DGM BRZ Cleaning/Washing/Maintaining
 

I'm getting a DGM BRZ around March or May. (Not sure why dealership said March OR May)

I wanted to know what I should do to my car once I get it in terms of maintaining its perfect paint, exterior, and etc. I'm new to cars as the BRZ will be my first car I've owned. I also want to know how to wash my car and what products to use. I know black/dgm is hard to maintain so I was wondering what everyone else uses and how to use em! Are drive-through washes from like Esso not recommended?

I've done a little bit of research and I was thinking of doing an opticoat after I get my car from the dealership. Does anybody in the Richmond Hill/Markham area know any good places to get it done? If so, how much is a good price?

Thanks guys!


EDIT:

After reading the car washing thread, I was wondering if I should just get all my products I need from TW Ice? Seems affordable and does its job

Oh, my ...........:)

When you get it, wash it with dish soap (to remove any old wax).

Use a clay bar.

Wax it.

When it gets dirty, wash it with an automotive car wash soap (so as NOT to remove the wax).

Wax it again when the old wax no longer beads water.

When it gets dirty, clean the interior with warm, mild, soapy water.

Clean windows with glass cleaner.

See, how simple it can be ...... :thumbsup:


humfrz

I call these "Swirl-O-Matics"

Check out Autogeek forums, they will teach you everything you need to know.

The BRZ was my first brand new car as well. I learned many detailing tips on this car, i even learn to drive stick on this car. Anyways.. my recommendations:

-DO NOT let car dealer detail the car (try to avoid this if you can)
-Wash the car with high quality microfiber sponges (adams polishes sells pretty good product and the prices are reasonable
-Dry the car gently with high quality microfiber towels as well, DO NOT use any other towels or you will get swirl marks in your paint and will look horrible
-If the car is brand you, you shouldn't clay the car IMO, but do this if you want and then do this every 6 months or so.
-Use a paint sealant, Sonax polymer netshield is amazing
-Use a paste wax (any of your choice)

What i've learned about DGM..

Amazing Color in the sunlight
Swirls are super noticeable, even the lightest.
Gets dirty after driving a block after washing it.
So much flake when clean.

Most of subaru/acion colors gets dirty after driving a block. The gloss that they use really shows it. When I had my whiteout, I would get super pissed since I would spend 1 hour waxing/washing only for it to get dirty right after leaving the parking lot. The dirty is mainly coming from the whee so get some mudflaps.

Isn't dish soap bad to use for the car? I used Chemical Guys Citrus wash. They recommend higher conentrations of soap, 1oz/gal of water to strip any coatings on the car. Also, the clay bar should get rid of any left over wax.

clear bra the front half of the car, you wont regret it

will provide a protection to rock chips etc etc


if you want to learn how to propperly maintain your cars paint, start watching some How To videos

Chemical guys does alot of great videos for you to learn how to maintain your vehicle

Generally, I would agree that liquid dish soap is not the best choice to wash a car ........ UNLESS, the objective is to remove old wax.

It's my understanding that a clay bar WILL NOT remove old wax.

The idea to remove all old wax it to clean the car down to the clear coat ...... so, you can start with a clean, fresh base.


humfrz

I know dish soap is good for taking off wax before a full detail but what I was leaning towards more of the rubber trim, weather stripping, plastics, etc deteriorating.

Well, I don't think a once in once-n-a-while use of dish soap to take off old wax, is going to cause that stuff to deteriorate significantly.

Most of us don't keep out cars long enough for those items to fall apart.

However, if one is concerned, there is a bunch of stuff that can be used to "preserve" those items.


humfrz

Sorry, Im quite new to cars. Why should I ask the dealership NOT to detail the car?

If i do tell them to not detail the car, what could I do once I get the car home?

Update: I'm thinking about changing the BRZ color as I still have the opportunity. I was thinking about changing it into a white one. What should/would I have to do then? Same thing?

Some folks, don't like their new car's paint "messed with". The dealership may use inexperienced personnel to prep a new car ..... which they could put swirls in the finish or misapply wax.

I reckon white would be easier to keep ...... looking clean, than the darker colors.

A white car can be treated just like any other color.

What to do when you get your car home ...... see post #2. However, first remove any shipping materials and any sticky residue (with alcohol - which is always my favorite part .....:drool:).

If in doubt about a color car to buy ....... ask your SO ....... :)


humfrz

I will get it clear bra'd.

Should I get an opti-coat first then clear bra the front?

Also, what is opticoat and what does it do? Sorry, im new to car stuff :S


Okay that's true. I saw a video from my dealership online where one of the repair(?) or service guys was driving a customers WRX into the basement for cleaning and since the car was lowered, they scratched the bumper.

So I'd just tell my dealership not to detail the car?

So here's what I was thinking, can you let me know if it's correct?

1. Ask the dealership not to detail my car.
2. Take the car home, wash it with some dish soap and water to get rid of the layer of wax.
3. Clay bar the car? (Maybe? Someone recommended me not to?)
4. Add a sealant or wax (which is better and why?)

Done?