Please advise - Detailing Black Cayman

P

P-Car Newb

New member
Hi there…my first post!



Great forum! I’ve been learning a lot just using the search function and reading through prior posts. I have a bit of a problem, and would like go over my detailing plans with the gurus here.



Location: Houston, TX

Car: 2006 Porsche Cayman S

Color: Black (Non-metallic) Clear bra installed around the nose, front fenders, and 1/3 of hood



Issue: Some Spider webs (not that bad), some fine hairline scratches that look like they are from dealer washings (one direction and only visible under intense direct sun), water spots in certain locations that look like they have burned into clear coat – can’t really feel them with my fingertips, paint looks very shinny but not as deep as some finely detailed black cars I've seen.



The car was purchased earlier in the year. As a 06’ model, my Cayman has been sitting under the Texas elements. It has been rained on, intense sun and heat, etc. Needless to say, when I picked her up, my black Cayman came with the obligatory dealer installed swirl marks. Looking at the hood under direct sunlight, the hologram effect was very noticeable.



What have been done so far: I’ve used a PC, white foam pad, and Optimum Poli-Seal after a good wash. Holograms and swirls were pretty much gone. I finished with Opti-Seal and applied with MF towels.



Plans: As stated, there are still some spider webs, hairline scratches, and waterspots. I plan to use Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze #1 Medium-Cut Cleaner with the orange foam pad, followed by Poli-Seal with white foam pad. I plan to finish with Opti-Seal again, but will carnauba be better for a black car?



Lastly…will going to a pro-detailer be more effective at this point? My car actually looks great to most people, but I’m a perfectionist. Perhaps a pro with all the right tools and products; and understands what may work best on Porsche’s black paint would be able to take it to the next level?



Thanks for the help and advice…



PS - The Cayman will be a daily driver...I don't mind the long term TLC, but it needs to be able to withstand the Texas elements. :hairpull :chuckle:
 
I did a friend's 06 black cayman a few weeks ago.

You will need a heavier cut polish and pad to get everything out.

If you come my way I can help you. Orange CSS pad and Menz. SIP is where I would start.

How do you like the Cayman?
 
I think you can handle this one. And I definitely think carnauba's look better. So instead, Id replace the poli- seal with Pinnacle Sig. Series II, or Pinnacle Souveran Paste.



I dont know about that polish though.
 
pt91 said:
How do you like the Cayman?
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Thanks for the advise...



I love the Cayman and really enjoy the mid-engine layout. It's handling dynamics is very intuitive…your input and its response is so spot-on. It's a real driver's car. :up
 
a couple more questions...



pt91 - Relative to other black paints, how does Porsche's black compare? Would you say that it is harder/softer, or just about average? What about ease of maintenance (compared to other black paints of course.:chuckle:)



What do you guys think of Meguiar's #16 (original formular)? How does it compare to P21S? Is it longer lasting? Again, my Cayman will be a daily driver here in Houston, TX :nervous2:



Lastly, does anyone have experience with Meguiar's #1 Medium-Cut Cleaner? From one of the threads here, it looks like it's ranked 7th in cutting ability.



Thanks again...:up
 
I found it to be about average in hardness. I think I used menzerna polishes on my cyclo using orange then white CCS pads.
 
03gtmustang said:
Might want to check out Wolfgang Deep Gloss Sealant if you want a sealant. Supposed to be real good on darks.
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Thanks for the recommendation...I'll certainly check it out.



On another note...searching and reading through this forum is like learning a new language (all the various products, abbreviations, etc.) ...it's all good...really learning a lot. :lol (Took me a while to figure out CSS is the brand of the foam pad, and the one I borrowed from my friend is "Lake" - something or other :think:
 
Is your black Cayman solid black or metallic. Even though I have opti seal I still haven't used it but I found Meguiars 16 to look better on metallic colors.
 
awahl63 said:
Is your black Cayman solid black or metallic. Even though I have opti seal I still haven't used it but I found Meguiars 16 to look better on metallic colors.
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My black is solid (non-metallic)...I plan to try Meguiars 16 anyway...will report back if I see a difference from opti seal.
 
