2015 Subaru WRX STI - New Vehicle Prep + Coating

10secdream

10secdream

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This weekend I had the opportunity to perform a New Vehicle Prep(Vehicle was technically purchased in March so it is not new off the lot) on a 2015 Subaru WRX STI in Crystal White Pearl. The owner of this vehicle was looking for the best possible protection so we decided to coat everything (glass, paint, wheels, black exterior trim) in long lasting ceramic coating.

Process

Exterior:
Wheels: Griots Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner with various brushes
Tires: Zep Formula 505 Cleaner & Degreaser
Wheel Wells: Zep Citrus Cleaner (4:1)
Pre-wash: CG Citrus Wash & Gloss via foam cannon
Wash: CG Citrus Wash & Gloss via 2 Bucket Method
Decontamination 1: CarPro IronX Paste
Decontamination 2: Riccardo Yellow Clay
Dry: Waffle Weave Towels
Paint Thickness: Taken using Digital Coating Thickness Gauge
Paint Cleaner: DP Surface Prep Polish applied by hand
Surface Prep: CarPro Eraser
Paint Protection: CarPro Cquartz UK
Glass Protection: CarPro Flyby30
Wheel Protection: PBL Surface Coating
Tire Dressing: Optimum Optibond
Trim Dressing:PBL Surface Coating
Glass: Sonax Clear Glass via Glass Towel
Exhaust Polishing: P21s polishing soap

Before Photos:

The vehicle arrived in exceptional condition with very few blemishes. After a quick overview it looked like the bulk of the work was going to be removing all the tar specs on the wheels and paint.

















Exhaust tips looking like they needed a bit of love.



The wheels had a heavy layer of built up brake dust





Engine bay needed lots of love.





During Photos:

Started with the wheels, wheel wells and tires first. Here is Griots Heavy Duty Wheel cleaner after I first sprayed the wheel. Notice that it instantly turns purple when it reacts with iron.



Here is what the wheels looked like after a few minutes



This is what the wheels looked like after they have been agitated with various brushes.



After the wheels were clean it was time to address the tires. Notice how much brown grime comes out of the rubber. Each tire was sprayed and scrubbed at least 2 times to ensure that they were clean.



After the wheels and tires were clean it was time to foam the vehicle to help loosen the dirt.





After Photos:

Then due to some magic we skip lots of decontamination, paint prep and coating and arrive at the after photos.

































Thanks for viewing and enjoy.
 
That flake in the white is insane. I love clean white paint like that. Kia's white has some really nice flake to it as well.
 
Heisenberg said:
That flake in the white is insane. I love clean white paint like that. Kia's white has some really nice flake to it as well.
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I have to agree that this is one of the nicest white paints I have worked on. The pearl looks incredible when the sun hits it.
 
You made that beast shine, the white looks fantastic!!
 
White paintwork has became known to be boring.......thought with your skills you put a whole lot of action into that white paintwork where it will be the center of attention anywhere......
Keep up the marvelous work
 
Great work with that Sub, impressive indeed! One question, what particular precautions did you take while working on the engine bay? Did you have to alter your technique in comparison to dealing with lesser modified engines? Thanks
 
Polished Detail said:
Great work with that Sub, impressive indeed! One question, what particular precautions did you take while working on the engine bay? Did you have to alter your technique in comparison to dealing with lesser modified engines? Thanks
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The engine is completely stock and I treated the engine bay just as I would any other engine pay (cover the alternator, block off sensitive components, ect.) It also helps that I own a Subaru and am very familiar with the layout and design.
 
Great work and write-up, pictures are very good as well, the job is complete, no good word can make justice to this, just understand I enjoyed a lot!

Thanks for sharing.

Kind Regards.
 
Marc08EX said:
Great work!!
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Thanks for the kind words.

Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
Fantastic work on that Subaru! That white paint explodes with vibrancy!
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Thanks. I completely agree with you.

EVOlved said:
You made that beast shine, the white looks fantastic!!
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:dblthumb2:

jamesboyy said:
White paintwork has became known to be boring.......thought with your skills you put a whole lot of action into that white paintwork where it will be the center of attention anywhere......
Keep up the marvelous work
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:xyxthumbs:

Sicoupe said:
Beautiful job!
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Thanks.

Goin Rogue said:
Awesome job!
Those cars are gorgeous and I want one SO much!
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Same here. I am secretly holding out for a hatch and the DI engine though.

Tato said:
Great work and write-up, pictures are very good as well, the job is complete, no good word can make justice to this, just understand I enjoyed a lot!

Thanks for sharing.

Kind Regards.
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Thank you kind sir.

tigerwash said:
Beautiful job! That thing looks mean!!!
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:dblthumb2:
 
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