Just got a 2013 Carerra 911 S (991) with aerokit and want to keep it clean...anyone have reccs on what products?

 

Congrats!

Pictures please

 

You are probably going to get a lot of different opinions on this thread. My 2 Cents: 2 buckets with Grit Guards in each (Rinse and Wash), Microfiber Wash Pads/Mitts, car Wash Soap, Power Washer or Good Spray Nozzel, CR Spotless Water Deionizing System, Leaf Blower (for removing as much water as possible after washing, Simple Green (I dilute with water and use as wheel cleaner. Works just as good as expensive wheel cleaners, won't harm, and will save you $$), Nice Soft Microfiber Towels (for drying, removing polish and wax), Meguiars Quick Detailer (I use when drying vehicle to lubricate Microfiber Towels. Helps with shine too), Window Cleaner (I use Costco Arisol. Even safe for tint), Tire Dressing (I use Armor All. Wipe on and buff dry for a Matt Finish), Meguiars Vinyl/Rubber Conditioner (for exterior black plastics/rubber. Has UV protection. Apply and buff dry so doesn't collect dust), Carnuba Wax (used Autoglym HD Paste Wax in The past. Ordered and trying Pinnacle Souveran Paste because I heard good things in this Forum), soft foam finishing pads for applying Wax., Lexol Leather Conditioner (I typically just vacuum and wipe down my interior with a damp microfiber. Once a year, if needed, I apply Lexol Conditioner and buff dry. Has a new rejuvenated luster, not greasy.)

I could go on and on, but I will stop here and answer more questions if you want. As you can probably tell, I'm quite Fanatical when it comes to my cars.

I like to buy in bulk. You can find the products I mentioned at Autogeek.net and Griotsgarage.com.

A couple of washing tips:
- Always wash car from top down
- don't use wash mitts on wheels or Wheel Wells
- rinse wash mitts often
- never set or drop wash mitts on ground. Can pick up tiny dirt/sand particles and scratch your finish
- wash in shade
- don't let soap dry on your car

Best of luck,

 

use two rinse buckets...1. use the soapy bucket 2. wash car section 3. rinse in bucket #1, then rinse in bucket #2.

do not scrub the car.

wash often,

 

Congratulations, pictures please!

To answer your question wash often and use two rinse buckets. I like to use sealant once per year. Hope you got the bra on the front trunk hood as you live in Jersey with the rotten roads.

 

Thanks dHill. I took your advice and ordered several of your reccs Meguairs detailer, Meguairs spray wash and wax, 2 grit buckets...for car wash, and maintaining the car I ordered Zaino 6,7,8. Leather care Zaino Z9 and Z10. Z-16 perfect tire gloss.
I got a micorfiber kit with lots of towels, micorfiber mitt, chamille mitt, applicator,Woolies to clean the ehaust and wheels. 11" and 16 "" wheel brushes to get the brake dust off.
QUESTIONS: What simple green should I get for cleaning the wheels(all purpose or original)? What blower do you recc to dry the car. What wax is good liquid or paste and how often should I wax?

FYI I have the entire front of the 991 with a clear bra(hood, front quarter panels, front apron,the guy popped out the front headlights and tucked all bras in . Did a good job. Can't tell much of a difference on my black 911.

 

Will download the pics of the 991 from my SLR camera soon

 

QUESTIONS: What simple green should I get for cleaning the wheels(all purpose or original)? What blower do you recc to dry the car. What wax is good liquid or paste and how often should I wax?

FYI I have the entire front of the 991 with a clear bra(hood, front quarter panels, front apron,the guy popped out the front headlights and tucked all bras in . Did a good job. Can't tell much of a difference on my black 911.[/QUOTE]
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Sounds like you purchased some good stuff! I love purchasing car detailing supplies. Some like to purchase office supplies, I get much more excited about detailing supplies.

