Is Jason Plato Right - "Clean Cars Anal - Dirty Cars Cool"? - Page 3 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Just read the feature on Jason Plato in the latest '911 World', in which he claims to never clean his cars, and reckons performance cars look so much 'cooler' when they are dirty. And, he reckons besotted car cleaners are a bit 'anal'. I know he's said this before on TV, with the Ferrari 599 and BMW Z4 after trips across Europe, that they look so much better with a coating of road grime. He has also said that women prefer men with dirty cars. Clarkson has also made similar comments, suggesting that people who spend too much time cleaning their cars either have bad marriages or are gay. Now, I'm very pleased to hear all this because it follows my own philosophy - cars are for using and enjoying, not preening and pampering, and a dirty Ferrari/Porsche/Lambo etc, says more positives about the owner than an impeccably pristine one. So, can we start a campaign - "Real Men Don't Clean Their Cars"

youll get no signatures for your campaign in this forum chum. except from me, but thats cos im a lazy pikey.

I'm not a pikey - but like you I AM bone idle !

I haven't washed my car since Dec 06 I think it used to be Arctic Silver...

nervous said: youll get no signatures for your campaign in this forum chum. except from me, but thats cos im a lazy pikey. and get others to do it for you........ the bear looks like a mirror, well it did until the cats saw a new shiny car on the drive, went off in search of a muddy puddle and hey presto the bonnet roof and boot were autographed in their own special way. oh and they also "own" the tyres now

wetwipe said: oh and they also "own" the tyres now

I can understand what he means, there is something about a dirty car, especially after a decent drive. My 968 used to get caked in dirt and grime, especially in the winter. However, there is no subsitute for a car that has just been washed and waxed. Whats the point in having a Porsche if you cant enjoy cleaning it? I think you should only start worrying if you DONT drive it because you want to keep it clean.

968csreading said: I think you should only start worrying if you DONT drive it because you want to keep it clean. riccardo, youre thread has arrived.

nervous said: 968csreading said: I think you should only start worrying if you DONT drive it because you want to keep it clean. riccardo, youre thread has arrived. and he is away on holiday how ironic (but at least one european city will be spotless once he's finished)

I agree with Plato. Although I quite enjoy giving the car an occasional clean, it always looks better when it has that purposeful patina of use. In summer, the front no. plate splattered with dead flies gives it that "just back from Monaco" look

When I clean it, it begs to be driven & when I've driven it, it begs to be cleaned. Doubles the pleasure IMHO

wetwipe said: nervous said: 968csreading said: I think you should only start worrying if you DONT drive it because you want to keep it clean. riccardo, youre thread has arrived. and he is away on holiday how ironic (but at least one european city will be spotless once he's finished) [outofofficeassistant] I am currently on leave until 4th April but will be able to deal with your flamings on my return [/outofofficeassistant]

sleep envy said: [outofofficeassistant] I am currently on leave until 4th April but will be able to deal with your flamings on my return [/outofofficeassistant]

Geneve said: In summer, the front no. plate splattered with dead flies gives it that "just back from Monaco" look Agreed. Although it's a Le Mans or Nordschleife look as far as I'm concerned.

I like washing my car...its theraputic. Then, when clean, makes me want to drive it more...which is what I then do. Sounds perfect to me?

The dealer washes it for me when i get it serviced Seriously mine is everyday transport and gets cleaned as an when it needs it, like when you get the back of your trousers dity on the sil when getting out.

I don't know if it's because I am fussy about keeping my car clean so I tend to notice them more, but there do seem to be a lot more "Which Product?" or "How to polish?" threads lately which suggests people are starting to take looking after the appearance of their (rather expensive) cars a little more seriously than a rag a bucket and a bottle of Wash 'n Wax. Peoples cars are usually the most expensive, or second most expensive thing they own. Why wouldn't they want to look after them? Edited by hutchingsp on Tuesday 3rd April 11:11

Geneve said: I agree with Plato. Although I quite enjoy giving the car an occasional clean, it always looks better when it has that purposeful patina of use. In summer, the front no. plate splattered with dead flies gives it that "just back from Monaco" look Prefer the "just back from the Monte Carlo Rally" look myself................ Edited by slippydiff on Tuesday 3rd April 11:25

968csreading said: Whats the point in having a Porsche if you cant enjoy cleaning it? Hi Ummmm shouldnt that read...Whats the point in having a Porsche if you cant enjoy DRIVING it.. All the best Brett

nervous said: youll get no signatures for your campaign in this forum chum. except from me, but thats cos im a lazy pikey. You! Mr detail anal...and self admitted

