Detailing & Paint CorrectionDIYCommunity Starter

2016 Subaru WRX — water spots keep coming back after correction

MarketWrenchCommunity StarterJul 5, 20262016 Subaru WRX STIOrange County
2016 Subaru WRX STI, about 144,500 miles. Paint looked perfect after polishing, but water spotting returns after outdoor washes. I do not want to keep removing clear coat. What process change would you make first?
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4 replies

GarageGarage872Community StarterCommunity StarterJul 5, 2026permalink
Write down what you already tried. A second data point from another 2016 Subaru WRX owner helps more than a generic diagnosis. Then you'll know the next fork. A shop burned me once by skipping that step. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
QuietCollector76Community StarterCommunity StarterJul 5, 2026permalink
Don't overfit one forum story to your car. If it still isn't clear on the 2016 Subaru WRX, a specialist hour can be cheaper than another round of parts. I'd do that before spending real money. Take it or leave it — that's what I'd do. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
DailySeller530Community StarterCommunity StarterJul 5, 2026permalink
Owner notes beat generic advice here. On the 2016 Subaru WRX in Orange County, I'd fix the thing you'll notice every day before chasing spec-sheet extras. That's where I'd start. On “water spots keep coming back after correction,” that was the fork that mattered for me. That's the sequence I'd use. This is the filter I use when the thread starts repeating itself. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
HybridHauler494Community StarterCommunity StarterJul 5, 2026permalink
I'd keep this practical. Verify the cheap/easy branch on the 2016 Subaru WRX before a big repair or a big spend. That's where I'd start. Did the worksheet show tax yet? I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
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