My 1st post w' autopia. It's a pleasure to be in such distinguished company! I purchased a '06 C2S coupe and it's in transit (enclosed carrier from Atlanta to SoCal) as we speak. I like to do my own detailing and am overwhelmed by the information from this forum. The car has been pampered and has never been detailed. I get the feeling that the site pushes Sonus products. I also get the impression that Zaino is a good brand as well. Should I get a get a kit by either brand or individual products. Thoughts on product/ exterior/interior/wheels/clear bra/buckets/brushes/....the works. I plan on pampering this vehicle so I want to do what's best for it. Your comments are appreciated so have it! Thanks
My 1st Porsche! What to detail it with?
- Thread starter pt767
- Start date
SpoiledMan
New member
Congrats! What color?
Congrats on the Porsche and be ready for the onslaught of posting coming your way. You thought your head was spinning before. That's nothing.
I am keeping mine short and sweet.
Aside from that get yourself a Zaino Ultimate kit (you may come back and ask how to use it, but first things first) and make it easy on yourself (also get the Z8), Get plenty of high Quality MF Towels (these you can buy in kits and also in bulk), and Zaino applicators. A good two-bucket grit guard system is great also with some high quality wash mitts. I would also look at a foam gun, wheel brushes and the Zaino tire shine is good too.
I personally think that Zaino is a great product to start with (but you may want to try other things later - the Zaino mainiacs are gonna have my head for that comment). I will let someone else chime in for the interior.
I am keeping mine short and sweet.
Aside from that get yourself a Zaino Ultimate kit (you may come back and ask how to use it, but first things first) and make it easy on yourself (also get the Z8), Get plenty of high Quality MF Towels (these you can buy in kits and also in bulk), and Zaino applicators. A good two-bucket grit guard system is great also with some high quality wash mitts. I would also look at a foam gun, wheel brushes and the Zaino tire shine is good too.
I personally think that Zaino is a great product to start with (but you may want to try other things later - the Zaino mainiacs are gonna have my head for that comment). I will let someone else chime in for the interior.
imported_paradigm
New member
you may already have products that will work well for some steps...here are a few questions to start off:
1. what products do you currently own?
2. do you have or have you used a machine buffer before?
3. will this be a garage queen or taken to the track, etc? is appearance the ultimate goal, or is durability/protection a big factor?
4. condition of the paint. how many miles are on it? how many years old? it may be heavily swirled...it may be decent...can't tell until you examine it.
regardless, you will need to fill the following categories w/ products:
--wash (soap, buckets, mitts)
--clay
--quick detail spray
--corrective polishes
--machine buffer and pads
--wax or sealant
--trim dressing/protectant
--interior products (leather cleaner/conditioner, spot cleaner for carpet, UV protectant/dressing, etc)
--wheel/tire cleaning products
that's a start.
1. what products do you currently own?
2. do you have or have you used a machine buffer before?
3. will this be a garage queen or taken to the track, etc? is appearance the ultimate goal, or is durability/protection a big factor?
4. condition of the paint. how many miles are on it? how many years old? it may be heavily swirled...it may be decent...can't tell until you examine it.
regardless, you will need to fill the following categories w/ products:
--wash (soap, buckets, mitts)
--clay
--quick detail spray
--corrective polishes
--machine buffer and pads
--wax or sealant
--trim dressing/protectant
--interior products (leather cleaner/conditioner, spot cleaner for carpet, UV protectant/dressing, etc)
--wheel/tire cleaning products
that's a start.
Where in so cal are you? You might want to consider joining PCA and attending an event or two and looking at other cars. Look at the ones that you think are the best kept and ask the owners what they use.
Will this be a daily driver, or weekend car?
Again, if you can, look at some cars with the clear bra installed and see what you think. You don't have to be in a rush right away. Take your time
Will this be a daily driver, or weekend car?
Again, if you can, look at some cars with the clear bra installed and see what you think. You don't have to be in a rush right away. Take your time
Thanks for the replies thus far. This is going to be my 2nd car. (Prius for commuting, Porsche for fun!) It will be garaged. The car has 6800 miles and has been a hangar queen since new. It has never been detailed (it looks showroom new) It has a clear bra. I've been a maguires guy for some time. I'm particular about keeping my cars clean. I plan on taking a professional approach to detailing this car. I am not comfortable using a buffer and plan on using my hands. I've learned alot just by perusing this site for a couple of days. I'm looking to get a 1st rate supply of chemicals/drying instruments/brushes/ etc.... Whatever you suggest. Someone asked where I'm at in SoCal........I'm in the Palm Desert area. Thanks and fire away!
SpoiledMan
New member
Let me be first to inundate you with pictures.
I have some pics of silver Porsches with Z2 Pro as well as Ultima PGP...
Ultima PGP
Z2 Pro
The owner of the GT3 doesn't know what brand of clear bra was installed on the car but it's the best install that I've seen *and* covers all leading edges of the car.
Same Cayman S as above with Ultima PGP
I have some pics of silver Porsches with Z2 Pro as well as Ultima PGP...
Ultima PGP
Z2 Pro
The owner of the GT3 doesn't know what brand of clear bra was installed on the car but it's the best install that I've seen *and* covers all leading edges of the car.
