Bringing back my WRX

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rossco

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I have a 2010 Subaru WRX in Obsidian Black Pearl, to describe it may be a deep black with metallic blue flakes. I have owned the car for 3 years now and am slowly getting it to the point of show worthy. I have been polishing and waxing the car since taking ownership but am wanting to achieve a true show shine as I do participate in various car shows.

What I'm using currently includes Mothers clay bar, Mothers Pure Brazillian Carnauba wax and Meguires Ultimate Compound with a Simonize 8" Orbital polisher. Turtle Wax Ice Premium Care car wash with a wash brush when I wash and Mothers Quick Detailer.

Time is not an issue for me, so a 2 step polish followed by a wax would be almost therapeutic after a long week. I currently live on a dirt road but the car is garage stored and washed almost weekly. I have been noticing swirls in the paint on sunny days after washing the car and on car show days even after a wash, clay bar, wash, polish, wax process before a show.

I was wondering if there were any products anyone would be able to steer me towards or recommend for the result and paint colour of my car.

When I get the chance I will try and get some shots up of the swirls.

Anyone with experience in Subaru's thin paint and restoring it back to show and shine quality?
 
Welcome to autogeek....as for your question I would do a one step with a product like Menzerna Power Finish (PF 2500) with either a green or white pad(do a test spot first (after taking paint thickness readings if possible)) this should get rid of most if not all defects also look into a paint coating like opti coat this will make the paint a little thicker while giving it a steel like barrier against elements and such
 
I've done a bunch of black subies..Meg's 105 and or 205 is sufficient with orange and white pads. Black subarus are very hard to keep swirl free.
Here's the last one I did..50/50 fender shot. This one needed compounded as well as polished. Pretty typical of black subies.



This one I used 105 with orange pad one flex and 205 with white and menzerna power lock for lsp.
 
If you can invest in better machine and pads. It will make a huge difference. I agree with jamesboyy, a permanent coating is great paint protection especially if you live on a dirt road.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. What would be a good machine to start with for a reasonable price? Going to try and put an order together soon and get this process started on one of the free weekends I have coming up.
 
I have the griots garage da polisher using 6.5 inch pads. Works great for me. I've used it on many cars now without a hiccup and with the correct pad choices and products cars turn out beautiful.
 
At this point I'm looking at the porter cable 7424xp and CCS pad kit. Just reading on which pads would be good for my application.
 
rossco said:
At this point I'm looking at the porter cable 7424xp and CCS pad kit. Just reading on which pads would be good for my application.
Click to expand...

Lake Country 5 1/2" flat pads. Get a bunch of orange and white and you will be set.
 
To follow up with wrb_subie, I've done a few black WRX's and STi's myself. As he said its hard to keep scratch free cause its so soft, so don't go crazy on it. As he said 105 and 205 should be fine. Also the Advanced Auto parts here sell Griots Garage stuff, so you can see how much a GG 6" orbital is there if your impatient like me lol and some Wal-Marts and even AutoZones sell 105/205.
 
I have done a few Subarus, 2 in the particular color you refer to.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/77211-another-obsidian-black-subaru-sti-detailed-lawrence.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/67270-obsidian-black-subaru-impreza-sti-detailed-lawrence.html

I found the paint to be very soft and sticky, but needed nothing more than a Meguiars equivalent DA, Menzerna SF4000 and a LC Crimson pad.

My advice is to perform some test spots using your LEAST aggressive combo of pad/product and slowly increase the cut until you are achieving the level of defect removal you desire.

Also, a decent finishing polish will be needed on the softer paint.

Good luck and let us know how it goes
 
Thanks for the help everyone!! Read up on the linked threads and just have to say wow, great job guys! I'm looking forward to tackling this one now once I get the products.
 
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