One Very Clean GTS
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 8
From: Pennsyltucky
One Very Clean GTS
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 18,061
Likes: 10
or somewhat obsessive, it is after all just a car ! designed and built to be driven. A fine tool which becomes apparent only if it is used... But if cleaning makes him happy.... nothing wrong with that..
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,739
Likes: 276
From: Oklahoma
Very beautiful GTS. As a detail fanatic myself, I would note it's much easier to keep one looking that way than to get one looking that way. Not driving it in the rain is a big help, too. 
In addition to some of the products and methods he uses, my arsenal includes, but is not limited to:
These aren't all my secrets, a concours guy has to keep some in reserve.
In addition to some of the products and methods he uses, my arsenal includes, but is not limited to:
- small boars hair brushes
- toothpicks
- baby wipes
- lint rollers
- black shoe polish
- Cleaning along the bead trim between the front/rear caps and the body. I'll fold a baby wipe over a toothpick and drag it through the crevice between body and bead, moving frequently to a clean part of the wipe.
- The inside of the fuel filler door/hinge can be cleaned with the boars hair brush and diluted car wash/rinse. The baby wipes are also great for the fuel filler neck/boot.
- Toothpicks can also be used to clean out the recessed "PRESS" letters in the seat belt receptacles as well as dirt and grime from the keyholes.
- Lint rollers are great for passing over the carpet and floor mats right before displaying at events.
- Black shoe polish is great for re-coloring the felt trim around the sunroof
These aren't all my secrets, a concours guy has to keep some in reserve.
Administrator
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 27,525
Likes: 3,082
From: Up Nort
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 756
From: Saco, Maine/ Scarborough, Maine
I agree with Jarrod, once the car is "clean" keeping it that way is much easier. I concours my GT but drive it about 5000 miles a year also. Nothing wrong with being "****" about cleaning while still enjoying driving it.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,582
Likes: 286
From: Gibsonia, PA
I love cleaning my car too. Probably as much as driving it. BUT, I'm no where near in this guy's league. (or Bob V's for that matter!) I do enjoy reading and hearing about what some of the really compulsive guys do to their cars. It gives me plenty of ideas to try.
I have a close friend who used to own an auto and boat detail business. He's like the author of this article and gives me tips when we talk. Problem is, he isn't close enough for me to learn from him first hand. All his cars always look brand F'n new!
Another great read! Thanks
I have a close friend who used to own an auto and boat detail business. He's like the author of this article and gives me tips when we talk. Problem is, he isn't close enough for me to learn from him first hand. All his cars always look brand F'n new!
Another great read! Thanks
Administrator
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 27,525
Likes: 3,082
From: Up Nort
A new level of detailing frustration is buying a black GMC Denali XL that's in bad need of a full buffing.
I needed that rig from Mission Impossible to hang from the ceiling to do the roof.
I needed that rig from Mission Impossible to hang from the ceiling to do the roof.
Trending Topics
Chronic Tool Dropper
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 20,506
Likes: 565
From: Bend, Oregon
I'm closer to the Bob Voskian model than to the featured author's methods, but do share a bit of the cleaning obsession. The 928 has seen SoCal daily driver duty, and has averaged a bit under 5k a year under my care. Les than 2k the past couple years with the 'new' winter-capable DD in the next garage slot. I won't get into cleaning methods, but will suggest that one of the biggest killers of cars is sunlight exposure, unless it's driven on salted roads when corrosion starts to compete for that top honor. Then rain and dew/condensation to the paint and metal. So the car is ALWAYS covered while in the climate-stable garage. The SoCal DD duty included garage at home, the drive to work, and garaged storage there, covered in both garages. K doesn't complain about how cold it is outside here in the high desert of central Oregon until she walks outside, since the heavily-insulated garage/workshop is kept at 55-60º in the winter here.
Keeping the car clean is lot less work than getting a neglected car clean again. Watching threads where engines are out, it almost hurts watching the engine go back into an engine bay that hasn't been cleaned and detailed first. Someone's idea that spray undercoating is a suitable engine bay finish... ahhhk! Then on to dirty wheelwells and undercarriages, there's just no end. The current Honda Pilot DD is kept the same way, even with winter driving and red cinders on the roads here when it gets icy. Last week, K noticed that the windows on her car were still streaky a day after she used the wipers to clear ome mist in her car; I'm negligent somehow.
