Subaru Paint - how soft?

ScottH

ScottH

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Dear Forum members,

I often see forum members describe Subaru paint on the soft side. I was curious for those who own one, or have detailed them - how soft are we talking about? Is it so soft that even with text-book technique (e.g. 2 bucket, good products etc.) that is becomes more of a hassle than enjoyment to own?

Thanks,
ScottH
 
my daily is a 2017 Outback. Its a Carbide Grey in color. I use 2bw and use a 2bm with rw in the garage thru the Michigan winter. I recently coated it as well. Overall I think the paint is very soft but if you practice good wash technique you will be fine.
 
Nah no softer imo than most toyotas and or Hondas. Look around at the ones in your area they aren't swirled out anymore than other cars.

Yes they are more sensitive and it's more visually noticeable on dark colors. But care will keep them good and just about all daily drivers need some sort of polishing periodically


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ScottH said:
Dear Forum members,

I often see forum members describe Subaru paint on the soft side. I was curious for those who own one, or have detailed them - how soft are we talking about? Is it so soft that even with text-book technique (e.g. 2 bucket, good products etc.) that is becomes more of a hassle than enjoyment to own?

Thanks,
ScottH
Click to expand...

Hi Scott. I consider myself a Subaru expert, having owned two of them (2016 WRX which I currently own; just traded in my wife's 2015 Outback). I've also worked on quite a few different Subaru models over the years.

Here's the low down...

Is all Subaru paint soft? No. You'll only find that the Subaru's manufactured in JAPAN have soft paint; those manufactured in the US (Outback, Forester, redesigned Impreza/Crosstrek) have medium-hard clear coat. Only the WRX and the BRZ are manufactured in Japan (vehicle's that are sold in the US, anyway).

Here's the exception...

METALLIC finishes, even those manufactured Japan, are much harder than their solid counterparts. My 2016 WRX is solid red and is so soft it scratches when you look at it; Andre's friend has a metallic gray WRX (same year) and its clear coat is a pleasure to work with/maintain.

Would I purchase a solid color Subaru manufactured in Japan ever again? NO!

My next vehicle will be silver metallic. :)

I hope that helps. :xyxthumbs:

Here's a link to Andre's write up from 2015. Note that he lists a "secret polish" in his list of products used. That polish was the final lab sample of McKee's 37 FAST Polish, before it was released.

2016 Subaru WRX vs BLACKFIRE Crystal Coat Paint Coating

Andre@Autogeek said:
Brand new car prep

Subject: 2016 Subaru WRX - about 700 miles on it

Paint Type: Most Subaru's have extremely soft clearcoats, but this one was actually not that bad at all.

POLISHING: The prototype polish Nick had me using was incredible. It cleaned up really nice, amazing working time, and the wipe off was the easiest I've ever had. This was a fine cut polish by the way. My favorite light polish as of right now, keep an eye out in the near future

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Im the MAN
 
Nick@McKees37 said:
Would I purchase a solid color Subaru manufactured in Japan ever again? NO!

My next vehicle will be silver metallic. :)
Click to expand...
LOL!!!!

I'm way ahead of you, bud. I've been buying silver metallic(and a few whites) for years. :props:
 
2015 Subaru Crosstrek here (made in Japan). Very Soft AND THIN! Especially the paint on the side mirrors. I wash it every two to three weeks. Spray it down with waterless wash and then 1bm with grit guard. I spray the microfiber mitt after each panel and before dunking back into the bucket. FK1000p on horizontal surfaces and Collinite 476 on side panels including the front bumper. Still looking good...

You've got to stay on top of it. If neglected, it'll show and will "age" quickly. It's a lot of work, but it's all good. The AWD on these cars are amazing.
 
I thought the Crosstrek was made in the US?


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We've had 3 outbacks -- model years all after 2010. The paint responds to detailing/abuse in all reguards just like it does on my Toyota trucks. I'm not a pro detailer, so I may not pick up on some nuances, but IMO the two are similar.
 
Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their insights - very much appreciated. I didn't know some were built in the U.S. I'll have to make a point to check that out at the dealer and a metallic paint on the premise it's harder (as mentioned above).

ScottH
 
There is a plant here in Indiana. Lafayette to be exact. They do the outback, legacy and I think some impreza models. I also know at one time they were building camrys for Toyota there too


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ScottH said:
Dear Forum members,

I often see forum members describe Subaru paint on the soft side. I was curious for those who own one, or have detailed them - how soft are we talking about? Is it so soft that even with text-book technique (e.g. 2 bucket, good products etc.) that is becomes more of a hassle than enjoyment to own?

Thanks,
ScottH
Click to expand...

A 2016 Crystal Black Silica WRX was the reason I got sucked down the detailing rabbit hole. Although new it was a dealer transfer which means it arrived with TWO dealers worth of swirls. While cleaning it up a bit I noticed just how easily it was marred/swirled and how easy it would continue to get marked up unless somehow protected. Started looking into Ceramic Coatings, which required correction before application.

Not knowing too much about it, started out with a GG6, LC Orange and White flat pads and the Wolfgang 'Twins' (Total Swirl Remover 3.0 & Finishing Glaze 3.0, which isn't a glaze at all but rather a polish on the level of Menzerna 3500 or whatever it's called/named this week.) This took out all the defects, left the surface looking great so I coated it with WG Uber Ceramic, 2 layers. This significantly improved it's resistance to light marring, the kind that could be instilled through even a careful wash. Unprotected, I really believe breathing on it could leave a mark. Easy to correct but needs some kinda significant protection; a coating provided that protection for me. (light swirls, marring, wash-induced light scratches, etc.) Get it protected and coat it which has two distinct advantages which will alleviate most of the standard concerns of soft, tender paint:

1. With the right coating, car stays much, much cleaner requiring less washing, less touching of paint = less chance for instilling defects
2. Coating hardness does provide some protection from environmental and human contamination

FWIW, the WG Uber was applied in April of 2016 and had failed on the sides of the vehicle after driving through one NE Ohio Winter so I removed it with M205 on a white LC Force Hybrid pad (Flex 3401) followed by Rupes Ultra Fine polish on white Rupes pad (LHR15 Mk 2) in May of 2017 and re-coated with a better (in my mind) coating combination, around $400 worth of materials. And then I traded the car in a month later...doh!

So yeah, thank you soft Subaru paint...you've cost me thousands of $$ by getting me involved in this detailing thing...but my cars never looked better and have never been so easy to keep clean!
 
We have a 2015 WRX in Galaxy Blue (metallic) and it's the softest paint I have ever been around. Twice since we have owned it, I've had to polish out deep scratches from someone leaning on it or brushing up against it. It cleans up well, but the clear coat is VERY soft. Compared to the German cars that I am used to dealing with, the clearcoat on our Subie is like cake frosting.
 
I just corrected my wifes Subaru with an optimum orange waffle pad and hyper polish. Came out perfect. I also just purchased a 2018 wrx in world rally blue so we'll see how it does. I probably won't correct it until spring cause it's in excellent condition. The dealer didn't touch it.

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I learned about this forum [AFTER] I found detailing videos on youtube and properly learned how to maintain the paint on my 2015 Subaru WRX. As much as I loved that car (nick mine was also a DGM) it had the softest paint I've ever come across, and I've owned countless Hondas (Acuras), a BMW, & a few Mercedes.
I'm glad I learned about the different paint from different locations, I recently purchased a 2018 Sti in World Rally Blue and I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP to leave the plastic on the car, I'd wash it MYSELF. They did not.........
Day 2 was spent taking everything I've learned on here and applying it to the new car. I used my HD Speed followed by Poxy and I think I've had decent results. The car needs a clear bra, lol I think all Subaru's should come with a clear-bra option from the dealership, rock chips will destroy a front end over time.
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