Car Care Products and Washing

[porsche_boxster]

Hi everyone,
I have asked this question on several forums, but usually I just get links to sights that have a bunch of car care products. I just bought a 2002 Speed Yellow Porsche Boxster and want to really take care of it properly. I don't want it to be concourse perfect, but somewhat close.
My first question is, how often should I wash it? I only use it about once a week and usually wash it after I have it out only to get the dirt off it.
Secondly, how should I wash it? In other words, should I just use a regular hose? Power Washer? What is the best way? How about washing the convertible top? Should I use a orbital buffer after waxing? What is the best way to wax? Which brings me to my last question.
What are some good car care products for the wheels, the tires, leather and non-leather parts. How about wax and car wash? How do I take care of the plastic window? It seems Zymol seems pretty poular, but some say it's over priced. Are there products just as good but not so expensive. Then I see a cream and a carbon wax and then there is carnuba and bees wax. I am totally confused. I just don't want to use the wrong product!
Sorry for the long post, but I just really want to maintain my car as best as I can. Thank you for your time and responses.

Sincerely,
Kevin

[Guess My Name]

Welcome to the forum.

I hate to say it but you may want to check out the Carport site and read the details section and product review sections first.

Also the E-book could probably answer all of your questions.

Then you could do a few searchs on the forum to answer some questions.

I know thats not what you wanted to hear but the information is presented there probably more concisely. The book would be the easiest to get answers to you quiestions.

I know that is not what you wanted but with all your questions I think you will find the book very helpful.

Good Luck.

[SouthernBoy]

Welcome to the forum!

to the Porsche Boxter.

I understand your conern for getting it right the first time. You'll find that pretty much everyone here feels the same way. You may want to start by going through some threads stored in the archives... everything is searchable, so it makes it real easy. Plus take a look at DavidB's e-book.

It's difficult to answer general questions. After your roam around a bit, you'll find many people who can answer questions about specific products.

Post car pics if you can! Would love to see the Porsche!

[Intel486]

I say getting the e-book would be the best thing. It'll answer all the questiosn you have. Then when you are finished it you will be able to ask more specific questions if you have any.

I suggest you do it soon and don't be like me. Two years of washing improperly and now I'm trying to repair the damages.

[Intermezzo]

One thing I can tell you right off the bat is that you don't need to wash your car right after you drive it just once. Assuming the car is garaged when not in use and you only drive the car once a week, you shouldn't have to wash your car more than once every 2-3 weeks (maybe longer!). Just be sure to do a quick-detail every few days and right after driving it. Do this and your car will always look like a fresh coat of wax has been applied. I have a black car that's driven 50+ miles a day but looks really clean and shiny every day because I do a QD on it every few days. Furthermore, it's only washed once every two weeks and I feel as if I can let it go longer if I wanted.

Quick Detail Procedure

Some excellent suggestions for how to QD your car (by Don, AutopiaBeau, Brad, Hook, Snake) are given in the above link.

[Zab]

I have to agree with SouthernBoy:

to the Porsche Boxter.

I'm a newbie here as well. For what its worth, this seems to be working for me:

I've bought the e-book (Buy the Book, people love the Book - Sorry, just thinking about the race on sunday).

After I read a couple of sections, I come online and check the recent threads or search on what I've read about to see other opinions and techniques. I've found that after reading the book I'm able to pick-up on alot that's just alluded to in the posts. What sounds good to me I try.

Don't be intimidated by the "Alphabet Soup" you see in some of the threads most of them are deciphered in the Autopia Forum Terms link at the top of the page.

Congrats on the great ride, lets see some pictures

I want to confess this right now so its finally off my chest; it was only after I read about a half-dozen threads that I learned a "PC" is a Porter Cable Orbital Buffer and not a Personal Computer. I would sit there, and read the threads wondering why everyone was getting so d@mn exicted about trying out their new computer and why are they waiting until the weekend to set it up?

[Guess My Name]

great post ZAB.

Yes the terms are up in the link and come in handy even for me sometimes.

[Lowejackson]

Does David B still have a yellow Porsche Boxster? Either way this is the best forum if you want the Porsche to look it best. Welcome.

Steven
Alfa 164

[JasonC8301]

I think David B. had that 1995 speed yellow 933??

Now I think he has a black Porsche. 911?

What Porsche do you have now David B.?

I also recommednt eh e-Book, roughyl 242 pages of text. I should be getting one soon, been holding off for a sale

[BradE]

Brad B. has a silver boxster.

[bjwebster]

The e-book is great. It has lots of good little tips here and there that everyone can use!
Oh and P.S.- It is on sale if you click to buy it on the info page, it will tell you that it is on sale for $14.95!!

[Lowejackson]

So can I guess that David likes Porsche

Steven