First time detailing and Subaru paint

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SpeedDemon420

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I am new to detailing but I really want to get into it. I have a 2013 Subaru WRX in Dark Metallic Grey. I manage an automated car wash where every once in a while I have to run my car through to ensure everything is working, but due to the ill effects it has on my car I will no longer run through it. Needless to say the soft paint on the dark colored car has swirled pretty bad.

I have been doing a lot of research to what I need to get and would like to take advantage of the sale that is going on right now. From what I have been reading Wolfgang seems to be a great product and very noob friendly. Although I am very confused as to what pads I need and how many of them I will need. The Same goes for microfibers considering how many and what kind. It is all a bit overwhelming for someone who is new. I have always been scared to try detailing the paint but after watching many of the informative videos I am feeling pretty confident.

I read about this Subaru and it had a lot of great feedback.

What I would like yall to do is help critique my list. From start to finish.

This is the DA kit I was looking at getting: Is the HD version worth it?
Auto Bath
Clay kit
Wolfgang Total swirl removal
Wolfgang trim Sealant
Wolfgang Fuzion has really good reviews?

I also want to try a free sample kit. Which one would yall recommend?

Would the pads and microfibers that come with this be enough? Anyhting else I would need to get? I have a garage that I can work in.
So what do yall think. Am I going overboard? Should I start smaller? I also want to do my buddies black volvo c30. He has a couple bird dropping that have etched into his clear coat.
 
I wouldn't recommend the 6.5" pads. Would go with 5.5" pads on a 5" backing plate. The CCS are great pads and I have a lot of them, but on my soft Sti paint, I use B&S or LC hydro techs. Also I'd recommend getting some WG uber compound. It cuts really well and finishes quite nicely. Now if you want it to really shine, polish with Reflect by Car Pro. Very long work time, easy removal. Also, you can never have enough micro's.
 
i read that the uber compound is for heavy swirls?

Can anyone look at my shopping cart and tell me if I need to add anything?

Shopping cart
 
Swirl remove with orange. Finishing glaze with wht. But can u give us a picture?
 
The uber can be tuned by using a less aggressive pad, like a white or green polishing pad. The biggest benefit of the uber is that it finishes really nice. I have used it on my 07 and on my buddies 13 Grey Sti with great results. It's a lil pricey, but if you want to sample some, just shoot me a PM and I will send you a few ounces to try. Also WGTSR is a great polish, but like JKL said, pics would help a lot.
 
Updated with a pic since my link didn't work.

Also should I get ONR or Wolfgang Autobath?
 
Thanks for the help guys. I will try and go get some pictures now. Car is a bit dirty though. We just had a snow storm
 
Now sure why its not letting me edit my post. Sorry for the triple post.

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If this was my first purchase I would skip the $195 Fuzion. Although I've never used the 'hybrid' paste; I don't see the value for a beginner. Just my opinion...

All the other advice from the other members is fantastic.

I think everyone should have ONR or an alternative in their collection; such a useful type of product. Use it as clay lube as well if needed!

Edit: I also think that you would be better off skipping a 'clay kit'. But some ONR as your clay lube and buy the towels and clay separate. This is what I would do. (Unless the value is there, not sure)

You can never have enough MF towels. I don't do this for a living and I have over 100 for various uses, so you can get an idea. Good quality towels is key because this paint can mar easily.
 
subbed into this! selling my evo in about a week and going to pick up a new 2014 wrx! :p don't know color or hatch or sedan yet..
 
I do m205 on a white twice a year on mine. Seems to keep it scratch free. Yeah stay out of auto washes, our cars clear is to soft...
 
Well everything is ordered. Can't wait to get it and get my subie looking good :)
 
II have never used the GG Poisher, so I can't commit on it. If your looking for correction I would buy the Flex Polisher it has more correction ability then a Porter Cable or GG and not get the Fuzion wax. I love Wolfgang Products but for the money other waxes wil give you excellent results. As far as correction ability Urber will be better then teh Swirl Remover, like mentioned in another post used a white pad and not an orange starting out and do a spot test to see if it will give you the result you want. My personal choice would be the Flex with Meg 105 and 205 and then a good wax like Max Wax, XMT 180, DODO Juice line, unless money is not an object then the Fuzion is great stuff. I would spend my money on a really good polisher and prep work to the paint and then follow that with a less expensive wax. Trust me some of the cheaper waxes sod here on AG are as good as some of the more expensive ones. If you want a really slick finish and are set on WG go with the Sealant. Wonderful stuff. Last a ong time and a very sick finsih. Nattys wax is great also. Just my opinion.
 
I would like to chime in with my experience on Subaru paint.

Admittedly I have only done 2 of them, however both were extremely soft paint and required very little to get right.

Menzerna SF4000 and a black or crimson pad was used on a Megs equivalent type Dual Action Polisher.

Here are the links showing the level of correction achieved

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/60312-java-black-pearl-subaru-impreza-wrx-detailed-lawrence.html

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

I would strongly advise you to use the LEAST AGGRESSIVE method to get the job done, and use mutliple test spots to dial your process in.
 
Wow that is impressive Lawrence. I will be happy if I can get anywhere near that level. I will definitely do a test spot and start with the finishing polish and pad. Thank you for the links
 
I find Subaru paint to be easy (at least on 02-07) due to it being so soft. I've heard the new clear gets "tacky" when detailed, so watch out for that.
 
I was able to use Meguiars UC and UP on our '99 Outback to get amazing results on a car that was far worse than yours. The paint is so soft it doesn't take much effort. UP with a white pad may do it for you and be much cheaper.

If you want to use the Wolfgange products you might be able to go with Finishing Glaze (which is actually a polish) on a white pad, though I'm just speculating as I've never used the product.
 
Desertnate said:
I was able to use Meguiars UC and UP on our '99 Outback to get amazing results on a car that was far worse than yours. The paint is so soft it doesn't take much effort. UP with a white pad may do it for you and be much cheaper.

If you want to use the Wolfgange products you might be able to go with Finishing Glaze (which is actually a polish) on a white pad, though I'm just speculating as I've never used the product.
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This is my plan for a test spot. I got all my products yesterday but I am running into the problem that I don't have running water to wash the car. I have a garage to detail, any suggestions?
 
wrx495 said:
subbed into this! selling my evo in about a week and going to pick up a new 2014 wrx! :p don't know color or hatch or sedan yet..
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Whatever color you choose, make sure it's either silver or white.You will hate maintaining any other color on a Subaru. They seriously have the crappiest quality paint. Only thing worse that comes to mind is certain Porsche paints.
 
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