[edmondsti]

fantastic thread. i've learned so much just reading through everything. cant wait to get started this weekend. thanks peleg.

[Peleg]

Originally Posted by ed@konceptracing.com

fantastic thread. i've learned so much just reading through everything. cant wait to get started this weekend. thanks peleg.

Glad you like it.

[IceWilly]

I recently purchased an '05 STi and while it is in very good shape there are some things I would like to correct and im not sure the best way to go about it. (All exterior imperfections etc)

1) It has a number of "nicks" on the hood and front bumper. Either I put them there driving down a dirty road a little too fast or they were there before hand. It looks like sand or small particles kicked up over the hood putting marks in it, just below the hood scoop. What I cannot tell is if they break just the clear coat or the paint as well. They are small white/gray specs but don't seem to be very deep at all. Then again I don't see any blue paint underneath them so i am unsure how to classify them/fix them.

2) I have some paint chips on the drivers side door on the very outer edge (where it would contact something if i opened it too far). They aren't too big and not in a prime area for people to look so i was debating touch up paint, but again would appreciate any reccomendations.

3) In addition to the "speckly nicks" in my front bumper/hood there are some gouge marks out of the lower bumper. Either the previous owner pulled into a parking space too far I don't know. They are pretty deep, nothing that could be buffed out fully and probably not even sanded and repainted to be perfect. But I would like to do as much as I can to hide these types of imperfections.

4) From what I have been reading you are a big advocate of polishing, but from speaking with a few car people more experienced than I they have reccomended not going down this road with anything less than a professional doing it. I have a friend who owns a body shop and can hopefully help me out for a discount but I have no idea how much a service like this would cost me.

5) I have some ghostly steaks and marks on my car. One is where i tried to rub off something resembling sap with my wash mitt and it seems i went a little too hard. This appears to be what polish is for but i just want to make sure.

6) Also, assuming I do everything within my ability/budget to fix these problems, what is the best way to keep my car in the best shape? It is my daily driver (22 year old college grad) and I do not have access to indoor parking either at night or during the day. I am not opposed to a car cover (at least at home) but obviously that won't prevent these hood/bumper problems from occuring while driving.

Thanks for the help in advance and keep going with this great resource

[psuLemon]

Originally Posted by Peleg

Touch up paint is a "touchy" subject.

According to some reading I've been doing, you have to prep the area really well, than prime it. (medium size chips lets say)

Than the primer has to dry, then you can use a very very very fine artist brush (art store ) and fill up the chip.

I'll try to clear some time from my schedule and give this some practice, see how it comes out.

Edit: I have a book about the subject. I will locate it and see what it says.

yea, that is what i have read myself. I am doing this weekend, so i will take some pics to show the progress. I figure I am going to wash the car twice, then claybar it. then use a primer (q-tip to apply) allow it to dry, then get the paint brush (used for models) to apply, let sit for 24 hours then do a wet sand with a 2000 grit then a compound. Hopefully it will turn out good. Either way its not my car

[Peleg]

Originally Posted by IceWilly

I recently purchased an '05 STi and while it is in very good shape there are some things I would like to correct and im not sure the best way to go about it. (All exterior imperfections etc)

Originally Posted by IceWilly

1) It has a number of "nicks" on the hood and front bumper. Either I put them there driving down a dirty road a little too fast or they were there before hand. It looks like sand or small particles kicked up over the hood putting marks in it, just below the hood scoop. What I cannot tell is if they break just the clear coat or the paint as well. They are small white/gray specs but don't seem to be very deep at all. Then again I don't see any blue paint underneath them so i am unsure how to classify them/fix them.

Those sound like paint chips. What you're seeing is the priemer. Unfortunatly, it happens to all cars, even mine that is barely driven has them. You can either try some touch up paint with a very very very fine artist brush or you can wait a few years and have the front re-painted.

Originally Posted by IceWilly

2) I have some paint chips on the drivers side door on the very outer edge (where it would contact something if i opened it too far). They aren't too big and not in a prime area for people to look so i was debating touch up paint, but again would appreciate any reccomendations.

^^^ Same as previously discussed. You just have to make sure to wash the car, dry it and prep your work area carefully.

Originally Posted by IceWilly

3) In addition to the "speckly nicks" in my front bumper/hood there are some gouge marks out of the lower bumper. Either the previous owner pulled into a parking space too far I don't know. They are pretty deep, nothing that could be buffed out fully and probably not even sanded and repainted to be perfect. But I would like to do as much as I can to hide these types of imperfections.

Can you take a photo of those? Again if they are deep, they can't be buffed or polished and it would be almost impossible to hide them.

Originally Posted by IceWilly

4) From what I have been reading you are a big advocate of polishing, but from speaking with a few car people more experienced than I they have reccomended not going down this road with anything less than a professional doing it. I have a friend who owns a body shop and can hopefully help me out for a discount but I have no idea how much a service like this would cost me.

