New car, what to do ... winter's here

vactor · 11-30-2008, 12:28 PM

i am getting my 08 sti tomorrow and want to clean it properly and protect it properly for the coming (oh no! it's HERE!!) chicago winter. the car is black. i have a garage for safe keeping, but i want to do what i can from the start to keep it in as good shape on the exterior as possible. so hit me up with new car care cleaning maintenance suggestions as well as what i should buy to get it there and keep it there!!
thanks!!
w00t w00t train

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06AZREX · 11-30-2008, 12:35 PM

i would think that a good coat of wax would never hurt, congrats on the purchase

ThinkGlobal · 11-30-2008, 02:11 PM

I would have 3M paint protection applied everywhere possible, otherwise you will have a forever speckled car... RA flaps are good too

MT_Pockets · 11-30-2008, 04:59 PM

Get a nice coat of sealant on it, not wax.
Good sealant will last all winter. Put a layer of wax over it if you prefer.

Then get some no rinse washing solution like QEW or Optimum No-Rinse. To wash the salt off when it is below freezing.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...-part-1-a.html

vactor · 12-01-2008, 10:05 AM

what sealant do you suggest? i wanna start this car out with all the advantages i can give it.

kwan_1104 · 12-01-2008, 04:49 PM

rustproofing, mudflaps, sealant, a nice set of floor mat like husky liners/ weathertech
Try washing your car once a week!

MT_Pockets · 12-01-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vactor

what sealant do you suggest? i wanna start this car out with all the advantages i can give it.

I personally use Zaino, but have heard great things about Menzerna and Klasse.

Pick a couple out here:
http://autogeek.net/was.html

Then read reviews about them (and others) here:
autopia.org

Remember prep work is important with sealant, you want to follow mfgr. instructions carefully so the product bonds and cures properly.

mike280 · 12-01-2008, 09:03 PM

mudlaps

Uncanny · 12-01-2008, 10:57 PM

I can attest to the Klasse Polish and Sealant to working fantastically. I did it on a couple cars this winter and its holding up really well. I topped it with some S100 wax which also held up pretty well.

RallyArmor mudflaps will save you lots of rock chips as well.

Laminx or other headlight/foglight films will also keep your lights from getting crudded up.

Oh, and avoid salt/sand trucks like the plague.

wrxej25 · 12-01-2008, 11:01 PM

+1 for mud flaps!

mpsti05 · 12-01-2008, 11:04 PM

for our chicago winter, some mud flaps and some rubber floor mats, crappy day to pick your car up huh nice lil snow storm last night

MY EJ20T · 12-01-2008, 11:50 PM

i have a midnight black pearl 02 subaru wrx, and ive used meguires 3 step system....cleaner wax, wax, polish. youd

would have water flying off that paint and keeping the paint as good as new throughout many winters. i apply 3 step meguires twice a year. i reccomend a buffer and plenty of lint free rags.

just my 2 cents.

evoeater8 · 12-02-2008, 01:33 AM

yes... 3m paint protection right away!!! if i were to do it again thats what i would do...

vactor · 12-02-2008, 01:46 AM

floor mats are on order. gotta get the 3m sealer. going to also see about mudflaps ... i wish they had some factory ones. meguiars 3 step ... i'll look into that ... anything else?

jshillin · 12-02-2008, 10:10 AM

Collinite is by far the best winter protection I've used and I've used a TON of different products. Can't go wrong with either 845 or 476. 845 is a liquid and 476 is a paste! I have one or the other on all of my vehicles right now. Last winter I used a different wax/sealant on all 5 vehicles and the collinite is the only one that made it all winter.

DC16A2 · 12-02-2008, 11:31 AM

+1 on sealant. I've had Ultima PGP on my car since Oct. 31 and it's still beading water and repelling grime perfectly fine a month later. This is also my daily commuter car in NYC.

sti-06 · 12-02-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT_Pockets

I personally use Zaino, but have heard great things about Menzerna and Klasse.

Pick a couple out here:
http://autogeek.net/was.html

Then read reviews about them (and others) here:
autopia.org

Remember prep work is important with sealant, you want to follow mfgr. instructions carefully so the product bonds and cures properly.

Klasse sealtant is pain in the butt to remove. Been there done that.

