Subaru Crew - Cleaning Interior & Exterior Surfaces

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I just saw it, and it needs it! SOS, Mike! ;-)

    -juice
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Mind if I chime in?

    I, skeptic, was introduced to the clay bar by a co-worker. The product was "ClayMagic", came in a kit that included the clay, lubricant, and small bottle of wax. It also (and this was the clincher) came with a thin plastic glove. Directions suggested donning the glove & running your hand over the washed, but not yet clayed surface to feel the surface imperfections, then repeating the test after clay rub & wax was complete. Wow! My former '96 Explorer was so slippery the neighbor's cat couldn't even stay on the car to leave its footprints anymore! (just kidding, but it's a cute analogy) It's a bit of work, but the results are well worth it.

    If you park your car outside, it's a must at least once a year, to get the stuck-on pollutants and tree droppings broken loose & cleaned up.

    Cheers! from the cold & wet Northwest,
    Paul
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Is it necessary to remove the wax on your vehicle before claying, or does the clay take care of that as well?

    Ken
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    yes, wax is removed by clay, but it also contaminates the clay bar and shortents its lifespan. I'd recommend to remove as much wax as possible before claying.
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Usually, by the time I get around to performing the clay job, there isn't much wax left on the paint anyway... I never thought about the contamination potential.

    I'm fortunate that I get to clean up my cars at work sometimes(slow weekend days)... inside, good light, and usually not too warm or cold.

    Speaking of weekends... have a good one, all!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    I found that the easiest thing to do is actually remove the wax before using the clay bar.

    I went to a Auto Paint supply store and got a product called Kleen Strip Surface Prep. It takes about half of a can to do a Subie. This stuff is superior for removing road tar as well.

    I have also tried 3M Prep Solvent 70 that I ordered from the online store. It also works well.

    The Claying process goes faster when it just has to pick up pollutants without having to remove a coat of wax first.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I need to get some of that solvent. Not for the Forester, since the teflon bumpers are a great non-stick surface for bugs and tar, but for the Miata, which is white and full of the stuff.

    -juice
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    should work better for bugs since it's waterbase. I loved the Kleen Strip for everything but bug tar. It's solvent based and the bug tar needs to be softened with water base type.
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Ray, you certainly live up to your handle! You are quite an asset here; thank you.

    I tried claying my 93 Civic. In the small area I clayed, I'm impressed. The smoothness is astounding. My wife thanks everyone for introducing me to yet another way to spend time on the cars.

    However, I still have many stubborn white specks (long live OCD!). They might be paint overspray (from work on my house) or road salt that didn't come off in the car wash (commercial) last winter. (I don't recall exactly when the specks appeared).

    Any suggestions for:

    1. stubborn paint over spray
    2. road salt that bonds to the paint

    TIA.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Yes: a WRX. ;-)

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    You're welcome Mike.

    On the paint, the clay bar is the recommended cure to get rid of those unwanted paint spots. There are different grades from auto Paint supply stores, but the the stronger ones can scratch the paint. If it were my car I wouldn't do that.

    Could you describe what these salt stains look like in detail?
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    hehe, juice. Frank, don't egg him on. :)

    Ray,

    The spots (salt or overspray, I'm not sure) are white or off-white raised bumps 1-2mm in diameter and 0.25-0.5mm in height. They're not surface stains; they are three-dimensional. The auto is a charcoal gray (almost black) 93 Honda Civic sedan.

    I stripped the wax with dishwashing detergent (before learning of Kleen Strip Surface Prep). I clay small areas with Mothers California Gold Clay Bar Paint Saving System (only brand at local Pep Boys auto store). I mold some clay into a thin "rounded" square 5cm (2") in width and fit the clay into my palm. I spray Mother's Showtime Instant Detailer on a small area. I rub with light pressure at first, removing invisible contaminants and leaving a smooth surface between the white raised bumps. With hard pressure, I remove some of the bumps. Some I can scrape off with my fingernail.

    I also tried a bug and tar remover; clay is more effective.

    http://www.autopia-carcare.com/ (and mothers.com and meguiars.com) don't describe the contamination I have (though I might have missed something).

    I wish I could describe the contamination more accurately. Thanks for helping me try to figure this out.

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Try WD40. It'll remove nasty, caked-on sticker goo, so maybe it would help in your case as well. Just wash thoroughly afterwards.

    You probably need a solvent to break down whatever is stuck on there. I'm surprised bug and tar remover wasn't more effective.

    -juice
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Help me! I just became one of those car care people I used to laugh at......

    For years I have leased my cars. The automated monster car wash machine was good enough to keep it clean and waxed. But this time I decided to buy an '02 OB, and suddenly a new sense of pride (or something more sinister) came with it.

