New 944 Owner

[supersport]

Thanks chaps.

All the belts and bits done recently along with water pump and engine mounts so happy there.

I wasn't sure about the Boxster wheels when I first saw the pics but in the flesh I think they look better than tele-dials or cookie cutters. By preference I like the cups but we shall see. I guess the tyre pressures should be as per the boxster? I have never had to worry about anything being non standard before so not sure how it works. I would assume that is based on tyre size?

 

[andrew_churcher]

Nice looking car mate! Looks cracking in that colour. I need to detail mine!

 

[Mike_Pollock]

I run mine (early 944 215/60x15) ot 2.25 front 2.5 rear - book says usually 2.5 all round. Boxsters have different weight bias - would start all at 2.5 and see how it feels.
Mike

 

[supersport]

ORIGINAL: andrew_churcher

Nice looking car mate! Looks cracking in that colour. I need to detail mine!

It's only been partially done so far, but by bed time it should have two coats of Swissvax on it and hopelly have that lovely soft wet look that this colour can get.

 

[andrew_churcher]

two questions Mark. How long did it take you to clay bar it? What Swiss vax product are you planning to apply? I wouldnt mind having a go at it myself.

 

[Fat Albert]

Welcome Mark, very nice looking, especially for the mileage, how did it get away with so little stone-chipping to the bonnet?!

My wife doesn't like my 944, I thought she would as she has had 2 Scirrocos in the past as well as my Scooby that she loved, but I think she finds it so different to her BMW auto, and the boost isn't as predictable as the scoob so she rarely drives it....

 

[supersport]

ORIGINAL: andrew_churcher

two questions Mark. How long did it take you to clay bar it? What Swiss vax product are you planning to apply? I wouldnt mind having a go at it myself.

This car took quite a lot longer, normally my 911 is done pretty quickly. I was at it for 2 hours yesterday, but still have the front/rear valance, driver side skirt and windows to do. The Wheels will come off at another time and be done then.

I am guessing that there was a lot of sand embedded in the paint work (it came from the coast), it felt very rough after washing but nice and silky smoothe after claying. The bonnet was really bad and took three goes and quite a bit of time. I assume because it gets hot etc.

I give my 911 the full monty wheels off etc clay, two coats wax, interior feed of the leather and it takes me two gentle days when I send the wife away to her parents.

Once it is clayed I will use Swissvax Paint Cleaner. I will use the basic one and that should do the trick. Then I will apply two coats of Swissvax Zuffenhausen which will really make this colour look the business. I think the paint should look a bit like this:

This had been waxed with Zuffenhausen that morning, the paint goes really soft and glossy.

I will then use Pnu on the rubber bits and tyes, polish up the windows and it should look pretty impressive.

I was talking to Stuart at Swissvax UK (Gmund cars) on Friday about cleaning up cloth interiors. He
ecommend using an upolstery cleaner with a weak mix and gently scrubbing with a nail brush.. Then use there cleaner and it will hopefully come up nice. I think it is going to be really hard to keep the interior really clean, my feet rub on the doors sills every time I get in or out.

 

[ChasR]

That makes another person who their Mondeo with a 944 as a daily!

Welcome to the fold. That certainly isn't a common 2.7 in that colour and it looks better for it .

 

[Eldavo]

Have started on mine today, spent nearly two hours on the front wings. They were badly swirled so were dull with poor reflections and a bit pink in places. Clayed them first and then taped them off and got cracking with the rotary taking paint thickness measurements as I went as there is no clearcoat on the paint. Polished up to a deep glossy red and then an extra bit of shine from a coat of Megs 7 glaze, sealed with Zaino CS and waxed with Zymol Concours.

Old camera broke and picking the new one up tomorrow so will start a thread of my own with some before, during and after comparison shots.

 

[Eldavo]

For cloth interiors, a weak mix of Meg's all purpose cleaner (10:1 with clean water) through a foaming spray head and gently agitated with a nail brush works very well too. Then you can use a wet vac or leave it to dry with the windows open.

