I have a 2004 STi that I bought used, and it had a few paint issues. I would really like to get it repainted but at the present time, finances arent readily available. So i want to fix what I can, and ride it out until i can get the funds. Below pictures pretty much sum up the problems, and there are a few of these that are multiple, but I will only show one picture. Other than the pictured issues, the paint is surprisingly decent shape (other than it is thinner than paper). Swirls really arent bad, they are there. So the end result will be trying to remove them. I also have the 3M clear bra on the front bumper, side mirrors, headlights, halfway up the hood, and under the door handles.
Here is the car as a whole:
Pic of the spoiler defect. Previous owner said it was hit with a buffer. My best guess, the backing plate caused this, but could be wrong.
Here is a pic of the door handle(they all look about the same, no need for 4 pics):
Two of the hood scoop, nothing to repair this but repaint. Previous owner said when he taped the scoop off for a detail, paint was so thin it peeled off with painters tape...but again, who really knows, but it looks like it to me:
I am in need of a new hood, if you look at this picture in the reflection where the shadow line falls on my house, about 1/8" under there is a little white looking line, its a dent where the sunlight is reflecting...there are a couple of these on the hood. Also, you can see more peeled paint off the scoop:
Also coming new, front bumper and associated trim pieces:
Beside the reflection of my hand, there is a scratch, its not all the way down to metal, but it is white, there are about 3-4 of these throughout:
And the last real issue. a ding/chip that went to metal and has started rusting. Its the smaller one. The other is reflection:
And the last images, I tried to get some swirls, they are there, but it was hard to get them in the blue and the Point & Shoot camera. But they are there.
Question about some of the issues:
1. My plan for the swirls is Meg's 105/205 combo. Any pros/cons or recommendations? I plan on nabbing one of the Griots 3" polishers specifically for the trunk.
2. I want to get the clear bra off the headlights, will the ol' hair dryer and peel it off be sufficient or is there a better way? Also, what would be something good to clean that with after it comes off?
3. Scratches/dings: Do I treat the ones that didnt go to the paint the same as I would the one that did go to the paint? What prep do I need for the one that is rusting (obvious remove/sand the rust)? Recommended products?
4. Not an exterior, but the Alcanteraish material the seats are made of. Any recommendations on cleaning these. It appears the covers can come of, and if so, anything against a real light wash in the washing machine and a hang/air dry? I have read that steam cleaners arent the best for them. Along with this, i had a soda can that got a pin hole in it on my first pass down the drag strip, if I pull the seats out, will a steam cleaner clean out the carpets good enough?
Think this is all, if I have more, Ill just post them up in this thread. Thanks for the help/advice.
Here is the car as a whole:
Pic of the spoiler defect. Previous owner said it was hit with a buffer. My best guess, the backing plate caused this, but could be wrong.
Here is a pic of the door handle(they all look about the same, no need for 4 pics):
Two of the hood scoop, nothing to repair this but repaint. Previous owner said when he taped the scoop off for a detail, paint was so thin it peeled off with painters tape...but again, who really knows, but it looks like it to me:
I am in need of a new hood, if you look at this picture in the reflection where the shadow line falls on my house, about 1/8" under there is a little white looking line, its a dent where the sunlight is reflecting...there are a couple of these on the hood. Also, you can see more peeled paint off the scoop:
Also coming new, front bumper and associated trim pieces:
Beside the reflection of my hand, there is a scratch, its not all the way down to metal, but it is white, there are about 3-4 of these throughout:
And the last real issue. a ding/chip that went to metal and has started rusting. Its the smaller one. The other is reflection:
And the last images, I tried to get some swirls, they are there, but it was hard to get them in the blue and the Point & Shoot camera. But they are there.
Question about some of the issues:
1. My plan for the swirls is Meg's 105/205 combo. Any pros/cons or recommendations? I plan on nabbing one of the Griots 3" polishers specifically for the trunk.
2. I want to get the clear bra off the headlights, will the ol' hair dryer and peel it off be sufficient or is there a better way? Also, what would be something good to clean that with after it comes off?
3. Scratches/dings: Do I treat the ones that didnt go to the paint the same as I would the one that did go to the paint? What prep do I need for the one that is rusting (obvious remove/sand the rust)? Recommended products?
4. Not an exterior, but the Alcanteraish material the seats are made of. Any recommendations on cleaning these. It appears the covers can come of, and if so, anything against a real light wash in the washing machine and a hang/air dry? I have read that steam cleaners arent the best for them. Along with this, i had a soda can that got a pin hole in it on my first pass down the drag strip, if I pull the seats out, will a steam cleaner clean out the carpets good enough?
Think this is all, if I have more, Ill just post them up in this thread. Thanks for the help/advice.