Porsche clearcoat

fredbear · 12-21-07, 05:30

All,
New to the forum, great info and a lot of passionate people. I have a fairly new porsche and it has acid rain damage. Paint is seriously etched and has never been polished. I bought a PC and went to work with optimum compound and an orange pad. After I got the hang of it I finally started to see the clear coat start to cut down. The shine is great but now it shows the blemishes even more. Here is my problem I have taken it down a little and seen a big improvement but still have etching. I want to go more but am worried about going through the clear coat. I don't have a thickness meter... Any suggestions or experience?

brwill2005 · 12-21-07, 05:56

Using the PC, you run little risk of going through the clear. You could be spending a lot of time trying to level the paint with the PC. Etching can be very difficult to remove even with a rotary. It really all depends on how deep the etching is. When in doubt find a qualified professional solve the problem.

Deanski · 12-21-07, 07:16

I would do just what BRWILL2005 said. Take it to a body shop (several really) or one your dealer uses.

Take it from another 997 C2S owner of a black finish and detailer, you need someone who can check the etching correctly. Don't try this on your own.

Porsche paint 2005+ is very soft. Not that a PC will do much to it in terms of damage, it's just more difficult to keep it free of marring. A PC will take care of the marring very well on this type of paint with the right pad and polish.

Once corrected, find ways to keep it clean and treated with a good wax or sealant of your choice.

Regards,
Deanski

fredbear · 12-21-07, 07:35

brwill and deanski,
I will heed your advice. Off to the dealer to see what they recommend and also will get in contact with a local detailing expert.

Thanks Shellshocked

Deanski · 12-21-07, 08:32

No problem.

BTW, which "P" car do you own?

Deanski

fredbear · 12-21-07, 08:54

Deanski I have a Cayman S in meteor gray. I smile everytime I drive it.

Hey, Moe! · 12-21-07, 09:34

Fredbear--A good friend of mine bought a Cayman S (black) during the summer. I noticed that the dealer did a poor job of prepping the car, and so, I offered to help out. Hearing that current Porsche paint was on the softer side, I tried my best with a PC, and Optimum polishes. I took care of the dealer issues, but saw etching that was beyond my equipment/expertise.

The Cayman looked much better, and my friend was happy, but I was ticked that I couldn't do more. I'm thinking about getting a Flex in the spring, and trying Menzerna polishes.

So, I kind of understand your dilemma. The dealer may or may not be able to help out. A quality detailer (like many found here) may be of more help.

Deanski has been around Dr. Porsche's cars way more than I, and I'm sure his advice is on the nose.

Yes, I get to drive my friend's Cayman, and I see why you like to drive it. It's a blast, and it does really well for those of us who don't have race-car reflexes

Deanski · 12-22-07, 05:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredbear

Deanski I have a Cayman S in meteor gray. I smile everytime I drive it.

NICE!

Where I am, I have access to one of the best Porsche racing team and Porsche modifications. That would be FarnbacherLoles who I'm sure you may know, makes a Cayman GTR which has a 997 X51 engine, Cross coilovers, PCCB's, new seats, safety harness and bars, new exhaust. It's one sick car, and having the advantage of mid engine, it's a track killer!

I love the new Meteor Grey color! I'm sure there are many smiles and I hope you are driving her as often as possible.

As for the etching, this could be corrected if it's not too bad or deep.

Hope you're a PCA member as well. And if you haven't been over at Rennlist, it's the place to P car owners. Renntech is another.

Regards,
Deanski

fredbear · 12-22-07, 07:18

I'm in Atlanta and there appear to be a couple of highly respected pro detailer here. I will start with the dealer and see what they say but I don't have high hopes for that path. After looking at the etching closely last night, I think a good detailer could take care of it.

Deanski - I think Santa is bringing me a PCA membership! I have spent some time on Rennlist, yes a lot of great info. If I lived near FarnbacherLoles I would be divorced from spending all my money on mods!

HansB · 12-22-07, 10:55

The place for Cayman info is The Cayman Club

Rennlist is a great site, just not much going on in the Cayman forum there.

D&D Auto Detail · 12-22-07, 11:12

Dealerships and body shops=

jw · 12-23-07, 03:35

Hey Deanski, I also have a black C2S and was wondering exactly what pads and polisher you use? Do you use a rotary or pc? I have a pc and tried menzerna FP with a white LC pad. It didn't much, I've sinced purchased Menzerna 106ff with orange and green pads. I haven't used these yet though.