Professional detailing - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Perfectlap · 05-23-2006, 11:24 AM

winterminute,
what you should keep in mind is that the paint on your Boxser is VERY different to the paint used on GM and Chevy cars. Actually you can't buy the type of paint used at the Porsche factory here in America. If your car is ever in a collision you will be getting the American Porsche paint version which is much harder and less susceptible to scratching and micro marring but also not as purty.

Thus, California Car dusters and any type of dry dusting really is not good for your car. And for your Audi friends it's REALLY a bad idea. Good luck getting swirls out of that paint. Hardest clear coat anywhere. You actually need a special PC polisher attachement just for audi finishes.

If you don't want the top to fade I would get a softop cover which are sold on ebay for $50 and protect your interior from fading. It will protect the top without touching the paint.
Car covers are fine in theory but most people I've known use them too frequently and don't wash or clean the car each time they use them. It's unavoidable paint damage. I'm very sure you will get less paint damage going naked and parking in the shade vs. the cover. Paints, even the German ones, today are remarkably resilient to UV and all the other damaging rays. Your trim and soft top different story. But that's where disciplined use of 303, 1z vinyl and rubber or even armor all will pay off.

Swirls can be removed with an orbital poilisher but that stuff is micros thin and you can only do it so many times before the clear coat finish is in danger of failing.
Replacing your soft top and shooting a new layer of clear coat are two ENTIRELY preventable expenses.

p.s.
you are very lucky to have a car wash port! cleaning the barrel of my wheels is going to be a PITA without lots o' water.

Wintermute · 05-23-2006, 01:32 PM

So you are saying that the swirl remover should be applied by hand? I thought a polisher was the prefered way of doing swirl removal?

As for the cover, I understand the issues involved with them and I am very careful. I don't use the cover daily, usually only for a few days after I wash and wax my car. I also clean my cover often. The real problem is the place my car spends 80% of it's time in the uncovered parking lot at work, the only shade comes from a few trees that are invested with doves. I learned my lesson quickly that that is a bad place to be. The trees drop all kinds of sap and twigs, and the doves...well you know that scene in "Fight Club" where they sprinkle bird seed on the roof next to the BMW dealer? Yeah...no thanks.

I am intrigued by the softop cover and I think that might be perfect for everyday use. Thanks for the tip.

Perfectlap · 05-23-2006, 03:00 PM

well the soft top cover is amust have for you blazing sun folks
I would attach this only from the front and rear, cut the doorhandle loops off with a scissors. Not good to be rubbing on the paint that often.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-06-PORSCHE-BOXSTER-CAR-COCKPIT-COVER-ALL-WEATHER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50456QQitemZ806 7851262QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
this guy should give me a commission!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wintermute

So you are saying that the swirl remover should be applied by hand? I thought a polisher was the prefered way of doing swirl removal?.

As for the swirl remover what I meant to say is that there are only so many times you can go the PC route to remove swirls. Probably why its best to start off with as mild a swirl remover that will do the job. If you still see swirling kick up to the next most abbrasive formula. This way you aren't needlessly cutting away clear coat.
Swirl removal by hand won't save you any clear coat and just give you carpel tunnel syndrome.

Wintermute · 05-23-2006, 03:15 PM

OK, I see what you mean with the swirl remover, that makes more sense. Man I hate how fast paint degragdes. I mean why has there been a clear coat or some similar material developed that can withstand the rigours of the modern world? I guess you have to sacrifice some durability and resiliance for attractiveness to sell cars. Maybe nanotech will come to the rescue and develop self healing and cleaning paint. Wouldn't that be nice? A layer of nanobots that can break down dust and dirt and use the raw materials to repair scratches and chips.

Mayhaps, mayhaps.