ssmokn
05-12-2007, 05:42 PM
Earlier in the week I took delivery of a new Subaru WRX STI. I was looking for a *fun* daily driver and my two primary candidates where the Mitsu Lancer EVO MR and the Subaru WRX STI. I really think you can`t go wrong with either one but I opted for the Subaru based on personal preference. I`m in my mid 40`s (probably going through a mid life crisis -- who knows:cooleek: ) and I do get some interesting looks while I`m in the car -- especially from the 20 somethings. Must be the huge wing -- who knows.
Anyway, the dealer was wonderful and at my request they didn`t remove the protective paint plastic until I was ready to take delivery (just to inspect for any damage prior to me taking delivery) and at my request they didn`t wash the car (to avoid the dealer induced marring and swirls).
Not having them wash was a good move. The paint is probably as flawless as I`ve gotten on any new car. The color is Urban Gray Metallic.
I have a garage full of products (everything from Zaino to over the counter stuff) and after giving it some thought here is what I`ve done so far and the results are very nice indeed. I`ll see if I can get a few snapshots to share soon.
- Washed the OEM BBS wheels using some Simple Green Automtive foam followed by a mixture of water and Meguiars GC. A meguiars wheel brush, spoke brush and a microfiber cloth allowed me to get them nice and clean (in the near future I will remove the wheels, clean and clay them and then coat them with some wax and/or Klasse)
- Washed car using my autogeek foam gun with a mixture of Meguiars Gold Glass and water. Foamed the entire car and then gently wiped down with a chenille wash mitt (Costco), while hosing down with fresh water
- 2nd wash using the traditional method using Meguiars Hyper Wash and a the two bucket method using a fresh chenille wash mitt.
- Rinsed the car again and clayed the entire surface using 3M clay and water/Meguiars GC as a lube. I was amazed at how clean the car was (it was on the dealer`s lot for less than a week (from arrival at port) and the plastic was still on which I`m sure helped a lot). The clay removed the dirt line where dirt collected in the adhesive at the edges of the paint protective plastic sheeting.
- All the rinsing was done with a CR spotless water deionizer (I love this thing -- I have very hard water)
- After giving it some thought I decided to go with the Klasse twins. First I went over the entire car (including all glass) with AIO and then SG
- Next I treated all exterior rubber, seals and under hood rubber to 303 Protectant
- I treated the tires with Zaino Z16
- I let the car sit in the
- This morning I went over the car with some Duragloss AW
The results are quite nice.
During the week I plan on giving it another wash and adding a layer of P21 or Collinite 845. I want to get a nice base on as this is going to be a daily driver.
I also went over the interior which was pretty spotless (should be). The windows needed a good cleaning and I treated everything plastic or vinyl to some 303.
Nothing makes me smile like a nice clean car. Thanks to many of you for all the great tips posted here. I don`t post often but I`m here reading just about every day. - Cliff
Anyway, the dealer was wonderful and at my request they didn`t remove the protective paint plastic until I was ready to take delivery (just to inspect for any damage prior to me taking delivery) and at my request they didn`t wash the car (to avoid the dealer induced marring and swirls).
Not having them wash was a good move. The paint is probably as flawless as I`ve gotten on any new car. The color is Urban Gray Metallic.
I have a garage full of products (everything from Zaino to over the counter stuff) and after giving it some thought here is what I`ve done so far and the results are very nice indeed. I`ll see if I can get a few snapshots to share soon.
- Washed the OEM BBS wheels using some Simple Green Automtive foam followed by a mixture of water and Meguiars GC. A meguiars wheel brush, spoke brush and a microfiber cloth allowed me to get them nice and clean (in the near future I will remove the wheels, clean and clay them and then coat them with some wax and/or Klasse)
- Washed car using my autogeek foam gun with a mixture of Meguiars Gold Glass and water. Foamed the entire car and then gently wiped down with a chenille wash mitt (Costco), while hosing down with fresh water
- 2nd wash using the traditional method using Meguiars Hyper Wash and a the two bucket method using a fresh chenille wash mitt.
- Rinsed the car again and clayed the entire surface using 3M clay and water/Meguiars GC as a lube. I was amazed at how clean the car was (it was on the dealer`s lot for less than a week (from arrival at port) and the plastic was still on which I`m sure helped a lot). The clay removed the dirt line where dirt collected in the adhesive at the edges of the paint protective plastic sheeting.
- All the rinsing was done with a CR spotless water deionizer (I love this thing -- I have very hard water)
- After giving it some thought I decided to go with the Klasse twins. First I went over the entire car (including all glass) with AIO and then SG
- Next I treated all exterior rubber, seals and under hood rubber to 303 Protectant
- I treated the tires with Zaino Z16
- I let the car sit in the
- This morning I went over the car with some Duragloss AW
The results are quite nice.
During the week I plan on giving it another wash and adding a layer of P21 or Collinite 845. I want to get a nice base on as this is going to be a daily driver.
I also went over the interior which was pretty spotless (should be). The windows needed a good cleaning and I treated everything plastic or vinyl to some 303.
Nothing makes me smile like a nice clean car. Thanks to many of you for all the great tips posted here. I don`t post often but I`m here reading just about every day. - Cliff