Spring Clean
 

The Forester was in need of a good spruce up. I did the interior last weekend, but Friday was my chance to get going at the exterior.

This is how the car looked in the morning...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...pse56c4772.jpg

First things first, a pressure wash and snow foam...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps44d0c194.jpg

The astute amongst you will note I could do with a better snow foam nozzle, as it comes out a bit thin. :( It is bloody effective though. :)

Anyway, then first shampoo wash...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...pscf0c09cf.jpg

Next, to tackle all the crappy tar that was all over it, for example...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ee0007a.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps318a6822.jpg

So, after some intensive tar removal and a fair bit of patience I made some progress...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9af60c0b.jpg

This led me to clay bar and the second shampoo wash (and dry the car)...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps946b85bb.jpg

After that, polish...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps347b1f23.jpg

Which left it like this...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8530587e.jpg

Remember that tar ridden panel...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps70c52eb6.jpg

Final paint work layer is the wax...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4eaa6709.jpg

Whilst that cured fully, I thought I'd polish my pipe (ooh-er)...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9e6f596a.jpg

Now, for a "top tip". I used an engine cleaner as a lubricant and the manky clay bar to lift all the tar and crud that had baked onto the pipe. Worked very well. I then used a metal polish... obviously!

Once that was done, I had a tidy up of all the bits and bobs I'd used along the way, then buffed up the car...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps15aa7675.jpg

Nearly there, just the glass to clean and polish and the trim to treat, then done. So here it is...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...psbdb99446.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1da108c9.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...psa892ff87.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1515f2e1.jpg
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ae0b174.jpg

Right, one thing I haven't mentioned; I was recently awaded a car park "bonus".

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...psujzkshwd.jpg

I took the opportunity to pick Ron's brains and armed with his words of wisdom I had a proper go at it with a waffle pad and scratch removal paste, then obviously the polish and wax. Here's where I got to...

http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...ps973f460e.jpg

Come out quite well I thought.

I haven't been happy with then car for a while. Feel much better about it after this session. Engine bay still to do!!!

Looking good Gareth:polish: always admired this one anyway and looks great in the pics:10:

Like I said, good work on the scuff...... always happy to assist, even if its just with some pointers...... to be honest, think you was on the right track for correction anyway:ok:

Thinking of going smaller tailpipe on mine at some point.....possibly making a genome fit:drive:

Good that your not talking about selling up anymore too:ok:

Have you not thought about doing the rear fog fix on the lights and losing the small fog from under the back?

Forester specific Genomes exist. They aren't easy to come by mind!

There are a couple of bits that I still need to get sorted, in particular one of the lower trim panels has some paint damage which I don't thing touch up will deal with, so may need spraying. :(

Scrubs up okay though!

Looks spot on :10:

Lovely job done there and a nice day for it :10:not polished mine since last September lol

Thanks chaps.

I find it quite therapeutic, but certainly don't get at it often enough!

Car looks great Gareth and it looked awesome in the sun on Sunday :ok:

Very nice :polish:, impressed with the `scuff` removal :ok:
http://i1179.photobucket.com/albums/...psujzkshwd.jpg

Cracking job :doubleup: Very impressed with the scuff correction too :10:

Looking nice mate !!!! Great shine, and great job with the tar removal.

Good stuff :) I do like a good deep clean! The scuff removal is spot on.

I had a similar instance where I was awarded "max tyre bonus" to the rear of the scoob by a kind motor cyclist. He thought he would change the colour of the O/S rear bumper corner to tyre black (Rubber/scratches etc). Needless to say we had to give the poor guy a lift home as his bike was trashed, but the damage to the scoob buffed off with some t-cut and a microfiber ;)

Thanks chaps.

It's surprising what you can sort out. I was sceptical about how well the scuff would come up, but I am really pleased.

I need to find time to do the Impreza now!

Looks great :doubleup:

nice one. I must do all that to the p1:more: