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Old 08-30-2020, 05:28 PM   #1
Fishie31
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern CA
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2020 WRX STI
WR Blue

Default Keeping my forever Subie clean

So I bit the bullet last month and picked up a huge upgrade from my current car. Enter the 2020 STI .

So, I want to start washing my own car again, and apparently I wasn't doing it right forever ago. Plus with my last car I just get the cheaper $10 wash every 2 months or so. Anyhow, I am shopping for supplies with Chemical Guys and wanted to see if I missed anything there:

1. Dirt traps for the buckets
2. Wash mitts
3. Citrus wash
4. Quick detailer spray/drying aid
5. Inner clean
6. Microfiber cloths (2-3)
7. Wheel cleaners
8. Brushes
9. Spray wax?

I am just doing basic washes once every 2 weeks and perhaps a professional detail once every 6 months until I learn enough about detailing to do it myself.

Any thoughts on what I should add/remove? Thanks!
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Old 08-30-2020, 06:38 PM   #2
JP Chestnut
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Check out Larry at AmmoNYC in YouTube for some really practical techniques. Check out Matt at Obsessed Garage for maximal, often unnecessary, fussiness.
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Old 09-03-2020, 02:12 AM   #3
ProjectN64
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2013BRZSWP2022ForesterCGS

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Get a claybar to decontaminate when after a wash you still feel gritty paint,foam pads to apply waxes by hand (you'll still get very good results without a machine) get a polish with very low abrasives, I've had good luck with "meguiars ultimate polish", then you need a good sealant to protect all the hard work after a thorough detail which I'd recommend "wolfgangs sealant" very good and worth the price. As for interior I hate glossy finishes that might even leave a greasy feel, I suggest "meguiars quick interior cleaner" for dashboard,door panels, and steering wheels. Make sure you get some weathertech floor liners too I have them in both my cars and they're definitely worth. Good luck
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Old 10-03-2020, 07:31 PM   #4
DieselDorf
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Location: Traverse City, MI
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2012 Impreza Sport
Pearl White

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Since it’s your forever subie don’t forget to rust proof it so your hard work in keeping the paint clean isn’t for nothing when it starts rusting holes through the paint in 10 years.

Fluid film will slow it down significantly assuming you are somewhere they salt.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2yT69lYcEtE
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Old 10-03-2020, 11:42 PM   #5
subaru_gc8
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you can either get the ppfed or just ceramic coat it. it will make it alot easier to clean when you need to
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Old 10-05-2020, 12:58 AM   #6
Fishie31
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WR Blue

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Quote:
Originally Posted by ProjectN64 View Post
Get a claybar to decontaminate when after a wash you still feel gritty paint,foam pads to apply waxes by hand (you'll still get very good results without a machine) get a polish with very low abrasives, I've had good luck with "meguiars ultimate polish", then you need a good sealant to protect all the hard work after a thorough detail which I'd recommend "wolfgangs sealant" very good and worth the price. As for interior I hate glossy finishes that might even leave a greasy feel, I suggest "meguiars quick interior cleaner" for dashboard,door panels, and steering wheels. Make sure you get some weathertech floor liners too I have them in both my cars and they're definitely worth. Good luck
Thanks. I got Weathertech immediately after I brought the car home. I also ppf'd the entire front end since that usually has the most impact. Going to buy some stuff from Chemical Guys soon.

Thank you all for the recommendations.
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Old 10-06-2020, 08:40 AM   #7
D-rock240
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselDorf View Post
Since it's your forever subie don't forget to rust proof it so your hard work in keeping the paint clean isn't for nothing when it starts rusting holes through the paint in 10 years.

Fluid film will slow it down significantly assuming you are somewhere they salt.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2yT69lYcEtE
Good advice for the rust belt, OP is in So Cal
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Old 10-06-2020, 09:17 AM   #8
sluflyer06
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RIP - 06' WRX w/ 6spd

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Citrus wash is a stripper, I would only use that before you wax or apply any kind of ceramic, etc. For normal washes a neutral pH/something gentle or you'll strip the wax right off every time you wash it.