Klasse polish + p21s = lots of shine and long term protection

STi22B · 12-02-2008, 01:08 PM

Here's what I would do.

0. Tell the dealer NOT to prep it for you.
1. Get mudflaps
2. Get a wash that strips all wax and sealant.
3. Do a full detail.
3a. Wash with a strong car shampoo. (CG citrus wash and gloss, wash clear, optimum power wash etc)
3b. clay it - Yes, I know it's new, but you can't guarantee it's perfect
3c. polish it - dealer washes + soft paint = zomg i hate life. this car is supposed to be new
3d. GET A SEALANT! 2-6 months of protection depending on which one you get (menzerna FMJ, chemical guys jetseal, optimum opti-seal, zaino z2)
3e. [optional] wax it for a shine

4. do regular washes that aren't touchless

IMO, touchless car washes are too harsh on the protection you put on it. they strip sealant and wax which makes the protection you put on it obsolete. Mud flaps should help keep it a bit cleaner by a lot!

you can google any of the products i suggested. they are some of the most popular detailing items. Don't worry about the sealant's pricing because it's going to last you a while. one 16 oz bottle of CG jetseal 109 has lasted me 10 applications, and i've only used 2/3 of the bottle.

imprezwrx · 12-02-2008, 11:53 PM

Just keep in mind that no LSP ( last step protection ) will last a full 6 months in winter condition, wether it's a sealant or a wax. You should reapply a LSP at least every 3 months IMHO if you wanna keep your finish looking like new for the longest possible time.

Remember that washing technique + good prep is the solution to get the best results.

11-30-2008, 12:28 PM	#1
vactor Scooby Newbie Member#: 33576 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago Vehicle: 2008 Subaru WRX STI Black	New car, what to do ... winter's here i am getting my 08 sti tomorrow and want to clean it properly and protect it properly for the coming (oh no! it's HERE!!) chicago winter. the car is black. i have a garage for safe keeping, but i want to do what i can from the start to keep it in as good shape on the exterior as possible. so hit me up with new car care cleaning maintenance suggestions as well as what i should buy to get it there and keep it there!! thanks!! w00t w00t train * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

12-01-2008, 11:50 PM	#12
MY EJ20T Scooby Specialist Member#: 133324 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Fredericksburg Vehicle: 2002 MBP Stg 2 Rally www.myspace.com/myej20t	pearl i have a midnight black pearl 02 subaru wrx, and ive used meguires 3 step system....cleaner wax, wax, polish. youd would have water flying off that paint and keeping the paint as good as new throughout many winters. i apply 3 step meguires twice a year. i reccomend a buffer and plenty of lint free rags. just my 2 cents.

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11-30-2008, 12:35 PM	#2
06AZREX Scooby Specialist Member#: 132244 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: SWIC Location: Luke AFB,AZ Vehicle: 2006 OBP WRX 2006 BMW 325i	i would think that a good coat of wax would never hurt, congrats on the purchase

11-30-2008, 02:11 PM	#3
ThinkGlobal Scooby Newbie Member#: 33127 Join Date: Feb 2003	I would have 3M paint protection applied everywhere possible, otherwise you will have a forever speckled car... RA flaps are good too

11-30-2008, 04:59 PM	#4
MT_Pockets Scooby Newbie Member#: 180118 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: 08 obs	Get a nice coat of sealant on it, not wax. Good sealant will last all winter. Put a layer of wax over it if you prefer. Then get some no rinse washing solution like QEW or Optimum No-Rinse. To wash the salt off when it is below freezing. http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...-part-1-a.html

12-01-2008, 10:05 AM	#5
vactor Scooby Newbie Member#: 33576 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago Vehicle: 2008 Subaru WRX STI Black	what sealant do you suggest? i wanna start this car out with all the advantages i can give it.

12-01-2008, 04:49 PM	#6
kwan_1104 Scooby Specialist Member#: 127781 Join Date: Oct 2006 Chapter/Region: E. Canada	rustproofing, mudflaps, sealant, a nice set of floor mat like husky liners/ weathertech Try washing your car once a week!

