First timer 2009 Subaru Legacy GT Detail

[drewberg11]

This was my first time with a machine polisher, PC 7424XP. I bought the car used just shy of a year ago. It had 10k miles on it and had been used as a company car for Subaru so it was in pretty good shape.. It had 10k miles on it and had been used as a company car for Subaru so it was in pretty good shape. It sure did have plenty of scuffs, light scratches, and swirls and even more so now at 34k miles. I was initially terrified of any machine polishers. I was uniformed and thought I’d just do much more harm then good. After a ton of reading on the AG forums and watching videos posted my Mike Phillips, I felt a little more comfortable. I ordered up one of the Wolfgang swirl remover kits that came with 6.5” pads. This is the one kit that just kept popping up on the forums as extremely user friendly for first timers. Below is a pic of all the stuff I used.



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/CIMG1931.JPG




First, I’d like to apologize for the photo’s, they are not very good quality and the digital camera I was using really sucked in low light conditions. I had a really difficult time trying to actually capture the swirl marks so they only peaked through in a few photos. They were MUCH more noticeable in person.

These two pictures shows what looks to be some sort of etching from water droplets. The top of the car was covered in these. You can also make out some serious scuffing below the light. In person it looks like someone dragged a box across the top of the car.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1943.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1945.JPG




All taped off and ready to get to business . . . not exactly the most fun part.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1950.JPG

YAY caught some pics of the swirls!


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1954.JPG


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1955.JPG





After Total Swirl Remover.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1957.JPG





Some more swirls and scuffs,


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1959.JPG





And after,


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1962.JPG





When working with the Total Swirl Remover, no matter what I did, I couldn’t stop it from dusting. It wasn’t terrible but still a mess. It easily wiped off. I spoke with someone at AG why said that just means the pad is dirty. I cleaned that thing after every single section, because the dust was pretty bad otherwise. I made sure to use the terry cloth “cleaning on the fly” followed by a pad cleaning brush, then another hit with the terry cloth. This happen to anyone else? Or know how to avoid it in the future?


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1965.JPG


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1966.JPG





Some pics of the ugly stained trim,


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG19771.JPG


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/CIMG1982.JPG


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1942.JPG




For this, I wanted to try the Poorboy’s Trim Restorer. I read somewhere to apply multiple THIN coats and let sit for 30mins between coats. Most of the trim work only took 2 applications but the real stubborn seal for the sun roof took 5 applications! Had to of been a combination of wax and buffer stains from before I got the car. I used a foam applicator and the consistency is like baby oil to start. Very thin and gets everywhere quickly. After sitting on the trim for a while it seems to get a gel like consistency before it then dries. Here’s some pics after the trim restorer.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1989.JPG


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/CIMG2002.JPG


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG2009.JPG


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG2013.JPG





For the tires I used Eagle One Tire Shine Gel. Found it locally at a Benny’s a few months ago for $3! Wish I bought more. The only other product I’ve tried is Meguires Hot Tire Shine. I’m happy enough with the Eagle One that I’ll continue using it, wish I stocked up on more bottles. Last I remember the shine wore off after a few weeks (I’ll have to pay more attention to durability this time) but it’s just so cheap I can apply it as often as I like.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1992.JPG




http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG2004.JPG







Some quick notes,


I really didn’t enjoy the 6.5” pads. I haven’t used the 5.5’s but it would only make sense that the smaller pad would spin better. For swirl removal, the machine quickly bogged under pressure and the ends of the pad wouldn’t make contact. I had the PC set to 5 for the swirl remover. I tried 6 but the overhang of the pads would violently start to flutter around. I’ll have to order some 5.5” pads for the next time. When applying sealant, I set the PC to 3 (recommended setting I saw on an AG video for Wolfgang DGPS) with a 6.5” red pad and I practically had to lift the machine up a touch (get rid of some of the machine weight) to get the pad to rotate.




Three days later (on and off) and here's how it looks. Overall, I am very pleased with the results. I watched plenty of videos on polishing with a DA but it’s a whole different story to do it yourself. For my first time, I am very pleased with the results. Only gripe I have is that all those dame rock chips (no thanks to SUBARU paint) are quite a bit more noticeable. As a daily driver that sees’s 90% highway, its something I can live with. Although some DR. Colorchip might be in my future.
Thanks for reading.




Notice all those scuffs and etchings on the roof are gone!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1997.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG2000.JPG

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG1993.JPG


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG2017.JPG



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG2021.JPG

[GTPpilot]

Very nice !! The madness begins. Congrats on a nice car and nice work.

[Ted S.]

Flawless reflection!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG2000.JPG

[Monster Shine]

Good work, is it possible you might be overworking the product slightly? That can cause pretty bad dusting.

Car looks great all finished!

[drewberg11]

Thanks guys,

GTPpilot, are you on the LegacyGT forums too? Your avatar looks awfully familiar. Nice car :)


Good work, is it possible you might be overworking the product slightly? That can cause pretty bad dusting.

Car looks great all finished!

I'll have to keep that in mind next time. I was doing 6 section passes for every area I worked and dusting didn't start until the 5th pass usually. I was also being very cheap on product, was nervous the pads would get caked. So maybe the lower amount of product was worked quicker. I'll have to try fewer passes next time and inspect the results (defect removal).

[rider9195]

That looks great for your first time! 5.5 inch pads really do make a big difference in how the polisher runs. What sealant or wax did you use? I think I saw Deep Gloss Paint Sealant and S100 wax.

[Monster Shine]

Thanks guys,



I'll have to keep that in mind next time. I was doing 6 section passes for every area I worked and dusting didn't start until the 5th pass usually. I was also being very cheap on product, was nervous the pads would get caked. So maybe the lower amount of product was worked quicker. I'll have to try fewer passes next time and inspect the results (defect removal).

Rock on. It may or may not be the problem, but I figured I would suggest it. :cheers:

[drewberg11]

That looks great for your first time! 5.5 inch pads really do make a big difference in how the polisher runs. What sealant or wax did you use? I think I saw Deep Gloss Paint Sealant and S100 wax.

So far just the sealant, its still within the 12hr cure time. After that I'm just going to do a test spot with the S100.

I was previously using the S100 which I saw recommended on a few other forums. I hate pastes that dry and dust when buffing and I saw S100 recommended on a few other forums. Cheap, but I really like the shine it gives. Once the sealant cures, I'm going to top just the trunk lid with the S100 to see what it does. Curious if it makes a visual difference and to compare beading and how much filth sticks. Figure I have it so might as well try.

[Meghan]

Paint looks good, nice job.

[opie_7afe]

paint looks good, i laughed when i heard the store "bennys" i was born and raised in RI was back there for christmas, bennys didnt have any good deals on car care products at the one in wakefield.

[WRXINXS]

I go to the Bennys in CT when I visit my relatives! I love that store! I really know what you mean about rock chips and Subaru paint. I just did my first correction work (Also with a 7424XP) on my WRX and when I was done, the rock chip road rash on the lower door panels really stood out. To solve the problem I got some Dr. Colorchip and also bought some Rally Armor mud flaps.

Did you use a polish after the TSR?

Drew

[drewberg11]

Yes I used the Wolfgang finishing glaze that came with the kit I got. I'll definitely have to get Dr. Colorchip soon.

[GTPpilot]

Thanks guys,

GTPpilot, are you on the LegacyGT forums too? Your avatar looks awfully familiar. Nice car :)


I am. Same screen name. Bought my 08 last spring. Like it alot.
Try Ultima tire and trim gaurd sometime. I use it on all the plastic trim and wheelwells. Great stuff !!

[fancyfootwork]

Great work and nice LGT! ;)

[WRXINXS]

Yes I used the Wolfgang finishing glaze that came with the kit I got. I'll definitely have to get Dr. Colorchip soon.

When you get the Colorchip. Use a very soft microfiber and very light pressure to remove the extra paint with the blending solution. Subaru's have some soft paint and to add to that mine is black. I found that when I wiped off the excess with the provided cloth towlette it left some swirls.

Drew