Clean and Bling

 Good day, Sports Fans!

In this post, an update on one of my favourite activities. Washing my car. I love the outcomes and how a good wash and wax/detailing bring out the contrast of the red paint and black trim. She just POPS! after such treatment, and it is something I take great satisfaction in.

There is also a follow-up to the door sills I bought back in November and I have got GREAT news for Impreza owners. 

Clean

After approximately 4,500 kilometres of driving it was time to get caught up on cleaning up the Mist. She was a dirty girl and deserved some TLC.

In White Rock, there are several vendors, and I happened upon Car Wash Canada in Surrey, BC, due to its really good reviews. It has about 8 wash bays and a touchless car wash. The bays are high enough for campers and other high vehicles, and the payment machines are excellent. They have a "Stop" button so you can pause the wash to do work that does not require water, thereby decreasing the wasting of water and making it more of a "pay as you go" model. Did it save me any money? I am not sure, as it uses tap and a minimum fee of $2.50 per session.

The payment hardware and the washing wand worked wonders, and it had a typical range of wash, wax, and rinse modes with a poster clearly defining the use of each mode, making it easier to determine what to do, when, and how.y.

Once the was was done, there is a spacious area to park and detail, and one can well imagine a sunny weekend where the activity of people washing their cars being incredibly busy.

As it was, only 3 bays were in use.

Of note, there was a wash attendant who was so diligent in collecting the vacuum hoses and policing (sweeping, refuse collection, etc.) that you could sense a sense of pride from the attendant and the business in keeping the location in good condition, making everyone's experience better.

There are also two black bins of microfibre cloths. One for clean clothes and one for dirty available to patrons for their use. Having my own, this was not a concern, but it is a nice touch and creates value and goodwill amongst the patrons.

There was a steady stream of cars with people taking various levels of effort in washing their vehicles.

Some are wash and go, and some are like me. Minute car washing and cleaing.

The Mist got a pretty thorough exterior wash, and the engine bay got a bath and clean up, and she is looking really good. Ready to go out to the Prom.

I am really pleased with the results and it feels so much better having the Mist in fighting trim.

Bling

In February, I posted about my theory that the door sill protectors for the 2024 Crosstrek would fit the Impreza. I went to Weathertech's website and did not find a part number for the Impreza, but on the theory that the chassis and other structural components of both cars were essentially the same, I ordered the set for the Crosstrek and took delivery in February.

As of today, the Canadian Weathertech site shows no part number for Impreza.

On the other hand...

ST008K1 is the part for the Crosstrek Sill Protector and retails for $99.95 CDN.

I waited for warm weather and on the night before leaving for my trip, I installed them.

1. Read the instructions.
2. A warm, low-humidity day is best.
3. Clean the area where the parts are being installed.
4. Laying the parts out, basically setting the plastic part on the door sill and moving it back and forth until it "sets." There is a place on the sill where you can sense that it fits best. This is easier on the rear doors as they are shorter in length and have a more pronounced curvature. The front sills are relatively flat, but with a bit of patience, you can sense the proper location.
5. Marking the front and back with masking tape is a good idea, and then you pre-peel the adhesive cover strip and gently place the sill protector on the sill and peel the protective cover off, and press down on the plastic, setting the adhesive and sticking the part to the door sill.

It took about 15 minutes to install, and I am very pleased with having them. I tend to scrape my shoe on the sill, and I would rather mark up the protector than the paint on the metal of the sill.

This video gives a great primer on what is involved.

This is the result on the Mist, Sports Fans!

I am really pleased with the results and feel the price is well worth it as it enhances the look of the door sills and has such a practical component to the protection of your vehicle.

Feel free to pop a question about them if you have any more questions about the install.

Well, Sports Fans, it was a great day of car care and therapy. The Mist is clean (outside) and looking good, shaming those cars more expensive but not nearly as sexy as she is.

Well, Sports Fans, drive safe and you know where the rubber goes!