Fixing dealer prep *PICS*

[EBPcivicsi]

These local dealers have really been keeping me busy this year. We all know what hacks they can be and this car was given their royal treatment.



Sunday was not the best day for detailing in Memphis, temps were in the mid-twenties and there was a north wind of 25 mph. My hands were hurting by the time I finished the first wheel. The water would freeze on the car as I rinsed it, so I had to rinse, wash, rinse VERY small sections in order to get the car clean. When I finished washing I had to pull it into the garage and put heaters on the sides of the car to defrost it. Since I wasn`t sure if any "grit" had been incapsulted by the ice I spray and wiped as I dried it off(after heating the panels). This was my second detail in such conditions and I was just about ready to call it quits and start watching football......I forged ahead missing the football.



The car had horrible holograms on it and VERY severe brake dust. It also had a TON of tar down one side, I am talking caked on.



I first experimented with a few polishes on the hood before finally finding the right combination. #80 with the cyclo and orange pads was too weak, cyclo + orange pads and HT medium cut worked fine, but the product DID NOT like the cold sheet metal and removal was difficult. Out came the DACP with the cyclo and green pads.....perfect! I followed up with SSR1 with the cyclo and green pads. I sealed with NXT, topped with #16 and threw on a quick coat of optimum. The wheels got optimum as well.



Process:

Wash NXT

Clay

used 3M tar and wax remover on soiled panels

acid based wheel cleaner with EZ detail brush

Costco APC 10:1 on tires and wheel wells

DACP with cyclo and green pads

SSR1 with cyclo and green pads

NXT via finishing pad and PC

#16 by hand

Optimum polymer wax by hand



All products removed with pak shak MF



Apologize in advance for lack of good after pics, it was dark and my only hope was for pics in the garage. I think you can get an idea of what I was dealing with.



Nice prep here, eh?









After, no wax or sealant in this pick:





The brake dust produced by this brake package rivals ANY that I have seen!!

[White95Max]

That`s a beautiful car.

:up for working in those nasty weather conditions. I know how it is...I decided to stop detailing from Dec. 1st to Mar 1st. Unless someone has a heated garage or something of course.



Why three layers of wax though? (NXT, #16, Optimum)

[EBPcivicsi]

Originally posted by White95Max

That`s a beautiful car.

:up for working in those nasty weather conditions. I know how it is...I decided to stop detailing from Dec. 1st to Mar 1st. Unless someone has a heated garage or something of course.



Why three layers of wax though? (NXT, #16, Optimum)

Thanks man!!!





Owner doesn`t wax much. NXT becasue I love the look, #16 for added durability, and optimum just because it is so easy and IMO finishes a detail out quite nicely.



Does that make sense at all?

[porterror]

wow i can`t wait to trade in my Focus SVT for one of those when i graduate and get a jobby job.

[6']['9]

looks good. Is that hood functional?

[White95Max]

I`m pretty sure the hood scoop is fully functional.

[imported_hadboosttroy]

Originally posted by 6`][`9

looks good. Is that hood functional?

yep feeds right to the top mount IC.

[vdog0531]

lookin good man. those were some nasty swirls. nice work!





Vernon

[EBPcivicsi]

Originally posted by hadboosttroy

yep feeds right to the top mount IC.

Yep, it is definitely functional. I personally do not like the looks of it, but........

[TheShinyMama]

NICE SUBARU, awesome car, will post my Scooby Pics when car arrives. NICE WORK.

[mgm2003]

Holy crap! Very nice looking detail, especially in those conditions.



Did you use electric heaters in the garage? How warm was it? I`m asking because when I use Optimum, and it`s below 40-50 degrees, it tends to haze up and streak.

[imported_Axe]

YOu did an excellent job, that is superb! :xyxthumbs

[2wheelsx2]

Subaru OEM pads are notorious for dusting bad. Do the owner a favour and get them to get some Carbotech Bobcats. That seems to be the pad of choice over at NASIOC. Nice STI. I still regret that my wife preferred the Aspen white on our WRX rather than the WRB.

[holland_patrick]

I love that color I would have gotten the Baja in that color if i could Yes the Hood scoop is NOT RICE but a fuctional part of the car..



patrick

[stilez]

Joe:



Excellent work! I really feel for ya with the temps. Did ya heat up the garage?



Haven`t tried Optimum yet, but did you feel it added more pop on top of #16 and NXT?