Car Care and Detailing Thread

[lewdog]

Others mentioned I should start this thread in my other thread. And while I won't have the new car for a while, I'd like to hear some thoughts and recommendations so I can have most of it on hand before the car shows up. My other thread had a lot of great posts in it and you guys have been a big help.

While black cars looks great clean, keeping it relatively clean in Phoenix might be the death of me. But I'll sure as shit give it my best shot.

I actually like cleaning and waxing our current cars but it's not like I am being meticulous about it. I've never had a car with rims either and I know those can get dirty quick. I've never owned a dark colored car and I've never had a car with leather. I plan to take really good care of this car and would like some tips on doing so. But I'm just a ****ing n00b.

I'll throw some links out from Amazon as I mention things.


Some of the things already on my list are:
1. Not sure if everyone recommends wool wash mitt over micorfiber here but many people I know do?
http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...wool+wash+mitt

2. Grit guard and two wash buckets. One for rinse and one for soap/water.

http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Genuin...wool+wash+mitt

3. Waffle Weave Drying towel. There are tons of towels out there but this seems to be able to take up a lot of water.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001Q8DMA0/...I21164SXVV1AWB

4. Car Wash

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXFO/...b_recs_2_title


Some mention that after washing you should use a paint cleanser before waxing. But wondering if washing then clay baring is sufficient prior to wax?

I've seen this P21S Paintwork Cleanser mentioned on a few reads. Looks like good use for water spots and swirls prior to waxing if needed. Not sure if you would do entire car first or just use it for bad spots before waxing?

http://www.amazon.com/P21S-12350B-Pa...twork+Cleanser


Also, a company called Zaino has great reviews and recommendations. They have a package that looks like it includes all products I'd need together including wash, polish, wax, leather and tire care.

http://www.zainostore.com/mm5/mercha...y_Code=prokits



I do not have a polisher and would need to get one of those as well but not sure where to start on that front.



Can't wait to see what you guys have tried and recommend.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by vailpass

Do they make that in a men’s model as well?

That is the bad as Sarah Connor model with 349 horsepower. Mine (pictured) had a euro blower retrofitted courtesy of MB pumping out 450 HP.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Hoo boy, wait until you guys see what I did to my truck wheels. No thanks to loochy of course.

I thought you already posted a pic. Must have been that "other" board.

[Miles]

I’ve followed the pricing surge on 98 and earlier 911s from the start and it’s keeps going up. Those mid 90s ones are well above their sticker and even saw a base model at a dealership with 120k miles on it for around $60k. Turbos far more.

I’d always hoped to get one of those old air cooled cars for a second car but by the time I had the disposable funds and a 2 car garage I’d far missed the boat.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by Miles

I’ve followed the pricing surge on 98 and earlier 911s from the start and it’s keeps going up. Those mid 90s ones are well above their sticker and even saw a base model at a dealership with 120k miles on it for around $60k. Turbos far more.

I’d always hoped to get one of those old air cooled cars for a second car but by the time I had the disposable funds and a 2 car garage I’d far missed the boat.

Back in the early 80's we used to rebuild the air cooled cars (356, 911 and 912's) and take them to CA. Stupid money even back then. I was 20 and living in Rhinehardt Estates, cruising a 911, and in Westport everynight.
We had an investor that owned a couple of warehouses full of wrecked and engineless cars and we rented a defunct furniture refinishing shop in Mission until the city found out we were painting cars and welding.....(3 years)

We all built ourselves a car (courtesy of the old geezer) and mine was a "65 365C with a 2.0 FI 120HP, 5 speed setup based on the 914 type 4 engine. I always wanted to get a 912E and built the piss out of it to a 2.2 180HP screamer.

I have been racking my brain to remember the name of the Porsche engine/ racing guy who's shop was a block off Merriam Lane (Kessler?). He built the engine for the guy who's salvage I pulled the engine/ tranny from. It was worth more than the car.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Back in the early 80's we used to rebuild the air cooled cars (356, 911 and 912's) and take them to CA. Stupid money even back then. I was 20 and living in Rhinehardt Estates, cruising a 911, and in Westport everynight.
We had an investor that owned a couple of warehouses full of wrecked and engineless cars and we rented a defunct furniture refinishing shop in Mission until the city found out we were painting cars and welding.....(3 years)

We all built ourselves a car (courtesy of the old geezer) and mine was a "65 365C with a 2.0 FI 120HP, 5 speed setup based on the 914 type 4 engine. I always wanted to get a 912E and built the piss out of it to a 2.2 180HP screamer.

