Detailing, Cleaning - Summer Prep and Winter Prep

[Motorhead]

Very comprehensive Mark!

Although I like to keep my car looking good I’m more of a driver than a polisher, so others will be better placed to advise you. I think that your 718 is a daily drive, so I guess that you’re looking for a durable finish?

There’s so much stuff out there that I think the best thing to do is to use whatever you’re comfortable with.

There’s a dedicated site on the forum for dedicated polishers:

https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tt.aspx?forumid=162

Jeff

 

[Mark Dovey]

Hi All,
I know I may be a little bit over enthusiastic but just interested to see what you use and how when giving your a car a good clean.
I'm not an expert and have never used a canuba wax but the below items and process seems to really give a good result. Does anyone use canuba based waxes and are they much better? Also what's your process? and what products work well for you?

I've always liked cars and always have been one to keep them clean and as presentable as possible. This being my first Porsche I just want to make sure I look after it well and if there's any tips, tricks or products that you could recommend using/doing then I'm all ears. Also if you can see any major no no's in what I currently do then please let me know.

I'm Happy to learn

Anyway here's my process and the products I use....

For a really goo clean (usually do it twice a year, once before winter kicks in and once just before summer I do the following. (With the products listed below)
First I spray wonder wheels all over the alloys and behind them to
I snow foam and jet wash off
Then snow foam again and hand wash while the foam is still on + go over and in-between the alloys, then give it a really good jet wash
Then for claying (including windows)
Then a polish (including windows)
Then a double coat of wax (including windows)

The products I use are
Wonder wheels - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wonder-Wheels-Colour-Active-Cleaner/dp/B071XH62JK/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-rsf-lq2a1_0?crid=1WMVN3HS3UXIO&cv_ct_cx=wonder+wheels+alloy+wheel+cleaner&dchild=1&keywords=wonder+wheels+alloy+wheel+cleaner&pd_rd_i=B071XH62JK&pd_rd_r=9a79805b-accb-468e-82b2-55d21eff5ae4&pd_rd_w=ZZkYA&pd_rd_wg=NRga0&pf_rd_p=9729b33d-847e-45d9-aed3-3ca2b55e896f&pf_rd_r=ECH08Q5NR6REVS2YGP3M&psc=1&qid=1621507529&sprefix=wonder%2Caps%2C182&sr=1-1-22a6e085-98be-41d5-a416-4c8c5c75905e

Snow foam - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pro-Kleen-Cherry-Snow-Foam-Wax/dp/B00T7YYP7O/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1QQ9UX7EF1NJK&dchild=1&keywords=snow+foam&qid=1621507214&sprefix=snow%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-5

Clay - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-G1016EU-Smooth-Surface-Clay/dp/B00063X7KG/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=mcguire+clay&qid=1621507260&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFBUVlIMEhDVlk4NUsmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2NjU0NjkxRENHT0kyVUFYRFNMJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0MzAyNTY0NVpaU1hXWVhEUzQmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Polish - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-G19216EU-Ultimate-Polish-Pre-Waxing/dp/B006OZMI32/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=mcguire+polish&qid=1621507279&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExRFZVR05aT1lBTDVOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDA3NDI1M0JBRFM0R000VDVCWiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwODUyNzMwMk9TNEpaMk5WSUlETyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Wax - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-G18211EU-Ultimate-Paste-311g/dp/B004HCS4PK/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=mcguire+wax+ultimate+paste&qid=1621507335&sr=8-3

Tyre Dressing - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meguiars-Endurance-Protection-Dressing-Applicator/dp/B014PY7TKU/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=mcguire+tyre+dressing&qid=1621507385&sr=8-7

Drying Towel - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Auto-Finesse-CHAMOIS-1200GSM-ABSORBENT/dp/B07FMGGRM7/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=aqua+finesse+drying+towel&qid=1621507417&sr=8-3

 

[Mark Dovey]

Hi Jeff,

yep it’s my every day mode of transport - thank you for the link, I’m nee to the club so just working out the kinks on how to get around it.

i genuinely enjoy the cleaning part of it so will have a good read on that link

what region are you from?

 

[Motorhead]

I’m in North Beds Mark and flit between R10 (MK & Northants) and R24 (Cambs & Beds), so we’ll probably catch-up at one or other meeting at some time.