*shhaaadddupppp*

Clean is cool as long as you actually still use it. I dont like a mint polished car or bike that only covers a tiny distance every year and lives in a heated garage with the covers on only to come out on perfect weather days or for yet another layer of polish, those owners really are anal. Nothing worse than an owner looking down their nose at you like you are not worthy to own such a machine when yours is wareing a bit of normal dirt as you have actually used it for what its intended rather than soley polishing it, showing it off and missing the point as to what its really about. Its for fun not a show pony. In the bike world I see it all the time, some sad fooker outside the dealership on a sunday morning on a prized top spec bike with all the extras, tyres never been anywhere near the edges, bike never been near a trackday or ever seen the rain. Owner trades it on next year for the newer model, its barely past its running in service and never really experienced what its all about. These folks obviously like nothing more than someone to say nice bike/car mate and get a kick from that. Personally I get my buzz from riding or driving and experiencing the performance and learning to get the best from it. I like to keep my cars and bikes clean but dont hide them away if the weather is a bit off. I have a mate who takes cleaning to a whole new level both his car and bike are better than the day they rolled out of the showroom, how he gets them that clean I will never know. I don't think he is anal though as he still takes his on track and out in all weathers, just spends hours in the garage when he gets home and actually enjoys it with a cold beer on the go and away from the kids and work pressures. A dirty brand new supercar has something cool about it as its not something you see very often. If its currently the best money can buy it dont need a layer of polish to make it special. Its like a pretty young girl who don't need make up to look stunning they don't have to try as hard as an older model. Unfortunately for me I cant afford the brand new supercar so inbetween blats I have to clean mine now and again to at least make it look a little special.

Judging from the filthy interior of his s/h 996 X50 I tried out and the state of his 997 turbo parked out the back, I can say he sure practises what he preaches. SM

slippydiff said: Geneve said: I agree with Plato. Although I quite enjoy giving the car an occasional clean, it always looks better when it has that purposeful patina of use. In summer, the front no. plate splattered with dead flies gives it that "just back from Monaco" look Prefer the "just back from the Monte Carlo Rally" look myself................ Edited by slippydiff on Tuesday 3rd April 11:25

No probs with Gatsos that way, either.

968csreading said: Whats the point in having a Porsche if you cant enjoy cleaning it? Huh ?? Am I missing something ? I sort of bought mine to hoon around in. Although, I must say most of my recent cars and bikes have had an equal set of geeky forums for owners, but I've never seen as many obsessions with polish and cleaning as the porker stuff. I'd never ever heard of that mentally expensive wax stuff before I looked in here - I though autoglym before each season was the ultimate in car care.

Koln-RS said: Clarkson has also made similar comments, suggesting that people who spend too much time cleaning their cars either have bad marriages or are gay. He also once said something similar about convertible sports cars, that when the TG team see someone in a F430 or 911 convertible they just laugh. Hang on a minute didn't he recently buy himself a gallardo convertible! Is it me or is this trying to look like a real man thing just more than a bit pathetic? i.e. don't wash the car, don't shave, smoke 40 a day, wear jeans that are far to tight or far to loose. Just look at the celebs that go for this look, all of em have perfectly straight mega white teeth i.e. total frauds. If you want to look and live like Shane McGowan in some mistaken belief of looking more real then just drink a bottle of vodka a day and get your mates to give you a proper kicking in the face. Still though car is for driving not posing.

nrayner said: 968csreading said: Whats the point in having a Porsche if you cant enjoy cleaning it? Huh ?? Am I missing something ? I sort of bought mine to hoon around in. Although, I must say most of my recent cars and bikes have had an equal set of geeky forums for owners, but I've never seen as many obsessions with polish and cleaning as the porker stuff. I'd never ever heard of that mentally expensive wax stuff before I looked in here - I though autoglym before each season was the ultimate in car care. Just meant its nice to make it look nice and clean and then hoon around (never used to give me as much pleasure cleaning the MG, put it that way) I have never gone as far as remove the wheel to clean behind the spokes or anything like that though. Edited by 968csreading on Tuesday 3rd April 13:39

Ive got better things to do than spend all weekend cleaning my car! Cleaning the house for one (did i just type that out load.. doe!)

job38 said: slippydiff said: Geneve said: I agree with Plato. Although I quite enjoy giving the car an occasional clean, it always looks better when it has that purposeful patina of use. In summer, the front no. plate splattered with dead flies gives it that "just back from Monaco" look Prefer the "just back from the Monte Carlo Rally" look myself................ Edited by slippydiff on Tuesday 3rd April 11:25 ...don't you just love the winter driving conditions. Let me guess, early morning fairly long distance drive with near zero temps, clear skies but a sheen of moisture from overnight condensation on the roads. I had similar a couple of new years ago after a 360 mile round trip to newcastle to pick up the other half. Car looked great especially the gunmetal like finish the alloys get from the grime. It got so caked that it could be flaked off! I agree it looks very cool when like this i.e. clean top dirty bottom (ooo-er). When they just look dirty and the rain has smeared the grim as it runs off the car they just look unloved.

