How easy/difficult is it to keep WRB "clean"?

[ayau]

We all know black cars are the worst to maintain. Having said that, does anyone have any experience with WRB paint? Are paint imperfections easily visible to the naked eye?

[Subaruwrxfan]

It likes to swirl IIRC, and it does show scratches but it's still a relatively light blue so it's more forgiving. If you've got an eye for spotting scratches though, you'd probably still wanna buff it occasionally, but it's not gonna be as much of a pain as black.

I'm planning on buying a new buffer and some light buffing compounds once I move into a place where the car won't be parked outside all day.

P.S. We need a Maintenance sub-forum.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by Subaruwrxfan

It likes to swirl IIRC, and it does show scratches but it's still a relatively light blue so it's more forgiving. If you've got an eye for spotting scratches though, you'd probably still wanna buff it occasionally, but it's not gonna be as much of a pain as black.

I'm planning on buying a new buffer and some light buffing compounds once I move into a place where the car won't be parked outside all day.

P.S. We need a Maintenance sub-forum.

i recently bought some tools to remove imperfections on my current car. it's definitely good to get some practice before doing the real thing on the brz.

[hoonagin]

Well with my WRB STI its terrible trying to keep it clean. I basically stop trying to keep it clean in the winter because its impossible. When its dirty it looks like shit. Scratches are super noticeable. Chips in the clear coat are really noticeable as well.

BUT when its clean it looks AMAZING!
If you're getting WRB seriously consider getting a clear bra. Especially if you commute in LA like I do.

[pithy_logorrhea]

Dunno about everyone else but I haven't washed my car in months and it looks clean. I think WRB is good in that way. Sure you'll get paint chips but any car is like that. I have quite a few bumps and scratches especially from autox. Paint still looks great 5 years on!

[MmmHamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Subaruwrxfan

It likes to swirl IIRC, and it does show scratches but it's still a relatively light blue so it's more forgiving. If you've got an eye for spotting scratches though, you'd probably still wanna buff it occasionally, but it's not gonna be as much of a pain as black.

I'm planning on buying a new buffer and some light buffing compounds once I move into a place where the car won't be parked outside all day.

P.S. We need a Maintenance sub-forum.

Dual action buffer + Meguiars 105 & 205 FTW.

[Subaruwrxfan]

Originally Posted by MmmHamSandwich

Dual action buffer + Meguiars 105 & 205 FTW.

Never used Meguiars compounds to buff before, I'll look into that, thanks.

[djdnz]

I'll continue this tangent, but I use Menzerna Super Intensive Polish and Final Finish with my Porter Cable and have had quite good results.

As for the OP, I am wondering this same thing too since I currently have a silver car which is a dream because it's always clean looking. My brother has a blue cobalt and it never looks THAT dirty so I was hoping the WRB would be similar in that respect.

[Turbowned]

We definitely need a maintenance sub-forum.

I want to start experimenting with new cleaning products... expensive ones as I plan on keeping this car as long as possible. Right now I'm a big fan of anything by Mothers and Meguiar's. I start with a Mothers California Gold clay bar and then do a Meguiar's 3 step process - cleaner, polish, then wax. The only problem is that it takes 3 hours, 3 applicators and 3 cloths to do by hand. You have to apply cleaner, then wipe it off. Apply polish, then wipe it off. Apply wax, then wipe it off. The end result is fantastic (turns my faded "pink" MR2 back to a shiny red), but it's exhausting and the sun's usually going down by the time I get to go out and enjoy it!

[ayau]

Originally Posted by MmmHamSandwich

Dual action buffer + Meguiars 105 & 205 FTW.

i have that same exact combo with a porter cable 7424xp buffer. very noob friendly.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

We definitely need a maintenance sub-forum.

I want to start experimenting with new cleaning products... expensive ones as I plan on keeping this car as long as possible. Right now I'm a big fan of anything by Mothers and Meguiar's. I start with a Mothers California Gold clay bar and then do a Meguiar's 3 step process - cleaner, polish, then wax. The only problem is that it takes 3 hours, 3 applicators and 3 cloths to do by hand. You have to apply cleaner, then wipe it off. Apply polish, then wipe it off. Apply wax, then wipe it off. The end result is fantastic (turns my faded "pink" MR2 back to a shiny red), but it's exhausting and the sun's usually going down by the time I get to go out and enjoy it!

i'd say definitely invest in a porter cable 7424xp dual-action buffer. it's impossible to match the finish of a buffing machine with hand.

with modern day paint, it's very labor intensive to remove all the swirls.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-7424XP-6-Inch-Variable-Speed-Polisher/dp/B002654I46"]Amazon.com: Porter-Cable 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher: Home Improvement[/ame]

if you buy that, don't forget to also buy the 5'' backing plate for your buffing pads.

i'm currently practicing on a lexus. once i get the process down, it should be a lot easier and less mistakes to be made on the brz.

[tinnyms3]

The porter cable 7424 is the way to go, had mine for about 10 years now, would never go back to hand polishing, removes swirl marks you see with 99% of cars. Also makes car washes easier since wax or polish adheres to paint much better.

Had a 02 WRX in WRB and it's a lighter color, so somewhere in between silver/grey and black in terms of seeing imperfections, not too bad.

[djdnz]

Polish does not 'adhere' to the paint, a good polish doesn't have fillers. It is used to cut the clear coat and break down with heat. When you polish you're effectively removing the peaks and valleys on the clear coat, or at the very least softening their hard edges. This in turn reduces the thickness of your clear coat by a small amount every time you polish, but the upside is that you've removed your swirl marks and softened the appearance of deep scratches to the point that your paint looks like it is brand new.

Wax on the other hand is a filler, and stays on top of the clear. If you notice after you wax, it looks pretty good - but wash it a few times and your scratches begin to re-appear. Polishing removes the hard edges, and no matter how many times you wash (assuming you don't damage the paint while washing), you will not get the scratches to re-appear as they used to.

One of the best things you can do to maintain your paint is proper washing technique. The majority of swirl marks are from you washing your car with little fine pieces of dirt caught under your wash mitt. Without contacting the paint, cover the entire car in soap suds. You can do this with a foam sprayer/lance, or by wringing out your wash mitt over the entire car. Follow with a two bucket wash (rinse the wash mitt in a water bucket, and THEN dip it into your clean soap bucket). This will help a lot with swirl marks.

If you're interested in learning more, have a look for JunkMan's videos on youtube he's great.

[bimmerboy]

had a 04 wrx in WRB. Color is not hard at all to keep clean, esp compared to black. It won't be as easy as silver or white but that is given..

Just be aware that all subaru paint chips easy, and on WRB it is very noticable as you will start seeing white specks on your paint which stand out. On a silver/white car this is less noticable.

+10 on paying for a high quality/install clear-bra, as this cars front bumper/hood is so low, it will surely be attacked by rocks/salt..