I have been racking my brain to remember the name of the Porsche engine/ racing guy who's shop was a block off Merriam Lane (Kessler?). He built the engine for the guy who's salvage I pulled the engine/ tranny from. It was worth more than the car.

The earliest I’ve ever driven was maybe a 91 964. Imagine those even earlier ones, and particularly the pre 80s were super raw. Not hard to see why the prices of the old ones continue to blow up looking back at theses. Complete classics.

[Miles]

I’ve been watching the market on even the mid to late 2000s for manual 997s and even those seem to be holding or going up in price.

[cooper barrett]

Originally Posted by Miles

I’ve been watching the market on even the mid to late 2000s for manual 997s and even those seem to be holding or going up in price.

I'd suggest a late model 1990' early 2000's (pre 991) Carrera or Carrera 4, much more collectible on a budget. IMHO. The Carrera 4S is more $ but more desirable. You're not looking a turbo, are you?

How about this Cayman?
These pics were taken May 20+21, 2006 and I drove the Cayman GTR 987, (a 295-hp, 3.4-liter flat-six) the day before the below Spyder won American Lemans at Mid Ohio. Bad ass ride and since I have an SLK I liked the smaller size.

Yes that is the disgraced Greg Loles in the black shirt. "Defendant Gregory P. Loles, who stole more that $8 million from friends, clients, and the endowment fund of a Church in Orange, Connecticut, St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church."





I hear Roger's selliing this Porsche but it's a little newer. Plobaby out of the $$$$ picture

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Hoo boy, wait until you guys see what I did to my truck wheels. No thanks to loochy of course.

You plasti dipped them, didn't you?

I hope you did something besides the lame flat black.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by SuperChief

Yeah, I'm gonna need to know what wax and/or sealant you've used here. Thanks in advance!

I used Meguairs Ultimate Liquid Wax. It's not quite as shiny as a traditional carnuba, but it shines well enough. It is very easy to apply and remove though, and it lasts much longer than carnuba. Also, it's a pretty new car, so that might be cheating on my part.

[MIAdragon]

Originally Posted by Miles

I’ve been watching the market on even the mid to late 2000s for manual 997s and even those seem to be holding or going up in price.

The 996’s are starting to climb but the 997’s are where the value is. Much better car all the way around.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by loochy

I used Meguairs Ultimate Liquid Wax. It's not quite as shiny as a traditional carnuba, but it shines well enough. It is very easy to apply and remove though, and it lasts much longer than carnuba. Also, it's a pretty new car, so that might be cheating on my part.

Haven't tried that one but might be my next purchase. Could use on my wife's and my daily driver. Just need a long lasting wax for those.

I love the carnauba wax look a black though and seeing as mine's barely driven, the carnauba looks good and seems to last a long time since the car only gets driven a few times a month.

I love Meguiar's Gold Glass Carnauba Plus on black.

Maybe give it a shot next SR? Could also layer over the NXT 2.0 as well for that deep black look.

[lewdog]

Since my black car sits around a lot and is only driven in nice conditions, it collects a lot of dust in the garage.

What's the safest way to remove a thin layer of dust without having to do an entire wash routine every time?

[Miles]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Since my black car sits around a lot and is only driven in nice conditions, it collects a lot of dust in the garage.

What's the safest way to remove a thin layer of dust without having to do an entire wash routine every time?

Wash it in your driveway.

[Miles]

Maybe something like one of those waterless wash products? I haven’t tried one but sounds similar to something like optimum non rinse.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Miles

Wash it in your driveway.

I hate full washing it every few weeks just to drive it 30 minutes and park it in the garage for another 2 weeks.

Such a waste of time.

I have the waterless wash from Optimum and I do that mostly. Wonder if just spraying a quick detailer and gently wiping dust off, while switching rags frequently is safe enough?