Driving Through the Desert

[mgar88]

Silly question, but I thought I'd pitch it to the board.

Family is spending the weekend in the desert near Joshua Tree National Park. I am itching to take the 911 out there, but I have been discouraged because, apparently, the desert sands will pit or otherwise damage my 4-month old respray.

Do the naysayers have a legitimate point? Do you think a couple of hours driving through the desert will leave me with regret and a pitted front end?

Also, and probably more importantly, the house where we are staying requires driving about 1 mile on an unpaved road and has been described as "limited access" by the guy renting the property. My car is low, but not crazy low. And I don't mind driving very slow for that last mile. Do you think this is enough of a reason to keep the ol' girl in the garage for the weekend? The rest of the family will be arriving a night before me, so I was thinking of simply asking them "so how bad is it?". I think the 911 can handle some short spots of soft sand, but maybe not hundreds of feet of "beach".

[mgar88]

Otherwise, I'm taking my practical car, the '85 380SL

Although the 911 has LSD and the SL most certainly does not and is more than happy to 1-wheel drive.

[David 23]

The area is prone to strong winds which can kick up quite a bit of sand. That can certainly damage paint and windshields. My experience from living in Palm Springs and driving my Porsche regularly through the desert is that you may find very fine sandblast type pitting on the windshield or paint if you encounter strong winds. I haven't experienced larger stone type pitting. I'm not qualified to comment on any greater susceptibility to pitting in a newer paint job.

[GothingNC]

I used to live in Eastern New Mexico and the paint on my old VW Bug was all etched up after driving through a sand storm :-(

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by GothingNC

I used to live in Eastern New Mexico and the paint on my old VW Bug was all etched up after driving through a sand storm :-(

[mgar88]

bah, thanks for the quick advice, guys. I guess I'll spare the 911 from getting an unexpected exfoliation.

[911obgyn]

High winds predicted in the high desert this weekend.

[quattrorunner]

Honestly! Drive the P-car. The paint can be polished. And I'd bet that small of a drive won't even do anything anyway. Seriously? I understand the concern but gee wiz it's a fun car, let's not make it a stressful thing guys.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Leave at O dark thirty in the morning and feel the sunrise on your visor, the winds don't pick up until the afternoon usually.

[darrin]

Originally Posted by quattrorunner

Honestly! Drive the P-car. The paint can be polished. And I'd bet that small of a drive won't even do anything anyway. Seriously? I understand the concern but gee wiz it's a fun car, let's not make it a stressful thing guys.

THIS is why I continue to put off repainting my '86 targa --

[OldSpool87]

What can be painted once can be painted again.

[yelcab1]

How is your AC?

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by quattrorunner

Honestly! Drive the P-car. The paint can be polished. And I'd bet that small of a drive won't even do anything anyway. Seriously? I understand the concern but gee wiz it's a fun car, let's not make it a stressful thing guys.

Yep. I brought home a car fresh from paint last year and live up a windy dusty canyon. Never gave the sandblasting a 2nd thought. It's just a car, not a collectible.

[jlex]

Is it clear coated? May be more protection if it is. Also, is it still outgassing? If you can still smell the new paint I'd be a bit careful with it for a while.