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Old 06-30-2003, 01:20 AM   #1
d3wu
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 5892
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle:
2004 Impreza WRX STi
Java Black Pearl

Question cleaning the STi

sorry if there has been information on this already...i searched and couldn't really find anything...

i don't wash my car myself often but plan on doing it. any recommendations on what i need to buy and what brand? also how are you guys cleanin your stock wheels. mine are already so dirty!

thanks

dennis
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Old 06-30-2003, 01:58 AM   #2
ldivinag
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Member#: 13533
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: N37 39* W122 3*
Vehicle:
04 sti
black???

Default

hee hee...

we JBP owners will have a heckuva time keep them clean.

i figured handwashing it without any brushes. sponges only will prevent swirls.

tons of wax.

rims will wash off mostly. will take scrubbing in small places to get rid of brake dust.

did i mention wax?
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Old 06-30-2003, 06:13 AM   #3
hokiewrx
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Member#: 18505
Join Date: May 2002
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Vehicle:
2004 STi
PSM

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My suggestion is the following:

1) Buy a bucket, either Meguiar's <sp> Gold Class or Deep Crystal (neither have wax in the soap which is a great thing), a lamb handmitt, a wheel brush, and a synthetic shammy such as the absorber (in the plastic tube). I also use a squigee to get standing water off flat parts like the roof and windows, but that's up to you. Those items will get you through the basic wash, do not cheap out on materials. The cheaper the material the less time it will last and the more you risk scratching the paint.

As for other care, I frequently find myself using Meguiar's Gold Class vinyl cleaner on the dash and door panel, Mother's back to black on any black plastic, Meguiar's quick detailers on any spots you need to touch up on the exterior, and a chrome polish for the exhaust tip.

HTH.
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Old 06-30-2003, 06:44 AM   #4
STi&LT1
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Member#: 36645
Join Date: May 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Boston, MA
Default

Go to www.zainobros.com I have been using there stuff for years. It is by far the best stuff out there.
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Old 06-30-2003, 07:27 AM   #5
SilverBoosted
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Member#: 7764
Join Date: Jun 2001
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: State of Confusion
Vehicle:
16 Jeep Renegade
Its Trailrated Yo

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You really cant go wrong with any of the meguiers stuff..... If your really going to get into cleaning you may want to check out www.groitsgarage.com expensive as hell but well worth the money......
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Old 06-30-2003, 08:17 AM   #6
kalex
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Member#: 2070
Join Date: Aug 2000
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: LI, NY
Vehicle:
2012 Audi S5
Brilliant black

Default

Here is another one.....http://www.autopia-carcare.com/
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Old 06-30-2003, 08:42 AM   #7
wrx what
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Northern VA
Vehicle:
2008 WRX STi
Aspen White

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Meguiars!!
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Old 06-30-2003, 09:15 AM   #8
catass
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Member#: 31976
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Vehicle:
2004 WRX STi
World Rally Blue

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how do you dry your car?

i tried chamoise, but it was hard to bring it across the surface and left water spots anyway.
i tried to just air dry it at about 60 mph, but that left water spots.
i tried terry cloth towels, and that actually didn't leave water spots, BUT it left towel lint all over.

someone told me to try the "absorber" which I have yet to buy.

- michelle
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Old 06-30-2003, 09:17 AM   #9
fastwrx
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Member#: 7398
Join Date: Jun 2001
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Palm Beach County, Florida
Vehicle:
2004 2004 WRX-STi

Default Griot's Garage fan

I have been using nothing but Griot's Garage products since I got my first WRX. Same goes for my STi. Their stuff isn't cheap, but it goes a long way, so I don't think costs any more in the long run.

I got their random orbital buffer. Once you've waxed with that, there ain't no going back!!

Griot's Garage: www.griotsgarage.com

Mike
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Old 06-30-2003, 09:54 AM   #10
1st Scooby
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Member#: 36395
Join Date: May 2003
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Macomb Township, Michigan
Vehicle:
2007 STI Ltd 159/800
"Urban Grey Metallic"

Default

Get yourself an "Absorber"! It is by far the best thing ever made to dry a car with. I love it. I was unsure about it when I bought it. I will never use anything else...except a leaf blower!!!. They are only $8.47 at Wal-Mart. They are super absorbant. Very highly recommended.

