Congratulations and Welcome! You're local to juice (98 Forester), myself (00 GT wagon), and some Baltimore folks.
Rumor has it that some owners clean their Scoobies, ahem, thoroughly. I clayed the inside of a GT's alloys to remove some stubborn road tar. But it once only once.
I have used Zymol 2 Step Leather Cleaner/Conditioner and I am currently using Meguiar's Gold Class Leather Cleaner/Conditioner. I like Meguiar's 'cause it is only 1 step. Wipe on , wipe off! I condition at least every 3 months.
Thanks again, for the welcomes. My wife and I have been amazed at how many Soobies we see on the roads around here (just west of Leesburg, VA)...perhaps with a heighetened awareness once we started car shopping. So I am not surprised to discover some fellow locals here on the forum! BTW, my parents live over near Colesville, MD....I grew up there, and was a Springbrook grad...class of '74.
Seems to be the natural state of most new Subaru owners. Mine has worn off somewhat, we got a door ding when our Subie was almost a month old, but it's still there (pretty slight, you don't even really notice it) so I'm pronouncing myself cured.
This weekend I used some Windex to clean the inside of the windshield and rear view mirror b/c it seemed like we were having condensation problems lately. Seemed to make it worse, then I tried the tip I learned from this board and ran the defroster warm but with the air conditioner on, and that did the trick. Windshield's been beautifully clear ever since.
The Meguiar's does not make the leather slick. Works quite well actually. I apply it by hand and then wipe it off with a terry cloth towel. Careful getting too much around the stiching. It is a little tougher to clean off when it is between the stiching.
Thanks, sounds like what I'm looking for. Off to the Auto Store I go. Hehe, me and my GF were slip sliding around yesterday in my '98 OB Ltd. during the Sunday Back Road Drive :-D
Welcome Dave. We joke about it but it seems about half of Subie owners are named Dave.
The things you mentioned are profit-padders for the dealer. You can have your car professionally detailed for a fraction of the cost. But I prefer to do it myself.
I finished applying Klasse cleaner and wax as well as the sealant to my LL Bean yesterday afternoon. Still can't believe how easy and quick the process was to use. I must confess I did not "do" the backside of the wheels. I did do the underside of the hood though. Does this qualify for a class of membership in OCD?
door jams - not this last time, but I wipe them down after each wash, even the bottom part of the doors.
bumpers - I haven't waxed the bottoms of the bumpers, but I do wax the license plates. I admit that I spend less time on the lower cladding of our OB (only gets one coat compared to 2 for the winestone paint).
I wax inside the filler door as well as the door jambs, here is something else to think about, I just polished and shined all the aluminum pipes under the hood with never dull now everything under there is nice and shiny.
I,ll try get a picture of the engine, I am trying to find somebody who will fabricate a reasonable facimilie of the factory air intake in aluminum so I can polish that too.
OK, now I get it. I thought you meant the back side of the bumper - not the bottom. Sorry 'bout that.
Don: what do you clean your bikes with? Someone suggested Simple Green, I haven't ever tried that.
Pat: Gary from the SCOA had his engine compartment cleaned and then proceeded to clear coat the whole thing. It sounds wild, but it worked - spotless. It made everything a bit shiny, but it did stay clean.
The treasured certificate arrived this morning. It will occupy a place of honor in our household. Thanks, Serge and "admissions committee."
Juice, I also use simple green as a basic cleaner and after hosing the bike down and drying, I then wax the frame with car wax. I lube the chain and pivot points about every two weeks. The whole process takes about 20 minutes. And,of course, I wipe the bike with a damp cloth after each ride. Talk about OCD!
I was supposed to detail my OB today while my friend detailed his Contour SVT, but his wife made him go shopping instead! Anyhow, what is the best way to clean the engine? Someone told me Simple Green and the hose, and then lots of armor all and wax on the paint (under part of the hood- I like that!) Thoughts?