Same Cayman S as above with Ultima PGP
SpoiledMan
New member
Oh yeah, I *will* come to Palm Springs.
SpoiledMan
New member
howareb said:
Thank you sir. I can show a Seal Gray 997 as well.
SpoiledMan
New member
howareb said:
I'll respect the OP as he's asking about silver. If he requests them then I'll post em. Otherwise they're in my gallery.
Here's my black 06 S
http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=98222&referrerid=3123
(Just to add to your product confusion!)
http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=98222&referrerid=3123
(Just to add to your product confusion!)
Attachments
Deanski
STUTTGART'S FINEST
Nice work there Spoiledman!!:2thumbs:
PT767, I see you're also over at Rennlist as well. You came to the right forum for those starting out or honing their skills as to detailing.
First, you have ask yourself how much you are willing to do yourself and how far you want to take it. Do you want to correct the finish with a polisher as well or do you want a pro to do this for you?
Quite a bit can be done with a random orbital polisher such as a PC or what Autopia sells, the UDM polisher.
Add pads to the mix along with related polishes.
You'll find that Porsche paint nowadays is very soft. So you want somewhat mild polishes and pads to work with.
I myself use Menzerna polishes (German) or 1Z polishes (also German) along with polishing pads, swirl removing pads, finish pads. You have to learn how to match the pad to the polish and to the problem you are trying to correct or enhance.
As for protection, this is a very subjective issue. Some like sealants, others waxes. All have their place. Sealants last much longer and are getting closer to that "wax" look. Wax on the other hand gives a very deep wet look, but wears off sooner.
Zaino today has several new products worth looking at. One is a sealant you apply and walk away (no wipe-off/wax-off), also an "AIO" product or All-In-One polish. Zaino also has the updated sealants Z5 Pro and Z2 Pro with the additive ZFX. One product that seems to work wonders in depth is the new quick detailer Z8.
Interior, Porsche leather has a unique smell/odor. SO far, I found that the Sonus leather treatment releases that new leather smell without fragrance. Also, the owner of Autopia is a Porsche owner as well and has tried and tested numerous items from his Sonus line on his own car. Cleaning leather, save some $$ and use what most leather cleaners are. Mix one part Woolite and 6 parts distilled water. Use this to clean with. Dry using white cotton towels to gauge your progress.
Plastics I use 1Z cockpit Premium. Wonderful product along with 303.
Tires: Zaino Z16
Wheels, clean with a mild wheel cleanser such as P21S wheel cleaner, but when dry, I treat with Zaino as wax cannot stand the heat generated by the brakes.
The other guys here have covered the other items, MF towels etc.
See you over at RENNLIST!
Regards,
Deanski
PT767, I see you're also over at Rennlist as well. You came to the right forum for those starting out or honing their skills as to detailing.
First, you have ask yourself how much you are willing to do yourself and how far you want to take it. Do you want to correct the finish with a polisher as well or do you want a pro to do this for you?
Quite a bit can be done with a random orbital polisher such as a PC or what Autopia sells, the UDM polisher.
Add pads to the mix along with related polishes.
You'll find that Porsche paint nowadays is very soft. So you want somewhat mild polishes and pads to work with.
I myself use Menzerna polishes (German) or 1Z polishes (also German) along with polishing pads, swirl removing pads, finish pads. You have to learn how to match the pad to the polish and to the problem you are trying to correct or enhance.
As for protection, this is a very subjective issue. Some like sealants, others waxes. All have their place. Sealants last much longer and are getting closer to that "wax" look. Wax on the other hand gives a very deep wet look, but wears off sooner.
Zaino today has several new products worth looking at. One is a sealant you apply and walk away (no wipe-off/wax-off), also an "AIO" product or All-In-One polish. Zaino also has the updated sealants Z5 Pro and Z2 Pro with the additive ZFX. One product that seems to work wonders in depth is the new quick detailer Z8.
Interior, Porsche leather has a unique smell/odor. SO far, I found that the Sonus leather treatment releases that new leather smell without fragrance. Also, the owner of Autopia is a Porsche owner as well and has tried and tested numerous items from his Sonus line on his own car. Cleaning leather, save some $$ and use what most leather cleaners are. Mix one part Woolite and 6 parts distilled water. Use this to clean with. Dry using white cotton towels to gauge your progress.
Plastics I use 1Z cockpit Premium. Wonderful product along with 303.
Tires: Zaino Z16
Wheels, clean with a mild wheel cleanser such as P21S wheel cleaner, but when dry, I treat with Zaino as wax cannot stand the heat generated by the brakes.
The other guys here have covered the other items, MF towels etc.
See you over at RENNLIST!
Regards,
Deanski
SpoiledMan
New member
Deanski said:
Thank you sir.
imported_agentf11
New member
A kit is always the way to go since it will be cheaper.
Since it sounds like you are not familiar with Zaino I will recommend it. If you get the kit you will also get their leather products which are fabulous and they smell awesome.
Since it sounds like you are not familiar with Zaino I will recommend it. If you get the kit you will also get their leather products which are fabulous and they smell awesome.