Optimum Detail : A Rare Subaru Impreza S202

[s1tl]

Sighting of the bug eyes is already rare but making it a S202 makes it next level! Here we have with us the perfect combo, Black, Boxer, All Original, Fully stock, S202, what more can a car enthusiast as for!? But looks can be deceiving. Read on to find out.

Upon arrival, we did the standard routine check up, she was in pretty bad shape. But being more than 10 years old, its was considerably normal to be this condition.

First thing we noticed was a severe watermark condition on every single panel of the car.

Some wax residue or polish residue was spotted around the STI emblem.

And also the S202 chrome emblem.

The factory carbon fiber GT Wing was also covered in watermarks.

Even the inner fuel cap area had watermark issues. Apparently, rust problems were quite common for the fuel area.

The fuel tank door was semi-oxidized.

Coming to the swirl and scratches, we found the surface to be 100% covered in them.

Some areas had lesser swirls some area had more.

Some areas were severely covered in thick watermark build up.

Some areas had visibly less watermarks.

Rear boot lid had the least watermark build up.

Unknown stains that is so hardened it felt like cement.

Well, basically what you see on this photo is how the entire car looks like up close.

and finally, the road grime.

The car's factory wheels were STI engraved Volks CE28 but they were brake dust covered

Closer look on brake dust rust being almost the same colour as the bronze wheels.

1 swipe, revealing how the original colour should look like.

We started with a good old detailed wash, clay bar turned brown after 1 panel.

After the wash, we started by disassembling parts that might block my way.

Including the carbon fiber GT Wing.

The car looks pretty good from a distance after a good wash but we all know once you move closer...

First, we tackled the watermark build up. This is the before.

After clearing off the watermarks.

Haziness before.

50/50 on the same spot.

After removing the first layer of contamination, its time for us to move in depth for the swirls.

Before.

After.

Before.

After.

Haziness before.

Restored.

We got to be really honest, we were unable to restore the paint to a 100% or even a 90% state like we usually do. Mainly because the surface was already very much damaged. Being the original paint, it was the best that we could have done. So the surface still had minimal swirls but 100% watermark free.

 

[vr2turbo]

Fuh! Black.......

 

[6UE5t]

Great job!

 

[vr2turbo]

Great job!

This bro. s1tl is detailing sifu mah! Sure good job one.....

 

[RENESIS VIII]

This bro. s1tl is detailing sifu mah! Sure good job one.....

s1tl is Ipoh based? His location is written Ipoh.

 

[Izso]

He's from Ipoh, but based in KL.

And that S202 had thin paint too right? I remember the owner telling me Subaru went to great lengths to lighten the S202. Thinner glass, no soundproofing, etc

 

[vr2turbo]

s1tl is Ipoh based? His location is written Ipoh.

You want to polish your car?

 

[6UE5t]

What do you use to clear the water marks? Must use machine or can do manual hand job?

 

[sweelt]

the swirl mark, water mark gone like that, wow. How to do ? some tips can dy. Pls.

 

[vr2turbo]

What do you use to clear the water marks? Must use machine or can do manual hand job?

For Water marks, got water marks remover in the market. If got stronger type of polish also can remove. Only thing is very fast comes back, since our weather always rain then bright sun comes out....

If a bit only can do by hand, if whole panel better you use machine......lol

 

[6UE5t]

For Water marks, got water marks remover in the market. If got stronger type of polish also can remove. Only thing is very fast comes back, since our weather always rain then bright sun comes out....

If a bit only can do by hand, if whole panel better you use machine......lol

I've tried the Turtle Wax Polishing compound by hand for my engine hood, not able to remove completely even though already feel buttery smooth on the finger tip.

 

[RENESIS VIII]

You want to polish your car?

Not this current car. Maybe the next car few years later.

 

[vr2turbo]

I've tried the Turtle Wax Polishing compound by hand for my engine hood, not able to remove completely even though already feel buttery smooth on the finger tip.

Yours with polishing compound cannot come off, fuh! Normally water marks should be quite easy to come off, unless yours very long already and have etched in quite deep....:hmmmm:

 

[sweelt]

i work in sugar factory, guess what. Sugar dust everywhere. If just drizzling rain for 10 minutes.
thats it lah, sticky residue on car paint.
if leave it, gone case.
2-3 days i MUST rinse the car and wipe it dry.

 

[vr2turbo]

i work in sugar factory, guess what. Sugar dust everywhere. If just drizzling rain for 10 minutes.
thats it lah, sticky residue on car paint.
if leave it, gone case.
2-3 days i MUST rinse the car and wipe it dry.

Wah! can get sugar coating woh!......hhahahhahha

 

[sweelt]

Expensive lohh..lol

 

[6UE5t]

Yours with polishing compound cannot come off, fuh! Normally water marks should be quite easy to come off, unless yours very long already and have etched in quite deep....:hmmmm:

Yes but it doesn't look as bad as this WRX and this one can remove completely. Mine also only on the engine hood, the other parts are still ok. So I suspect, the cleaning agent that I use (this turtle wax polishing compound) is not good enough and/or cannot just do manually by hand but must do by machine too. Probably I'd still need help from pro guys like this.

 

[vr2turbo]

Yah! you may need stronger products paired with a DA or maybe even a rotary....

 

[s1tl]

Great job!

Thanks for your kind words bro.

I've tried the Turtle Wax Polishing compound by hand for my engine hood, not able to remove completely even though already feel buttery smooth on the finger tip.

From my professional opinion, using hand polish and expecting it to come out with a perfect finish, its almost impossible. Under the proper lighting, it will be fully swirled up from the pressure and rubbing and the cloth you use.

What do you use to clear the water marks? Must use machine or can do manual hand job?

Watermark removal vary on case. In the case of this S202, it is way too severe to be just removed with rotary polisher or a dual action polisher. So I used a acid base chemical that is usually use for glass, carefully rub it onto the paint square feet by square feet and immediately rinsing it off. I do not recommend DIY with this method because if not properly done and timed. It may damage the paint. After removing the heavy watermarks, Im left with the minor ones, which I then use a dual action polisher to finish it off.

s1tl is Ipoh based? His location is written Ipoh.

Im from Ipoh but based in KL. Izso answered for me already

He's from Ipoh, but based in KL.

And that S202 had thin paint too right? I remember the owner telling me Subaru went to great lengths to lighten the S202. Thinner glass, no soundproofing, etc

Yes bro, the S202 paint is hard but light. It took me about 2 and a half days to get it to this state, Im not very happy with the final results also but no choice because its the max already. You're right too, its super light weight, paint, sound proofing, glass, aluminum body panels. Utterly fell in love with the bug eye.

the swirl mark, water mark gone like that, wow. How to do ? some tips can dy. Pls.

The only way to deal with swirl marks is by polishing it. But in this case, the heavy watermark was actually "blocking" my polishing compound from attacking the swirl problem. So it has to be staged. 1st was dealing with heavy watermark build up, followed by a few combo of polishing pads and a dual action polisher to remove swirls. Because black is a sensitive colour, so just the polishing itself took me more than 10 hours. I cant really give a "tip" but the process is as of what i wrote above.

This bro. s1tl is detailing sifu mah! Sure good job one.....

hahahaha thank you bro. I didnt realize so many replies:rolleyes:

 

[sweelt]

Fuhhh this aint magic show....need master sifu level of experience to deal with acid cleaner for a starter.
I stay in penang...demm. Any trusted detailer in penang that u know ?