New car dilemma...for a veteran Autopian

N

neoprufrok

New member
Hey everyone. I'm an oldtimer, and date back to when it was the old school forum with Murat and David and Brad!



Anyways, some of you remember that I've had the following cars in my stable:



00 Black Civic Si

01 Silver Audi S4

03 Blue Acura CLS



Now, I am proud to own a new 04 Black Audi A4 (something about black I can't get away from). Of course, from the dealership, I requested no wax, wash nothing. They obliged so I got the car straight from the truck.



Anyways, upon delivery, the dealer and I noticed quite a big scratch on front passenger door's rocker panel. I've had the car for a few days now, but Audi will be repainting next week.



My problem. I am itching to wax this car. It is still dirty but I seeing as how they will repaint the door next week, I wonder what I should do this weekend?



Just a simple wash and klasse aio and wait for the monster session later? And how much later should I wait after i get the car back?



Monster session = wash, clay, polish, aio, sg x 4, souveran x 2.



Other questions:



Being new, it is pretty clear of swirls, but there are some (black cars challenge me), should I even consider 3m PI3Mg, or go straight to Klasse AIO x 2 after clay?



I assume terry applicators are good enough for klasse, but I see some are using MF applicators. Are they that much better?



Thanks all for the input.
 
Since you're an oldtimer Autopian, you should know....full meal deal! :D Monster session. Can't hurt the rest of the paint, right?



I would use a real swirl remover like you mentioned or DACP from Meguiars. I don't AIO will do anything to the swirls.



I have not tried MF applicators, but I have some on order. I have used cotton terry ones with great success.
 
Thanks for the reply 2wheelsx2.



I am a veteran, but haven't been around awhile (I've spent more time with high end audio than i should).



Anyways, my worry stems from having to do it all over again after I get it back from the autobody.
 
Oh boy, another high end guy.



I've stopped paying attention to high end. Cars are much cheaper.



I would think that getting to do it twice would be a plus.





Tom
 
Hahaha... Cars are cheaper. Ever since I started about a year and a half ago, I keep on upgrading my audio system. Now i'm at tubed amps and i think i need to stop here.



I'm thinking also that doing it now will protect the rest of the finish somewhat.
 
Actually Hybrid for now.... Anthem Amp2SE with Audio Refinement preamp and Music Hall SACD/CD player MIT cabling



Still sort of mid fi.. not the big buck hifi yet!
 
how you liking the A4? I couldn't wait for the '04, so I caved in and got the '03 a few months ago. And yes, mine is black too. UGGGGHHHHH! But damn it looks good when it's all shined up.



It is my understanding that you can't wax fresh paint. Maybe as long as 30-60 days. Depending on how bad and where the scratch is, you have to assume that they're going to be man handling the area. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing my protection may have been compromised.



It's easy for me to say because it's not my problem, but I'd wait. Although, if I were you, I probably cave in and do it. And if you want my personal advice, GEPC polish looks incredible on a black audi. S100 or P21S as a topper is stunning, although I'm sure the Souveran will treat you right. So maybe do a mini session with out the sealants.
 
How big of a scratch is it? Why did you accept the A4, which needed paintwork? I would have waited for another black A4. As the other have said basically a full deal.



Eric
 
Welcome back :up



A valve man and a detailer - :xyxthumbs



I had to give up my valve amps when I had children and I had become way to obsessive so I had to find something a little more controllable and cheaper ie cleaning cars



Steven
 
neoprufrok- I remember your posts from back when I was merely lurking- welcome back.



I too wonder about taking a damaged car, but anyhow...I'd would wait until you get it back from the paintshop. Just no way to predict what might happen while it's there and I don't relate to wasted effort. THEN I'd do everything except the freshly painted area with the full process and do the freshly painted area with IHG or something else new-paint-friendly.



As you probably know from your '01 S4, Audi is using VERY hard clearcoats these days. I've done a bunch of Audis (I do three regularly) and I find the PI-III MG is BARELY aggressive enough for clearly visible swirls (in fact, I often have to use something much stronger on "non-Autopian" Audis). You certainly don't need to worry about it being too aggressive/excessively thinning your clear. Oh yeah, you might consider the new 1Z polishes, they are *VERY* user friendly. But don't expect their Metallic Polish (the mildest one- red can) to do much for marring on a new Audi (I'd try their Paint Polish- green can- instead, or at least first).
 
Accumulator,



I've got an '03 A4; what do you suggest using with PC to get out some mild swirls? Basically only visible in bright sun light at certain angles. Last weekend I tried yellow pad with SMR. It got out about 75-80% of the swrils, but I've got a couple stubborn ones left. Should I upgrade to wool pad with SMR or stay at yellow with DACP?



Anything else to considering the "very hard clearcoat"? Seems like this would be a good thing, no?
 
Great discussion, I'm another black A4 owner who prepped the car new himself chiming in. I absoultely know what Accumulator is talking about. I have about two extremely light scratches on mine, can't even see unless under flourescent lights and I can't remove them yet. Will be picking up the 1Z--now the green can I assume?---once the car needs a full polishing. All the stuff neoprufrok orginally mentioned sounds good to me. I used the GEPC on my car the day I got it and it does indeed shine outstanding. I think I have about 8 coats of SG on the car now.

Black is definitely challenging, definitely not for someone with sub-Autopian standards. :D
 
Thanks for the comments everyone. It's good to be back! I'll have to look at the production date of the car to determine how long ago it was painted. My assumption is longer than a month ago, so I should be safe working on the car.



As for why I took the car? Well, the scratch is mostly not visible to the non-Autopian. But being an Autopian - I noticed it pretty easily. My wife didn't.



My plan as it stands will be to do the "monster session" with 3m PI3 MG this weekend (too hard too resist) and then probably have to do it again in a month and a half.



Thanks again for all your input!
 
weegee said:
Accumulator,



I've got an '03 A4; what do you suggest using with PC to get out some mild swirls? Basically only visible in bright sun light at certain angles. Last weekend I tried yellow pad with SMR. It got out about 75-80% of the swrils, but I've got a couple stubborn ones left. Should I upgrade to wool pad with SMR or stay at yellow with DACP?



Anything else to considering the "very hard clearcoat"? Seems like this would be a good thing, no?
Click to expand...



weegee- *I* would stick with the cutting pad (as opposed to wool) and use a more aggressive product with it. I only use wool pads with quite aggressive compounds and even then, only when they don't, uhm, cut it with a cutting pad (oops, pun). But DON'T be surprised if even the DACP takes multiple passes (and a LONG time).



IF you work it until it breaks down, the DACP/yellow combo oughta work fine. You MIGHT need to follow up with a polishing pad and a milder product, experiences vary.



And yeah, the hard clear is both a blessing and a curse. I always wonder how something so hard gets marred in the first place! Maybe our "aggressive polishes" aren't quite as aggressive as we think.



Bill D- I got the 1Z Paint Polish (green) and Metallic Polish (red). I then got the Ultra Polish (yellow can) and decided I should've just bought all three in the first place, especially since I have Audis to deal with. The green isn't much, if any, stronger than 3M PI-III MG (pn 05937), maybe not AS strong, and the MG isn't strong enough for real marring on these cars.



BTW, I'm glad to hear you're not gonna redo the whole car over a couple of scratches. Yeah, wait until you have a good reason to do the whole car anyhow. Which won't be for a while with all that SG!
 
My vote is for meguiars #80 speed glaze. It has diminishing abrassives for the scratch and leaves behind a small amount of a paintable polymer, seems perfect for your situation.
 
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