First ever complete detail and paint correction 03 WRX

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tersplat

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So today turned out to be a snow day, and the base was closed, so I decided to put all of my new car wash products to use. I used the following products, I wanted to try to stick with one manufacturer, so here it is.

-Nanoskin green apple Bubble Bath
-Nanoskin microfiber towels
-Nanoskin autoscrub 7" towel
-Nanoskin Glide lube
-Nanoskin Formula 67 polish
-Nanoskin Microbuff yellow pads
-Nanoskin Microbuff black pads
-Nanoskin Microbuff blue pads
-Nanoskin Speed Cut compound
-Nanoskin Nanoceramic sealant
-Meguire's Water Magnet waffle weave drying towel
-Porter Cable 7424XP
-Grit Guard's for 2 bucket method
-Autozone microfiber wash mitt
-Stoners Invisible Glass
-Rain-X

I will be writing a review on everything I used when I have some time, but here are some pictures

Before:












Swirls and just general paint haze from 11 years of neglect












Scratches on hood scoop that went through the clear and into the primer in spots. I did the best I could here, but it still is far from perfect.








And After :)




















 
Cool results. Big NanoSkin fan I see. How well does their Speed Cut work compared to similar compounds you've used?
 
Great job. I love that color. I saw where the clear coat had broken down on the pre shots of the left front fender. How did you deal with that?

Fred, Fred's Mobile Auto Spa
 
Looks good. How many hours? Hope I don't get bashed for this lol, I'd like to guess between 8-12 hours :D
 
Looks good. That generation and hatchback version of WRX will always be my favorite.

It brings back good memories of watching Peta Solberg drive a sedan version in the WRC.
 
Thoughts on the micro buff pads? Their design is pretty interesting
 
CM8 6MT said:
Cool results. Big NanoSkin fan I see. How well does their Speed Cut work compared to similar compounds you've used?
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The only other compound I've used is Meguires compound, unsure of the number, with the original porter cable pad on the hood scoop, and I think I like that better.

The speed cut seemed harder to remove, but I'll have to use it again and then I'll know for sure.

HD.Detailing said:
Nice! Are those rainbow colored brembos?

Sent from my Alien ship
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lol, you noticed those. yeah, I wanted them to be different from every other set of Brembos out there.



Pureshine said:
Nice work :)
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Thanks!

freddie46 said:
Great job. I love that color. I saw where the clear coat had broken down on the pre shots of the left front fender. How did you deal with that?
Fred, Fred's Mobile Auto Spa
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Thanks! The clear coat and the paint is gone on spots on both fenders.

They are the JDM STI fenders, and they wrapped them in cardboard when they shipped them, and it destroyed the paint on them, I put some clear coat on them for the time being until I put my new set on.

smack said:
Looking good! Like the stance.

What which tires are you running?
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Thanks, I've worked hard to get it right where I wanted it. I'm running Bridgeston Potenza RE960AS Pole Position 245/40/18's

hernandez.art13 said:
Looks good. How many hours? Hope I don't get bashed for this lol, I'd like to guess between 8-12 hours :D
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Thanks! I think right about 8ish hours not including breaks. about 10 total.

Desertnate said:
Looks good. That generation and hatchback version of WRX will always be my favorite.

It brings back good memories of watching Peta Solberg drive a sedan version in the WRC.
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Thanks! I really like them. WRX drivers have more skills and less fear than I could ever dream of. much respect to them.

J504 said:
Thoughts on the micro buff pads? Their design is pretty interesting
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The fact that they can be taken apart and thrown in the washer is great, I will be washing mine tonight.

They do seem to get gummed up pretty easily though, but I may have been using too much polish/ compound at too high of speeds, so please don;t let me deter you from them.

Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Not good job but GREAT JOB for your first time!

Love the color and always loved the hood scoops on these Subarus....



:dblthumb2:
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Thanks Mike, It is far from perfect, but it is a far cry from where it was. I'll do more this summer with it.

I like the hood scoops too, sets them apart from every other car on the road, I think I like the 04-05 STI ones more though.
 
Again, Thanks. Temp outside was about 15F or so, and inside was about 60-65F-ish I did this all inside the garage.
 
Finally got around to taking a couple pictures outside.





And the new fenders to replace the ones that were missing paint.



On a side note, here's a better pic of one of the brake calipers.

 
Durability update. After one month, the sealant is still holding up perfect. this was when I came from work and saw the beading. When I got home, the car was completely dry. 3 miles, max speed 40mph.

 
Looks awesome! I love that gen of WRX hatchbacks - especially in that colour. Buying one for myself as my next DD. Great turnaround, and those callipers are sure different. Not sure how I feel about them though.
 
Amazing work, and that beading shot is something to stare at for sure
 
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