Extensive correction on black Camaro

[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

 

[Lemonxxs]

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!



:bow 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. :xyxthumbs



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

 

[imported_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.

 

[imported_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.

 

[Roadster J]

I have to agree with SouthernBoy:

:bow 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 :xyxthumbs

<strong class='bbc'>I want to confess this right now so its finally off my chest[/b]; 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?

 

[Lemonxxs]

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. :up

 

[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

 

[Steve @ Guru]

porsche_boxter - check your Private Messages.



-Steve

 

[Turbonator]

welcome to the forum - nice car you got there.

1. how often should you wash it? if you're only using it once a week, i'd wash it every 2 -3 weeks, but would definitely QD(quick detail it) after you've used it.

2. how should you wash it? whichever works for you - pres. washer or reg. hose. i doubt it really gets that dirty only being used once/wk. so a reg. hose should work fine.

3. convertible top? wash itt like you wash the rest of the car.

4. waxing? since the car is brand new an orbital is only gonna apply things faster, but since the car is so small i'd just do it by hand - should only take about 10 min.

5. wheels - i'd just buy some Castrol Super Clean in a gal. and dilute at least 50/50 maybe more. it'll work just fine to clean your rims and tires.

6. leather - Eagle One leather cleaner and conditioner or Zaino Z10 Leather in a bottle. non-leather - 303 Aerospace protectant

7. wax - Blitz Wax by One Grand QD- One Grand Show Off, Meguiar's Final Inspection, or Eimann Fabrikk Clear Pearl

8. wash - Meguiar's Gold Class

9. plastic window - any plastic polish - my preference is One Grand's Plastic Polish





this is just MY $.02 worth!:xyxthumbs

 

[Brad B]

There are a lot of ways to skin a cat and some pretty specific Porsche-Only tricks that will make your Boxster stand out in a crowd. My attention span is too short to answer all your questions at once. Let's start with the wash and wax:



In general, no, don't wash after every drive, use a quality quick detailer that compliments your wax or sealant of choice. With that in mind, you obviously will have somewhat of a "garage queen" (that's not a bad thing!) so you can use either a carnuba based wax or a sealant. Carnubas are less durable but that is not an issue with you. I am one that feels Zymol is very over priced. I think One Grand Blitz is one of the best value, high quality carnubas on the market. I also like the rich lustre and ease of application that Pinnacle Paste Glaz gives. It is a bit more pricy but it goes a long way.



If you want a sealant, there are a few to choose from but my favorite is Zaino. Klasse is another great option that I have used a lot. These will last longer and need less maintenance than carnubas.



For wheels, do NOT use anything that is acid based. These will tear up your painted wheels very quickly. I suggest you get Einmann Fabrik All Purpose Cleaner. I buy this by the gallon and use it on all my wheels. Also, a foam ended, (round ended foam "fingers") bottle brush at WalMart for $2 is the best tool fo getting inside and behind the spokes on Porsche wheels. Works perfect. Don't forget to paint those ugly hubs-ask me!



You may occasionally wash your car with a shampoo. Do not wash the top with shampoo it will wash off the water repellant that the factory applies. The factory repellant should last you six months or better with washings in water only.



Your rear plastic window will fog up frequently when new and is a pain to clean. Remove the wind block panel and clean the window with Plexus cleaner. Only use an abrasive window polish if you have scratches to remove. If you get this on the top use a toothbrush to scrub out.



I could go on. Feel free to write me or post in the forums.



Happy motoring!:xyxthumbs

 

[imported_Intermezzo]

Nice pic Brad!! :xyxthumbs

 

[Lemonxxs]

That is a awesome pic BRAD. Love the PORSCHE lettering.

 

[vettefan67]

That lettering is not OEM is it? Or is it an option I have just not seen yet?

 

[imported_Brad1]

No, I installed it. It was manufactured and sold by a "freelancer" who has had to cease manufacture because of threat from Porsche. Luckily I have an extra for my next Porsche!

 

[GoFast908Z]

This customer dropped his car off to me along with his friend's Trans Am, both for extensive swirl removal. The camaro had just received a new set of hockey stripes so special care was needed during the course of the detail. The rest of the car had numerous problem areas that needed to be sorted out. There was heavy oxidation on the rear spoiler and ground effects, severe swirls throughout, heavy rotary buffer trails on doors, and numerous holograms on the hood. All issues were sorted out over the course of the 2-day detail.









It was a busy week and due to time constraints I had to wash it at night, in the rain... The car isn't soaking wet from me spraying it down, its just from 2 minutes of rain. It was POURING down!

After finishing the wash it was clayed to remove heavy contimination (wiped out a brand new bar), then dried and now you can see the true condition of the paint and the severity of the swirls and scratches...

You can see scuff marks here side-to-side from the application process of the stripes

Heavy swirls from a rotary and wool pad by someone uneducated in proper paint correction

Holograms on the hood from the body shop that painted the hood

More heavy swirls

Taping off the brand new stripes for safety

Correcting the fender

1 step of correction so far...

Scuff marks removed

50/50 shot on rear quarter panel

Heavy oxidation, scratches, swirls, and pitting, bird bomb etchings on rear spoiler

50/50 shot on hood scoop

After multiple IPA wipedowns, a coat of Blackfire Wet Diamond was applied and allowed to cure overnight. The next morning it was removed and finished pics were taken. It was overcast, so no sun pics unfortunately.

Thanks for lookin!