DGM BRZ Cleaning/Washing/Maintaining

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by ThornhillSubaruOwner

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?

Well, I'll have to pass on commenting on the opticoat, sealant, clear bra treatments. Why? Because I never have used any of them.

I'm pretty much old school. Yep, clean any road tar off with kerosene, (save some to apply to the blackwall tires to make them blacker), wash it with warm cistern water (not well water - that can be hard water) from a bucket with a bar of Fels-Naptha in it. Then Simoniz that machine and wipe off the excess (after it had dried) with old cotton baby diapers.

Now, for you folks that can identify with what I just said, you are REALLY old ..... and should be over on the Buick forum .......

ThornhillSubaruOwner, you still with me .......WHY ..??

With a new car, I reckon the clay bar treatment is optional. I use it to get rid of impurities (making micro rough spots) that may be clinging onto the clear coat.


humfrz

[ThornhillSubaruOwner]

Omg haha. I'm lost.

Thanks for the quick replies so far, you've been really helpful.

So far loving the BRZ/86/FRS community, everyone is so nice.

As far as maintaining my car, I think I'll just watch some videos/search this forums/and ask my brother for tips.

[Mr.ac]

Lol ah kids these days.
Well, first off are you going to be driving shit tons as a 30 mile each way daily driver? If so get a clear bra. Or a traditional bra. These cars are magnets to rock chips.

After that do as you wish. Wash it or leave it till it gets dirty. All car paint will get swirls over time or rock chips and what not. It's a losing battle. Unless you drive your car only one hour a month.

But if you want to make it last a bit use all the shit people recommend. Avoid car wash machines, and super high psi pressure washers and sandpaper towels.

If they dealer wants to detail it for no charge do it. If not do it your self or pay some joe blow.

After a year you'll look back and see how silly you where. And just use the garden hose.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by ThornhillSubaruOwner

Omg haha. I'm lost.

Thanks for the quick replies so far, you've been really helpful.

So far loving the BRZ/86/FRS community, everyone is so nice.

As far as maintaining my car, I think I'll just watch some videos/search this forums/and ask my brother for tips.

Yep, some folks can make almost rocket science out of caring for a car .....

You will find this gang very helpful. However, I suggest you use function (going through google) for background information.

Oh, yes, tuck this away for future reference. The first scrape you put on your new BRZ (no matter what color it is) will most likely be under the front lip, because you ran up onto a parking stop in a shopping center. It will make a horrible, scraping sound, but the scrapes are hard to see and since it's plastic, it won't rust........


humfrz

[Cockatoo]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWmtLSQYbys"]Best Carwash Technique: 15 Steps + Tools - YouTube[/ame]

[ThornhillSubaruOwner]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Lol ah kids these days.
Well, first off are you going to be driving shit tons as a 30 mile each way daily driver? If so get a clear bra. Or a traditional bra. These cars are magnets to rock chips.

After that do as you wish. Wash it or leave it till it gets dirty. All car paint will get swirls over time or rock chips and what not. It's a losing battle. Unless you drive your car only one hour a month.

But if you want to make it last a bit use all the shit people recommend. Avoid car wash machines, and super high psi pressure washers and sandpaper towels.

If they dealer wants to detail it for no charge do it. If not do it your self or pay some joe blow.

After a year you'll look back and see how silly you where. And just use the garden hose.

I won't be driving it that much in terms of distance but it is my daily driver.

Actually decided to keep DGM haha.

But anyways, yeah tbh I feel like for the first few months, im gonna take care of it like crazy but then after that, im just gona get lazy and garden hose that shit. But I think I will get a clear-bra because it seems like its pretty useful. Is opti-coat necessary?

[Mr.ac]

I kind of have mixed reviews of opti-coat some say it's god's gift to paint. Some say it's just another cheap spray on/wipe off wax but expensive for some reason.

As long as you have some kind of wax it's better than nothing. I'm sure you seen some less than 4 year old cars with the clear coat flaking off from the hood or roof right?