Washing of Boxters

[Whitehouse]

Have just treated myself to a 2.7 Boxster it is 10 years old but in immaculate condition it is my first Porsche for 40 years, back in the 60's and 70's I had a 356SC then a 912 and finally a 911L then came kids and dogs and a long line of Saabs.

I am thrilled with the Boxster and it so reminds me of my 356 days. I only bought it at the beginning of the month and I am afraid I just could not leave it in the garage despite salty roads so I am wondering about the best way to wash it - I notice that the handbook advises always to use a car wash ! presumably not the automatic type.
We also have a Saab Sportwagen and a Hymer Motorcaravan - I always take the Saab through an Automatic wash - I read somewhere that they are kinder than handwashing- but a softop !!! Martin

 

[bdheng]

Welcome to Boxster land, Martin.
I got my 3.2S in May - also 10yrs old. I was told by a friend who has won a few concours events (albeit with Ferraris) not to use an automatic car wash, but instead a hose (lots of water) and sponge. He also recommended to use AutoGlym clay bar, and polish - definitely not T-cut or any other "abrasive". Again I was told not to use wax. The car only then needs a water wash, and not wax/wash additives.
I'm sure other pundits will have other advice, but this works for me.
Barry

 

[pwebb]

Martin
Things move on - even the Ferrari man will have given up his sponge I suspect.
Have a look at a site like http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/safe-washing-and-drying.html or http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/cat_1.html where you'll get some info and advice, plus you can buy the right products to keep your Boxster looking the business without damaging the paint. The tiny scratches you get in paint are the result of dirt being rubbed into it, a sponge or automatic washer being the biggest culprits.

No connection to the sites, just a customer, btw.

 

[gdavison]

Have a good read over here - enthusiastic car washing / detailing / polishing forum

2 bucket method, Whats wrong with sponges etc etc, probably the most educational thread I have ever read on a forum
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4637

All these threads are worth a read too
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=50574

Best G

 

[vitesse]

Definately the 2 bucket system-soapy hot water in one -just water in the other-I use a mitt from Costco-around £5 for 4-spray all over 1st -wash wheels with water remnants at the end-I always use wash n wax shampoo-spray off at the end -dry with silicone squeegee,then leather-always working in straight lines with all items.

 

[rob.kellock]

ORIGINAL: VITESSE

-wash wheels with water remnants at the end-

Is that why your wheels look so dirty they appear black on your profile picture? []

When I had my 996 detailed, I was advised to simply use microfibre cloths for everything (but, obviously separate ones for washing and drying the car). Wash them (without fabric conditioner) and they are re-usable. I start off using new ones for the drying, then over time they get downgraded for washing etc. Always pleases the Mrs when she goes to use the washing machine and its full of car cleaning gear!!

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: Whitehouse
I always take the Saab through an Automatic wash - I read somewhere that they are kinder than handwashing- but a softop !!!

Providing the roof is (water)proofed regularly - say once a year with the Autoglym kit or even Fabsil - and the door seals are cared for (eg: with Gummi Pflege) you shouldn't have any trouble with leakage. But I still would never run a Porsche through a car wash - unless you like a myriad of tiny swirls and scratches ruining your paintwork.

 

[gdavison]

ORIGINAL: rob.kellock

When I had my 996 detailed, I was advised to simply use microfibre cloths for everything (but, obviously separate ones for washing and drying the car). Wash them (without fabric conditioner) and they are re-usable. I start off using new ones for the drying, then over time they get downgraded for washing etc. Always pleases the Mrs when she goes to use the washing machine and its full of car cleaning gear!!

Same here .. I follow the same with the washmitts too, when I open a new one for upper body work, the old one gets relegated to bottom of edge doors, sills, door shuts etc and that one gets relegated to wheels and the wheel one is chucked away

Same with drying clothes and polishing cloths .. Mrs D expects the Wash machine to be full of car wash clothes after a cleaning session. They get washed in 'soap' suds not even detergent

best g

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Ah Washing.
Where most damage occurs to your paintwork.[][]
1 Use a grit guard bucket or 2 bucket method.
2 Use a Lambswool Mitt or Microfibre wash Mitt. (Never a sponge)
3 Use a nice PH balanced shampoo (Never washing up liquid)
4 Wash in straight lines as much as possible.
5 Drying use a Micro fibre drying towel (Never a real Chamois Leather)
6 Try to wash out of direct sunlight (Not a prob at mo) [][][]
Just a small insight into the world of car care.
Cliff.

 

[vitesse]

Rob,When I joined this forum,I never imagined I would become so pedantic as to engage in car washing technology arguments but as the opportunity arose,I also arose to the bait.[]
however ,black powder coated wheels(cheeky boy) on my e-bay track car possibly require less washing-you might see it on Wednesday-I have to say that whilst cleanliness might be next to godliness,being able to keep engines from blowing up is more godly.[]

 

[Rodney Naghar]

ORIGINAL: CLIFFWILKINS

Ah Washing.
Where most damage occurs to your paintwork.[][]
1 Use a grit guard bucket  or 2 bucket method.
2 Use a Lambswool Mitt or Microfibre wash Mitt.  (Never a sponge)
3 Use a nice PH balanced shampoo  (Never washing up liquid)
4 Wash in straight lines as much as possible.
5 Drying use a Micro fibre drying towel  (Never a real Chamois Leather)
6 Try to wash out of direct sunlight  (Not a prob at mo) [][][]
  Just a small insight into the world of car care.
  Cliff.

Thanks for that Cliff.
Just one question, why is it so important to wash in straight lines? Don't the potential swirl marks just get replaced with straight lines?

 

[BartyB]

If you really value your car hand wash only. I use Autoglym wash and it works well.

I'd never put anything I own through an automatic car wash. I don't even put my company cars through them. I also won't use the broom brushes at jet wash sites as they are full of grit where people drop them on the ground and clean mud off 4x4s. I avoid using a pressure wash lance on Porsche wheels as this strips the lacquer and damages tyres if you hold them closer than a metre. Similarly they strip painted plastic parts like the front and rear skirts and the mirror housings.

Although it's sometimes tempting when you're short of time, I definitely wouldn't let the monkeys that offer 'washes' in supermarket car parks anywhere near my cars, even my old Freelander. I was in the Tesco car park in Abingdon recently and watched a lad drop a cleaning cloth on the ground, pick it up and then proceed to 'clean' a new (10 plate) BMW 5 series with it. Ouch.

Lastly, I'm careful and avoid using car cleaners that include waxes on the cabriolet roof. It bu66ers the proofing and you'll need to have the hood re-proofed more frequently if you do. I don't use Autoglym on the roof for this reason. I use a gentle soap on it which is recommended for cleaning fabric tops. Cabriolet valeting specialists charge about £135 for a proper deep clean and re-proof as long as they don't have to shift large amounts of guano and fungal growth.

 

[ianfiat]

I use Johnson's baby bath to wash my Boxster- cheaper than most car wash stuff and soap free so it doesn't tend to to remove zymol.

Here, in Oxfordshire, the water is very hard so I rinse with distilled water after washing, then dry off with microfibre cloths.

I wouldn't even put my Fiat Panda through a car wash!