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Post by alf on Dec 12, 2023 17:03:52 GMT
It's a lovely colour combo indeed and would suit my drive well :-) You are a total masochist choosing this time of year for your annual wash.... I debated cleaning the Alfa at the weekend, then took it out for a 50 min blat yesterday and its totally covered in cack so I'm glad I did not. That said I havw the day off tomorrow and may wash both of them and proof the hood of the Porsche, joining you in the pointless car licking club. Hopefully yours stays clean in town  |
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Post by racingteatray on Dec 13, 2023 16:15:39 GMT
It's a lovely colour combo indeed and would suit my drive well :-) You are a total masochist choosing this time of year for your annual wash.... I debated cleaning the Alfa at the weekend, then took it out for a 50 min blat yesterday and its totally covered in cack so I'm glad I did not. That said I havw the day off tomorrow and may wash both of them and proof the hood of the Porsche, joining you in the pointless car licking club. Hopefully yours stays clean in town Like I said, I needed to put the anti-fox cover back on it, and that requires the car to be clean. Can't remember if I said, but I had a bit of a nightmare with the outdoor cover that Porsche Tequipment supplies, because although it's bespoke-shaped to the Macan, it's just a thin single-layer plastic sheet with no soft inner lining, which quickly resulted in terrible scuffing marks wherever it rested against the car. I made a great fuss and eventually West London Porsche agreed to (a) refund me and (b) mop and polish the car for me to get rid of the scuff marks. I did feel that I was possibly being a bit precious but when I took it in and they put it in the special polishing bay which was lit with very unforgiving bright lights, the service manager quickly said "ah yes, that's pretty shocking". So I now have a new cover, ordered from Classic Additions, which after a PCGB discount cost more or less what Porsche refunded me for their cover. It's made from an entirely different material - a sort of stretchy neoprene similar to a wet suit. Let's see. So far it seems much more resistant to fox claws (and the dirty footprints show they've been up there already multiple times) than the multi-layer Coverzone one I had for the BMW, the outer waterproof layer of which used to eventually tear and therefore cause the cover to lose its water-proofing. Plus it has well designed straps, so it doesn't seem to be billowing in wild weather or causing any scuffs. The new cover also has the advantage of just being plain grey - the one Porsche supplied was silver with a huge Porsche badge and lettering on the bonnet, which was a bit unnecessary. |
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Post by Tim on Dec 14, 2023 8:29:32 GMT
That's pretty poor from Porsche.
I got a cover from Specialised Covers for the M5 and it has a nice soft inner lining.
The car was sat outside for a few months in all weathers and some high winds and there are no scuff marks at all anywhere on the car.
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Post by Martin on Dec 14, 2023 9:59:52 GMT
It is really poor in terms of the quality of the cover, but rectifying it properly without quibble rather than just refunding the cost of the cover is decent service and what I’d expect from Porsche.
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Post by alf on Dec 14, 2023 11:45:46 GMT
That is poor! I never know whether covers are a good idea, I googled it a lot for the Boxster and most people said don't bother - they scratch the car! I have a half cover for the cabin only, but even then it traps moisture underneath it, I tend to only use it in really frosty weather as I'm not a fan of opening doors with frameless windows when the top of the window is stuck to the car with ice and you are pulling the bottom of it away with the door. Surely sometimes the window breaks before the ice does...
Sounds like poor quality from the Porsche cover, and yes for whatever reason you can see small scratches really easily under bright artificial lighting...
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Post by Tim on Dec 14, 2023 12:12:52 GMT
The Specialised one for the M5 was about £300 but is an all weather indoors/outdoors one.
I made a very special effort on cleaning the car before the cover went on to try to avoid scratches but where I stay is exposed, surrounded by fields and windy so I was concerned about dirt getting under the cover but it seems the car remained clean.
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Post by PG on Dec 14, 2023 15:05:22 GMT
I had an all weather cover for the XFR. If you cleaned the car so you could put it on, it was such a faff to take it off (it never folded up easily back into the storage bag) than the car got used even less than it normally did. And as soon as you used the car, you could not put the cover back on as the car was no longer clean enough. In the end I just left the cover off and cleaned any bird cack off every few days.
So unless you are going to store a car for a few months and don't intend to use it, I'd not bother with a cover.
