Folks, I have a brand new 911, the paint work is spot on as it was detailed when i collected it by a pro. However it went into the garage recently and i have just noticed that on its return the back plastic bumper has some fine scratches on it (The garage washed it !). I want to have a go at getting these out myself as i have a G220. My question is does anyone know roughly what the average paint depth is on Porsche cars these days ? (Does the plastic have the same depth as the metal ?) I am seriously thinking about buying a Positector 200 but at the moment can't think of enough justification as i am a hobby detailer with only a couple of cars !
I recently measured the paint on a new 997 cab and it was disappointing, although well within workable limits. The whole car was between 110 and 130 microns. I didn't measure the bumpers because my Defelsco is just the lttle guy. I'll look into it for you.
OK. I just got off the phone with Rich from Poished Bliss in the UK. He said typically, on newer Porsches, the readings on the bumpers tend to be 10-20 microns less than the rest of the car, although they have seen readings as low as 65-70. Keep in mind that the bumpers are manufactured with the primer in them so they only get sprayed with base colour and clear when they come out of the mold so will will still have 30-35 microns of clear to play with. Take your time, polish slowly and keep the heat down and you'll be fine. Hope this helps.
FWIW, I have an '06 black "S" and I find the "bumpers" to be a bit "fussy" compared with the other parts of the car. Perhaps it's the "flex" agent? In any case the paint on these cars is really soft and mars easily. IMHO, if you're seeking to keep the car "defect free", you'll need medication. I use ONR, sheepskin mitt and WWMFs for drying. After a while though, spider webbing begins to show no matter how careful you are. So, I've adopted the 5 foot rule and just drive it. If it looks good from 5 feet away, I'm happy. I polish once a year and live with some minor marring the rest of the time.:thumb: Enjoy it and drive it.
Yep the bumpers are fussy ! I do tend to leave it alone when i am happy with it. It is just the OPC have washed and scratched it so i want to try and make it look better !!! The car is no garage queen and does get driven hard, just like it to be looking good :thumb:
I'm with you on the garage queen status. Below is about the max level of marring I tolerate before I polish. After about 15 months since last polishing it, my whole car is pretty much in this state. It's due for some correction now. And this is my general level of correction that's "acceptable". Just one pass here with white LC pad, 106FA via Metabo at about 1200. Something like Swisswax cleaner then Swisswax Concorso, or Glanz wax makes it about 85-90%. Above photo was just after 106FA and no LSP. It looks good and is "ok" IMHO
I agree car looks great.... Mine looked as good until the OPC touched it !!! I told them not to wash it also ! They are not swirl marks on mine they look like rub marks from a dirty cloth. I will have a go it this weekend with the G220....
I see the same 90-150 microns. a bigger range. my car 996 runs in at 138-150 I believe but my friend's car (996) showed higher but consistent all around.
Thanks for all your help guys... Had a go at it tonight with a Meguiars SoftBuff Finishing Pad and Menzerna Final Finish PO106FA looks perfect again !!!
Agreed, After 16 years of owning different Porsches this new 997 has the worst paint by far... But then they are mass produced now !
For information i did a paint depth check on the car today using a positector 200 and 600. The metal panels gave an average of about 120 microns, with the plastic giving about 40 ~ 55 microns..... Need to be careful on the plastic !!!!
:nod: yes plastic areas always require extra attention, but for the most part plastic areas are easier to correct...well some times.
