[Turboxer]

Just to let you know I have already done a search and found quite a few products, actually maybe too many and I could use some help. I know the Subaru paint isn't the most durable paint in the world plus I don't have a garage to store the Sti in. I Wash the car often enough (using zymol) but im worried about long term effects like oxidation from rain leaving water spots especially since my car is white. Has anyone used Klasse All In One Polish or Klasse High Gloss Sealant? Is it easy to apply and take off? It seems like this is a good place to start. I was Also thinking of using P21S wheel Cleaner for the BBS rims since it contains no acid. Does any have any recommendations for Car Wash/Shampoo, Wax, Clay Bar (never used one before), Swirl Remover etc... .Does anyone stay brand committed or jump around with different products. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Paperchasin]

if u've never clay bar'd before, u should do it....it'll really revive the paint by removing the sandy texture accrued from dirt that shampoo wont get off....then simply wax it....looks like u've chosen some good products already, now its just a matter of maintaining it by washing often and waxing it every quarter or so....

[Subaruist]

clay bar is better suited for older vehicles that has a lot of yucky stuff build up on to the clearcoat...since you have a 2005 STi, you should not even think about using clay bar. Simply wash it once a week, use zymol wax once 2-3 month and use Mothers Quick Detailer in between and you should be fine.

[MKIVSupra]

That's not true about only using clay bar on older vehicles. Newer cars do come with that white film on some of the car but you can still get rail dust, since a lot of cars are transported on trains, and other crap embedded in the paint. Just wash and dry the car and run your fingers over the surfaces and see if you can feel anything, if it's not smooth as glass then it could use a clay job. First thing I did on my STi was detail it starting with a good clay job.

Turboxer, Klasse is great stuff. I have been using it for a few years now. It shines well and lasts a long time. I started using it on my red 98 Legacy GT that was a daily driver. I had to park it outside while at work and was worried about the red paint fading since I see so many red cars with badly faded paint. I sold the car to get my 04 STi and with 90k miles the paint was still in great shape.

[Paperchasin]

^^exactly...my car is not even 1 year old yet and it already needs to be claybar'd...just need to find some time and a good location to do it...

[Subaruist]

using the claybar just thins the clearcoat...do it too often and you will strip all the coat off. If the car is new, a good wax job will make the paint smooth as glass. Heck, my 3 year old WRX, after a good wax job, still feels as smooth as glass and I've never used the claybar.

Claybar is good, but in my opinion, you shouldn't do it too often, especiall not to a new car.

[Paperchasin]

Originally Posted by Subaruist

using the claybar just thins the clearcoat...do it too often and you will strip all the coat off. If the car is new, a good wax job will make the paint smooth as glass. Heck, my 3 year old WRX, after a good wax job, still feels as smooth as glass and I've never used the claybar.

Claybar is good, but in my opinion, you shouldn't do it too often, especiall not to a new car.

may i ask where u got that info about claybar stripping clear coat from?? i've never heard anything about that...my car is fairly new and after a really good wash/shampoo, the paint still feels sandy...its not like sand paper, but i can definately tell its rough...if ur putting wax over it, it will feel smooth, cuz thats wut waxes do, but this simply masks it....i guess it all depends on how dirty the car is overall, cuz many people garage their cars and many dont...mine is daily driven, non-garaged, always parked outside, under the sun...so i guess mine is subject to harsher conditions....

[Willy Makit]

I've been around paint products a while, and most of the time you do best by following the Mfg's instructions. Meguires has a good web site, I prefer their professional series products, just my .02 worth.
BTW, I maintain over 80 cars in the collection where I live, and use only Meguires and occasionally OneGrand Blitz wax products. willy

[BoostJunkie]

that thing about the claybar stripping your clearcoat is untrue. yes, it's true that you don't need to claybar too often, but once a year or so will do wonders for your paint. I personally use pinnacle shampoo, claybar, and souveran wax, as well as klasse all-in-one and sealant glaze and p21s gel wheel cleaner. I have tried out a LOT of different products and these seem to be the best in my experience. Although if you are going to clay the car and use all these other products, substitute dawn dish soap for the pinnacle shampoo, this will strip all the old wax.

[BoostJunkie]

oh, and 3M swirl remover works quite well if you have swirls and/or minor scratches. and turtle wax bug & tar remover removes bugs and tar (what a coincidence) with little or no effort.