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Post by Martin on Dec 14, 2023 15:17:32 GMT
I had an all weather cover for the XFR. If you cleaned the car so you could put it on, it was such a faff to take it off (it never folded up easily back into the storage bag) than the car got used even less than it normally did. And as soon as you used the car, you could not put the cover back on as the car was no longer clean enough. In the end I just left the cover off and cleaned any bird cack off every few days. So unless you are going to store a car for a few months and don't intend to use it, I'd not bother with a cover. Or have foxes that party on your car every day……although I’d probably just move house  |
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Post by racingteatray on Dec 14, 2023 15:20:34 GMT
I agree but I haven't found any way of dissuading the ever-growing local fox population from using my car as part of their local vulpine superhighway, so it's either faff with the cover or risk deep scratches from scrabbling foxes with muddy paws and non-retractile claws.
So far this sort of neoprene-type material doesn't seem to cause condensation to form underneath.
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Post by Martin on Jun 24, 2024 14:21:19 GMT
I wouldn't got as far as saying my car licking days are over, but the Panamera is with a local 'detailer' today for a full deep clean, as I've agreed a price for a regular maintenance wash / interior clean, at least once a month. That's on the basis that I'm happy with what he does today, but I've seen his work and spoken to a neighbour who used him to get a (James era) E Class up to a great standard which is holding up very well (full paint correction + ceramic coating).
The Tesla is booked for delivery tomorrow and with him Wed/Thu for a light polish to maximise the gloss (he says Tesla paint quality is very good these days) followed by ceramic coating. I've gone for Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light topped with EXO for the bodywork plus ceramic coating for the wheels. If I'm happy with mine, will get it cleaned monthly as well.
If I get withdrawal symptoms I can still give mine a quick wash, but I just don't have the time these days and it frustrates the life out of me when the weather is nice and I've got a dirty car.....
Pictures to follow....hopefully good/shiny ones!
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Post by alf on Jun 24, 2024 15:15:05 GMT
Nice, go for it! Predictably my desire to have a clean looking car (at least for a spell of dry weather like this) and having a black car has meant a lot of car licking here since the Giuia arrived. The Porsche had not been subject to nearly as much, but Tina was away the weekend before last and I treated them both to a wash then the Porsche to a full claybar and wax, as it had been a long time. Silver looks good easily, but it had enough buildup of pollen, insects, and crud to make it worthwhile going full bore at it, and it looks amazing now!
Having someone else do it does appeal, though I do also find it decent exercise. Hand washing two cars one day, then clay barring and waxing one and quick-detailing the other the next day, is a bloody lot of calories burned, I also mowed the lawn and did tonnes of garden stuff and with only a short cycle and run that weekend was totally knackering... It's kind of satisfying "proper exercise", when I have the time. When I don't, and/or the weather is abysmal, it would be lovely if someone else did it....
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Post by Martin on Jun 24, 2024 15:33:11 GMT
You're right, it is really good exercise. Lindsay has recently bought a Peleton, I might have to buy some cycling shoes!. I may well clean a car every now and again, but because I want to do it rather than just because I want (need!) it to be clean.
Lindsay was away at the weekend so I went to Silverstone....in a dirty car....!
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Post by Martin on Jun 24, 2024 17:57:36 GMT
It’s back and looking shiny! Good job of getting into all the areas I don’t every time and even things like the boot struts have been cleaned. However, he missed some of the inside/barrel of two wheels…. I’ll include a picture of one of the new platinum lined tyres…..    |
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Post by Martin on Jun 27, 2024 14:37:26 GMT
The Tesla is back from the detailers, fully ceramic coated and looking great. Lindsay hates the dual motor badge and I don’t blame her, should have asked them to remove it but didn’t think. She’ll get used to it. I’ve managed to fit it in the garage but don’t think it will be a regular thing as Lindsay didn’t seem keen on it, especially as the mirrors need to be folded to get it in. What it does mean is a 911 will definitely fit in quite easily. I’ve only driven it about a mile and Lindsay has just down a couple of 100m from where it was dropped at the top of the road, she’s out and about tomorrow and making her first visit to the Supercharger as there’s only 20% battery and no point charging at home when she’ll be driving a free Supercharger.  |
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Post by Alex on Jun 27, 2024 18:40:46 GMT
With some good man maths you can afford the 911 with all the BIK that's being saved by having an EV....