 

[Frenchy]

Supersport,
That colour is lovely and will look well when finished, i presume the turbo body 911 is yours as it looks stunning very nice and much better than a Mondeo.
As for oomph in the 911 compared to the 944 buy a sorted 944 Turbo it will enlighten you performance wise, took a guy out with a 930 Turbo in mine then let him drive............................... he was surprised.
Jim

 

[PSH]

As for oomph in the 911 compared to the 944 buy a sorted 944 Turbo it will enlighten you performance wise, took a guy out with a 930 Turbo in mine then let him drive............................... he was surprised.
Jim

No contest, even a standard 944 turbo will out perform a 930.. a sorted 944 turbo will out perform most that Porsche can throw at it then and now...





Welcome to 944 ownership Mark, both of your cars look great congrats...[]



Pete

 

[andrew_churcher]

Mark - you have inspired me to have a crack at detailing my car this weekend. I am going to start early Sunday and see how long it takes.

I just bought the Race Glaze Signature Series Valet Kit with a Clar Bar and the 55 Wax product. I spoke to the proprietor and he runs a 944 turbo so new exactly the right products to bring up Guards Red paint work (and protect it) and to enhance and protect the rubber (boot spoiler on mine needs it). He also talked me through the process with some hints and tips.

I also bought a mobi washer (as advertised in last mths evo mag http://www.mobiwasher.co.uk/)....given that in my complex (London based) accessibility to water isnt very practical....plus it has a rechargable battery...carries 17 ltrs of water and has adjustable pressure strength...looks like a great product...be interesting to see how it goes in practice.

Should be a few hours of fun on Sunday ..[]

I will take some photos before and after and post them if I do a good enough job

 

[supersport]

Andrew it looks like you have an enjoyable Sunday ahead of you.
My time has not been my own for the last couple of days so last night was a late night for me, but she is done. I will pop up a piccy when I get back on my own laptop later. The outside has come up a real treat and is now silky smoothe rather than the sandpaper like quality she had when we got her home.

Ok here is a pick of her cleaned up:

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Hi Mat, and welcome.

Well done for approaching it the right way, belts are an essential starting point if you don't have proof they were recently changed. From you're location I can guess which Mike it was and he's a star for helping you out. The 944 community here will be happy to answer the many other questions you will have!

Other possible points to check for leaks are the windscreen, sunroof, rear window seals and boot area, but at least you've fixed the most likely area on an early 944.

Pictures, please. []

 

[sirlisterofsmeg]

I know
I always get too carried away and forget to take time out to document progress
I have blagged monday off work so will take some tomorrow.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi Guys
Car looks very solid if needing some basicly cosmetic attention.
Hopefully will go for a drive tomorrow and I'll take the camera! Maybe the video too.
Cheers

 

[sirlisterofsmeg]

Good news
Even after all the rain we had yesterday the passenger footwell is nice & dry
But there is about 1/2 cup of water in the drivers side now.
Will have to wait until the weekend and have a go at the otherside with the resin & underseal.

Found a place in Leicester that can do a new set of underlay cut to size for about £40/50

Some photos of the removed carpets

 

[simdel1]

Hi Mat! Welcome to the forum.

It's nice to see another square-dash join us, especially as you're not that far away! As you've already found out, the people on this forum are a very friendly and helpful bunch. I'm glad you've been able to start to work through the annoying little niggles that you always seem to find on a new car.

I've had my square dash for just over a month now and I've had to deal with a few leaks myself. The battery tray had a hole drilled in it for an aftermarket alarm, but it wasn't sealed very well so it was letting a lot of water in! I've recently found out that the boot is leaking quite a bit too. I'm hoping that a new boot seal and replacing the rear wiper (a previous owner removed it to save weight [8|]) will properly seal the rear end.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Popped over and had a quick spin in it tonight, a little noisey but as there were no carpets fully acceptable!

Then stopped and took a few pics - Mat's red 2.5