    Zymol car wash, Meguiars Gold Class Wax, Rain-X for the glass and headlights, silicone tire cleaner pads, new wax applicators, soft towels, chamois, tooth brush, Q-tips...... I even waxed the alloy wheels!

    Help - I am out of control........

    Steve
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Soobies will do that to you too. ;-)

    -Dave
  • 1subydown1togo1subydown1togo Member Posts: 348
    Another documented case of Subie OCD!!!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Welcome to the OCD club. You are now a card-carrying member. Meteorologists will actually call you to determine if you washed your car before they make their forecast! ;-)

    -juice
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    For the ignorant and uninitiated, what is OCD?

    And do I want to be a member of this club? Paraphrasing the words of Woody Allen, "I would never want to be a member of a club that would have me as a member....." ;-)

    Steve
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    Too late, Steve, once you waxed the wheels, you joined the OCD club. I clayed the inside of the GT rims, so I may have you beat. It took off some tar that bug and tar remover wouldn't.

    Congratulations/condolences; welcome to the club! ;)

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    was quoting Groucho Marx. :-) I love trivia.

    Ross
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    You da Man, you definitely win the medal for OCD. I thought I was bad, but clay the inside of the wheels, Bit where are you.

    Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Darn, I've only waxed the inner side of my wheels. Of course they were new at the time, and didn't need wax. Maybe now they do....

    See what you've started!? ;-)

    -juice
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Obsessive-Compulsive, eh? I have never been so insulted in my life! But then again, I have been called 'anal retentive' before. But I am an engineer, and we all suffer from that malady!

    And anyhow, I am not addicted. You all maybe, but I am not. I can quit any time I want. I will just go out and lease my next car, and the evil spell will be broken. Wait a minute, I will be right back. See a spot on the left rear fender that I missed.........

    OK, sorry for the break - had to touch that up. Just a water spot, but boy did it bother me. OK, what was I saying? Oh yeah, I am not an addict. I can walk away and not look back. ;-)

    Steve
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    Okay...I need some really expert advice. Sometime...somewhere...during the summer, my vehicle came into contact with "something". You can't see it, but it left a residue on all but the very bottom side panels. When running your hand lightly over the windows and hood, you feel a definite roughness. It's almost like it came into contact with some sort of sprayed substance.

    I used dish detergent with the hottest water I could stand. Didn't faze it. Straight white vinegar, WD-40, and bug & tar remover didn't work. Tried three different bug & tar removers and it's still there. While standing in Auto Zone trying to decide what to try next, a man who appeared to be about 90-years-old (I've always attracted older men.), asked me what I was looking for. I told him my dilemma and he suggested I try Coke??? So, I gave it a shot. Applied it on the windows with a teflon scrubby sponge...and it worked! On the windows only. Whatever this stuff is won't budge off the paint. I guess I should be glad that it's invisible, but it's still frustrating.

    Do you think claying will do the trick? The local Auto-Zone didn't have any claying products, so I'll have to order it or find a Pep Boys.

    Thanks for any help/advice!

    KarenS
    Host
    Owner's Clubs
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Mike S. - I have the same exact bumps on my car. I think mine came form construction work done at the train station where I park. I tried Meguiar's Clay Bar/Detailer and they didn't budge.
    I have hundreds of the specs and I'm considering professional detailing. Keep us posted.

    Dennis
  • mikenkmikenk Member Posts: 281
    I hope you don't think this is infidelity to Edmunds, but you might go to the www.autopia-carport.com site (detailing section) and ask your question. That is where many really detailing fanatics hang out (OCD to the max), but they are kind, helpful, courteous, and seemingly smart.

    Mike
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    OCD = Obligatory California Duster. And Fibber2, if you don't have one by spring, you'll be missing out. I just used mine this morning. 3 cars took only 10 minutes. Great for removing light dust. When finished it looks just washed. And I haven't washed for 10 days.

    Doesn't work for stains, or if the dust has been rained on. But in my dry western climate, I don't have to wash quite as often, or use quick detailer as much.

    Hey as long as it looks good I can save a little time.

    Good car care is one of the areas where form actually means substance. I guarantee that because I have real pride in my cars I take care of all parts of the vehicle, Interior, Exterior, and Drive Train.
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    Wow, you guys have some amazing paint on your cars. I just used a clay bar on my Subbie this weekend. I had a little bit of overspray around the back wiper where I had restored the color over 2 months ago. The paint came off immediately.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Have a Coke and a smile! Wow. Interesting tip.

    You haven't washed in 10 full days? LOL!

    I know people (*cough* my cousin *cough*) that wash theirs once a year, and as they say, that is "whether it needs it or not"!

    -juice
  • evilizardevilizard Member Posts: 195
    Go with the clay, works wonders
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Karen- I hope you don't take this the wrong way but did you ask at the local Auto-Zone? Mine carries Clay Bars but they weren't with the waxes and car washes where I was expecting to find them.

