Just picked up a 2012 Cayeene Turbo with the 21" 911 Turbo II wheels for my wife. Anyone know if those wheels are OK for automated car washes? I wouldn't dream of putting my C4S with its HREs through one, is it the same deal with a Cayenne?

Thanks,

Jmac

 

Should not be an issue

 

I always hand wash my CTT using proper tools to keep her swirls free !

 

No brushes here<~~~~~~~~~

 

Never take a porsche through an automated car wash. Your pretty much just cleaning it with sandpaper.

 

Would that include "no touch" washes that just wash the exterior with pressurized water? I hand wash my car normally (two bucket method, grit guards, foamer, etc), but between washes, I use a a nearby Laser wash which has no components that touch the car.

 

Sounds like you already wash the car correctly. I never take mine through an auto wash, but a touch free should be ok. However, I doubt a touch free will do a good job getting the brake dust off the wheels.

I've found the wheels will dirty quickly with the material Porsche uses. I brush wash them every week using soft wheel brushes available on-line or at most auto parts shops. I'd never used the brushes on the paint, but the wheels are tough. However, you can use a sponge if concerned.

Bottom line, unless you have ceramics, the Cayenne wheels will need cleaning frequently. It's a manual job to do it right.

 

Ah yes the brake dust. The high pressure jets on the Laser Wash get about 50% of the dust off; I remove the remainder using hand-to-hand combat. Never considered the ceramics because the cost is so high, but the brake dust on the German imports is ridiculous.

 

What are you guys complaining about. Try cleaning non-ceramic RS Spyders all the time.

 

Although I use a light pressure wash at times at the house i feel it removes the wax protection layer. I wax regularly but never brush wash.
I had a laser high pressure wash use such high pressure once it removed the paint from the lower part of an old land cruiser; just be careful....

 

The first time I washed our Cayenne, brake dust was literally baked onto the wheel. I think it was the tire dressing dealer put on during delivery prep. Took me hours to get them off by hand.

Later I did some reading and found "Sonax Total Effect Wheel cleaner" in the detailer's sub-forum as a product highly recommended for this task. It ain't cheap, but I plan to give it a try during next car wash, and then coat the wheel with Armorall wheel protectant which was also recommended.

I just hate seeing dirty wheels...

 

I do not envy you there, I think the Turbo II wheels are a hassle and those are fairly open.

 

It should usually be ok with its one of the ones that you just drive in and park your car. But if it's the ones that roll with the car, that'll depend on the car wash system, they're all different. But I'd be careful to check if I were you cuz those are some gorgeous wheels.

 

i have had a Jet Black Metallic Cayenne for 10 weeks now.

I bring it to a touchless car wash every 1-2 weeks..no problem..looks great after. NO OBVIOUS NEW SWIRLS. I talked to a professional cleaner and he said touchless wont wear down the clear coat , but would remove waxes.

only hand washed once after the touchless was not great..and only had to do a quick hand wash with soap lightly in 10min.

never even had to hand wash the turbo II wheels ONCE!!!!! the darker color of the insides of the wheels hide the brake dust...thats such a bonus!

gonna continue the same routine as it is quick and produces minimal to no swirls so far and looks great.

Note: i used to have a black sedan and only hand washed ever for 9 years...so ive done it..but swirls will eventually accumulate.

 

I also have 2012 Cayenne S (although in Meteor Grey) with 21 Turbo II wheels. Here in the Northland we have little choice during our nasty winters. Unlike my Carrera cab, I bought this Porsche to run all winter and look good doing it. So I put on a great coat of sealant and run it thru the wash every week, being carful to do a quick-wax after each wash. After 6 months it looks like new; time will tell....