It is an indisputable fact that using the proper tool makes a job go quicker and easier; it is no different when detailing a Porsche for competition or show. Previous concours articles have focused on the techniques of prepping your Porsche and have briefly touched on the tools required for the task. This article will do just the opposite by focusing on the tools which make each task of Porsche detailing a bit more efficient. The article will explain how to make some unique tools, and how to re-purpose some common household items for use in detailing.

Exterior cleaning involves a number of different processes, each requiring their own tools. As you already know, exterior cleaning starts with a good wash and dry, and a wash and dry requires a means of applying the sudsy cleaner and subsequently removing the rinse water from the vehicle’s surfaces. Although personal preference comes into play here, previous articles have suggested that the best method of applying soapy wash water to painted surfaces is with a soft cotton chenille wash pad. The pad is easier to hold than a mitt because you can quickly flip it over to employ both surfaces allowing you to cover twice as much area before re-dipping in the wash bucket. Yes, if you do not put your hand into the mitt, it can be used the same way, but then why buy the mitt in the first place?
In the November 2009 concours article we learned that microfiber wash mitts and pads may be just as effective as cotton chenille. Regardless, if you prefer the pad or a mitt, avoid using synthetic sheepskin material. This material is not microfiber and can scratch delicate painted surfaces. Similarly, avoid using a sponge since most sponges for automotive applications are synthetic, rather coarse, and can trap dirt on the sponge surface resulting in scratches.
A unique washing tool that is very helpful when doing a thorough cleaning of door jambs, trim edges and seams, and around lenses is a two-inch wide natural bristle paint brush. Wrap the metal ferrule of the paint brush with electrical tape to prevent scratches should the ferrule inadvertently bump the painted surfaces. This type of brush is also effective for cleaning the engine.
To rinse the soapy water off your Porsche, utilize a hose nozzle that, even if you have the misfortune to bump the car, will do no damage. A nozzle made of rubber or with a soft plastic bezel is preferred.
When it comes to removing rinse water from the painted surfaces, nothing beats a large soft cotton bath towel that can be draped and dragged over the surface to remove the majority of the remaining water droplets. Microfiber waffled drying towels may be used here as well. Although, it might be argued that a comparably sized microfiber drying towel will hold more water than a cotton towel, the soft cotton towels seem to wick water quicker and require fewer passes to collect all the water from the surface.
The wash and dry process is traditionally followed by the polish and wax step. This step also lends itself to some unique tools to improve on the ultimate outcome and separate the runner-ups from the concours winners. Again, previous articles have covered the choices for applicators and polish and wax removal cloths, but have only briefly touched on some of the special tools that will further improve the results. Specifically, a good set of brushes to remove any remaining polish or wax from molding, trim, and lenses is essential to ensure a quality result. Regardless of the style or shape of the brush, they all have the same fundamental requirement: they must have soft bristles, and the bristles must not break or shed.
The first style of brush that proves to be invaluable is an ordinary soft-bristle toothbrush; a child’s toothbrush is ideal. The brush is even more effective and comfortable to hold if you gently warm the plastic handle with a butane match just behind the head and bend the head back at a slight angle, as shown in the photo. This brush is perfect for removing stubborn polish and wax from the raised lettering on plastic lenses, and from the heads of exposed screws. As soft as this brush may appear, it is still capable of scratching paint and should be plied very gently around raised logos and trim attached to painted surfaces.
A safer choice of brush for cleaning around painted surfaces is a modification of a standard natural bristle paintbrush similar to the washing brush described above. However, for removing polish and wax, the bristles need to be a little less flexible. To accomplish this, cut about half the length of the bristles off using a sharp scissors. As before, cover the metal ferrule with plastic electrical tape. This brush is a great general purpose polish and wax removal tool for cleaning around all of the trim, logos, lights, keyholes, and seams.
A number of mail-order detailing vendors offer natural boar’s hair bristle brushes with plastic ferrules at an exorbitant price. Although, you would think that these brushes would be ideal for detailing, they have their shortfalls. The bristles are glued into the ferrules and tend to fall out over time or break off because they are too brittle. The bottom line is that unless you want a concours judge to find stubby whiskers growing from your Porsche trim, it is best to let the boars retain their hair a little longer.
Most automotive parts stores and discount stores sell inexpensive packaged detailing brushes. These brushes have extremely coarse nylon bristles, and are best suited for cleaning rust off your undercarriage or grease off an old engine. They should not be used on any painted surfaces!
If you are a cabriolet owner, you already know that the classic garment lint roller is an invaluable automotive tool for cleaning your soft-top. However, an inexpensive roll of duct tape, masking tape, or package sealing tape is just as effectively and a cost savings. Just wrap the tape around four fingers, sticky side out, and pat the surface to be cleaned. The tape also works well to remove lint from the black sunroof seals on the coupes. Just be aware that it will also remove a bit of the flocking each time, and should not be used too often on these seals.
