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Wagons Subaru Crew Subaru Crew - Cleaning Interior & Exterior Surfaces
2206 messages, Last post on Nov 18, 2008 at 3:10 PM
You are in the Subaru Crew Forum. Your Host is kcram
Your Community Leaders are ateixeira and rsholland.
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Replying to: subi4obs (Oct 11, 2006 4:14 pm) And with the minimal attention that you give your car I wouldn't think it will look in even fair condition in 6 years from now. Cheers Pat. 
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Replying to: hondafriek (Oct 12, 2006 8:59 am)  After seeing how easily the paint chips at the front of the hood I got a little less enthusiastic about keeping the new car nice and shiny. I had read what others were saying about potential problems with weak Subaru paint even before getting this Impreza OBS, but I really didn't expect it to be that bad. Well, maybe I make it sound worse than it is but my GMC truck didn't have such chipping. Oops, forgot already... it had a bug deflector.  And it was higher off the ground anyhow. Still, I remember the last time I had a small car and it didn't get chipped like this one has. I was also thinking of new paint someday if the chipping becomes bad enough. I'd like a medium gray metallic overall, no more two-tone thing over the wheelwells. Either that or leave it alone, like some other people I know do with their "work" vehicle paintjobs, which have deteriorated severely and rust is only one step away.   Nah, I couldn't live with that!
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Can anyone share some advice on power random orbit buffers? One of the things that keeps me from regular waxing is the time taken to apply and hand buff off. Does a buffer help? Do you use it to apply the liquid as well as polish it off when dry? Tips on use, pads, technique? Thanks, Steve
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Replying to: fibber2 (Oct 30, 2006 3:28 pm) Maybe I am a bit strange, but detailing the cars is my way of unwinding. Cheers Pat. |
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Replying to: fibber2 (Oct 30, 2006 3:28 pm) The first thing I would look at is using a more easy to use detailing product. Are you still using a traditional wax? The best off the shelf detailing product that's one-step is Meguiar's NXT Wax. It cleans and protects in one step and the results are supposed to be very good. Now, if you want to get serious, skip the orbital buffer and get a Porter Cable 7424 Dual Action Polisher. It's literally fool-proof (unlike cheapo buffers that can burn your paint) and the results are breathtaking. You saw that reflection on my LGT wagon last year. If you Google Porter Cable 7424, you'll find tons of websites and detailing stores that will explain how it all works and how easy it's to use. Keep in mind, however, that going the machine route is not the panacea of easy detailing. For what you save on elbow grease, you do gain the burden of having to deal with a tool and it's accessories. You'll need to spend some money on some upfront items like pads as well as maintain the pads too. What machine detailing will allow you to do is get an incredible shine that would not be possible by hand detailing. One other cool thing to note is that the Porter Cable 7424 is simply a 7335 or 7336 with a different counterweight and pad -- the main unit is the same. The other two models are marketed as polishers. You could save some money by finding one of these used and simply change the counterweight and backing pad. Or, you can leverage the use of a 7424 by making it into a polisher for your woodworking and other around the house needs. Let me know if you need any more info. Ken
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Replying to: kens (Oct 30, 2006 4:54 pm) I took my time during the process and started out with very light pressure. As I progressed, I would ease in additional pressure as needed. The Craftsman unit is heavy and big, and the power button requires a bit of a reach to keep it on (push on/off, doesn't stay on). I also didn't like the power cord dangling from the unit, most times I tried to throw it over my shoulder so it wouldn't come in contact with the surface. I sense a Christmas gift idea for myself... Any cordless models worth recommending? -Brian |
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Replying to: subearu (Oct 30, 2006 7:38 pm) Most folks simply throw the cord over their shoulder. Those that are even more OCD will use a microfiber sheath on the cord to prevent it from doing anything to their finish. The porter cable I mention above is really easy to use. It has a stay-on power switch and is easily operated with one hand. It also has a variable speed dial to let you fine tune the polishing action. Ken |
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Replying to: subearu (Oct 30, 2006 7:38 pm) A year or so ago I bought into the Ryobe 18v cordless system, and have been adding items as need and spare change allows. No, it is not as powerful as say Dewalt, but the price is incredible for what you get. For the handy homeowner, it is more than adequate. Ryobe makes many of the Craftsman powertools as well. Anyhow, they recently added a cordless orbital polisher to the line. Years ago I had a corded beast and gave it away. Tangling with the cord was 50% of my problem. Ken, I use mostly Meguiars. Gold Class, and more recently, their less expensive but less damaging to rubber Cleaner Wax & Quick Detailer. But time is the problem, Pat. As much as I like doing it, I'm lucky if I get to it more than a few times a year - not nearly enough. That leaves automatic car washes as the only option. Though maybe a cordless unit would be the ticket to more events. Steve
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Replying to: fibber2 (Oct 30, 2006 9:50 pm) Enjoy that impact driver. I bought one back in the spring because I had to rebuild my old shed, and it is GREAT. You can forget having the bit slip in the screw slots and rounding them off. Even if you don't have any projects right now, do yourself a favor and get some scrap wood and a bunch of sheetrock screws and see for yourself how great that thing is. You'll never want to use a regular cordless drill/driver for driving screws again! Len
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Replying to: fibber2 (Oct 30, 2006 9:50 pm) Since you're already familiar with Meguiars, give their NXT Tech Wax a whirl. Although I haven't used NXT specifically, I have been using synthetic products for some time and I also have used Gold Class in the past. The ease of use, shine and durability of NXT I think will help with your time constraints. Ken |
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