Does anyone else with an 00-02 OB wagon have wind noise from the roof racks? I've heard that's a common problem, and was thinking about simply removing my cross bars.
I'm taking the day off tomorrow, I think I might detail my car afterall. I can always wax it again next weekend!
I normally use 409 or Fantastic cleaner -- wet everything down with water, spray the cleaner on, let it soak for 5-10 minutes, and then hose off. I think any household cleaner that doesn't have bleach or other questionable chemicals is fine.
Some people recommend warming up the engine before cleaning, but I make sure it is totally cold. After it drip-dries for 30 minutes or so, I take the car for a spin to warm everything up and give it a gentle blow dry.
Simple Green (full strength) on an oh-so-very-slightly warm engine, let it soak for about 10 minutes, then hose it out. I do cover the alternator with a plastic bag. Let the whole thing drip dry for a bit, then blow dry it with a drive on the freeway. Works good!
I would definitely keep ArmorAll and any other protectant/sealant away from the engine bay. The hoses and plastic bits & pieces under the hood are pretty tough. Plus, almost anything you apply would probably burn off or evaporate due to the heat.
I would definitely not spray/wipe the belts with anything -- it could really screw up the friction.
Mornin' Ross! I feel your pain... i hate it when it snows while I'm at work... I kinda have an OCD thing about snow in the driveway.. usually a call to the wife to send the kiddo out with a shovel suffices as a temporary cure
hey everyone I also use simple green on a slightly warm engine .Then after it dries I use a light coat of slicone spray on everything but the belts and alternator. Looks great and doesn't attract dust . I also wax the under hood inside of fuel door and all door sills . What is good to use on the inside for protection .Haven't had to do yet since car is only 3 mnths old. Were's my OCD cert lol.
Maybe not shame, but I do suggest you try a real lube for your annual greasedown. WD-40 is good for displacing water(WD=water displacing), but not much good for lubrication or rust prevention. If you like, given a little time, I could find the research on this. The oil in it is way too light and seems to evaporate in a couple of days.
John's comments about WD40 are correct. I use a product called ProLink which is a chain lube. It costs about $6.00. You should clean the chain first. Use Simple Green or better, bring the bike into a good bike shop and ask them to detail your bike when you do your annual maintenance. It's not as expensive as doing a car!
Don- Actually, it's my theory that most people are primarily OCD about only one thing. Perhaps this is because no one has the time to obsess over too many things. Maybe Ross can shed some light on the subject.
I might be able to shed some light, but you really don't want me to try. I have been trying to give up pedantry (harder than quitting smoking) and all this talk of "OCD" tests me to the limit. Are we talking about OCD or OCPD (Ob.-Com Personality Disorder)? If it is a "D" - Disorder - then almost by definition one's life is getting messed up "over too many things". Rats, I'm getting started on a 2 hour lecture and the semester just ended. :-) Guess I'll have to make another anti-pedantry resolution for New Years. The short answer is that you are both right & wrong.
Actually Frank, OCD is an extremely serious and often life altering disorder. It often expands to the point of totally incapacitating the sufferer. OCPD, on the other hand, is a more long-term exaggerated personality style (eg anal retentive). As used on these board, OCD is a fun short-hand for being a car nut with too much time on one's hands. It's not at all a touchy subject, it just brings out the professor in me. ;~)
Comments
Congratulations and Welcome! You're local to juice (98 Forester), myself (00 GT wagon), and some Baltimore folks.
Rumor has it that some owners clean their Scoobies, ahem, thoroughly. I clayed the inside of a GT's alloys to remove some stubborn road tar. But it once only once.
..Mike Smith . 00 GT wagon . Silver Spring MD USA
..Mike
I have used Zymol 2 Step Leather Cleaner/Conditioner
and I am currently using Meguiar's Gold Class Leather
Cleaner/Conditioner. I like Meguiar's 'cause it is only
1 step. Wipe on , wipe off! I condition at least every
3 months.
