Mr

[mdb33]

Haven't posted or read this forum in a long time, but I just bought a new Audi A4 (black) this past Friday and needed some brushing up on technique so I don't jack it up. The dealership already helped with that part, two small buffer hollograms and some minor micro marring.



I had been using Zaino Z2pro on my silver A3 and keeping it in good shape. I haven't been keeping up with their product line and was surprised to see the Zaino Clear and AIO which I just ordered and should have tomorrow, along with the Z5 pro which I only had Z5 which probably had expired.



Planning on ordering a foam gun tonight or tomorrow so this Saturday I can get started. I am posting a few pics for your opinion. I just washed it today with some Poor Boys car wash and then slapped a coat of Z5 on it just for protection. Z5'ed the windows, lights etc, and used Z2 pro on the rims the day I got it.



Here is my plan for this Saturday, please let me know if I am missing or doing too much. Plan on washing with dawn to strip everything off, then using clay, another wash with Zaino z7, Zaino AIO, Z6, Z5-pro, Z6, Z5-pro, Z6, then top it off with Zaino clear. Let me know what you think.

 

[silvergray]

Your process sounds pretty good!



How do you like the new A4? Thats the exact car I plan on ordering within the next few weeks. Black on Black 2.0 6MT S-Line. So beautiful!

 

[mdb33]

Your process sounds pretty good!



How do you like the new A4? Thats the exact car I plan on ordering within the next few weeks. Black on Black 2.0 6MT S-Line. So beautiful!

I love it so far, but only have about 150 miles on it. I loved my A3 also and she had a little extra under the hood... wink wink.



I was going back and forth between another A4 non S-line with more options but really wanted the 18" rims and tires and liked the shift knob and suspension on the s-line so I gave up the upgraded stereo system and heated seats. To be honest I couldn't tell much difference on the radio besides the upgraded one came with Sirius which I wouldn't use after the free trial. The heated seats were a trade off because this one has bluetooth instead and it worked out that the bluetooth is way cooler. :woot2: :woot2:



I can't wait to get all my new Zaino and the foam gun and get to work on Saturday. Hopefully she'll come out even prettier than today's quickie I gave her.



P.S. I wanted silver but there was only 1 silver in the SouthEast and it was in TX and I didn't want to pay $1500 to truck it in. This black one was the only one they had on the lot and they worked me a smokin' deal. Hope I don't regret the black... haven't gone down this devil'ish road since my 2003 G35 Coupe. Was silver after that on the WRX and A3. We shall see!!!

 

[silvergray]

Good choice on getting the S-Line, its a while lot sportier than the standard A4s!



And you will love the foam gun. Its one of my favorite detailing tools - makes washing so much easier.



If you don't mind my asking, but what did you pay for the A4? I'm not sure what the dealers are willing to knock off sticker, I've only been given offers of $800 and $1400 off??

 

[J.J.]

Nice car! Foam guns are kewl. I really enjoy using mine.



If you are going to clay, you can use a car specfic shampoo. The dawn will add nothing to the cleaning if you are going to clay the entire car.



I don't use Zaino so I have no recommendations in that area. There are plenty of people that use Zaino though. I'm sure they will chime in with their recommendations soon enough.



JJ

 

[Accumulator]

IMO you're gonna need something more abrasive than the ZAIO. I've only experimented with it a little bit, but on my wife's A8 it was too mild to correct anything (but also too abrasive to use on the black plastic around the sideview mirrors).

 

[mdb33]

I was pretty sure I didn't need the dawn, but figured it wouldn't be a bad first wash step before claying plus then I didn't waste my Zaino z7 car wash or my poor boys soap.



I really don't need the Zaino AIO as the paint is in good shape for the most part, but I figured I would try it out. I will post pictures after this weekend once I get everything done.



The foam gun was ordered from FL this morning (autogeek) and I'm in GA so it should arrive before the weekend hopefully.





I paid invoice btw.

 

[Accumulator]

I was pretty sure I didn't need the dawn, but figured it wouldn't be a bad first wash step before claying plus then I didn't waste my Zaino z7 car wash or my poor boys soap..

The only issue I have with (infrequent) Dawn use is that it is utterly lacking in lubricity. That's no biggie if you're gonna be polishing anyhow, but if your paint is in good condition (before the wash) it could be a problem if you end up inducing marring that you'll then have to polish out. I'd rather spend a few bucks on shampoo than a few hours on marring removal.



Hope it goes well!