2013 Audi A4, 2-step correction and CQuartz Finest protection: Rasky's Auto Detailing

[RaskyR1]

My client picked up this brand new brilliant black A4 just a day prior to his appointment, so no pre-inspection was possible. Being brand new the car was originally scheduled for a 1-step correction, but after seeing it in person it was clear that it would need more. Most of the wash induced marring was removable with a 1-step correction, but there were so many remaining deeper scratches all over the finish that I had to go over the whole car with a more aggressive step first...and I still had to spot hit a few RIDS after that. Overall I got about 98% correction with just a few faint RIDS remaining. Did I mention how much I love Audi brilliant black paint?





Process:



Wash - ONR, MF towels for wash media, boars hair brush for cracks, crevices, emblems with OPC

Wheels - Sonax Full Effect, various brushes and wash mitt

Tires - OPC, Tuf Shine tire brush, dressed with Megs Hyper Dressing 4:1

Decon - IronX, Speedy Prep Towel with Glide for lube

Paint correction - M205/Megs MF Finishing discs for cutting (some prototype pads and compound for a few areas), finishing was done with Sonax PF with Rupes yellow pads. All correction was done with the Rupes LHR21 and G110v2

Coating Prep - Eraser wipe-down 2x with Great White MF towels (6 towels)

Coating - CQuartz Finest on paint and lights, FlyBy30 on glass, CQuartz Fabric and Leather Protectant and carpet and matts, Opti-Coat Pro on wheels (face and barrels)





Before pics

50/50

Wheels cleaned and coated

IR lamp curing the Finest coating as I worked on the wheels and other detailed items

Finished pics

Walk around before & After video (watch in HD)

2013 A4 in for a 2-step paint correction and CQuartz Finest protection - YouTube





As always, thank you for taking the time to view my work!



Rasky

 

[tom p.]

I'm stunned by the damage done prior to delivery. Maybe the camera makes it look worse, but it sure needed some luvin' to make it right. Looks great!!

 

[Scottwax]

Wow, that looks amazing in the after shots!

 

[maxepr1]

Nice work as always, Chad. Audi's fit and finish is second to none. When properly cleaned up like this one they are beautiful cars!

 

[RaskyR1]

Thanks guys! This one kicked my but and I way over estimated the time on it.

I'm stunned by the damage done prior to delivery. Maybe the camera makes it look worse, but it sure needed some luvin' to make it right. Looks great!!

Actually the camera probably made it look better than it was to start. I was using Live mode (Tip I got From Gary Feng) to help capture the defects better this time and felt it was a pretty close representation.

 

[tdowns187]

Rasky-
Thanks for posting all the good info. I just bought a 2008 Audi S4 brilliant black. I'd say it has moderate defects. I am an amateur detailer for personal cars only, have done only 4 corrections. I own a Griots DA polisher with a number of 5 inch HD pads and 4 inch Lake CCS pads. I have the HD line (Cut, Uno, Polish, Poxy). 
 
I'm somewhat confused with info on the Audi brilliant black paint and was hoping to get your feedback. I thought the clear coat was hard, but I've read conflicting posts saying some were soft any thoughts? 
 
The biggest concern I have is the propensity to get marring after a correction AND the hard clear. 
 
Do you think a Griots will get the job done with the hard clear? 
 
Regarding the the propensity to get marring after a correction, my plan after correction is to do a 15% IPA wipe down followed by opticoat 2.0. What do you think? Do you have any pointers to avoid marring prior to sealant application, IE IPA wipe down and opticoat finishing?
 
Thank You,
 
Tony

 

[white gecko]

Great job Chad!  I always love the attention you give to proper FOCUS in pictures!  The double Brinkman photos were a nice touch.  Great job and I love the coating combo...win sauce right there.

 

[RaskyR1]

 
Rasky-
Thanks for posting all the good info. I just bought a 2008 Audi S4 brilliant black. I'd say it has moderate defects. I am an amateur detailer for personal cars only, have done only 4 corrections. I own a Griots DA polisher with a number of 5 inch HD pads and 4 inch Lake CCS pads. I have the HD line (Cut, Uno, Polish, Poxy). 
 
I'm somewhat confused with info on the Audi brilliant black paint and was hoping to get your feedback. I thought the clear coat was hard, but I've read conflicting posts saying some were soft any thoughts? 
 
The biggest concern I have is the propensity to get marring after a correction AND the hard clear. 
 
Do you think a Griots will get the job done with the hard clear? 
 
Regarding the the propensity to get marring after a correction, my plan after correction is to do a 15% IPA wipe down followed by opticoat 2.0. What do you think? Do you have any pointers to avoid marring prior to sealant application, IE IPA wipe down and opticoat finishing?
 
Thank You,
 
Tony


 

Hey Tony,


 


I found the paint to be very hard in the sense that it takes a lot of effort to get correction, but at the same time the paint also marrs very easily, so to some they may think it's soft. Make sense?


 


The Groits can do the job just fine, but it will require the right pads, polish, technique, and it will take longer than it would with some of the newer polishers.


 


As far as the marring goes, I've found Eraser to be less likely to marr the paint than IPA, but just make sure you're using high quality MF towels and you should be okay...test a panel first though. Another option is to finish the paint with Optimum's Hyper Polish and simply do an ONR wash so that you don't need to use IPA or Eraser.


 


Hope this helps,


Rasky

Great job Chad!  I always love the attention you give to proper FOCUS in pictures!  The double Brinkman photos were a nice touch.  Great job and I love the coating combo...win sauce right there.

 


Thanks Jeff!

 

[Greg Gellas]

Looks GREAT Chad! 

 

[tdowns187]

Thanks for your response Chad.  I haven't read much about <span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Optimum's Hyper Polish up until now.  It sounds very nice.