Here are answers to your questions:

1) I just use the standard Simple Green (Concentrate). I buy it by the gallon at Costco and dilute it with 50 to 75 percent water. . . Depending on how dirty. Be careful with wheel brushes. They can be a bit harsh in my opinion and wheels are painted/powder coated. I have the Carrera Classic Wheels and can clean them easily with a microfiber rag. When I'm done with the body, I take a cheap (Costco) Microfiber Rag, dip it in my soapy water, and go over my wheels to clean anything the Simple Green missed. I can even get my hands through the wheels to clean the inside. I think most of the 991 Wheel options are pretty easy to clean. One last tip with the Simple Green is to put it in a pressurized pump sprayer. Give it a few pumps and it gives you a continuous spray. Faster and easier.

2) I have a Stihl, hand held Blower. I bought a commercial quality one because it blows harder, and I hope will last longer.

3) I have Clear Bra too. Wouldn't own a car without it. This stuff needs to be sealed, just like your paint. You can use wax on it or special Film Sealer. I recently purchased Xpel Film Sealer to try (I have Xpel Ultimate Film on my car). My thinking is that this stuff has been scientifically engineered specifically for paint protection film, so it should offer better protection. We'll See. I'll keep you posted. I'm going to apply it once every other month, unless it appears to need it more.

4) As far as wax is concerned, I prefer paste. I feel I get better protection, gloss, and water beading. I like to wax my car every 2 to 3 months, but it depends on how much you drive it, how much time it sits out in the elements, and how often you wash it. My car is more for fun, and isn't outside unless I'm driving it. If I used it as a daily driver, I would probably wax it once a month.

I should tell you, if you haven't figured out already. . . I'm pretty particular, maybe even have a touch of OCD. I also love to hang out in my garage, with my music on, taking care of my baby. It's my version of Therapy, even though my wife doesn't agree. . . . She thinks I spend way to much time in the garage. How can you not with a brand new 991 in it!! HAVE FUN!!

 

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Sounds like you purchased some good stuff! I love purchasing car detailing supplies. Some like to purchase office supplies, I get much more excited about detailing supplies.

Here are answers to your questions:

1) I just use the standard Simple Green (Concentrate). I buy it by the gallon at Costco and dilute it with 50 to 75 percent water. . . Depending on how dirty. Be careful with wheel brushes. They can be a bit harsh in my opinion and wheels are painted/powder coated. I have the Carrera Classic Wheels and can clean them easily with a microfiber rag. When I'm done with the body, I take a cheap (Costco) Microfiber Rag, dip it in my soapy water, and go over my wheels to clean anything the Simple Green missed. I can even get my hands through the wheels to clean the inside. I think most of the 991 Wheel options are pretty easy to clean. One last tip with the Simple Green is to put it in a pressurized pump sprayer. Give it a few pumps and it gives you a continuous spray. Faster and easier.

2) I have a Stihl, hand held Blower. I bought a commercial quality one because it blows harder, and I hope will last longer.

3) I have Clear Bra too. Wouldn't own a car without it. This stuff needs to be sealed, just like your paint. You can use wax on it or special Film Sealer. I recently purchased Xpel Film Sealer to try (I have Xpel Ultimate Film on my car). My thinking is that this stuff has been scientifically engineered specifically for paint protection film, so it should offer better protection. We'll See. I'll keep you posted. I'm going to apply it once every other month, unless it appears to need it more.

4) As far as wax is concerned, I prefer paste. I feel I get better protection, gloss, and water beading. I like to wax my car every 2 to 3 months, but it depends on how much you drive it, how much time it sits out in the elements, and how often you wash it. My car is more for fun, and isn't outside unless I'm driving it. If I used it as a daily driver, I would probably wax it once a month.