There are 3 tools most body shops use: (A) Grinder, (B) Buffer, (C) polisher.

A is strictly for removing paint and should be avoided by anyone other than a body shop. B is less aggressive, but still poses a risk of taking paint off, so unless you're very knowledgble, don't use it.

C is a polisher. It CAN NOT take off the paint assuming you're using a polishing pad. This is what I use. I use it after claybaring to make a paint job look glossy again before I wax. I also use it with special polish to take light to moderate scratches out. Again, it will not take off the paint. I've been using it on numerous cars. I bought a Porter Orbital Polisher, model # 7424 and I love it.

Originally Posted by IceWilly

5) I have some ghostly steaks and marks on my car. One is where i tried to rub off something resembling sap with my wash mitt and it seems i went a little too hard. This appears to be what polish is for but i just want to make sure.

Sounds like a good candidate for Meguiar's # 2 or # 7 depending on the severity. A picture would help. If the sap is still there, use a claybar and claybar spray lubricant.

Originally Posted by IceWilly

6) Also, assuming I do everything within my ability/budget to fix these problems, what is the best way to keep my car in the best shape? It is my daily driver (22 year old college grad) and I do not have access to indoor parking either at night or during the day. I am not opposed to a car cover (at least at home) but obviously that won't prevent these hood/bumper problems from occuring while driving.

There are a few things you can do:

1. Wash it every 3 weeks or so, depending how dirty it gets. Don't let dirt sit on the paint for a long time, otherwise the dirt will become an integral part of your paint.

2. Polish it 3 times a year.

3. In between polishing, keep it waxed.

4. Don't drive after big SUV's, 18 wheelers that kick up alot of rockchips.

5. Get a sunblock for the front windshield to keep your interior cooler.

6. A good car cover (I have the Evolution 4) would go for about $200, it is custom made for your car and will help alot. Doesn't take a whole lot of time to put on/take off and I'm starting to see alot of people using it at work. Especially those with high end cars that work 12 hour days. (Saw a Porsch Carrera with a cover on it yesterday)

[Peleg]

Here is an example of a car that isn't being taken care of. It's a 1997 Mustang GT that parks outside my work.

A few days ago it looked like a TOTAL MESS, I believe the owner "tried" to clean it. It had a mixture of mud + sap + bird poop all over the rear area....the doors aren't too far either:





I suspect the squiggly lines around the key lock area are the result of the clearcoat being eaten by all the stuff that's sitting on the paint.....

I didn't run my hands on the paint (People were already looking at me weird when i took the pictures...) or maybe I just don't want to...but I bet it would feel like sandpaper.

[Peleg]

Originally Posted by psuLemon

yea, that is what i have read myself. I am doing this weekend, so i will take some pics to show the progress. I figure I am going to wash the car twice, then claybar it. then use a primer (q-tip to apply) allow it to dry, then get the paint brush (used for models) to apply, let sit for 24 hours then do a wet sand with a 2000 grit then a compound. Hopefully it will turn out good. Either way its not my car

That sounds like a good plan. Make sure to Document all the processies, so you can repeat it if it works out well.

[IceWilly]

Thanks for the response. I think i am starting to get the hang of this whole process and will probably drop a nice order for a polisher, clay bar etc. I am also very intrested in the Langkak paint chip kit for obvious reasons and will be looking forward to any first hand experience.

Also, i wash my car weekly and do so pretty carefully and thoroughly. I will be posting pictures of my problem areas later on tonight hopefully so you can see what I mean.

Another thing that bugs me is the wheels. For the most part they are very clean and i do the best i can on them weekly. But in corners of my BBS's i get buildup that isn't removed with some wheel cleaner and a good scrubbing, i will probably include a picture of this as well. The same goes for the interior of the rim. Brake dust i do not mind as I would clean anything temporary off weekly but I would like to get them spotless at least once before i begin my weekly upkeep. (p.s. since i am the second owner... how would i get a key for the wheel locks? i will probably remove them if i plan to go crazy cleaning the inside.)

Also, would you be able to link me to a good waxing page. I know the general idea but obviously i enjoy doing research and being prepared so any good read is appreciated.

It's too bad i am on the east coast, i'm sure i could learn a thing or two from watching you detail.

thanks again

[Peleg]

The wheels on the STi are a bit of PITA to clean, and that's because:

1. Brembo dust.

2. The wheel construction.


Here are the materials/tools that I use to clean the wheels:

1. P21S wheel cleaner. (water based formula, imported from Germany)

2. Pressure washer.

3. Meguair's wheel brush.

4. Oxo specialty wheel brush for the spokes. This brush is able to get in between the dust shield and the rim.

5. Leaf blower.


* Don't let the brembo dust sit on the wheels for a long time, otherwise it will eat through the wheel coating and find a nice place inside the wheel paint to call home.

