Handles (Pair) £10.00
PR/2701/3 Door Mirrors (Pair) £10.00
PR/2701/4 Door Steps (Pair) £10.00
PR/2701/5 Front Bumper (Full) £180.00
PR/2701/5A Front Bumper (Standard) £100.00
PR/2701/6 Front Grille Surround (Non Turbo)£17.50
PR/2701/6A Front Grille Surround (Turbo) £20.00
PR/2701/7 Front Wheel Arches (GT2 Only) £30.00
PR/2701/H Headlights (Pair) £20.00
PR/2701/8 Inner Front Wheel Arches (Pair) £10.00
PR/2701/9 Inner Rear Wheel Arches (Pair) £10.00
PR/2701/10 Inner Wings (Pair)(With Jetwash £10.00
PR/2701/10A Inner Wings (Pair)(Without Jetwash)£10.00
PR/2701/11 Lower Front Skirt (Aero Kit) £30.00
PR/2701/11A Lower Skirt (GT2) £20.00
PR/2701/11B Lower Skirt (RS) £30.00
PR/2701/11C Lower Skirt (RSR) £35.00
PR/2701/11D Lower Skirt (Standard) £17.50
PR/2701/11E Lower Skirt (Turbo 4S) £15.00
PR/2701/11F Lower Skirt (Turbo,Turbo 4,Turbo S £30.00
PR/2701/12 Rear Wheel Arches (GT2) £30.00
PR/2701/12A Rear Wheel Arches (Pair) £50.00
PR/2701/12C Rear Wheel Arches (Pair)(Turbo 4S £50.00
PR/2701/12B Rear Wheel Arches (Pair)(Turbo £50.00

PR/2701/F Spot/Foglights (Pair) £10.00
PR/2701/13 Strip Above Headlights (Pair) £15.00
We can offer a professional installation service at our Head Office in Nazeing, this can be
arranged at your convenience allowing a week's notice for booking. However, subject to
installation conditions and area, we can offer a mobile installation service, which will be subject to
a travel charge in addition to the standard labour charges as agreed at the time of booking.

Instructions are supplied when purchasing Armourfend for self-installation.

N.B. All prices are subject to VAT and are correct at time of going to press.

[turbobloke]

Useful update on parts and prices

FWIW there may be an option for the bonnet film, you should be able to choose from one that goes up to the top of the Porsche crest, or much higher as in the diagram. The smaller one lookes neater IMO as it's more aligned with the inner wing films, it's easier to fit whoever's doing it, and it still takes care of most chips. Cheaper too, but not the key consideration.

[mx5alive]

Guys, i'm considering a 928 as my next car and have seen the term PU but have no idea what it means. Can someone explain it for a numpty please?

[nel]

mx5alive said:

Guys, i'm considering a 928 as my next car and have seen the term PU but have no idea what it means. Can someone explain it for a numpty please?

The PUs are the polyurethane mouldings on the front and the rear. For example, in the picture above of a 993, the front PU is composed of the "front bumper" and "lower skirt".

[mx5alive]

Ah, Thanks for that - Sorry for hijacking the thread.