Detailing Day

Mike Thomas · 09-20-2008, 08:23 PM

I wrote here recently about bringing home my "new" 1982 911 SC. I posted some homecoming photos, too. While the PO had kept the car really clean, I feel that I don't a car until I've detailed it (or at least hand-washed and waxed it). So, today I got busy, and spent about five hours detailing the car.

I did the following:

- Washed with Mother's car wash (good way to discover Targa leaks :-\)
- Applied Turtle Wax wheel cleaner
- Pulled the floormats and floorboard carpeting and aired out/cleaned/vacuumed
- Vacuumed the floorboards and all reachable interior
- Treated all the rubber with Armor-all
- Treated the top with "nano" vinyl cleaner/protectant. Blacked/shined it up nicely.
- Used the "nano" stuff on all vinyl interior parts
- Used Mother's leather cleaner/protectant on leather surfaces
- Did a round of Mother's clay-bar
- Applied Klasse All-in-one sealant
- Applied Mother's "Back to Black" on all black parts, including targa bar (though it didn't really need it)
- Applied gel tire dressing with a neato applicator. So nice.
- Cleaned all windows, both sides with Stoner's
- Applied RainX cleaner/wax to outside surface of windows
- Did one final round of hand-polishing with a micro-fiber polish rag
- Replaced wiper blades

Naturally, photos follow. Too bad light-colored cars don't show off one's work as well as dark cars :-\.

oregonmon · oregonmon's Garage

I just slid off my seat looking at those pictures.

austin552 · austin552's Garage

Looks great! Now go get it dirty.

Daviboy · Daviboy's Garage

Mike,
Nice lookin SC. I have had mine about three weeks now but only two of those at home. I am now working overseas with 18 days to go before I get back to do the same to mine. The weather was so bad I did not get a chance to do a comprehensive clean up job. I have a bunch of parts coming for the motor so will end up doing that as well as the inside/outside.

Jeff964 · 09-21-2008, 02:31 AM

Classic! I love it!!

Zef · Zef's Garage

What a nice classy look.

martj · 09-21-2008, 03:25 AM

THE CAR LOOKS GREAT!

Mike Thomas · 09-21-2008, 06:22 AM

Thanks all!

The only thing that keeps the interior from being perfect is that one of the POs used some sort of "toned" leather treatment that turned out all streaky. It's only on the front seats, not the rears. You can see it in the last interior photo on the driver's bolster and the passenger back. It's a real shame. There's a bit of it on the door panels as well. It doesn't bother me that much, but it's too bad -- it's that last little thing, and I can't do a thing about it without spending wads of $$. I'd prefer to spend $$ on go-stuff.

John-1977911s · 09-21-2008, 08:36 AM

You know. I was just thinking that I really like that interior color.

Mike Thomas · 09-21-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John-1977911s

You know. I was just thinking that I really like that interior color.

Oh, it's the original "chocolate" color, but it has darker streaks running through it. I wonder if it was fading and some wise guy decided to try a colored polish on it. All sorts of weird things can happen on a 26-year-old car, eh?

Paulporsche · 09-21-2008, 09:27 AM

Looks really nice. Maybe some saddle soap will get rid of the streaks. Also if you search you will see how some others have refinished their seats.

Jgordon · 09-21-2008, 04:12 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about the color consistency. I saw the pictures and the only things I thought were a) great interior color b) great color combo and c) must be a darker version of the 'cork' interior that porsche offered, which was also a slightly mottled color. Not necessarily some PO's handiwork.

porschenut · 09-21-2008, 04:34 PM

That's the brown interior, code YG or TH (check your options sticker). Very rare I would say, and looks quite nice especially with the Chiffon White exterior.

yamajon · 09-21-2008, 05:01 PM

I am wondering what is the best thing to use to clean and detail the black rubber on my 87 Carrera"s tail? Thnx,john

yamajon · 09-21-2008, 05:03 PM

I have an 87 Carrera with a factory "whale tail"...what is the best thing to use to clean and detail the rubber? thanks and God bless,john

mack6820 · 09-21-2008, 05:16 PM

WOW!!! thats nice! really really nice! love that color!

rfloz · 09-22-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yamajon

I have an 87 Carrera with a factory "whale tail"...what is the best thing to use to clean and detail the rubber? thanks and God bless,john

I've been using a product called "Back to Black" on the rubber and plastic bits. It's not as shiny as Armorall and seems to last a lot longer. It's avaliable at most auto parts places.

mike monde · 09-22-2008, 08:44 AM

Looks great, love your interior color.
Reminds me that I need to get on mine real soon before the weather forbids.

canamfan · canamfan's Garage

Ditto!!!! Beautiful job and pretty Targa! Does it ever get really dirty? It just looks fantastic!!!

Mike Thomas · 09-22-2008, 01:51 PM

Thanks to all of you for your kind words!

A few specific responses:

canamfan - Hasn't had time to get dirty -- I've only had it a couple of weeks. The butt does get dirty from the rich exhaust (I'll post a separate item about that later). I use a dust brush on that every couple of days.

yamajon - I second @rfloz' suggestion of Back to Black.

Jgordon - Thanks for your supportive comments. I think if you saw it in person, you'd notice the streaking. This is definitely something I can easily live with :-).

porschenut - Where does the options sticker live?

Thanks again, everyone...