Proper Way to Wash a Porsche?

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by Porsche Chick

Plus I have no idea what a clay bar is.

I think you guys need to come to some kind of consensus and get back to me.

You really have to try claying your car. The results are amazing IMO. On a Boxster, it really doesn't take long to do. When you are done, your paint will feel like glass. The clay removes the surface contaminants. Just keep the surface well lubricated and if you drop the bar, throw it away.

Mothers 07240 California Gold Clay Bar System : Amazon.com : Automotive

I have also been following Spinaker's advice on washing and waxing in a straight line:
Best wax for the car ???

[CoBeerToad]

So if I decide that I want to claybar my '97, what steps should I take first? I would imagine there are many years of wax and grime and stuff on my car (still looks good though). Would I benefit from trying to remove all that gunk first and how would I do that without stripping the paint off?

[Porsche Pete]

For Clay Barring its really a simple process and NOT a taboo subject..ITS dead easy..

There are loads of good You Tube vids....will find a `Good one` and put the link here in a moment.. Here we go....


Car Claying - YouTube


1) Just wash the car thoroughly, no need to dry...

If you buy the Meguairs kit it comes with a detailing spray that acts as a application spray. Found this kit best value for money as it comes with MORE clay bar

2) Pull about a quarter of the clay bar off ONE of the bars (KIT COMES WITH 2 BARS) and work this into a flat shape, about half the size of a fried egg!

3) Work a panel at a time, spray with the fluid and then rub the clay bar over in a back and forward movement until it becomes very smooth..u will see as you use it

4) WIPE off with a good quality microfibre cloth to polish as you go
5) After working over the whole car, finish with a good coat or two of a good quality wax.

6) ON NO ACCOUNT If you drop your clay bar you MUST throw it away..otherwise it will pick up grit, which you will work into your paint..

Your car paint will come up like Glass....Have fun

Let me know how you get on....... Pete

[teleski]

Just used a clay bar for the first time ever on my 2000. I used the Meguiars kit. It removed a lot of stuff, especially the hood and rear deck. I used a whole bar from the kit and had to fold and kneed it a few times per panel. I also probably went through about half the bottle of detail spray. I was amazed at how smooth the finish was afterwards and it did not take very long, maybe 1/2 hour total which included doing a few sections twice.

[Drphil]

I just did the clay bar treatment . when the car was dry but "clean" it did not feel silky glassy smooth - that is contaminant attached to the paint and when you wash it you will rub this across the surface causing clear coat scratches.

- so wash the car, then 2. use the clay bar cleaning as discussed below. it is AMAZING how well it cleans . .

3. then what i did was meguair's ultimate polish, the their liquid wax, have also used the yellow carnuba paste wax . the car now looks like brand new with a show room shine. people constantly ask when i bought the "new" car, pretty good for a 2000s, 14 year old car.

- for maintainence always use microfiber cloth, newly clean cloth, not abrasive brushes. A good soapy wash will grab the dust and dirt with out causing much scratching.

-inbetween i have used the same brand ultimate detailer.

hope that helps.

Originally Posted by Porsche Pete

For Clay Barring its really a simple process and NOT a taboo subject..ITS dead easy..

There are loads of good You Tube vids....will find a `Good one` and put the link here in a moment.. Here we go....


Car Claying - YouTube


1) Just wash the car thoroughly, no need to dry...

If you buy the Meguairs kit it comes with a detailing spray that acts as a application spray. Found this kit best value for money as it comes with MORE clay bar

2) Pull about a quarter of the clay bar off ONE of the bars (KIT COMES WITH 2 BARS) and work this into a flat shape, about half the size of a fried egg!

3) Work a panel at a time, spray with the fluid and then rub the clay bar over in a back and forward movement until it becomes very smooth..u will see as you use it

4) WIPE off with a good quality microfibre cloth to polish as you go
5) After working over the whole car, finish with a good coat or two of a good quality wax.

6) ON NO ACCOUNT If you drop your clay bar you MUST throw it away..otherwise it will pick up grit, which you will work into your paint..

Your car paint will come up like Glass....Have fun

Let me know how you get on....... Pete

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by CoBeerToad

So if I decide that I want to claybar my '97, what steps should I take first? I would imagine there are many years of wax and grime and stuff on my car (still looks good though). Would I benefit from trying to remove all that gunk first and how would I do that without stripping the paint off?

that's what the claybar does. It strips everthing down to the clear coat. Some will wash the car with dishwashing soap to clear sediments first, althouh any car wash soap brand will work for this first stage wash. Then soap up the car again with the dish wash detergent and clay bar the sudsy surface. The dish was detergent will strip all the wax off. Then wash the car again to clear the wax that might remain on the surface. At this stage you should use a paint polish wax to clean the paint of the really stuck on contaminants. I recommend Werkstat Prime Strong. It's a "two in one" polish and sealant. After that's cured for a day you can top with whatever carnauba or synthetic wax you prefer.

Given the age of your car you migh consider doing a paint decontamination as well. Over the years rust and other metal particles can hook into the paint swirls or channels. Regular washing migh not get at this.
This has a good explanation
Finish Kare Paint Decontamination System, auto paint cleaning system, de-contamination solution

p.s.
The Meguiars is good but if you are near an Advanced Auto, the Griot's Garage brand clay is a better value.
It has a bigger clay bar, comes in a convenient air-tight jar to store the left over clay so it doesn't harden and Griot's don't force you to buy their detail spray like Megair's does, its just the clay. Any dilution of car wash soap (just enough soap to be slippery) will work with any clay bar. If you use too much soap no big deal since you have to wash the car again anyway.

[scottvd]

Originally Posted by Porsche Chick

Okay, so far I've heard; wash it a lot, don't hardly wash it, use a brush, don't dare use a brush, dry it with a towel, dry it with a leaf blower, dry it by driving it, add oil to the water, don't add oil. Also, it can be washed by small children, half dressed twits, or ex-singers/breakfast purveyors with giant hats. Plus I have no idea what a clay bar is.

I think you guys need to come to some kind of consensus and get back to me.

LOL +1 ^^

10char

[BruceH]

The clay does amazing stuff. You are right in the feel, night and day!

[Perfectlap]

Clay makes a big difference for waxing purposes. If you try to wax/top a dirty car, the end result will not be nearly as good. After claying (and washing again to be thorough) you should polish the paint. It fills swirls and gets at the remaining residues that simply pressing down on the paint from claying won't lift away. The surface will then be even and clean so that reflection from the light will not magnify either the swirls or stains.

[rick3000]

There is no proper way to wash a car, but there are a number of things to avoid:
-Automatic Car Washes with tracks will destroy your rims
-Any car wash that sprays your canvas top with soap because it will strip any waterproofing you added
-Using a clay bar too often

I always go for a hand wash, or DIY. To deal with salt, I go to a coin car wash and use the high pressure water to spray under the car and around the wheels.