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Post by ChrisM on Jun 27, 2024 18:59:52 GMT
It needs a trip to Norwich and a suitable photo
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Post by Martin on Jun 27, 2024 20:19:39 GMT
With some good man maths you can afford the 911 with all the BIK that's being saved by having an EV.... It’s only a saving vs a new car purchase, cheapest option would have been to keep the Golf. Never had a problem with man maths |
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Post by alf on Jun 27, 2024 21:24:15 GMT
They do look very good! Saved yourself a whole weekends hard labour there….
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Post by Martin on Jun 28, 2024 7:59:56 GMT
They do look very good! Saved yourself a whole weekends hard labour there…. Yes, we’ve plans for a couple of days out so making the most of the time saved. |
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Post by PG on Jun 28, 2024 18:15:29 GMT
All very shiny. I enjoy cleaning the cars, but never seem to get the time. So they are both pretty filthy. Although a dirty Disco Sport, with a big fuck-off tow bar on the back, can at least muster a sort of "this one works for a living" vibe.... Not the case with the Mini. That just looks sad and so much better when it is clean.
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Post by Roadrunner on Jun 29, 2024 9:14:21 GMT
All very shiny. I enjoy cleaning the cars, but never seem to get the time. So they are both pretty filthy. Although a dirty Disco Sport, with a big fuck-off tow bar on the back, can at least muster a sort of "this one works for a living" vibe.... Not the case with the Mini. That just looks sad and so much better when it is clean. Similar for me. They sometimes have a quick do, but I rarely have the time to give them some proper love. The Mini is going for a service and MOT today, so that will come back looking like it belongs to someone |
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Post by Martin on Jun 29, 2024 13:24:28 GMT
Hat trick! Took the Golf to the local scratch and swirl…although that’s not fair actually, they aren’t the closet place but were recommended by my neighbour who takes his Range Rover and Vantage there most weeks. They did a reasonable job (outside only) and it only cost £12, I just had to quickly go over a couple of areas with quick detailer. It needed to be clean for pictures to get it listed on Motorway. There’s a layer of dust and pollen on it now, but still pretty shiny.  |
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Post by Tim on Jul 1, 2024 7:42:46 GMT
That looks lovely.
Does yours have the big sunroof?
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Post by Martin on Jul 1, 2024 8:43:15 GMT
That looks lovely. Does yours have the big sunroof? No, it would have tipped us over £40k making it a very expensive option. It would have been nice to have, but there are a lot of horror stories about leaks and cracks. |
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Post by Tim on Jul 1, 2024 8:56:36 GMT
That looks lovely. Does yours have the big sunroof? No, it would have tipped us over £40k making it a very expensive option. It would have been nice to have, but there are a lot of horror stories about leaks and cracks. Yeah, one of my mates has it on his and had to get it replaced at under 10k miles! It was a big saga, possibly due to his dealer being Arnold Clark. |
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Post by bryan on Jul 10, 2024 17:06:28 GMT
Not actual polish but at least a wash! The first since I bought it I think...shame the weather stopped polish Grubby Up!
Clean Up!
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Post by Alex on Jul 12, 2024 5:44:06 GMT
That looks lovely. Does yours have the big sunroof? No, it would have tipped us over £40k making it a very expensive option. It would have been nice to have, but there are a lot of horror stories about leaks and cracks. Reminds me of the sunroof my Dad had years ago on a, then new, Montego. Back then it was a dealer fit option. In other words the car came without it and the dealer was responsible for cutting a hole in the roof with predictably negative effects on the quality of this rather expensive option. It leaked from the off and having sold the car a year later, we spotted it driving around a few months later with the roof absolutely covered with rust! |
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Post by Tim on Jul 12, 2024 7:49:33 GMT
That must've been a fairly early one then?
My E reg MG Maestro had a tilt and slide sunroof I think.
I know my G red Montego GTI definitely did.
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Post by LandieMark on Jul 12, 2024 10:15:27 GMT
We had Britax popup sunroofs fitted to our Shoguns back in the 80s. They were never an issue - presumably Mitsubishi dealers were more fastidious than BL dealers.
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Post by bryan on Jul 12, 2024 16:57:06 GMT
I had a glass dealer one in a golf but was a twist opening mechanism, driving along like you were in a Bollywood film!😂
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