-Dave
Seems to be the natural state of most new Subaru owners. Mine has worn off somewhat, we got a door ding when our Subie was almost a month old, but it's still there (pretty slight, you don't even really notice it) so I'm pronouncing myself cured.
This weekend I used some Windex to clean the inside of the windshield and rear view mirror b/c it seemed like we were having condensation problems lately. Seemed to make it worse, then I tried the tip I learned from this board and ran the defroster warm but with the air conditioner on, and that did the trick. Windshield's been beautifully clear ever since.
Steve
Works quite well actually. I apply it by hand
and then wipe it off with a terry cloth towel. Careful
getting too much around the stiching. It is a little
tougher to clean off when it is between the stiching.
Hehe, me and my GF were slip sliding around yesterday in my '98 OB Ltd. during the Sunday Back Road Drive :-D
-Dave
The things you mentioned are profit-padders for the dealer. You can have your car professionally detailed for a fraction of the cost. But I prefer to do it myself.
-juice
http://www.thewaxtest.com./
-juice
Don
-juice
Don
Should Don be added to the certificate? All in favor?
Anyone wax inside the gas filler door like me?
-Brian
gas filler door: yes, occasionally
door jams: yes, not frequently enough
underside of the hood: Thanks Don, thanks. Like I don't spend enough time waxing the machine already. You are so cruel.
I'll add:
underside rear bumper (the front is, of course, mandatory)
..Mike
..Mike
Wow, that's good. The bumpers are even plastic so that is completely useless! I'm proud of you! :-)
-juice
bumpers - I haven't waxed the bottoms of the bumpers, but I do wax the license plates. I admit that I spend less time on the lower cladding of our OB (only gets one coat compared to 2 for the winestone paint).
-Brian
-juice
..Mike
..Mike
Cheers Pat.
Don
Welcome to the OCD club Don!
Pat - how about a picture of that shinny engine bay!
-Brian
I know I need help.
Cheers Pat.
Don: what do you clean your bikes with? Someone suggested Simple Green, I haven't ever tried that.
Pat: Gary from the SCOA had his engine compartment cleaned and then proceeded to clear coat the whole thing. It sounds wild, but it worked - spotless. It made everything a bit shiny, but it did stay clean.
-juice
Juice, I also use simple green as a basic cleaner and after hosing the bike down and drying, I then wax the frame with car wax. I lube the chain and pivot points about every two weeks. The whole process takes about 20 minutes. And,of course, I wipe the bike with a damp cloth after each ride. Talk about OCD!
Don
Does anyone else with an 00-02 OB wagon have wind noise from the roof racks? I've heard that's a common problem, and was thinking about simply removing my cross bars.
I'm taking the day off tomorrow, I think I might detail my car afterall. I can always wax it again next weekend!
-Pete.
Some people recommend warming up the engine before cleaning, but I make sure it is totally cold. After it drip-dries for 30 minutes or so, I take the car for a spin to warm everything up and give it a gentle blow dry.
Craig
Cheeers!
Paul
Pete.
I would definitely not spray/wipe the belts with anything -- it could really screw up the friction.
Craig
Part of OCD therapy is coming to terms with the fact that things WILL get dirty in between detailings. Fact of life. Sorry for the bad news.
Cheers!
Paul
Ross
I feel your pain... i hate it when it snows while I'm at work... I kinda have an OCD thing about snow in the driveway.. usually a call to the wife to send the kiddo out with a shovel suffices as a temporary cure
Cheers!
Paul
mike k
Subaru ought to offer an engine cover like the H6s have. That would be easier to "have fun, but keep it clean" as Dr. Ruth says.
-juice
John
-juice
Don
-Frank P.
Don
I typically use a dry lube and bristle brush. Here's a link that kind of sums it up:
http://www.microweb.com/rogm/maintenance.html
Ken
Only comment is instead of using Lemon Pledge, why not try Klasse Cleaner and Wax and finish off with Sealant!
Don
-Frank P.
Ross
-juice
-Frank P.
Ross