The process:

* Make sure the brakes are COLD. If not, wait a few hours.

Use the pressure washer to wash off the wheels. This will take off most of the dust, etc.

In a spray bottle, mix 3-4 table spoons of P21S and fill the rest with warm water. Spray the wheels, calipers with this stuff and let it sit. (you can wash the car while it's sitting)

P21S does pretty well against the Brembo dust. You can also try Meguiar's hot wheels, as a few folks suggested it as a great product.

Use the Meguair's brush to scrub the center and outside portion of the wheels. These brushes are made out of teflon, so they will not scratch the wheels.

Next use the oxo brush to gain access to the inside portion of the rim. You will not be able to clean all of it, but most of it.

Back to the pressure washer, wash it all off. Most pressure washer are at least 1200 psi, use this to your advantage.






If you have a jack and stands, it's a great idea to take off the wheels once a year, and use the same method on the inside.

[psuLemon]

Originally Posted by Peleg

That sounds like a good plan. Make sure to Document all the processies, so you can repeat it if it works out well.

I plan on documenting the whole process. I have had the meguiars # 2 polish and the # 7 wax. Also plan on claybarring it. The only bad is I don't have an orbital right now. So its all hand. I will post some pics after i am done everything.

[Peleg]

Documentation is everything. I need to pickup some anti swirl and I'm working on the Integra tonight.

[psuLemon]

Originally Posted by Peleg

Documentation is everything. I need to pickup some anti swirl and I'm working on the Integra tonight.

I wasn't able to do the touch up, but the car came out fairly nicely except I had some problems getting the wheels really clean. My brother got new 5zigen wheels (black webbing, with polished lip) and they have been neglected for about 5 weeks. Any specialty tips to get them really cleaned. I used hot rims from mequiars and it got most of it but still slightly dirty. Now i was thinking of gettting a dremel and using a polishing pad with some sort of cleaner. what do you think peleg or others?

[Peleg]

Originally Posted by psuLemon

I wasn't able to do the touch up, but the car came out fairly nicely except I had some problems getting the wheels really clean. My brother got new 5zigen wheels (black webbing, with polished lip) and they have been neglected for about 5 weeks. Any specialty tips to get them really cleaned. I used hot rims from mequiars and it got most of it but still slightly dirty. Now i was thinking of gettting a dremel and using a polishing pad with some sort of cleaner. what do you think peleg or others?

If you have any claybar that accidently was dropped on the ground, use that on the wheels, it helps to take off some stubborn stains and other particles.

If the outer finish is damaged and the stain is embeded in the wheel, it might be too later, but you can try the polish.

Also, since you're getting serious with these wheels, take them off the car if possible, it will make life alot easier.

[IceWilly]

Pretty sure I am in the same boat, my stain is embedded in the wheel, so it feels like I am digging down to get at it as opposed to rubbing it off the surface. I may get some of the P21S gel cleaner and let it sit on their and nuke the stain, but we will see. I hate to buy it just for that reason and have it not work.

In other news I have recently become much more serious about fixing my paint. I bought some touch up paint, 2000grit sandpaper, compound, polish etc. I have already put two coats over the small nicks on the door panel and front bumper and plan to smooth them out this weekend. Ive been reading up as much as possible and figure if i take it nice and slow I can't do any dmg to the paint that can't be polished out. I have already taken the plunge so I cannot turn back now.

In regards to claybarring, I did it a little bit while i was prepping the spots for paint, but it doesn't seem to be grabbing much from the paint. I keep my paint/car as clean as possible, and the bar is already a bit dirty being that is it is my friends bar... but still I am not sure i am doing it correctly. I am using enough lubricant to keep it sliding freely (seems like basically quick detailing spray) and its leaving behind a little cloudly clay residue so i can only imagine it is doing something.

I may scrap my idea of claying the entire car and just do the lower skit/bumper areas that actually may have something on them. No reason to spend all the time doing it when my paints looks pretty good already. I just don't want to begin polishing and have it swirl a grain of sand through my paint.


I would have taken pics of the nicks so you could see a before and after shot, but the rain didn't behave and i went ahead and painted it when i got a good chance. Hopefully it comes out nice and you can see the result of my handy work.

[psuLemon]

Originally Posted by Peleg

If you have any claybar that accidently was dropped on the ground, use that on the wheels, it helps to take off some stubborn stains and other particles.

If the outer finish is damaged and the stain is embeded in the wheel, it might be too later, but you can try the polish.

Also, since you're getting serious with these wheels, take them off the car if possible, it will make life alot easier.

Tried the claybar, it worked ok, but some parts were hard to reach. That is why i wondered if anyone knew if they made a polishing tool for a dremel or something. Sad thing is, i told my brother not to let the wheels sit that long without gettting cleaned. Never listens.