how to wash and wax a black Carrera?

[defcon65]

OK, I did a search and there's just way too much info to sift through, including an animal abuse discussion sidebar...

My question: What does one use to wash and wax a Carrera with a few light clearcoat scratches in an otherwise excellent condition factory black finish?

I'm not interested in spending three days and $250 to get a concours finish, I just want the Cliff's Notes version.

PO used Zymol spray wax as there is a partially-used bottle of it in the hood.

Is it worthwhile to purchase a random orbital buffer or can a good waxing be done with elbow grease?

So what do I need to get and how should I do it?

Joe

[RickM]

I wouldn't use a machine to wax a car.
The wax I have used with great success is Meguires #26 Pure Yellow Carnuba. Then between waxes I use a detailing spray (Meguires Final Inspection) and a soft 100% cotton terry.

That said I've only waxed my car once in years. Since it is far from a daily driver I wash and use the detail spray afterwards and before each outing. I also use the California duster for light tough-ups.

BTW, just as important as waxing is washing. Always rise the dust/dirt off first, never wash in direct sunlight and try to use a mild soap with sheeting action. A California squeegie and soft 100% cotton towels help as well. Be gentle with the paint and it'll pay off.

[curlesw]

Here is a good write-up on the topic.

Wayne C.

[wcc]

Originally posted by defcon65
My question: What does one use to wash and wax a Carrera with a few light clearcoat scratches in an otherwise excellent condition factory black finish?

What year is your Carrera? Are you sure you have clearcoat scratches? How long ago was it painted?

A good way to tell if you have a clearcoat or not is when you wax your car if the rag turns the color of the car. Color is no clearcoat and no color is clearcoat.

Anyways, enough of that. I would get a bottle of 3M Imperial Hand Glaze to get rid of the fine scratches. Then (I ordered it, but haven't tried it yet) Mequire's Tech Wax. I've used their gold class and some other brands. The Gold Class always worked well for me and my Dad said this Tech Wax is even better.

What ever you do, post what you did and your results because I for one would be interested in what worked for you.

[Rick Lee]

Anyone here use Zaino Bros. for the spider web scratches? I have some, but haven't used it yet. The 993 was repainted a year ago and has been waxed once since then. I think it's time for a detailing.

[defcon65]

It's an '85 with original, almost perfect paint. I'm assuming it has a clearcoat.

[wcc]

Originally posted by defcon65
It's an '85 with original, almost perfect paint. I'm assuming it has a clearcoat.

No clearcoat. That didn't come till later. I'm not sure on what year they starting using clearcoat but you don't have it.

That 3M will work for minor scratches. Then wax. I'm going to try Meq Tech Wax. When you wax use microfiber towels. They are better than cotton ones.

I've used orbital polishers before and I like them, but only as the LAST step. I hand wipe off the wax and then go over the whole car with a microfiber bonnet on the polisher to really make it shine.

BTW my '87 930 is black....

EDIT: Wash your car with a "car wash soap", dry with a California squeege, finish drying with 100% cotton towels. Don't use a Chamois cause it can take the wax off the car.

[yellowline]

Put the wax on with your fingers. Messy, but if you pick up grit that didn't wash off, you'll feel it immediately, rather than rubbing it into the paint.

[defcon65]

Thanks, Bill - I stand corrected on the clearcoat. It is a beautiful finish and I want it to look as good as black can look without having to wax and detail it all the time. I received the Mr. Clean Auto Dry kit for Christmas and I'm hoping it will live up to some of the testimonials I've read here on Pelican. Yes, black spots easily and doesn't hide dust and lint very well but it is the coolest looking color when clean and shiny, IMHO. A black 930 - that is just t**s!

[wcc]

After you try that Mr Clean car wash thing let me know how it works for you. I see it every time I'm in the auto section but never seem to buy it. Maybe I should give it a try this year too.

You're right, black looks the best when it's clean.

[defcon65]

Hopefully this weekend it will be warm enough (and not raining) to use the Mr. Clean thing, and I'll post my own evaluation along with the pics of the car, yet unseen by the Pelican community.
This must make me some kind of pariah.

Joe

[wcc]

Yeah, how did you get away with that. Almost 200 posts and not one of your car? What's up with that? You shouldn't have let the cat out of the bag. Let's see it, NOW! Well at least when it's clean.

[PeteBrown]

Go to carcareonline.com and they have all info you need to take care of your paint. On my black '87 I use 3M Hand Glaze to take out the petina and then wax with One Grand Blitz carnuba was.

Seems to work well.

[legion]

I used to use Zymol (I've owned two black cars).

Lately, I've found, that of all things, RainX spray wax gives the best finish and lasts the longest.

[defcon65]

Well, I wanted to post pics right away but the car needed (and still does) some serious detailing. It was late October, getting cold and I was a little caught up just getting ready for winter. I know, excuses, excuses. I considered using the pics the PO posted on ebay, but that would have been too cheesy. Good things come to those who wait. In a couple months you guys will be rolling eyes at me - not ANOTHER black Carrera pic!

Joe

[sixbanger]

AAAHHHHHHH, Yes black is beautiful. This 89 carrera is my first black Porsche and I just got the rebuilt targa top back today so you know I'll be washing and waxing it this weekend. It will be in the 70's on Saturday.

[Don Plumley]

Ditto what Pete said: 2nd vote for www.carcareonline.com

(except that it is spelled "Patina"; and Patina generally means 1) a green film formed naturally on copper and bronze which is valued aesthetically for its color; or 2) a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use. Sorry. )

Oops - fixed wrong URL. Thanks!

[defcon65]

FYI carecareonline.com is a totally different site, but i figured it out. There's also carcare.com and probably a dozen others similar.
Thanks for the link.

[Tobra]

I have been told by a fellow who maintains a car for a funeral parlor that he uses cornstarch to polish those black cars. Meguires makes nice products.

[RANDY P]

try not to let the car get too dirty, rinse off frequently. If it's a driver wax it as frequently as you can. I stay away from soap if I don't need it. Just hose it down and dry with a terrycloth towel that has been fresly washed and dried without softeners.

Don't even think about using a chamois. Unless, it's washed every time to remove dirt. Highly impractical.

My 911 gets "The Wax Shop" liquid, easy as hell to apply, beautiful finish, conceals spiderwebs well.

BMW gets Meguiars NXT since it's the outdoors road warrior.

Surface prep, if needed with meguiars clay bars and 3m light swirl remover and 3M imperial glaze, then wax. My cars rarely, if ever go between washes long enough to create such problems.

rjp