Car Cleaning and Maintaining Interior Condition

[robotsex]

What is the popular opinion about the best practices for cleaning and maintaining the exterior and interior of a Porsche (and cars in general)? I keep my car garaged at all times except when it's out being driven, parked on street, etc. The interior and exterior on the 3.2 Carrera I just got are immaculate and I'd like to do my part to keep them that way.

How often do you guys have your cars waxed?
How often do you get detail work done?
What do you use to condition the interior leather and dash and keep it protected.
Exterior rubber?
Wheels?
Is there anything I should be cautious of or know before I get started?

Thanks!

[azasadny]

Rejex - twice a season
Detail interior and exterior - once a season
Vinylex on all vinyl parts - twice a season
More Shine on the tires - several times a season

"Season" is April-November, car is stored during the Winter

[Targa Me]

My P-car is a daily driver so I polish and wax once a month because my car is subject to all the elements.
I don't get "detail work" done by anyone... no one touches the car but me.
For the interior and dash I use Connoly Hide Care.
External rubber and Targa top, I use Meguiar's but I'm sure there's something better than that to use.
For the paint I use Zymol polish and wax.
I use the Zymol polish for the Fuch's.

[porschenut]

Everything you could ever want to know is right here -> http://www.autopia.org/

You can spend many hours just reading all the detailing articles before you even get to the forum.

[Por_sha911]

There are many posts on detailing paint, interior, leather, and vinyl. You may want to do a search. I suggest that you call Larry at Car Care Specialties (877) 796-8300
(Car Care Specialties - Quality Car Care Products ). Tell him Joe from TN sent you. He's incredibly knowledgeable, and is willing to spend a ton of time answering all your questions even before you buy anything.

[craigyirush]

What do you guys use to protect the dash from the sun and prevent cracks?

I am in So. cal and have an (uncracked!) vinyl dash on my 3.2.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by craigyirush

What do you guys use to protect the dash from the sun and prevent cracks?

I am in So. cal and have an (uncracked!) vinyl dash on my 3.2.

When it's parked outside, I use a silver windshield sunscreen. It's in a garage when I'm not driving it.

I also have a carpet mat for the dash when I'm driving a lot in the sun.

Vinyl dashes crack, leather dashes shrink, especially around the center vent.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by Targa Me

For the interior and dash I use Connoly Hide Care.
.

Don't use this on a vinyl dash.

[R K T]

Don't use Zymol either!

[m110]

For the dash I carry a bottle of premoistened Vinylex wipes in the car for stoplight detailing, also glass and Lexol wipes. In the front I have a spray on quick detailer for the odd bird crap. My detailing regimen is intense and beyond the scope of this post. p21S for the wheels every wash.
Just call Larry at CCS and he will not lead you astray although he is not really abreast with the latest goodies in my opinion.
autopia.com should be taken with a grain of salt as these are fanatics of varying experience, budget and intended outcomes.

[Trackrash]

I use a light coat of Armorall about once a year on my vinyl dash and it is uncracked. It was new in 85. Of course I always cover my car if I park it for more than a short while outside. It is garaged otherwise.

I use mineral oil on the external rubber about once a year. My 25 yo rubber is like new.

[chuckr]

Wax once a month... Clearcoat Red Moose Glaze and Nattys Red
interior.. 303 protectant
leather.. Leatherique
rubber..Mequiars Endurance
Detailed Image - Premium Auto Detailing Supplies

[Jdub]

I am a big one for lukewarm water with a sponge and towel on a warm day after a thorough vaccuming. Light sponging of interior with emphasis on working all seat seams to pull out organic material that rots the stitching. Towel dry and put in sun to bake out all moisture. Then apply your fave finish.

Exterior is given reasonably hot water bath with mild washing liquid to remove all dirt, etc. than a clay workover to pull all particulates that didn't dissolve. After hand inspection for smoothness I apply two coats of wax. Usually in Spring, to prevent buildup of tree sap and other of that nature.

Waxing is done with all doors, etc. open to wax the hidden channels and whatnot.

[Brillo]

A dash repair guy once told me not to use any cleaner/chemicals on dashes.

[R K T]

Originally Posted by Brillo

A dash repair guy once told me not to use any cleaner/chemicals on dashes.

That's because most products like Armorall are petroleum distillates and the reaction from the sun will dry out and crack vinyl. And Never put P.D.s on leather.

[m110]

Originally Posted by R K T

That's because most products like Armorall are petroleum distillates and the reaction from the sun will dry out and crack vinyl. And Never put P.D.s on leather.

I think Vinylex is not verboten (on vinyl dashes).

[juan ruiz]

A common characteristic of the lesser cost products in the market is the unusually high content of solvents in the product. High content solvent products will give a quick shine, that is true, but this will not last, and through prolonged use of products like these will cause the surface to deteriorate

[R K T]

Originally Posted by m110

I think Vinylex is not verboten (on vinyl dashes).

True!

[R K T]

Originally Posted by juan ruiz

A common characteristic of the lesser cost products in the market is the unusually high content of solvents in the product. High content solvent products will give a quick shine, that is true, but this will not last, and through prolonged use of products like these will cause the surface to deteriorate

This should be printed on the Armorall bottle!!!!!

[Brillo]

Armorall is the worst. I DO NOT use it on anything, including tires.