Keeping it clean - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Two weeks to go before I take delivery of my new 981 Boxster S. The OPC has thrown in GardX treatment (which, after doing a few Google searches doesn't appear to be the great deal I originally thought it was!), but I wondered what most people did to keep their vehicle clean? I'm assuming normal car washes are out, but what about jet washes and then a wipe down? Or bucket and cloth? Waxing? Detailing? Just thought it would be interesting to see if there's a concensus on the best and most practical way to keep it looking new as long as possible.

people do all sorts from a simple wash to full on 2 days detail you need to pick what you are happy with , but I am sure you know how to wash a car so I'll leave it at that. what will happen is 50 people will tell you what product they use and how it is the best.

Porsche911R said: people do all sorts from a simple wash to full on 2 days detail you need to pick what you are happy with , but I am sure you know how to wash a car so I'll leave it at that. what will happen is 50 people will tell you what product they use and how it is the best. No products but I do recommend using 2 buckets to wash your car, one with clean soapy water and the second for rinsing your mitt to prevent dirt being dragged across your paintwork and causing swirl marks!

Personally I'd get a pro detailer to have it as soon as you get it. They will do any paint correction needed, the dealers wash monkeys will no doubt have put a few swirls in the paint, and then machine polish and wax and seal the paint. Probably £300 ish. After that if you want to keep it tip top wash it yourself using the 2 bucket method with micro fibre wash mits. You will find that after the detailer has done his magic the car is easier to clean and can be done in less than an hour. If you're not that bothered about it just use the local east european hand car wash.

Well the dealer prep monkeys should put plenty of scratches and swirl the paintwork whilst applying the Guard X, I would actually pay the dealer not to put it on, but then I am a very fussy bugger.

massive spread; as you say from car wash (I kid you not) through to a full detail and a regular maintenance package. Go with what you want. Two bucket advice is the best - grit causes more scratches / swirls than you can imagine I've just spent (on and off ) 2 weeks machine polishing my GT3 sealing / waxing ready for the winter months use ahead. That wasn't a full time process obviously, but the paint is near perfect now - and will stay that way as I use 2 buckets ! If you've got a pressure washer get a proper snow foam lance and some snow foam - it really does work if you let it sit for a while then pressure wash it off. If you want to send yourself mad, just have a browse of detailing world....

This... tyrrell said: Well the dealer prep monkeys should put plenty of scratches and swirl the paintwork whilst applying the Guard X, I would actually pay the dealer not to put it on, but then I am a very fussy bugger. ...followed by this... oldnbold said: Personally I'd get a pro detailer to have it as soon as you get it. They will do any paint correction needed, the dealers wash monkeys will no doubt have put a few swirls in the paint, and then machine polish and wax and seal the paint. Probably £300 ish. After that if you want to keep it tip top wash it yourself using the 2 bucket method with micro fibre wash mits. You will find that after the detailer has done his magic the car is easier to clean and can be done in less than an hour. If you're not that bothered about it just use the local east european hand car wash.

Orangecurry said: This... tyrrell said: Well the dealer prep monkeys should put plenty of scratches and swirl the paintwork whilst applying the Guard X, I would actually pay the dealer not to put it on, but then I am a very fussy bugger. ...followed by this... oldnbold said: Personally I'd get a pro detailer to have it as soon as you get it. They will do any paint correction needed, the dealers wash monkeys will no doubt have put a few swirls in the paint, and then machine polish and wax and seal the paint. Probably £300 ish. After that if you want to keep it tip top wash it yourself using the 2 bucket method with micro fibre wash mits. You will find that after the detailer has done his magic the car is easier to clean and can be done in less than an hour. If you're not that bothered about it just use the local east european hand car wash. Top advice and pretty cheap and easy! You can get carried away buying your own detailing kit which I did but I'm a bloke and we love shiny things!

