Porsche Paint: Detail as Normal?

fotodad · 11-07-05, 07:06

Before you guys all jump down my back, I did do a search on this topic and found some informative threads/posts, but none specifically addressed this simple question.

Should I detail a 2001 Porsche 911 any differently than I would a Honda, Toyota, BMW, or any other manufacturer assuming the paint has been reasonably taken car of originally?

Here's why I ask. I just moved into a new neighborhood. And, naturally before unpacking I had to detail my Honda Accord. So I'm out in the driveway surrounded by boxes and a nagging wife when one of my neighbors pulls up in his 2001 Porsche 911. We exchange all the new-neighbor crap, then we start talking about cars. He noticed how well I took care of my finish and asked if he could pay me to detail his car. I told him I'd consider it and get back to him.

I'd love to detail his car. Currently it looked like your typical weekend hose/one-rag clean/rinse jobs. So it would be fun to see how much I could improve the appearance of his BLACK 911. But I'm seriously worried about screwing something up with regard to the paint. So, back to my question: Should I detail a 2001 Porsche 911 any differently than I would a Honda, Toyota, BMW, or any other manufacturer assuming the paint has been reasonably taken car of originally? Does Porsche have softer or harder or thinner or thicker paint which would adjust how it should be detailed?

Thanks for all you informative knowledge and advise.

Oh, and what should I charge him for the detail keeping in mind he's my new neighbor?

Flynn · 11-07-05, 07:24

I'd do the first detail free if it were me.

White95Max · 11-07-05, 07:40

I haven't done any Porsches so I can't comment much of the differences in paint.

But I'd also do it for a discount. DO let him know that you'd charge more if he wasn't your neighbor. I still get people that are referred to me by people that I've given heavy discounts to, and those people think they deserve the same price.
I'd charge him 1/2 price and let him know that it's half price. If he knows someone else that would want their car(s) done (that aren't also your neighbors), they will have to pay full price.

I can't say what the actual price I would charge would be, since I don't know what the car looks like, what he expects, or the extent of the detailing needed.

Accumulator · 11-07-05, 07:45

I wouldn't do it for free because then he might expect it to *stay* for-free

Expect the Porsche clear to be harder than what you're used to. Unless you're using a rotary I wouldn't be worried about screwing it up, but don't try to "do rotary work with a PC" either. If the paint is too hard to really make it perfect, just accept that and do what you can. He'll be happy anyhow. But it's not like they have really thin or fragile paint or anything like that so don't be nervous about using your usual approaches.

bet993 · 11-07-05, 07:59

As a Porshce owner I think that in general there is nothing different from the paint on a Porsche as compared to other cars. However, like any manufacturer they have characteristics, and Porsche paint is usually thick and the clears are somewhat hard. Chips in the paint are usually deep because of the thickness of the paint and can harbor polish and wax easily. The lack of molding on the front and sides make it easier to work with, however, the curved surfaces can be somewhat of a challenge when using clay and/or a PC. The retractable spoiler area on the 911 is PITA. The bottom edge of the rocker panels are treated with a material that is somewhat difficult to get clean and shows dirt in the marring easily.

Don't use a product with high shine on the interiors because it will cause reflections on the windshield when driving. Inside rear window is a PITA to clean.

The cars are small and the time necessary to detail are less than your Accord. Definitely get him to let you drive it

fotodad · 11-07-05, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by bet993

As a Porshce owner I think that in general there is nothing different from the paint on a Porsche as compared to other cars. However, like any manufacturer they have characteristics, and Porsche paint is usually thick and the clears are somewhat hard. Chips in the paint are usually deep because of the thickness of the paint and can harbor polish and wax easily. The lack of molding on the front and sides make it easier to work with, however, the curved surfaces can be somewhat of a challenge when using clay and/or a PC. The retractable spoiler area on the 911 is PITA. The bottom edge of the rocker panels are treated with a material that is somewhat difficult to get clean and shows dirt in the marring easily.

Don't use a product with high shine on the interiors because it will cause reflections on the windshield when driving. Inside rear window is a PITA to clean.

The cars are small and the time necessary to detail are less than your Accord. Definitely get him to let you drive it

Thanks, bet993! Valuable, valuable information.

And thanks everyone else for your wise words.

Bet993, what kind of leather cleaner/treatment do you recommend?

bet993 · 11-07-05, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotodad

Bet993, what kind of leather cleaner/treatment do you recommend?

I don't have a good answer/recommendation for you on this. I really haven’t found one I like and the reason is somewhat strange. Every Porsche I have owned has had an unique smell in the interior which I attribute to the leather they use (especially the older cars) that I really like. I don’t want to over power the smell and I have noticed that most leather conditions/cleaners that I have used in my wife’s car have a smell that over powers any other smell in the interior. The interior of my car does not get subjected to much dirt and wear beyond my daily driving (no food allowed and only capped drinks on long drives) therefore the need to clean the leather is very limited and I honestly don't use conditions much on the seats because of this. That said I have very cautiously used Lexol in the past with decent results. Aside from my quest to maintain what I call the “Porsche interior smell” I don’t think there is anything special about the leather care wise, so any of the normally recommended cleaners/conditions would work well.

Flynn · 11-07-05, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Accumulator

I wouldn't do it for free because then he might expect it to *stay* for-free

Oh, I'd make it perfectly clear that this was a one-off. But I'm a nice guy ...

Totoland Mach · 11-07-05, 11:46

Here's a black 911 that was horribly swirled. The owner didn't know about washing principles or waxing for that matter.

The 911 has lots of curves and I just took my time with DACP/8006 plus NXT/9006 process.

Portion of swirls

Finished product with happy owner reflection

Accumulator · 11-07-05, 02:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by bet993

Every Porsche I have owned has had an unique smell in the interior which I attribute to the leather they use (especially the older cars) that I really like. I don’t want to over power the smell and I have noticed that most leather conditions/cleaners that I have used in my wife’s car have a smell that over powers any other smell in the interior...

I feel the same way about my cars- I want the Audis to smell like Audis and the Jag to smell like a Jag.

I'm finally running out of the old, long discontinued version of Griot's Leather Care (the new version has that "leather store" smell). From what I hear, the lowest-odor product now available might be (don't snicker

) the stuff from Zymol.

I use the old, also discontinued, Connolly (sp?) Hide Food on the Jag, but that stuff has a limited shelf life. No way am I gonna let *that* car smell like a luggage shop!

When I posted about this low-odor quality before, the only good response was to try the Zymol. It's supposedly pineapple smell supposedly dissipates after a few days.

Lexol's not bad, but I use it on the dogs' leads more than I use it on the cars' interiors.

bet993 · 11-07-05, 02:54

Accumulator...I am glad to hear I am not the only one that thinks the over powering as you put "luggage shop" smell of leather conditioners stinks (pun intended). I may have to look into the Zymol product. Porsche has a conditioner (that I have never used) but I have a feeling it is a repackaged product of someone else for twice as much $$$.

Scottwax · 11-07-05, 03:43

Paint is paint but I do agree that Porsche paint is a bit harder than most. Don't worry that it is delicate or anything like that. It just may take more time to completely polish out.

A product I have found to be excellent for high end cars whose owners don't like shiny interiors is Meguiars Interior Quick Detailer. Looks shiny when you first apply it but within seconds, the shine fades to a 'brand new' look. It has a clean scent that is not overpowering so it won't affect the Porsche smell.