Paint Protection / Dubai

[MaxA]

We are just about to take delivery of our new cars - a mk7 Golf GTI and a 2010 Porsche 911, both in white. My colleagues are suggesting 'paint protection', so I was looking for some recommendations for the right solutions and some good places.

Second, I don't want this to turn into a detailing thread (I'm not a detailer but I do wash by hand, two bucket method and son on) but what's the best way to wash cars here in Dubai? I'm not sure I want those chaps with the trolleys in the car parks to let rip on my new cars (as opposed to the rental which seems to relish a bit of a wiping down for AED 20). I've not yet seen anyone in a villa community actually wash a car with a bucket and hose...

[After_Shock]

MaxA said:

We are just about to take delivery of our new cars - a mk7 Golf GTI and a 2010 Porsche 911, both in white. My colleagues are suggesting 'paint protection', so I was looking for some recommendations for the right solutions and some good places.

Second, I don't want this to turn into a detailing thread (I'm not a detailer but I do wash by hand, two bucket method and son on) but what's the best way to wash cars here in Dubai? I'm not sure I want those chaps with the trolleys in the car parks to let rip on my new cars (as opposed to the rental which seems to relish a bit of a wiping down for AED 20). I've not yet seen anyone in a villa community actually wash a car with a bucket and hose...

The best washing method is the one you mentioned, do it yourself and use two buckets. However in reality not many if any of us have the time for this on a weekly basis.

The Mall guys avoid at all costs, regardless what you have protecting the paint dragging a grit filled cloth across it will cause damage.

Traditional Car washes (brush types) are the next ones in line to avoid.

Is a touchless car wash I think in Marina ish area from memory that's probably the best bet for ease, alternatively a couple of the petrol stations in Dubai have decent hand wash guys, Ibn Battuta gets recommended a fair bit.

Protection wise its up to you, go the whole hog and do the paint protection film which ultimately offers the highest levels of protection but is the most expensive. Get them ceramic coated, for the really decent stuff the places offering it will charge circa 5k does make washing it easier but ultimately in this climate it will perish quicker than they claim, or just get a decent sealant/wax put on, will realistically need doing every 6-9 months but is much cheaper and does the job.

[MaxA]

Thanks for the advice, need to find that decent handwash place then. And in the meantime, I'll explore what's available in terms of a wrap for the new car.

[shirt]

the enoc on al khail road just north of hessa street are decent. they do steam cleaning then standard interior job vor about 60chips. they normally blow the car dry with an air hose then use a chamois. you could easily just ask them to forego the last part. they're very thorough and usually find all the things i have lost in the car since my last visit.

other alternative is to do it yourself. i take two buckets down in the lift then there's a cold tap in the basement for rinsing. you can buy a self contained battery powered pressure washer with tank for about 4-500 if you prefer the more direct approach.

[After_Shock]

MaxA said:

Thanks for the advice, need to find that decent handwash place then. And in the meantime, I'll explore what's available in terms of a wrap for the new car.

The clear wraps are typically applied to the most exposed areas, front bumper, wings and normally half the bonnet, some people do wheel arch areas where stone chips are prone too. This does leave the rest of the car to have some sort of protection put on.

[MaxA]

thanks guys for the tips