Just my $.02

Jim
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Old 06-30-2003, 11:06 AM   #11
euroauto
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Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: park city ut
Vehicle:
05 FXT psm
12 R350

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Quote:
I will never use anything else...except a leaf blower!!!.
I thought I was the only one to do this! Works great on my Denali XL, that's a lot of paint to dry
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Old 06-30-2003, 11:29 AM   #12
Mr. Grinch
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Member#: 34416
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Vehicle:
2002 BMW M3
Alpine White

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Washing: I've always used simple green pre-soak and then power-washer. I used a soft bristle brush if I needed too (like on the wheels).

Drying: I used the California Waterblade. Takes a little practice but it's a fast way to get the car dry and spot-free. I follow up with a cotton towel.

I've heard other guys on the M3 and M5 forums rave about using 200mph+ leaf blowers. Seems to do the trick for them.

What department does Walmart sell the "Absorber" ? Automotive cleaning products area? I'd like to get one.
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Old 06-30-2003, 11:46 AM   #13
'04 STi
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Location: Rochester, NY USA
Default

If you think the Absorber is good, try one of these. It works way better.


Bill
Former Absorber user
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Old 06-30-2003, 03:26 PM   #14
R Diamond
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Member#: 58
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA
Vehicle:
04 STi (blue/gold)
98 2.5RS Turbo (sold)

Default

I've been studying Autopia for a while, and one of the most favored options is Waffle-weave microfiber:
http://www.pakshak.com/Towel%20pics.html

In combination with a leaf blower, you can get the car dry with no spots without wringing out the towel. My towel arrives in a day or two.

Another favorite is the DF Concours towel:
http://www.dftowel.com
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Old 06-30-2003, 03:47 PM   #15
dlowman
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Member#: 22998
Join Date: Aug 2002
Vehicle:
2004 WRX STi
GT35R 572 whp 93/meth

Default

I just took off all 4 of my wheels and cleaned and waxed them. What a pain in the ass that was lol. I am hoping that by waxing them they will stay cleaner.
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Old 06-30-2003, 09:00 PM   #16
BlackWRX
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Member#: 17208
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: VA
Vehicle:
2004 Porsche 996 TT
BLACK

Default one word---zymol

One word: Zymol........their wax is incredible...I used to put it on my black wrx before i got the sti and the car looked brand new.....there is NO wax that can hold a candle to that........i'm talking the $40 zymol....not that "cleaner" stuff you might see in a bottle.......
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Old 06-30-2003, 10:38 PM   #17
fastwrx
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Member#: 7398
Join Date: Jun 2001
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Palm Beach County, Florida
Vehicle:
2004 2004 WRX-STi

Default

I thought the Absorber was good... Until I got a microfiber towel from Griot's Garage. It appears they are available elsewhere as referenced above. The microfiber towel is incredible. I can dry the entire car without stopping to wring it out. The Absorber always leaves a thin film of water behind. The microfiber towel almost magically lifts every speck of water off the car.

Mike
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Old 07-02-2003, 10:18 PM   #18
Team22B
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Member#: 37586
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Auburn Hills, MI
Vehicle:
2004 Impreza WRX
Aspen White

Default Car Wash / Wax Stuff

Here's what I use, all easy to use stuff combined with high quality stuff:

Wheel Cleaning: Griot's Garage wheel cleaner -- gentle, yet cleans like nothing else. (They advertise it is approved by BBS.)

Car Washing: I use Zymol car wash soap--good cleaning and yet not harsh. For bug guts, etc., you can pour a little of the car wash soap directly on a wet wash cloth or the wash mitt and rub it off locally.

I use good quality all cotton towels (Griot's Garage offers good towels). Good tip--wash towels, mitts, etc. with those Tide detergent cubes--NO fabric softener whatsoever. Air dry the wash mitt (I get mine from Griot's again). Machine dry the towels, without any dryer sheets.

Waxing: Zymol stuff is great--use the HD Cleanse first (go light on it), and then use the Japon version of the Carbon Wax. It really does a great job. I use Griot's Garage micro-fibre wax removal towels -- they do wonders to make wax removal a lot easier. (Microfibre towels can be washed like your cotton drying towels.)

Both Griot's and Zymol offer great customer service for questions, help, etc.

Enjoy!
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