I'm about to try a product called "the last coat" on my 2020 STi, its a @home ceramic that get's good reviews, with about a 6 month life. Otherwise I use a touchless 1/4 mile from my house for standard washes, dry it myself with griots drying towels, and hand wash wheels and calipers frequently. After drive I'll use speed shine (quick detail spray) to remove any bugs on the front, and use your window cleaner of chocie. I like Griot's ultra premium aersol glass cleaner with their 2 sided cloth.
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Old 10-06-2020, 11:24 AM   #9
oichan
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For me, the cars I am preserving long term do not use a hose to wash. I only use waterless wash at best if not just QD after a drive on a dry day.

Even on my daily driver (WRX) unless filthy dirty with mud or salt, I do not pull out my hose and just use waterless wash. It is far easier to work with than pulling out my hose (even though I have those Rolls Royce of a hose and reel by Eley) equally less damage to paint using proper 2 bucket wash, and no risk of water or soap stains.. and keeps the inside of doors and nooks all dry.

I use the Griot's SprayOn Car Wash, but there are other products out there that work about the same. I use dedicated fluffy MT towels and follow up with a quick mist and wipe (polymer based Prima Hydro) to reinforce the polymer on the paint and glass, all seals. It goes by very fast.
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Old 10-06-2020, 12:37 PM   #10
JP Chestnut
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sluflyer06 View Post
For normal washes a neutral pH/something gentle or you'll strip the wax right off every time you wash it...

Otherwise I use a touchless 1/4 mile from my house for standard washes...
If you care about PH neutral washing, I'd skip the touchless


Quote:
Originally Posted by Internet
When operating touchless wash systems, it is especially important for equipment to use chemistry specifically developed for touch-free cleaning. Chemical solutions for touch-free cleaning can include stronger acids and alkaline chemicals as well as different surfactant chemistry to overcome the wash’s absence of friction.
https://www.carwash.com/touch-free-carwash-chemistry/
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Old 10-06-2020, 04:15 PM   #11
sluflyer06
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JP Chestnut View Post
If you care about PH neutral washing, I'd skip the touchless



https://www.carwash.com/touch-free-carwash-chemistry/
Yes, I'm actually aware touchfree uses a mix of high and low ph soaps to do what they do, unfortunately working full time and I have a toddler and a baby on the way, my time is finite. Before we had a kid I religiously hand washed my cars, ironic now that we have a house with a garage, I don't often have the time to spend 60 minutes washing the car 1+ times a week, when there is a really good touchless 1/4mile from my front door. I'm going to be trying a ceramic product soon and they claim it will hold up ok to it, probably will re-apply every 6mo.

I said what I said just so that OP knows, citrus washes are typically used to prep for wax/seal applications.
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Old 10-07-2020, 12:13 AM   #12
splash_runner
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MGM

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cost for their micro fiber towels. such a good deal and imo very high quality.
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Old 10-07-2020, 04:56 PM   #13
Aoshi1
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Aspen Silver

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Great tips, these are all good advice, especially clay bars.
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Old 10-14-2020, 09:11 PM   #14
wilmington_steve
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2016 WRX
WRB

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I just recently applied McKee's 37 daily driver ceramic coating to my WRX and my wife's Forester. It states it lasts up to 3 years and was fairly easy to apply. It took me about 5 hours to do the job by myself. I would recommend 4 additional microfiber towels. The two they provided were not enough. I would also recommend waxing it after the next wash as well. There were enough materials in the kit to do 2 vehicles.


Last edited by wilmington_steve; 10-14-2020 at 09:30 PM.
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Old 10-15-2020, 01:12 PM   #15
oichan
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17Mk7R 20Supra 20Forester

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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aoshi1 View Post
Great tips, these are all good advice, especially clay bars.
If on a lighter colored car you can get away with Mother's Clay2.0 (I think it was called). It's a synthetic clay pad. I just use distilled water as lube and clean contaminants off my white WRX (daily driver).

