Do not wash the car..

[93097004xx]

I was told this years ago by two air cooled guys in the know and have stuck to it. I sponge wash my car maybe once a year.

I was wondering how many adhere to this?

The thought process behind this is the seals around the windshield, rear windows and back glass often fails and allows large amounts of water to collect. As if this is not bad enough it holds the water there for what could be a large amount of time if car is parked back in the garage.

My car had surface rust at the bottom of the windshield frame and in the rear drivers side window. This was only discovered when I had a complete glass out repaint.

It was shocking because I had never washed the car (this was 10 years of ownership by that time) and the previous owner had sworn he was 1000 % against ever washing aircooled porsches.

I have to say I've seen some quite shocking rust on 993s around the seals as well. You would have thought porsche would have solved this long standing issue by the time the 993 was in production.

So does anyone here turn a garden hose of their aircooled porsche without a care?


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[rwest]

27 years of regular washing and driving in the rain- had the windshield out two years ago and zero rust.

These cars are not that fragile.

[mgar88]

IDK but this concept of never washing a car is really amusing to me. I have never heard of such a tactic in my life.

[Matt Monson]

It's not an old 240Z...

[Ayles]

I pretty much do this with my targa. Been clay barred, polished and waxed (still has terrible paint ) I know just hit it with quick detailing spray and wash the windows and it's as good as a fresh wash.

[autojack]

Sounds like a plan, just keep the car under a cover and don't ever drive it.

...

[cabmandone]

Rather than not wash the car, how about making sure your seals are in good shape?

[sugarwood]

I have not hosed or sponged my car since I've owned it. Details and video here.
Car Washing

[93097004xx]

Originally Posted by cabmando

Rather than not wash the car, how about making sure your seals are in good shape?

Seals were replace when the car was repainted that was 10 years ago and around 800 miles have been covered since.

Im sure at the age of all these cars the window seals should all be replaced.


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[dwelle]

they're just cars.

i smash many many bugs where i live.

i own car washes.

i (intelligently) wash my porsches at said car washes.

then they are clean and look pretty nice.

then i go smash more bugs.


i don't get it....

[manbridge 74]

Originally Posted by rwest

27 years of regular washing and driving in the rain- had the windshield out two years ago and zero rust.

These cars are not that fragile.

Mines a 74 complete with oh-my-doodness ungalvanized sections. I wash it and drive it in the rain. Had the rear package tray out to rust check once and nothing. A very little surface rust inside rear wheel well, easily brushed off and painted. Then undersealed.
So yeah, not too worried. It's only a car.

[93097004xx]

Originally Posted by dwelle

they're just cars.

i smash many many bugs where i live.

i own car washes.

i (intelligently) wash my porsches at said car washes.

then they are clean and look pretty nice.

then i go smash more bugs.


i don't get it....

It's not problem if your seals are in good order.

However there is thread over on the early S forum. The guy has driven his newly restored 911 S all over the pacific southwest. The restorer told him to never wash the car. Sponge wash it. Ive heard this too more than a few times..




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[ks2_motorsports]

Way back when I worked for Roger Bursch we had a client with a beautiful Light Yellow 911 tell me to add a capful of Kerosene to the water every time you washed the car... It helped preserve the paint but also the oil content helped keep rust from forming in the hidden nooks and crannies...

I adopted the advice and I don't know it it was the Kerosene or my fanatical detailing but my 74 2002tii still had the original paint (in good condition) on it when i sold it in 2001

[manbridge 74]

I like rainwater over city water for washing. Pull it out and let it soak a bit. Then a quick once over with a diluted car wash only soap. Dry it off when the rain stops.

That kerosene idea is pretty cool too.

I would also say my owners manual says to have the car inspected every year at Porsche dealer for compromised areas that could lead to rust! Sort of funny but there would be a lot less rust cases if this was followed.

[Ferraripete]

had my turbo for 14 years. she was always clean and I drove it nearly 30k miles. never had a problem from washing her.

[GH85Carrera]

I drive my 85 on long road trips almost every year. Over 80,000 miles over the years. More rain than I want to remember. I wash it with a hose and I don't have leaks. No rust.

[Trackrash]

Sponge baths and Quick Wax only for my car. Been doing it that way for over 30 years, even when it was my DD.

Once a year of so, I'll detail and wax it.

I spent 5 years de-rusting my car. Why would I take a hose to it? It isn't necessary.

You guys with the galvanized bodies, have at it.

[Canada Kev]

Originally Posted by 93097004xx

I was told this years ago by two air cooled guys in the know and have stuck to it. I sponge wash my car maybe once a year.

I was wondering how many adhere to this?

The thought process behind this is the seals around the windshield, rear windows and back glass often fails and allows large amounts of water to collect. As if this is not bad enough it holds the water there for what could be a large amount of time if car is parked back in the garage.

My car had surface rust at the bottom of the windshield frame and in the rear drivers side window. This was only discovered when I had a complete glass out repaint.

It was shocking because I had never washed the car (this was 10 years of ownership by that time) and the previous owner had sworn he was 1000 % against ever washing aircooled porsches...

...So does anyone here turn a garden hose of their aircooled porsche without a care?

I wash mine. A lot. In fact, I just bought a new hose and high volume squirter attachment thing to pour more water on the car.

It lived the first years of it's life in Switzerland where they get a fair amount of rain and snow and use salt on the roads in winter. After that it was on the west coast of Canada where they get rain. Lots of it.

I have owned this car for the last decade and while it doesn't rain here much, I do drive in the rain sometimes while averaging about 5000 miles each six months per year that I drive it. It gets bugs and muck and dust and some occasional road tar on it. I wash it to clean it off and protect its finish.

I just got a new windshield installed this morning. The opening under the rubber seal was free of rust and corrosion.

Hmmm, perhaps your idea is backwards? Sounds like you sponge bath your car and still got rust. Maybe you should wash with a hose and a bucket of soapy water to save it.


Kills bugs fast...

[RSBob]

If I had a million dollar car I might look at other options than washing, but it's only an 80s 911 and everything can be easily fixed or replaced. Just wash it and don't worry about it. If you are really concerned, like he others have said, replace your seals and sleep well at night.

[matt930s]

Silly thread.

MattR