12-01-2008, 09:03 PM	#8
mike280 Scooby Newbie Member#: 161437 Join Date: Oct 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: SE, Michigan Vehicle: 02 WRX Wagon	mudlaps

12-01-2008, 10:57 PM	#9
Uncanny Scooby Specialist Member#: 133012 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Rochester, NY Vehicle: 2005 WRX San Remo Red	I can attest to the Klasse Polish and Sealant to working fantastically. I did it on a couple cars this winter and its holding up really well. I topped it with some S100 wax which also held up pretty well. RallyArmor mudflaps will save you lots of rock chips as well. Laminx or other headlight/foglight films will also keep your lights from getting crudded up. Oh, and avoid salt/sand trucks like the plague.

12-01-2008, 11:01 PM	#10
wrxej25 Scooby Newbie Member#: 129027 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Connecticut	+1 for mud flaps!

12-01-2008, 11:04 PM	#11
mpsti05 Scooby Specialist Member#: 86741 Join Date: May 2005 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago Vehicle: 05 STi Built 257 DS1/Tomei/ Full-Race	for our chicago winter, some mud flaps and some rubber floor mats, crappy day to pick your car up huh nice lil snow storm last night

12-02-2008, 01:33 AM	#13
evoeater8 Scooby Specialist Member#: 68212 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Tri-states Vehicle: 2004 WRX STI wrb	yes... 3m paint protection right away!!! if i were to do it again thats what i would do...

12-02-2008, 01:46 AM	#14
vactor Scooby Newbie Member#: 33576 Join Date: Mar 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Chicago Vehicle: 2008 Subaru WRX STI Black	floor mats are on order. gotta get the 3m sealer. going to also see about mudflaps ... i wish they had some factory ones. meguiars 3 step ... i'll look into that ... anything else?

12-02-2008, 10:10 AM	#15
jshillin Scooby Newbie Member#: 163037 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Waynesboro, PA Vehicle: 2008 WRX Prem w/ Nav WRB	Collinite is by far the best winter protection I've used and I've used a TON of different products. Can't go wrong with either 845 or 476. 845 is a liquid and 476 is a paste! I have one or the other on all of my vehicles right now. Last winter I used a different wax/sealant on all 5 vehicles and the collinite is the only one that made it all winter.

12-02-2008, 11:31 AM	#16
DC16A2 NASIOC Supporter Member#: 174357 Join Date: Mar 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 2002 OBS Green	+1 on sealant. I've had Ultima PGP on my car since Oct. 31 and it's still beading water and repelling grime perfectly fine a month later. This is also my daily commuter car in NYC.

12-02-2008, 01:08 PM	#18
STi22B Scooby Newbie Member#: 86906 Join Date: May 2005 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: San Francisco and Davis, CA Vehicle: 07 Scion tC Pearl White	Here's what I would do. 0. Tell the dealer NOT to prep it for you. 1. Get mudflaps 2. Get a wash that strips all wax and sealant. 3. Do a full detail. 3a. Wash with a strong car shampoo. (CG citrus wash and gloss, wash clear, optimum power wash etc) 3b. clay it - Yes, I know it's new, but you can't guarantee it's perfect 3c. polish it - dealer washes + soft paint = zomg i hate life. this car is supposed to be new 3d. GET A SEALANT! 2-6 months of protection depending on which one you get (menzerna FMJ, chemical guys jetseal, optimum opti-seal, zaino z2) 3e. [optional] wax it for a shine 4. do regular washes that aren't touchless IMO, touchless car washes are too harsh on the protection you put on it. they strip sealant and wax which makes the protection you put on it obsolete. Mud flaps should help keep it a bit cleaner by a lot! you can google any of the products i suggested. they are some of the most popular detailing items. Don't worry about the sealant's pricing because it's going to last you a while. one 16 oz bottle of CG jetseal 109 has lasted me 10 applications, and i've only used 2/3 of the bottle.

12-02-2008, 11:53 PM	#19
imprezwrx Scooby Newbie Member#: 23536 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: quebec Vehicle: 2000 impreza rs blue ridge pearl	Just keep in mind that no LSP ( last step protection ) will last a full 6 months in winter condition, wether it's a sealant or a wax. You should reapply a LSP at least every 3 months IMHO if you wanna keep your finish looking like new for the longest possible time. Remember that washing technique + good prep is the solution to get the best results.