I have a guards red Boxster S which has a pigmented "so called" clear coat and very easily picks up scratches and marks. I am usually able to remove majority imperfections with Menzerna FPII on 4" white pad with 2-3 applications. Stepping up to 4" orange pad and FPII will get me same results in 1 application. I didn't use orange pad until last panel on car and noticed I didn't need to follow up with pad for finishing. Next go round will be orange pad first where needed and white elsewhere to save on time.



I believe your color has traditional clear coat and may require IP. As usual, start with least agressive way then work up as needed.



Keep in mind that in the Texas sun any wax will have a very limited life. You may have better luck with sealants. Try different LSP and see what works best for you.



Beautiful choice in cars. Enjoy.
 
I agree that a wax will look better on the solid black paint. Sealant on metallic paint is one thing but solid needs the depth of carnuaba.



I also agree that FPII or similar finishing polish probably won't do a lot of paint correction on the cayman. You can try it out first and then step up in agression on the pad and/or polish. Really depends on the amount of correction needed.
 
^I agree with Pt91 about using a carnauba on a solid black paint. IMO sealant are great on lite colored paint. On the other hand, sealant have more durability than carnauba's though. So you kinda ask yourself, shall I go with protection or looks?
 
sinbad said:
I have a guards red Boxster S which has a pigmented "so called" clear coat and very easily picks up scratches and marks. I am usually able to remove majority imperfections with Menzerna FPII on 4" white pad with 2-3 applications. Stepping up to 4" orange pad and FPII will get me same results in 1 application. I didn't use orange pad until last panel on car and noticed I didn't need to follow up with pad for finishing. Next go round will be orange pad first where needed and white elsewhere to save on time.



I believe your color has traditional clear coat and may require IP. As usual, start with least agressive way then work up as needed.



Keep in mind that in the Texas sun any wax will have a very limited life. You may have better luck with sealants. Try different LSP and see what works best for you.



Beautiful choice in cars. Enjoy.
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sindbad - thanks! I really like the Boxster S as well. The mid-engine layout is the future for Porsche. ;)



Sorry of the ignorance...but what's IP? Thanks for the feedback.
 
mikelea4ever said:
^I agree with Pt91 about using a carnauba on a solid black paint. IMO sealant are great on lite colored paint. On the other hand, sealant have more durability than carnauba's though. So you kinda ask yourself, shall I go with protection or looks?
Click to expand...



Is there a product out that has properties of both?



I thought I read somewhere that Sonus will come out with something like that?
 
WG sealant and Z5pro are sealants that some say look wax-like. I have used both. The Zaino does last longer if that is a factor.
 
pt91 said:
WG sealant and Z5pro are sealants that some say look wax-like. I have used both. The Zaino does last longer if that is a factor.
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Thanks, pt91. How do you compare Zaino against Meg. #16 original forumlar? (reason I keep asking about #16 is that my friend already has some)
 
P-Car, how are you liking our wonderful weather here in houston? Must be horrible to know theres not much you can do to that gorgeous car cause it will probably rain half way through if not right at the end.

What if he were to apply a wax like BF after polishing with OP and then put a layer of OS? The OP would get out what ever imperfection the paint has, the BF would give it that nice deep wet look, and the OS would let it last longer.
 
MobileJay said:
P-Car, how are you liking our wonderful weather here in houston? Must be horrible to know theres not much you can do to that gorgeous car cause it will probably rain half way through if not right at the end.
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Yeah, this weather we have here is just ridiculous.



I’m waiting for the weekend to do anything….will be taking next Monday and Tuesday off as well. So, in conjunction with July 4th next Wednesday, I have full 5 days to work on this, pending the weather. My GF is not amused…:lol
 
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