I'm not an addict. I can quit any time I want.
Keeping the car clean is lot less work than getting a neglected car clean again. Watching threads where engines are out, it almost hurts watching the engine go back into an engine bay that hasn't been cleaned and detailed first. Someone's idea that spray undercoating is a suitable engine bay finish... ahhhk! Then on to dirty wheelwells and undercarriages, there's just no end. The current Honda Pilot DD is kept the same way, even with winter driving and red cinders on the roads here when it gets icy. Last week, K noticed that the windows on her car were still streaky a day after she used the wipers to clear ome mist in her car; I'm negligent somehow.
I'm not an addict. I can quit any time I want.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner
Joe Kucinski
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 927
Likes: 470
From: Virginia Beach
Hey, that's my article!
I do get a bit obsessive about cleaning... only a few people can understand it.
My dad's GTS was the featured car here, and it does get driven somewhat regularly (currently at about 64,000 miles). We try to balance driving enjoyment with maintaining it as close to new as possible.
My personal 928 is in the same situation. I try to maintain it as close to new as possible, but rarely miss an opportunity to take it to a PCA event, local cars and coffee, or car show within a few hours from home.
Most of the work on older cars is initial cleaning (cleaning up after previous owners). The rest is pretty basic with perhaps a really intensive cleaning once or twice a year.
Anyhow, I hope that everyone enjoyed the article. I plan to write a few more detailing articles for flüssig, and hope that people will enjoy reading about my obsession.
I do get a bit obsessive about cleaning... only a few people can understand it.
My dad's GTS was the featured car here, and it does get driven somewhat regularly (currently at about 64,000 miles). We try to balance driving enjoyment with maintaining it as close to new as possible.
My personal 928 is in the same situation. I try to maintain it as close to new as possible, but rarely miss an opportunity to take it to a PCA event, local cars and coffee, or car show within a few hours from home.
Most of the work on older cars is initial cleaning (cleaning up after previous owners). The rest is pretty basic with perhaps a really intensive cleaning once or twice a year.
Anyhow, I hope that everyone enjoyed the article. I plan to write a few more detailing articles for flüssig, and hope that people will enjoy reading about my obsession.
Chronic Tool Dropper
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 20,506
Likes: 565
From: Bend, Oregon
I was a much more intensive clean-and-detail addict when I was single. I probably dedicate the same total effort to the cause these days, but it's spread out over three vehicles now instead of just two. Different miles on each now too. I'm also not supporting the clan of other 928 owners that Bill does.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 8
From: Pennsyltucky
Hey, that's my article!
I do get a bit obsessive about cleaning... only a few people can understand it.
My dad's GTS was the featured car here, and it does get driven somewhat regularly (currently at about 64,000 miles). We try to balance driving enjoyment with maintaining it as close to new as possible.
My personal 928 is in the same situation. I try to maintain it as close to new as possible, but rarely miss an opportunity to take it to a PCA event, local cars and coffee, or car show within a few hours from home.
Most of the work on older cars is initial cleaning (cleaning up after previous owners). The rest is pretty basic with perhaps a really intensive cleaning once or twice a year.
Anyhow, I hope that everyone enjoyed the article. I plan to write a few more detailing articles for flüssig, and hope that people will enjoy reading about my obsession.
I do get a bit obsessive about cleaning... only a few people can understand it.
My dad's GTS was the featured car here, and it does get driven somewhat regularly (currently at about 64,000 miles). We try to balance driving enjoyment with maintaining it as close to new as possible.
My personal 928 is in the same situation. I try to maintain it as close to new as possible, but rarely miss an opportunity to take it to a PCA event, local cars and coffee, or car show within a few hours from home.
Most of the work on older cars is initial cleaning (cleaning up after previous owners). The rest is pretty basic with perhaps a really intensive cleaning once or twice a year.
Anyhow, I hope that everyone enjoyed the article. I plan to write a few more detailing articles for flüssig, and hope that people will enjoy reading about my obsession.
Thank you for the article, hope you write more..
It was very well written. I was surprised i kept reading it.
I didn't find it at all boring like other people's detailing info i've read^^
LOL
Your Father is a lucky guy to have a Son like you.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 119
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Nice job with the article, Andy.
Last edited by GeorgeM; Jan 29, 2015 at 10:28 AM.
Under the Lift
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 18,648
Likes: 52
From: Buckeye, AZ