2003 Subaru WRX - Not just any WRX :)

[Oakes]

There is something about impressive builds that has always fascinated me, to take something and make it completely something else while retaining its original foundation. This car is pretty much the physical definition of that. No corners cut, nothing overlooked, nothing rushed or thrown together and no expense was spared.

However, the owner didn't feel the car was finished, there were some final touches needed to bring it all to a "close" and fortunately I had the opportunity to help him with this.

"D" called me up to come detail the Subaru, which would boggle a lot of minds, because the car was flawless, everything was new - the paint, the chrome, the plastics, etc. It's details like this that truly separate what "us" paint correction specialists - as I like to say - do, apart from your usual detailer. To take a perfect foundation, and make it better.

Enough blabbering from me, I will let the pictures showcase the hard, well thought out work that Dimitri put into his truly one of a kind Subaru and how I was able to help finish it up for him.

How it looked when I arrived:

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update116.jpg

Vehicle was prepped, all wax removed through degreasing, citrus wash, very fine clay and IPA wipedown, then masked off:

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update118.jpg

I started with the engine bay, which had some accidental over spray since the bay was painted before the body, which was a phenomenal job regardless. Here is the over spray on the inner fender before and after:

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update119.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update120.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update121.jpg

The other side was done as well, all metals polished and sealed, here is the finished results:

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update122.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update123.jpg

Now it was on to the paint work where some finishing touches were needed in the correction process. Some before photos of the defects and some after photos immediately following:

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update127.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update128.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update130.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update133.jpg

Paint defects After

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update198.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update235.jpg

Fender Before/After. The metal flake is VERY vibrant in this paint.

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update135.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update136.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update137.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update138.jpg

Some light sanding needing to be finished, before and after seen here:

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update139.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update140.jpg

Trunk after final polishing step before removal and final IPA wipedown and paint cleansing.

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update155.jpg

Finished reflection photos before the sealant and wax application. Wax doesn't make the gloss, professional polishing does!

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update172.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update175.jpg

Final results and photos

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update201.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update210.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update244.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update252.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update253.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update182.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update184.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update185.jpg

[Oakes]

http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update193.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update195.jpg
http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90/oakesdetail/STi/Update227.jpg

Thanks for checking it out! It was a blast working on this car and the guys at Akuma Motorsports where I performed the job are truly a class act above and beyond!

-Oakes

[kakeuter]

Absolutely incredible job done there! The car loks amazing.

-Kody-

[Mike Phillips]

Incredible Subaru WRX!

I love these cars even in their stock form but this one is so far over the top...

It was almost perfect... except for massaging every little bit of crystal clear gloss out of the paint which you've accomplished. Now it is perfect.

Very nice work.


:dblthumb2:

[Oakes]

Thanks Kody!

Thank you Mike! This car is really second to none in its build quality and the products/parts on it. Like you said, it just needed to be massaged to perfection and I was happy to do so!

[Subieski]

Is that d money's car? That was an impressive build to follow!

Nice work!

[Crazy Amos]

Wow, talk about level. That thing is L-E-V-E-L!

Beautiful work. The paint looks like it has a glasscoat on it. Incredible.

[331TwistedWedge]

Nice job! I love that blue.......

would you share what products you used?

thanks.

[kronos]

I didn't see a car in your pictures, only a work of art! :props:

Sweet sweet ride.

[kingofsorrow]

great work. a nice looking car made even more great looking.

[Southern Stang]

Awesome work on an incredible ride! Nothing like a build that clean and done right!

[Tek-nique]

Just like everyone said. AWESOME detailing job you did there!

I would love to drive that WRX, and would love to hear the exhaust sound, plus the spool of the turbo. Drooooool.... hahahaha sorry. lol

[jlb85]

OMG the car is so well put together!!! I love the polishing of the shaved engine bay!!!

The paint looks phenomenal, excellent work as usual, Oakes!

I wish it had a wing, though. I'm a sucker for shopping cart wings!

[OZD 35]

Awesome work! That is one sick subie too!