    -Frank P.
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Is there a chemist in the house? Is this a fatal error?

    About 5 years ago I discovered another use for my daughters baby wipes. They do a great job at removing stains from auto carpeting and seat fabrics. I use the basic version (no alcohol, light aloe, minimal other additives), such as Pampers Original. They are strong yet soft moistened paper/cloth. I have even used them on door panels and dash for kid spills, etc. I figured if they were gentle enough for baby skin, could they hurt my car?

    Is it possible that years from now the interior of my leased cars will crumble and turn to dust? Or have I invented a whole new market for Proctor & Gamble? Will I become a god in the eyes of auto detailers, or a pariah? Any opinions?

    Steve
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I really don't know of the effect on your interior with baby wipes but, Armor All recently came out with car wipes. I assume more companies will come out with wipes as well.

    I always keep wipes in my car to wipe dirty hands. A trick that my wife taught me.

    Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm sure they are hypo-allergenic. ;-)

    -juice
  • Karen_SKaren_S Member Posts: 5,092
    p0926: Did I ask? Uhhh..well..no. I stopped by after church and the place was packed! It was a nice day...guess a lot of folks were planning to work on their vehicles. But when that little old guy recommended Coke, I went to the convenience store next door and bought a liter of that. :-)

    Next time...I'll ask a sales clerk....and not wait for the old guy. ;-)

    KarenS
    Host
    Owner's Clubs
  • hammersleyhammersley Member Posts: 684
    Egads! Gadzooks! Somebody else that uses baby wipes for more than their intended purpose! I've always felt that if they're gentle enough for a baby's butt, car seats, clothes, whatever must be safe!

    We're still buying them by the 6-pack at Costco, seeing as my youngest is not yet 4 & hasn't grasped the last of the potty training concepts. Been using them on car insides (emergencies & not) for almost 10 years, with no apparent ill effect.

    So... (Daffy Duck fans will appreciate this one)

    Wipes! and away!

    Cheers!
    Paul
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I've used them to clean up spills and such, but I use Pledge Grab Its on the interior.

    -juice
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Gentlemen,

    Sound like we are missing out on a great business opportunity! Repackage baby wipes as the next great breakthru in auto care. Looks like we have some long term life test data available that indicates no detrimental effects. That aloe sure smells good! And as 'Marge' from the adds says, "It conditions your hands while you do dishes" (or in this case clean up smeared chocolate bar).

    Steve
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    I'll bet that's where Armor All got the idea from.

    http://www.armorall.com/prodcat/wipes.html


    Dennis

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    We should repackage them as Subie Wipes! ;-)

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
  • mrdetailermrdetailer Member Posts: 1,118
    STP Interior Cleaner, Finish 2001, and all low end vinyl cleaner/protectants, I won't use any of them any more. Whether they are in a wipe or not. Here's why.

    1. I had used Armor All and STP for years. without problems. I had heard about dashboards splitting, but didn't seriously believe it. When it happened to a friend's dash on a new Toyota, it was a defective dash. Then I got a car with vinyl rear seats. Granted, they were probably already sun damaged, but when I applied the less expensive cleaner they had split open at the seams within weeks. I just spent $150.00 for an upholstery job on the top of the back seats.

    2. When I took the car in to the seat cover place, he looked at the split and said You've been using Armor All haven't you. He has been in the business for 40 years and has seen a lot of damage with these low end "protectors."

    3. The low end protectors are very slippery, higher end ones are not.

    4. Lower end ones contain silicones that attract dust. They get dirty quicker.

    My car upholstery man sells and recommends 303 protectant. He also said Lexol, Pinnacle, and Meguiar's are much better.
  • miksmimiksmi Member Posts: 1,246
    recommends 303 protectant. He also said Lexol, Pinnacle, and Meguiar's are much better.

    Than 303, or low end products?

    ..Mike

    ..Mike

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I had my 6 year old Datsun's dash crack the day after I applied Armor All for the first time. After that I gave up on it.

    -juice
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    The dash or the Datsun?

    -Frank P.
  • nygregnygreg Member Posts: 1,936
    That stuff is great. Used it for all kinds of cleaning. Just make sure you wipe the baby's butt last. :)

    Greg
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I gave up on Armor All. The Datsun lasted about a year, until the clutch started to slip, then I sold it.

    -juice
  • gof4gof4 Member Posts: 22
    This has probably been asked before but....
    what is a good product to use on my OB that will not leave a greasy film that would get on the glass?

    Also,what is a good site for Subaru parts & accessories?
    Thanks all.
    Bob
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I just wipe them down with a damp cloth. Damp with water only, that is.

    Whatever you do, don't use any solvent-based product, like WD40, which will damage natural materials like rubber.

    -juice
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