welshnobby said: job38 said: slippydiff said: Geneve said: I agree with Plato. Although I quite enjoy giving the car an occasional clean, it always looks better when it has that purposeful patina of use. In summer, the front no. plate splattered with dead flies gives it that "just back from Monaco" look Prefer the "just back from the Monte Carlo Rally" look myself................ Edited by slippydiff on Tuesday 3rd April 11:25 ...don't you just love the winter driving conditions. Let me guess, early morning fairly long distance drive with near zero temps, clear skies but a sheen of moisture from overnight condensation on the roads. I had similar a couple of new years ago after a 360 mile round trip to newcastle to pick up the other half. Car looked great especially the gunmetal like finish the alloys get from the grime. It got so caked that it could be flaked off! I agree it looks very cool when like this i.e. clean top dirty bottom (ooo-er). When they just look dirty and the rain has smeared the grim as it runs off the car they just look unloved. Taken last December, during the very cold snap, late at night (so well below freezing) after a high speed 120 mile round trip When I put the car in the garage after the journey, i noticed the mirror covers had sharp pointy shaped horizontal "icicles" formed on the front of them (as did the periphery of the outer vents on the front bumper) I took photos of them (sad I know) but they didn't define the sharpness or the "icyness" particularly well so i didn't keep them.

If you have a black car (like mine) it'll never look clean - even five minutes after washing it.

TRPLBLK said: If you have a black car (like mine) it'll never look clean - even five minutes after washing it. If you have a red car (like mine) it'll never look clean - because I can't be arsed washing it.

I'd do exactly the opposite of any thing that nob jockey Jason Plato suggests, he's got Clarkson’s ego without any of the humour. Avoid!!!

People with dirty cars have dirty bottoms

Sure he's right, that's why car showrooms are packed full of filthy mud spattered cars with insect collections on the front number plate and windscreen and stonechips across the bonnet - they want to sell as many cars as possible to make money, so knowing everyone thinks clean and tidy means naff while a dirty crappy car is cool means they will sell easier.

washing is about removing 'road film' dirt, insects etc before they eat through your paintwork. the longer it's left on, the more damage it will do. however there's gotta be some balance IMO. Cars are meant to be driven, and Porkas driven hard when you're in the mood, so the whole detailing thing can get a bit OTT IMO. I also find it a bit daft when the arguably more important aspects of ownership get neglected, such as proper maintenance, and a good cleaning the engine and underbody now and again.

what a load of bollox. i wash mine all the time, after every drive wash & wax. hum perhaps he,s got a point

also if you dont clean it, it is anti scamera because the camera cant see your number plate so that saves you the £400 on a road angel etc.

Dirty cars are cool because I am lazy

nervous said: youll get no signatures for your campaign in this forum chum. except from me, but thats cos im a lazy pikey. Explains the Cobalt Blue shit hole on wheels then!

4sure said: People with dirty cars have dirty bottoms Cool isn't measured by whether your car is clean or not and as Plato isnt cool what would he know about it?

sidewayssid said: nervous said: youll get no signatures for your campaign in this forum chum. except from me, but thats cos im a lazy pikey. Explains the Cobalt Blue shit hole on wheels then!

nervous said: sidewayssid said: nervous said: youll get no signatures for your campaign in this forum chum. except from me, but thats cos im a lazy pikey. Explains the Cobalt Blue shit hole on wheels then! i'll see your and raise you

whether you polish your inner wheel arches or clean your windscreen just to be able to see out of it good luck to you either way. Personally I like to keep my turbo clean, it lives in a heated and dehumidified garage, I've washed her once in the last 18 months (two weeks ago) and I can't remember when I last polished her. Still looks the absolute bollox. So more time for smoking and drinking. Plato is a different kettle of fish. A car is a tool to do a job and that job for most of his time is to win the race and that is the difference.

Slippydiff - Excellent use of a GT2 - Now tell me, just how long did Mr Frog's finest autoroute crud remain on the paintwork??

To resurrect a 15 year old thread! Yes, Jason Plato is still right..."Dirty cars still look cool"

Jason Plato….my f*cking hero

Well, I tend not to wash them unless they're really dirty eg mud splatters or the number plates are hard to read.

I wash it in the spring. Absolutely no point if used in winter, as soon as you drive it anywhere it gets covered in mud or road salt.

THREAD CLOSED ‘Ridiculous Content’ limit has been substantially exceeded Edited by 981SPYGANG on Wednesday 9th February 16:39

Must be an old thread, as the P word isn't censored.

Nervy's a lad isn't he ? The old days When Porsches were really really fun. Not investment opportunities

I see where he's coming from in some respects but when you've worked very hard in life to purchase what was ultimately a dream, why not look after it? Mr Plato finds himself in a very fortunate position and is (to coin the Harry Enfield and Chums phrase) considerably richer than me. I'd expect someone washes his car for him as well.