The best results I have had after years of doing my own detailing is to get a Gtechniq 'dealer only' applied product (e.g platinum or Crystal Serum) & then you can enjoy maintaining your car with gtechniq products. Rob at Gtechniq will advise you where your nearest Gtechniq certified detailer is. I had their Platinum products applied on my 997 just under a year ago & it still beads very well & paint still feels like silk. The Platinum products covers everything: exterior paint, glass, soft top, wheels & interior. My interior just doesn't collect dust either. It isn't cheap - expect to pay anything from £550+, but can take 2-5 days. The Platinum comes with a five year guarantee & £100 worth of Gtechniq goodies that you will actually use. Their Crystal Serum is meant to offer even better gloss & protection. I will def go down the same route when my 981 Spyder lands in May.

Go to a detailer that uses Siramik products. Had mine done at the beginning of October and water still beads straight off. Mine had SC15 but I'm going back in a few weeks to upgrade to diamas. I just pressure wash rinse, bilt hamber auto foam snow foam, rinse again and I'm good to go

Personally I would avoid pressure washers unless you can put it on a soft setting for a light rinse. Forcing water under pressure into various bits of a car is not an ideal plan for a trouble free life

Wash it each time I come back from using it and then put it under a high quality cover. To clean I use a two bucket method and light pressure washer. Always start off with a rinse and then PH neutral snow foam. Most of the stuff I use is Maguirs.

Innowaybored said: Wash it each time I come back from using it and then put it under a high quality cover. jesus- calling bluff on your user name

Driving it is much more fun.

Steve Rance said: Driving it is much more fun. I sometimes think that is a somewhat odd concept on this forum.

Quite! One thing is sure - it will get dirty again just as quickly however thoroughly you have cleaned it.

Does nobody own a hosepipe? ONE bucket with car shampoo, and the hose in the other hand to rinse as you go... Why always two buckets?

Its to rinse the grit out the wash mitt, personally I just give the mitt a blast with the hose to hell with lugging two buckets around. Fill your boots " warning extreme OCD in the link " http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...

The two bucket thing is good because as much as you try to wash a car top-down, there are always situations where you're moving from a heavily soiled are to one that's comparably cleaner, so in these cases you want to try to get the worst of the dirt and grit out of the wash mitt in between. I'm going to have my car corrected, detailed and sealed, purely with the intent of making it quicker and easier for me to clean; I love driving cars, don't mind getting them grubby and don't particularly enjoy washing them.

Digga said: The two bucket thing is good because as much as you try to wash a car top-down, there are always situations where you're moving from a heavily soiled are to one that's comparably cleaner, so in these cases you want to try to get the worst of the dirt and grit out of the wash mitt in between. I'm going to have my car corrected, detailed and sealed, purely with the intent of making it quicker and easier for me to clean; I love driving cars, don't mind getting them grubby and don't particularly enjoy washing them. Exactly my reasoning for getting a ceramic, super duper, hydrophobic, massage your thighs coating. Ok, I made the last bit up I use this guy for all my detailing, he is the UK distributer for Siramik, and he's fantastic. This is the stuff I'm upgrading to from SC15, http://reflectology.co.uk/diamas-professionali/ I only 'contact clean' the wheels now, and even those are a doddle as muck just slides off. Just rinse, snow foam, sometimes top up with Siramik maintenance wash and rinse again. No messing with waxes, polishes and sealants for hours. Keeps it looking great for months, if not years

always wash mine after use ( weekend car ) cant think what the grit would do whilst sliding the cover on after a day out

Wash car (sponge, bucket, some shampoo), dry car (chammy), give it a bit of a polish now and again i.e. maybe once a year if you can be bothered but first and foremost go and drive the damn things - they are modern cars and don't need all this namby pamby wax on wax off zen cobblers Wash it every time you use it? Not sure if serious to be honest

Clean it?

Before

After

If mine is clean in the garage I find I am less inclined to use it when the weather is doubtful. I now put it away dirty unless it is salty and clean it next time I use it if weather fine. If not it goes out dirty.