Pat Yanahan has for several years conducted workshops on the topic of undoing the minor ravages of time on our cars:  scratches, swirl marks and stone chips in paint, drying-out and fading of leather, hazing of plastic.  Eager to document this year's session for the club web site, your Webmaster volunteered his not-exactly-a-356 as the demonstation vehicle.  Pat, who takes an inclusive view of Porsche ownership, graciously accepted, and in short order he showed the assembled guests how easy it is, with the proper techniques and tools, to make a twenty-five-year-old paint job look as good as new.

The key to shining paint, Pat told us, is not wax but an absolutely smooth surface underneath the wax, free of swirl marks, scratches, oxidized paint and mounds left by touch-ups.  Most of his demonstration was devoted to showing us how to achieve that goal by careful application of touch-up paint and proper selection and use of mild abrasives, including 3M Imperial Hand Glaze, Blue Magic metal polish and 2000-grade sandpaper.

Pat's friend and fellow concours-preparation expert John Diwik, who was present at the workshop, has kindly provided us with a written guide to car care products.

For the occasion, Pat's luxurious and well-equipped garage was transformed into a classroom.

photo by Wally Wright

No, Pat is not sitting down.  The car behind him is on a two-post lift.

photo by Wally Wright

The secret to filling in stone chips is to apply the paint sparingly.
The tiny tool Pat is using is an E-Z Dabber.

photo by Wally Wright

Leather faded?  Just dab on a bit of Kiwi shoe dye.

photo by Eric Smith

The audience was attentive throughout Pat's presentation, but one member in particular was all ears.

photo by Wally Wright

Jim Hinde explains a fine point of tea-tray aerodynamics to Lou Natenshon.

photo by Wally Wright

After the demonstration, lunch on the lawn.

photo by Wally Wright

For a special treat during lunch, Bonnie Yanahan brought out her accordion and played for us.

photo by Wally Wright