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08-30-2020, 05:28 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 366436
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern CA
Vehicle:2020 WRX STI WR Blue |
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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08-30-2020, 06:38 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 504432
Join Date: Jul 2019
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
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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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09-03-2020, 02:12 AM | #3 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 454737
Join Date: Sep 2016
Chapter/Region:
AKIC
Location: Eastbay, California
Vehicle:2005 STI PSM 2013BRZSWP2022ForesterCGS |
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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10-03-2020, 07:31 PM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 454773
Join Date: Sep 2016
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Traverse City, MI
Vehicle:2012 Impreza Sport Pearl White |
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 |
10-03-2020, 11:42 PM | #5 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 29292
Join Date: Nov 2002
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Orange County CA
Vehicle:2004 WRX wagon silver |
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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10-05-2020, 12:58 AM | #6 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 366436
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern CA
Vehicle:2020 WRX STI WR Blue |
Quote:
Thank you all for the recommendations. |
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10-06-2020, 08:40 AM | #7 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 284221
Join Date: May 2011
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: West of Baltimore, MD
Vehicle:2011 WRX GV SSM 2013 MacLeod |
Quote:
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10-06-2020, 09:17 AM | #8 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 111641
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: St. Louis, MO
Vehicle:2020 CWP STi RIP - 06' WRX w/ 6spd |
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. |
10-06-2020, 11:24 AM | #9 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 492327
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: A car lounge in the midwest
Vehicle:19 WRX 16 STI 17Mk7R 20Supra 20Forester |
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. |
10-06-2020, 12:37 PM | #10 | ||
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 504432
Join Date: Jul 2019
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
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Quote:
Quote:
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10-06-2020, 04:15 PM | #11 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 111641
Join Date: Apr 2006
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: St. Louis, MO
Vehicle:2020 CWP STi RIP - 06' WRX w/ 6spd |
Quote:
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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10-07-2020, 12:13 AM | #12 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 517952
Join Date: Aug 2020
Vehicle:2020 WRX MGM |
cost for their micro fiber towels. such a good deal and imo very high quality.
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10-07-2020, 04:56 PM | #13 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 519147
Join Date: Oct 2020
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Hades, AZ
Vehicle:2005 WRX STI Aspen Silver |
Great tips, these are all good advice, especially clay bars.
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10-14-2020, 09:11 PM | #14 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 519343
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Mooresville, IN
Vehicle:2016 WRX WRB |
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. |
10-15-2020, 01:12 PM | #15 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 492327
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: A car lounge in the midwest
Vehicle:19 WRX 16 STI 17Mk7R 20Supra 20Forester |
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. |
10-16-2020, 09:30 AM | #16 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 519328
Join Date: Oct 2020
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Nice
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10-16-2020, 12:55 PM | #17 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 366436
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern CA
Vehicle:2020 WRX STI WR Blue |
Quote:
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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04-03-2021, 10:55 PM | #18 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 523469
Join Date: Apr 2021
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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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04-08-2021, 03:04 PM | #19 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 523567
Join Date: Apr 2021
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04-08-2021, 03:37 PM | #20 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 504432
Join Date: Jul 2019
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
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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. |
04-12-2021, 10:46 AM | #21 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 519328
Join Date: Oct 2020
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It looks good as new.
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04-16-2021, 06:32 PM | #22 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 523624
Join Date: Apr 2021
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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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04-19-2021, 01:36 AM | #23 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 523781
Join Date: Apr 2021
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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. |
05-11-2021, 04:26 PM | #24 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 524240
Join Date: May 2021
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05-24-2021, 10:34 PM | #25 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 524493
Join Date: May 2021
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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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