Jeff

 

[Mark Dovey]

Ahh cool - really looking forward to trying some of the events. Faye bought me a ticked to the r10 Rally as a present. Really look forward to doing it

yeah will be good to meet you at some point…

thinking about booking one of the trackdays but extremely nervous about Doing one

 

[Motorhead]

Re track days Mark, for Club events there’s no need to be nervous. They’re well organised, and the numbers are lower - both for entry and on-track - than you’ll find on non-Club track days. Plus they’re all Porsches so you’re not mixing it with yobs in their Corsas. []

In normal times, tuition (recommended) and helmet hire are available.

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

thinking about booking one of the trackdays but extremely nervous about Doing one

Well I'm going to be doing my first at Donington in August, can't wait!

Have a read through my thread here for some info that might be useful []

https://www.porscheclubgb...orum/tm.aspx?m=1080810

 

[AndrewCS]

Also what's your process? and what products work well for you?

Not interested in `detailing` ... unless cleaning out the drillings in the discs qualifies []

Apart from that ... have a ceramic coating applied []

Ran out for a damp one hundred and thirty miles last evening, the resulting patina is superb and will stay for a while !

 

[Mark Dovey]

sounds sensible to Be fair - just the thought of it is a little worrying, it would be my first time in my own car and is a little scary… I guess it would be sensible to get a bit of tuition in

 

[Mark Dovey]

Thanks for the heads up mate - will check the link out. I’m sure it will be amazing and hope you have an awesome day .. I’ll do one eventually I think I just need to build up a bit of confidence with the car day to day… I still shake when I drive it at the moment lol

 

[Mark Dovey]

Ahh yes ceramic coating… how do you find it? What was the cost? I’ve looked into that a little bit - looks like it really does protect the upmost

 

[JaseGT4]

I have a ceramic coating on my 911 which looks fantastic, wash and go almost but I do miss polishing it I don't know much about ceramic coatings but I guess a polish would damage it?

 

[Motorhead]

I don’t know much about ceramic coatings either Jason, but I doubt that a bit of light polishing or waxing could do any damage if it’s been applied properly. You’d need to check with the supplier/company who applied it for definitive advice.

Jeff

 

[AndrewCS]

Ahh yes ceramic coating… how do you find it? What was the cost? I’ve looked into that a little bit - looks like it really does protect the upmost

Excellent ... a gtechniq package applied at / by the OPC on three white Caymans / Cost £500 to £600

 

[AndrewCS]

I have a ceramic coating on my 911 which looks fantastic, wash and go almost but I do miss polishing it I don't know much about ceramic coatings but I guess a polish would damage it?

Don`t know re. polishing but the gtechniq system has an additional product that can be applied to enhance the `gloss` ... may just satisfy your craving []

 

[JMR]

Only thing I wouldn't use is the Wonder Wheels.

It always used to be acid based, hence the great cleaning power.

I use Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel on mine. PH safe and gentle on wheels. (Get some Gtechniq C5 wheel armour on them and you'll never use Wheel cleaner again!)

But hardly ever need to use much more than shampoo and wheel woolies.

Nice car Mark.

BTW yes Carnauba wax is nice but these latest coating and spray sealants can out-perform them and decrease application time, so they are my port of call.

Have a look at Polish Angel stuff www.polishangel.co.uk

I love using Rapidwaxx as a detailer after each wash - beads up beautifully.

Master Sealant underneath.

So easy and fast to apply I don't bother with coatings any more.

One wax to recommend but is about £70-£80 is Raceglaze '55' (55% Carnauba) Lovely gloss, smells great, reasonably durable.

 

[Mark Dovey]

I looked into it and I do think that it would be a bit rough to polish on the coating… can you wax on top of the coating ? Or am I right In thinking there is literally no need?

 

[Mark Dovey]

Thanks for info … I’m looking into getting it done on my car … want to try avoid stone chips if possible

 

[Mark Dovey]

Hi James, thanks for the info … yep that was my concern with the wonder wheels products …. Don’t want it to damage the disks as it goes everywhere when spraying on.

had look at that rapid wax stuff.. that looks good… am I right in saying you apply that when the car is still wet and buff it off? I used somthing like that from autoglymm … worked a treat …

thank you for your comment on my car.. it’s my world

 

[robertbaird]

Mark,

Less is more in the long run. Get a pro to apply PPF to the areas vulnerable to stone damage and a coating to the rest of the car. Makes the car so easy to wash down and no need to spend a fortune buying and applying polishes and waxes! Good investment in the long run.

RB