I've decided to spend some time detailing my 2006 Subaru forester (it's white) that has never been waxed, clayed or had work other then handwash/automatic car wash. It's no show car but I'd like to get it cleaned up and protected a little more than it is. I know using a DA polisher is ideal but for the time being it's by hand. I also have a dark red (they call it "Venetian red pearl") 2013 Subaru Impreza that I plan on working on next after I've worked out the kinks in my technique/product choice on the white vehicle. I understand mistakes are easier to hide with a lighter vehicle than darker?
From searching through this forum and many other online resources and having a bottle of ultimate compound at home I've settled on adding the smooth clay bar kit, scratch x 2.0 and ultimate paste wax to complete the job. I did the hood and front quarter panels yesterday starting with washing those surfaces, clay bar, then scratch x 2.0 to one half and UC followed by scratch x 2.0 to the other. I used a foam applicator pad ensuring even finger pressure while applying the UC and scratch x 2.0. I followed with a wipe/buff with a microfiber cloth and used the ultimate paste wax to complete the job. I made sure to do small sections at a time and work the UC in. I would say I applied mild/moderate pressure and made a couple of passes in an overlapping circular motion. I did this in my garage so I couldn't see how well the swirls had/had not come out. Unfortunately there are swirl marks that remain. However, it is significantly improved from the start. I have attached two pictures I took with my phone at night as the street light was in a perfect place to see how bad the swirl marks are. The after picture may be a little blurry and you can't see the remaining marks and although it's a huge improvement I would have liked it to be better. Hence this post...
First image are the swirls on the roof during the day.
~[IMG][/IMG
Before:
~[IMG][/IMG
After:
~[IMG][/IMG
As I complete the rest of the car would it be okay to go over the panels several time with the UC or will it cause worse swirl marks? I feel like it is the deeper swirl marks left in the clear coat so applying more pressure and going over it with multiple passes would help. Does that sound right? Would adding a polish between the UC and wax job add anything to a white car or is it a waste of effort?
I'm open to comments/suggestions to help make the best of what I'm working with.
Thanks in advance!
Jon
From searching through this forum and many other online resources and having a bottle of ultimate compound at home I've settled on adding the smooth clay bar kit, scratch x 2.0 and ultimate paste wax to complete the job. I did the hood and front quarter panels yesterday starting with washing those surfaces, clay bar, then scratch x 2.0 to one half and UC followed by scratch x 2.0 to the other. I used a foam applicator pad ensuring even finger pressure while applying the UC and scratch x 2.0. I followed with a wipe/buff with a microfiber cloth and used the ultimate paste wax to complete the job. I made sure to do small sections at a time and work the UC in. I would say I applied mild/moderate pressure and made a couple of passes in an overlapping circular motion. I did this in my garage so I couldn't see how well the swirls had/had not come out. Unfortunately there are swirl marks that remain. However, it is significantly improved from the start. I have attached two pictures I took with my phone at night as the street light was in a perfect place to see how bad the swirl marks are. The after picture may be a little blurry and you can't see the remaining marks and although it's a huge improvement I would have liked it to be better. Hence this post...
First image are the swirls on the roof during the day.
~[IMG][/IMG
Before:
~[IMG][/IMG
After:
~[IMG][/IMG
As I complete the rest of the car would it be okay to go over the panels several time with the UC or will it cause worse swirl marks? I feel like it is the deeper swirl marks left in the clear coat so applying more pressure and going over it with multiple passes would help. Does that sound right? Would adding a polish between the UC and wax job add anything to a white car or is it a waste of effort?
I'm open to comments/suggestions to help make the best of what I'm working with.
Thanks in advance!
Jon
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