[DETAIL] Subaru WRX Club Spec 9 Paint Correction & Detail

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Car Care Products often do a variety of cars when it comes down to in-house detailing.

Some of you may not be aware but different makes of cars do have different types of paint, some easier to work with, some stickier, some harder, some that you would rather pull your hair out than continue on! And we enjoy doing all types of cars, usually not soft paint and black.... oops!

Subaru’s paint is known in the industry to be quite soft and sticky, and even to our surprise the quality of the paintwork on some models were not what we would say is acceptable to be released from a factory, with quite a lot of flaws and imperfections. In fact in the US to this day there is a class action lawsuit continuing from customers who are not happy with brand new Subaru’s that have been purchased! (Yes, really!)

This black Subaru WRX paintwork was in quite a state; washing swirls (spiderwebbing), heavy marring, hazing, holograms you name it.. it had it! Even some under the rear wing as a bonus!

Before we get into the process and the pictures, we cannot stress enough how important it is to wash your Subaru (or any car for that matter, especially black) correctly. Using the Two Bucket Method, a soft Microfibre Wash Mitt and either a Microfibre Chamois, or Microfibre Waffle Weave Drying Towel to Dry.

Why is this so important? Very simple, as by using a sponge to wash with a single bucket, not only does the sponge glide over the surface dragging the dirt on the surface like sandpaper, but by using the same bucket you return the dirt you rinse back onto the paintwork! By using a Lambswool or Microfibre Mitt any dirt that is on the car slips into the fibre and not over the surface unlike a sponge. Same principle with a Skin type leather chamois or synthetic (including those horrible shamwow types!), if any left over dirt or debris is on the car your chamois will drag this over the paint and will start to also mar the surface. A soft Microfibre again with its fibres will gently glide over drying the surface without damaging or marring your cars paintwork.

Combining this with the Two Bucket Method (1 Bucket for your Soap/Car Wash, 1 Bucket for Fresh / Clean Water) - Dip and wash a panel, rinse in the clean bucket to release dirt - repeat until you complete the car. Dry with the waffle to finish and use your favourite quick detailer if you like.

These quick steps will prevent your car from looking how this Subaru does below. Just to also note, black car owners. If you car is dirty, please pLEASE do not wipe the car - wait until you can wash it! (Unless bird dropping has to be removed of course).

Updating your wash packs could be an idea! See Duragloss Wash Pack, Duragloss Essential Pack and 1Z Essentials Pack, and CCP Essentials Pack here.



So getting onto the process. This Subaru being black was a little trickier than most due to the sticky soft paintwork, however nothing that Lukasz can't handle!

The car received a 2 stage correction using Menzerna PF2500 on the RUPES LHR15 & DAS6 Pro DA Polishers, and Menzerna SF4000 for finishing touches. - why do we use the LHR15 vs the LHR21? Simply because the LHR21 is only good for doing vans, bonnets, roofs and other large flat panels! Not the most useful machine for automotive!

Headlights also received a bit of love as they were a little hazey and suffered UV yellowing.

Final protection was Duragloss 601 + Duragloss 111 for that ‘wet finish’ which should last approx. 8-10 months before re-application is needed.

Interior was dressed and cleaned with 1Z Einszett Cockpit Premium for all the trim/dash area.

Tyres dressed with Autobrite Berry Tyre Gel using the Tyre Foam Applicator – be sure to always rewipe as if you do not you will have sling all down the car!

Below the pictures showing the condition it arrived in, with marring/etc evident.

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Cleaned with a light dilution of 1Z Einszett W99 Cleaner & the Mint Detailing Brushes.

Mints newly revised Japanese Fine Grade Clay Bar got a good workout removing contaminants from the Subi.





(unsure what Claying is about? – a. Basically this removes contaminants on your paint (and glass) surface in preparation for your sealant or wax and also will leave your paint once again smooth like glass. See our How To’s here for more help on how to do it yourself!)

Car Care Products says YUCK! to paint imperfections and holograms!



50 / 50 Shot comparing the left side corrected, and the right side uncorrected.




As can be seen below, most Subaru Blacks contain a very nice metallic spec/flake which in this case was a blue green. Beautiful colour!





Final Snow Foam Wash with the AB Snow Foam Lance, Mint Snow Foam and Mint APC to remove any excess polishing oil, product and anything between the door and boot jambs.

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Finishing results;

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That beautiful metallic!







Car Care Products do offer Premium Detailing Services such as Paint Protection, Matte Paint Protection, Detailing & Paint Correction + more in our Detailing Studio's in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. If you would like a quote or further information please feel free to contact us on 1300 006 007, or email [email protected]

And of course, for those who want to DIY including any paint correction & detailing please do not hesitate to contact us. We are more than happy to advise what you need to complete a job like this, or even if you want some general advise to maintain your car!

Cheers