I should tell you, if you haven't figured out already. . . I'm pretty particular, maybe even have a touch of OCD. I also love to hang out in my garage, with my music on, taking care of my baby. It's my version of Therapy, even though my wife doesn't agree. . . . She thinks I spend way to much time in the garage. How can you not with a brand new 991 in it!! HAVE FUN!![/QUOTE]
DHill: Where do i get the pressureized pump sprayer you recommended to put the simple green in? Presently, my 2013 911 carrera is nice and shiny but if it gets dirty , I'll wash it and dry it. Considering my 911 is black and brand new, when do you think I will need to wax it? Also what is the diff between wax and car polish? Glaze? the stuff is a bit confusing. It is garage kept (got it 3 weeks ago and ony 250 miles thus far.

 

Here is a link where you can purchase a pressurized spray bottle (this is the one I have. I like the extension wand because it is nice for wheel wells: http://www.autogeek.net/autogeek-spr...extension.html

You need to Wax your car NOW. The primary purpose of wax is to protect your car from the elements. Shine is Secondary, although a huge part of why we do it. I Polished and Waxed my Car the first week I owned it, before I started driving it.

Polish is like paint cleaner/rejuvenator/Scratch Remover. You want to use the most mild one you can find, since your car is new with little to no paint problems, to remove any environmental contaminants and very light scratches. You can apply it by hand with a foam polish pad or Random Orbital Buffer. If your car was a little older or your paint feels rough to the touch, I would recommend using an Automotive Clay Bar on the paint before you polish it. This process really cleans the paint from environmental contaminants (aka fallout). I highly doubt you need to do this though. On a side note, I would not use Polish on your paint protection film (clear bra).

 

DHill:What polish do you recc?? What wax do you recc??.....you said was Pinnacle wax but it is expensive. Is Pinnacle worth it? What is reasonably priced good wax?

 

I like Autoglym Super Resin Polish (Can Purchase through Amazon.com). I also have Griots Garage Polish #4 (Can purchase at www.griotsgarage.com).

For Wax, you can also purchase Griot's Garage paste or liquid at www.griotsgarage.com. It is reasonably priced. I really like Autoglym High Definition Paste Wax which can be purchased at Amazon.com. I haven't tried the Pinnacle wax yet. It just got delivered on Friday, so I'll have to comment on it after I use it. It got rave reviews on this forum, so I wanted to give it a try (1 jar should last 20 applications or more). Supposedly, it gives an exceptional, deep gloss result (especially on dark colors).

If you don't want to order online, find a local automotive paint supplier. They should have good, professional grade products and advice. I'd try to stick with a pure Carnuba Wax, like Meguiars Yellow Wax.

Also, the Griotsgarage.com and Autogeek.net website have a lot of nice educational how to videos you may find helpful.

 

DHill: Do you wax first and then apply the polish? If so, what polish stuff do you use? Should I always polish after waxing my 911? How often should the wax/polish routine be done.

In the winter I'll keep my 911 hooked up to the battery charger thing. While its in the garage and not being used for driving, I have a Porsche car cover that I will place on top of the car. I'm told to take the cover off periodically, however, to avoid the moisture.

Do I need to wash and wax the 911 during the winter months even if I'm not driving the car?? Thanks...sorry for the loads of questions. Appreciate the advice!

 

adams polishes are pretty good. They also have great customer service and a forum set up to support the customers with tips and techniques.

http://www.adamsforums.com/forums/

 

No worries on the questions. I like talking about this stuff.

Polish first and wax last. Polish gets your paint ready for wax and Wax provides the final layer of protection and gloss.

Use different foam applicators for polish and wax. Paste wax often comes with a nice foam applicator. You can buy them online at Autogeek.net and Griotsgarage.com. An auto paint supply store will have hem too. You can also buy them at Auto Parts stores, however, the quality might not be that great.

Also use different microfiber towels for removing polish and wax.

If wax is tough to remove, you can always spray a little Meguiars Quick Detailer to your microfiber to make removal a little easier. I actually go over the entire car with Quick Detailer as a final step after waxing.

No need to wash or wax during the winter because you are storing in an enclosed garage and using a car cover. My only recommendation here is, if there is a significant amount of dust on the car when you remove the cover, I'd wash the car, weather permitting of course. Don't wipe the dust off or light scratching will occur and be especially noticeable on a black car.