Hazy Subaru Paint

[markcp]

Hi,

I've got an black 2005 Impreza which I'd consider is well looked after. Its washed regularly and properly cleansed/waxed a couple of times per year.

However, I've noticed recently that a haze has formed on the paintwork, which is more noticeable on the bonnet, that makes it appear cloudy and dull.

Does anyone have any suggestions what may have caused this and what needs to be done to eradicate it.

Thanks.

[Refined Detail]

Difficult to tell without seeing photos or the car in person...

Does the car feel rough to the touch at all? If so, try a clay bar.

Does the hazing look like hologramming of products - e.g over application of polish / wax or a wax secondary hazng (ie. gassing up in changes of temperatures)

Although most likely - swirl marks / wash marring - Subaru paint is often quite soft, and being black will show up every little mark.

Do you use the 2 bucket method, lambswool wash mitt, plush drying towels, foam applicator pads etc etc? Or sponges, aqua blades, polishing cloth etc. If it is swirl marks, the only way to rectify this will be paint correction via machine polisher. Hand polishes often rely on filling agents such as kaolin clay and glazing oils which help to mask the appearance of swirl marks but don't remove them.

[markcp]

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos to hand, but after I've cleaned it, it still looks like its got a dusty haze over the paint, especially on the flat panels (roof and bonnet).

I've clayed the car reasonably recently and that didn't help much (albeit the paint felt very smooth afterwards), but the haziness was still evident.

[waxaholic]

A indepth hand polish or machine polish is in order to restore the finish followed by a coat of wax or sealant to protect the finish.

[mneame]

Could be marring. What was the claybar used and what products do you normally use? Need pictures to provide better help really.

[peter8171]

If it is a wrx or sti, the bonnet will be aluminium alloy. The sti also has alloy front wings. The other panels are steel, so wonder if that could be affecting the paint finish.?

[mneame]

peter8171 said:

If it is a wrx or sti, the bonnet will be aluminium alloy. The sti also has alloy front wings. The other panels are steel, so wonder if that could be affecting the paint finish.?

Never made a difference on the 3 Imprezas I had.

[peter8171]

mneame said:

Never made a difference on the 3 Imprezas I had.

Wasn't sure. Mine has had a respray in the last few months after being repaired from the hailstone attack at the end of June, so the paintwork is just fresh.

[Refined Detail]

If it's had a reasonably recent respray my reckoning would be poor machine polishing so therefore the hazy finish would be heavy hologramming. Polish oils have been washed away over the weeks / months since the respray which were masking the true finish which has now been left.

Is it more apparent in sunlight?

[markcp]

Its more apparent just after its been washed, where the dull haziness really shows up.

If I'm doing a full clean, my routine is as follows:
- rinse with water
- wash with Autoglym shampoo
- clay with Swissvax claybar
- cleanse with Dodojuice Supernatural Micro Prime
- finish with Swissvax Onyx wax.

Am I doing something fundamentally wrong???

Thanks

[KM666]

Have you tried any paint 'renovation' products? They often boast on the bottle that they are the perfect product for removing 'haze'.

I can completely 'hide' all of my paintwork issues using paint restorers and coloured polishes (sealed with wax). It is temporary however, I wash my car every week to 2 weeks. Just a standard wash, dry, wax and trye dressing affair and have to re-apply the paint specific/scratch removal products every couple of months.

I dont have access to any motorished polishing pads etc, everything is done by hand so obviously superior results can be achieved with decent tools.