First correction and detail: 2007 Subaru

[kevincwelch]

I've always loved washing my car. I've found it to be relaxing and one of the few times I don't mind sweating.

In all the years, I've never had the time or the knowledge to actually go about correcting the paint myself. I've spent a good deal of time on this forum, and thanks to all the great advice from you guys and gals, I decided I wanted to start doing some paint correction myself.

...but not on my car

So, I thought I would start on something more difficult (for me, anyway). My wife owns a 2007 Subaru Outback and it is the primary vehicle that transports our children. For those of you who have children and for those of you who detail cars owned by people who have children, you know that these vehicles get trashed.

My first correction and detail of this vehicle was certainly not perfect. It was, however, a great learning experience. Unfortunately, there were just too many scratches, dents, dings and areas where paint was lost to make the car look brand-new again. However, I think my wife when she gets back is going to be very pleased with the outcome.

Learned a few things:
1. Taking pictures is harder than I thought (capturing reflections, etc.)
2. When the product says "a little goes a long way," they really mean it
3. Don't clean the glass before polishing the hood!
4. Lost a GG orange and black pad because the center wore out. I think this is due to excessive speed/heat/pressure. Lesson learned.
5. Drink plenty of fluids!

Hope you enjoy it as well. I welcome your comments and recommendations.

Products used:
vacuum
steam cleaner + 303
DP APC
Power wash mats + trunk tray
Megs glass cleaner
GG high gloss vinyl, Poorboy's

Exterior
Wheels: GG wheel cleaner/GG rubber cleaner/Daytona
Foam: DP Xtreme/CG mixture
Wash: GG/Dawn
Paint decontamination: Iron-X
Clay (used both clay and nanoscrub)
Polish: GG 2/3/4 and one area with m105
Sealant: Wolfgang Deep Gloss Sealant 3.0
Window sealant: Pinnacle
Tires: Pinnacle Onyx
Trim: Poorboys

Before:



Sorry, for some reason I didn't take any pictures of the outside.

After:



Only thing I wasn't happy about was the steering wheel. It doesn't look as whited out as it does in the picture; however, there is some discoloration. I think this is from the hand lotion or sunscreen that my wife is always using. But I am not certain. Any suggestions on fixing this?

Next up: Tesla.

Sent via Tapatalk.

[BlackHawk]

Nice job! Any before pics of the exterior? Oh and maybe try some full strength APC on a microfiber for the steering wheel?

[Chris@AutoCleanse]

Looks good, you achieved great results for a first timer. What kind of steam cleaner you have?

[kevincwelch]

Nice job! Any before pics of the exterior? Oh and maybe try some full strength APC on a microfiber for the steering wheel?

Thanks!

Forgot to take pics of the exterior before the correction.

But I will try the APC directly on the wheel.

Looks good, you achieved great results for a first timer. What kind of steam cleaner you have?

It's just a Bissel steam cleaner -- one that you might use on your carpets at home. Picked it up a years ago at Home Depot or Lowes...I think.

[Mach1USMC]

Looks darn good man. I think your wife will be thrilled!!

[WAXOFF]

Your only challenge now is getting the wife to keep it clean. Nice job. Just a tip. When my 2 girls were small they sat in the back seat with their hands on their lap and no touching the windows and no eating in the car. It didn't rub off on them though. Their cars are pigged out all the time. Time for Dad to come to the rescue. One has a Range Rover Sport and the other a CC.

[kevincwelch]

Looks darn good man. I think your wife will be thrilled!!

Thanks! She's seen a few teaser pics, and she is excited.

Your only challenge now is getting the wife to keep it clean. Nice job. Just a tip. When my 2 girls were small they sat in the back seat with their hands on their lap and no touching the windows and no eating in the car.

That's a rule in my car, but it's hard to enforce in the Subaru.

[GenesisCoupe]

Great job on the detail!

A little tip, i've used the product below with GREAT results on the rubber floor mats in cars, makes them look new until it's time for an actual car wash (not rinseless or waterless)..

I spray this on and then dry the matt with a towel

http://www.turtlewax.com/images/demo...ailer_T319.jpg

And that is the ONLY store bought product i have in my collection.

[kevincwelch]

Great job on the detail!

A little tip, i've used the product below with GREAT results on the rubber floor mats in cars, makes them look new until it's time for an actual car wash (not rinseless or waterless)..

I spray this on and then dry the matt with a towel

Thanks!

Does this leave the floor mats slick? I purposely didn't do anything other than wash the rubber mats, because the last time I applied a vinyl/rubber protector on them, our feet were slipping and sliding.

[GenesisCoupe]

Nope it doesn't as this product dyes the rubber. It hid all the imperfections when I had my black color car and I had to use the spray after each wash, so it can be easily removed too in other words.