Keeping it Clean

[mglobe]

I knew when I bought my midnight blue metallic 997 that it would be hard to keep clean, and I was right. It's a great color, so its worth it. I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips with regard to the water that collects in the gap below the tail lights. No matter what I do, after I wash it, I can't seem to get all of it out until I drive the car. Then I'end up with water marks on the rear bumper from the water that finally comes out.

How do you guys deal with this?

[djantlive]

Take a drive after wash! Usually moving the car will allow the water to drain out. Once car is back in parked position (in garage for example, run the towel around the edge. Leave the car to dry over night.

If you do have some water mark afterwards, just use a detail spray. Meguire has a nice one, Eagle and others work well too.

[Deanski]

Take a drive after wash! Usually moving the car will allow the water to drain out. Once car is back in parked position (in garage for example, run the towel around the edge. Leave the car to dry over night.

If you do have some water mark afterwards, just use a detail spray. Meguire has a nice one, Eagle and others work well too.

Leaf blower works for me! :D

Deanski

[ntrylvl]

I use my air compressor, then follow-up with some Meguire's Quick Detail.

Another good option is to use compressed air that comes in spray cans...the kind you buy at a computer store to clean keyboards and such.

[BennyGca]

I know what you mean... Mine's Atlas Grey Metallic.

I agree with djantlive...

I just take her around the block, maybe a 3 minute drive.

This lets all the water drain out of the tail lights, door sills, mirrors, and spoiler... Not to mention cleans off that initial rust/pad dirt from the brakes.

Then I do a once over with the sheep skin and paper towel the wheels to get the new brake crud off them.

[dstrimbu]

Then I do a once over with the sheep skin and paper towel the wheels to get the new brake crud off them.

Benny:

I put two coats of Rejex on my Sport Designs. The brake pad dust wipes off very easily. Worth a try for $15.

BTW, it works great on paint, too... <g>

-don

[BennyGca]

Thanks. I should have done that when they were new and spotless...

Next time I get her detailed, I think I'll try applying some of that.

[mglobe]

I use my air compressor, then follow-up with some Meguire's Quick Detail.

Another good option is to use compressed air that comes in spray cans...the kind you buy at a computer store to clean keyboards and such.

Compressed air and Meguires works great. Thanks for the idea.

[Porshce Nut]

I know what you mean... Mine's Atlas Grey Metallic.

I agree with djantlive...

I just take her around the block, maybe a 3 minute drive.

This lets all the water drain out of the tail lights, door sills, mirrors, and spoiler... Not to mention cleans off that initial rust/pad dirt from the brakes.

Then I do a once over with the sheep skin and paper towel the wheels to get the new brake crud off them.

What does everyone do about the rust pad crap that pukes on the wheels after each wash? This sucks and i have not figured out how to not have to clean the wheels twice. I was always told that if you drive your car before drying it you are rubbing in the road dust you collect while on the drive so I don't do that. Get one of the water blades from Beverly Hills Motering and a Supper micro fiber towel from Giroits sp? and one towel will do the entire car. But there is still the wheel problem.

Edited April 25, 2006 by Porshce Nut

[Rezz]

I also have an Atlas Gray Metallic C2S so water marks show externally easily..

I do a few things to dry the car properly.

1) I use the Mr. Clean Spot free system to rinse the car. Although you are supposed to just rinse & let the car air dry, that does not work that well so I still hand dry the car. But the benefit to using it is that if you do miss an area it wont leave a water mark

2) for the rear light I slide in the edge of the towel between the bottom of the tail light and the bumper & let it suck up the excess water.

3) for the wheels I give it a quick dry Then I move the car a couple of feet to make sure that any extra water collected on the brakes drains out. Then I dry them properly. Because of the wheel that I have on the car (Avus) water still collect in the center of the wheel. To clean that up, I just place a shop towel at the bottom of the wheel & let it soak up any excess water while I finish drying the rest of the car.

It's a bit tedious but once you get the hang of it it only adds a few extra minutes to my wash time...

[BennyGca]

I only see that liquid rust on the wheels if I don't drive the car right away... If I leave it for a few hours it's also difficult to stop the first time...

The only solutions I've found are to either touch-up the wheels after that 1st drive or take her around the block right after washing and then doing a few touch-ups. The quick drive dries the pads...

[Edgy01]

I knew when I bought my midnight blue metallic 997 that it would be hard to keep clean, and I was right. It's a great color, so its worth it. I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips with regard to the water that collects in the gap below the tail lights. No matter what I do, after I wash it, I can't seem to get all of it out until I drive the car. Then I'end up with water marks on the rear bumper from the water that finally comes out.

How do you guys deal with this?

By the newer 997.5 cars,--they redesigned the rear lights which fixed that problem.

[paragongja]

Get an Air Force Blaster. Much safer than a leaf blower and outputs filtered, clean, warm air.

http://www.bikeremporium.com/Products-Motorcycle_Dryers.html

[mglobe]

I knew when I bought my midnight blue metallic 997 that it would be hard to keep clean, and I was right. It's a great color, so its worth it. I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips with regard to the water that collects in the gap below the tail lights. No matter what I do, after I wash it, I can't seem to get all of it out until I drive the car. Then I'end up with water marks on the rear bumper from the water that finally comes out.

How do you guys deal with this?

By the newer 997.5 cars,--they redesigned the rear lights which fixed that problem.

Um, not.

I now own a 2006 S, after the 2005 got whacked by a Suburban (Suburban was totalled, 997 survived). I still have the same issue with the '06, but I've solved it by using compressed air from a can. I use it on the front turn indicators, around the side mirrors & side markers, and around the tail lights. Works like a champ.

While I'm on the cleaning thread, I've settled on using Zaino a few times a year as a sealant. I love how easy Zaino Z2 is to put on, and how long it lasts. Recently I tried out Griot's Spray on Wax as an added layer. You can apply the Spray on Wax while the car is still damp. I go over the car once with a large micro-fiber to get most of the water off, then spray the wax on as I finish drying the car. It really makes the finish pop, and requires hardly any more work than drying the car. I still use Zaino as a sealant, just put the Griots on top when I wash the car.