Finally Able to do the STi

[CARTfan]

Bought the thing in December and the paint was in awful condition from the get-go as it was a left over 2008. Swirls everywhere, linear swirls or whatever they're called from using a dealer lot brush torture device. Not to mention the huge gouge created when my grill slammed into the front of the car...:wall.

Sorry, no befores. Couldn't capture them with the cam.

Worst part about this car is the wheels - very intricate and very aggressive brake material, ugh.

Process:

Wash
Clay - Clay Magic
Wash
PB wheel Sealant
M105 w/orange LC CCS pad
SSR1 w/ white LC pad
EX x 2 w/ black pad
Natty's red
PB Trim restorer on all plastic and trim
Wells not done - forgot to do between wash after clay and second wash, so I skipped it.

In the picture above, you can actually see the gouges put in the clear bra from the grill. The scratch is in there too, can't see it tho, huh? :yay It was actually right down to the primer.

 

[atkinsonair]

Looks like it came out good,nice reflection. I know you had been wanting to do that for a while now.

 

[Ronkh]

Looks GREAT! I love the reflection shot. It's neat.

Fair warning, go do the wells and take pics of it and show it. YOu know the grief I get.

 

[atkinsonair]

I cut him some slack. We did for you to.:yourrock

 

[Poorboy]

Looks GREAT! I love the reflection shot. It's neat.

Fair warning, go do the wells and take pics of it and show it. YOu know the grief I get.

I cut him some slack. We did for you to.:yourrock

hey you got on Pockets for not doing wheel wells on a work van that is basically a storage van :stick

I agree ..looks great :bigups


isn't this the second STi in that color we've seen this week :hmmm:

 

[CARTfan]

Thanks for the kudos guys. I dunno, the reflection shots could be better...think I overexposed the shots. Oh, well.

I'll get on the wheel wells right away, lol.

Just a side note. Wanted to mention how easily the Natty's red buffed off. Nothing worse than a wax that is impossible to get off.

 

[Ronkh]

Thanks for the kudos guys. I dunno, the reflection shots could be better...think I overexposed the shots. Oh, well.

I'll get on the wheel wells right away, lol.

Just a side note. Wanted to mention how easily the Natty's red buffed off. Nothing worse than a wax that is impossible to get off.

I meant the ones with the ligh flares. That was a really neat shot.]


As far as the Natty's, yeah it comes off easy, but if ya miss some, like I sometimes do, it comes off easily a week after too. No fuss, no bother.

 

[Peco]

Looks great!! I am a GM guy, but I'm trying to talk my girlfriend to pick up a STI for her next car (she has a Grand AM now). She needs AWD for work travel and I could use the turbo .

 

[G.T.Subie]

Nice work, that Subaru paint can be a pain to try and keep swirl free.

 

[CARTfan]

^ You're not kidding. I cringed when I saw more marring as a result of claying. Easy to mar, but easy to correct I guess. Definitely no ceramic in this paint, lol.

Looks great!! I am a GM guy, but I'm trying to talk my girlfriend to pick up a STI for her next car (she has a Grand AM now). She needs AWD for work travel and I could use the turbo .

Good choice. Careful though. When I first got the STi, it was the scariest thing I ever drove in the snow until I got the ultra high performance summer tires off of it. The thing would just not move or steer.

The WRX would be just fine as well...AWD, and turbocharged, without the crazy tires, brakes and super stiff suspension.

 

[agentxc_02]

:drool::yayGreat Job CARTfan. The WR blue looks amazing in the sunlight:yourrock:yourrock:yourrock

 

[G.T.Subie]

Looks great!! I am a GM guy, but I'm trying to talk my girlfriend to pick up a STI for her next car (she has a Grand AM now). She needs AWD for work travel and I could use the turbo .

Chec k out the 05 + legacy gt too then.

 

[EcoAutoCT]

You're not kidding. I cringed when I saw more marring as a result of claying. Easy to mar, but easy to correct I guess. Definitely no ceramic in this paint, lol.

Quoted for truth, it's a double edged sword when it comes to hard/soft paints. Great work on the STi.

Chec k out the 05 + legacy gt too then.

+1, Legacy GT is such a great car all around. Comfortably sized, quick, mid-luxury appointments and reliable for a reasonable price.

 

[CARTfan]

Chec k out the 05 + legacy gt too then.

Quoted for truth, it's a double edged sword when it comes to hard/soft paints. Great work on the STi.



+1, Legacy GT is such a great car all around. Comfortably sized, quick, mid-luxury appointments and reliable for a reasonable price.

Yes, the Legacys are sleepers and def worth a look, and thanks for the props.

It's so nice to walk out to the car and not see horrible spiderwebbing. Plus, I just have to touch it every time I walk by it, lol.