It's super easy to use and just rinse the tool with water after you're done, no need for gloves or anything.

On darker colors I use Griot's clay as it is super soft. Synthetic clays can marr the finish and leave ghostly holograms... If you're going to polish your car no big deal, but I like to keep my steps and process all simple. With Griot's clay you'll want to wear disposable gloves and use their SpeedShine QD as lube.
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Old 10-16-2020, 09:30 AM   #16
lisprost
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wilmington_steve View Post
I just recently applied McKee's 37 daily driver ceramic coating to my WRX and my wife's Forester. It states it lasts up to 3 years and was fairly easy to apply. It took me about 5 hours to do the job by myself. I would recommend 4 additional microfiber towels. The two they provided were not enough. I would also recommend waxing it after the next wash as well. There were enough materials in the kit to do 2 vehicles.

It looks great!
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Old 10-16-2020, 12:55 PM   #17
Fishie31
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2020 WRX STI
WR Blue

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Quote:
Originally Posted by sluflyer06 View Post
Citrus wash is a stripper, I would only use that before you wax or apply any kind of ceramic, etc. For normal washes a neutral pH/something gentle or you'll strip the wax right off every time you wash it.

I'm about to try a product called "the last coat" on my 2020 STi, its a @home ceramic that get's good reviews, with about a 6 month life. Otherwise I use a touchless 1/4 mile from my house for standard washes, dry it myself with griots drying towels, and hand wash wheels and calipers frequently. After drive I'll use speed shine (quick detail spray) to remove any bugs on the front, and use your window cleaner of chocie. I like Griot's ultra premium aersol glass cleaner with their 2 sided cloth.
Yeah, I realized that after I posted that. I think I am going to check out Adam's stuff and getting a foam gun as well.

Thanks again for all the tips and tricks y'all. Maybe if I get really good at this I can start doing my own detailing since I have more time now while working from home.
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Old 04-03-2021, 10:55 PM   #18
StrJacob
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Lucas Oil Slick Mist is a really good spray on wax, it lasts a good amount of time, and smells great! Also a good drying towel is a good investment.
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Old 04-08-2021, 03:04 PM   #19
wshawn719
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JP Chestnut View Post
Check out Larry at AmmoNYC in YouTube for some really practical techniques. Check out Matt at Obsessed Garage for maximal, often unnecessary, fussiness.
Larry is a legend and will teach you plenty
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Old 04-08-2021, 03:37 PM   #20
JP Chestnut
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wshawn719 View Post
Larry is a legend and will teach you plenty
Hey Larry!

Just kidding. His earlier videos are really invaluable for a newbie home detailer. Unfortunately, since building his shop most of his videos have been of the "look at all the awesome **** I'm working on" variety. Entertaining, but not educational.
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Old 04-12-2021, 10:46 AM   #21
lisprost
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It looks good as new.
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Old 04-16-2021, 06:32 PM   #22
David.depeau
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Try 303 aero space marine protectant for the interior. Non greasy the best interior cleaner I've used.
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Old 04-19-2021, 01:36 AM   #23
V70R
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Wow, McKee's 37 has some great reviews.

Good list you have going. One thing I'd add is to carry a small interior detailing kit with ya such as your fav spray and towels in the trunk for any "oh expletive" moments in the interior. My little kit in the hatch compartment has saved me many of times for things like this.
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Old 05-11-2021, 04:26 PM   #24
n1x1n
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wilmington_steve View Post
I just recently applied McKee's 37 daily driver ceramic coating to my WRX and my wife's Forester. It states it lasts up to 3 years and was fairly easy to apply. It took me about 5 hours to do the job by myself. I would recommend 4 additional microfiber towels. The two they provided were not enough. I would also recommend waxing it after the next wash as well. There were enough materials in the kit to do 2 vehicles.

Man that looks clean!
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Old 05-24-2021, 10:34 PM   #25
vegashelipilot
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I really like the Chemical Guys products as well. I painted a car for the first time recently and used all of their products during the "cutting and buffing" stage and got all the orange peel and swirls out.
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