Concours enthusiasts take a lot of ribbing over their use of cotton swabs (Q-Tips®). The truth is that there really are not that many places where a cotton swab is required for exterior cleaning where a good, reusable, soft brush would not do just as well. One place, however, where the cotton swab is helpful is when a solvent or cleaner needs to be applied and rubbed off to remove grease or oil such as on locks, latches, and keyholes. In these applications a special swab works even better than the traditional Q-Tips®. Precision eye makeup applicators on a plastic stick with a firm-pointed cotton tip on one end and a rounded tip on the other end actually outperform the old standard. The cotton tips are tightly woven and stand up better to wet use and light scrubbing. They are available in beauty supply stores.
As an aside, it is always easy, and quite humorous, to spot a novice Parade Concours competitor prepping his/her car the day before the big event. Scattered on the ground are dozens of bent, broken, and soiled Q-Tips, as if each was a measure of a quantum of effort expended in the cleaning process. Good thing the score sheets do not give points for the number of swabs consumed!
In addition to cosmetic cotton swabs, round wooden toothpicks can come in handy for cleaning in difficult places; they are great when a little extra scrubbing may be required. These are not recommended for cleaning painted surfaces, but are perfect for cleaning stubborn grease from screw heads on door locks and latch plates. They are also ideal for precisely applying a controlled amount of touch-up paint to a paint chip.
Moving to interior cleaning, some additional tools come in handy to make the task a little easier and more efficient. Many of the same brushes that are employed for exterior cleaning may be reused inside the vehicle. For example, the modified paintbrushes work well to dust in tight places where the traditional dust cloth will not reach, and the cosmetic cotton swabs are perfect for cleaning in vent openings.
However, there are some new applications for old favorites than are very useful for cleaning inside your Porsche. For general dusting of the dash, door panels, and seats, consider using a dry Swiffer® Duster. Their clingy synthetic material does an excellent job of lifting and holding onto dust, and they leave no lint behind. Similarly, a microfiber cloth works very well in these applications.
After you have finished using the Swiffer® Duster to dust off your dash, it can be reused one last time to dust off the messy brake dust from your wheels. This works even better if you have previously applied a coat of polymer sealant such as RejeX® to the wheels. Attach the Duster to the supplied plastic handle and you can easily reach the inside surfaces of deep wheels.
Another household product that works well for interior cleaning is the Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser®. This product is actually a mildly abrasive, ablative sponge that is used damp to remove scuffmarks from seat surrounds, on doorsills, and on door panels. It works particularly well on hard and soft plastic surfaces where solvents prove ineffective. One caution, however as stated, this product is a mild abrasive and should be tested in an inconspicuous area to ensure that it does not change the appearance of the surface texture. If you rub gently, you should not have any problems.
One area of the interior that solicits a lot of questions is how to properly clean the carpeting, especially if it involves removing stains. The best choice of product depends on the stain, but there are some tools that can ensure a better result. Most contemporary Porsches are upholstered with cut pile, synthetic carpeting which is none too thick to begin with. The last thing you want to utilize is an overly aggressive technique to remove a stain, and in the process inadvertently remove carpet fibers.
Most upholstery cleaning products suggest applying the product, gently rubbing it in, letting it sit, and then blotting up any remaining product along with the stain. Many people make the mistake of using too stiff a brush to rub the stain, and the result is a fuzzy patch of carpet that stands out from the surrounding carpet like the proverbial tall blade of grass in the lawn. The secret, once again, is to employ a soft brush that facilitates the cleaning product gaining access to the carpet fibers all the way down to the backing without damaging the carpet. One of the best choices is a facial cleansing brush. After all, if the brush is soft enough for your face, it has to be gentle enough for your Porsche carpets! These brushes are available at beauty supply stores.
For cleaning the storage areas, the best tool to start with is a good vacuum cleaner; a small hand held vacuum or shop vacuum works best. If using a floor model shop vacuum, be careful not to inadvertently pull the vacuum canister into the side of your car as you pull on the hose; many of the hoses on these vacuums are rather short.
The crevice tool attachment is your best friend when it comes to removing the flora and fauna that find their way into all the deep recesses of your storage area. To reach into the smallest and deepest crevices, insert a short length of flexible plastic tubing into the crevice tool and secure with plastic tape. The tape should hold the tubing in place and block off the crevice tool’s remaining exposed opening. This is also a great tool for vacuuming the deep folds and creases of the seats.
Various liquid cleaning products are often applied to interior and exterior surfaces in the process of removing dirt and stains, or applying a final detailer; many are best applied via a spray bottle. The problem is that not all cleaners come in spray bottles, and those that do are usually not very reliable or tend to leak, dribble, and easily tip over. The solution is to transfer the liquids into commercial spray bottles, and label them according to their contents. These bottles typically have a larger, more stable base, and a superior nozzle to facilitate better control of the spray pattern. They are also more durable than the spray nozzles supplied by the product manufacturers.  Commercial spray bottles are available in all of the home centers and at Costco.
Engine cleaning tools were discussed in the March 2009 issue of Porscheforus and will not be repeated here.
With a little ingenuity you can develop your own set of preferred cleaning and detailing tools that will make the job easier and quicker. Just look around the house and you will find all sorts of new uses for existing products. One note of caution, before you take a scissors to cut the bristles of that new paintbrush or grab a handful of makeup applicator swabs from the bathroom vanity, it is a good idea to first check with your significant other, lest your Porsche gains an overnight companion in the garage!