2005 Subaru Legacy Owner's Manual - Page 494

Appearance care the mud and sand off the underbody. Carefully flush the suspension and axle parts, as they are particularly prone to mud and sand buildup. Do not use a sharp-edged tool to remove caked mud. NOTE the painted surfaces. Loss of wax on a painted surface leads to loss of the original luster and also quickens the deterioration of the surface. It is recommended that a coat of wax be applied at least once a month, or whenever the surface no longer repels water. If the appearance of the paint has diminished to the point where the luster or tone cannot be restored, lightly polish the surface with a fine-grained compound. Never polish just the affected area, but include the surrounding area as well. Always polish in only one direction. A No. 2000 grain compound is recommended. Never use a coarse-grained compound. Coarser grained compounds have a smaller grain-size number and could damage the paint. After polishing with a compound, coat with wax to restore the original luster. Frequent polishing with a compound or an incorrect polishing technique will result in removing the paint layer and exposing the undercoat. When in doubt, it is always best to contact your SUBARU dealer or an auto paint specialist. Be careful not to damage brake hoses, sensor harnesses, and other parts when washing suspension components. ! Using a warm water washer " Keep a good distance of 12 in (30 cm) or more between the washer nozzle and the vehicle. " Do not wash the same area continuously. " If a stain will not come out easily, wash by hand. Some warm water washers are of the high temperature, high pressure type, and they can damage or deform the resin parts such as mouldings, or cause water to leak into the vehicle. ! Waxing and polishing Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing and polishing. Use a good quality polish and wax and apply them according to the manufacturer's instructions. Wax or polish when the painted surface is cool. Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim, as well as NOTE Be careful not to block the windshield washer nozzles with wax when waxing the vehicle. - CONTINUED - 10-3