Sam's Auto: 2010 Phantom Black Audi S4 & 2008 Black Merc E500

[imported_artikxscout]

First off the Audi:



This is probably the 2nd 2010 S4 available that I know of in Berkeley. New 2010 uses a V6 Supercharged engine. It's a monster. Just recently had the tints done and exhaust refined.



Also, my CG Jet Seal and EZ Cream came!



Exterior:

ONR Wash

Megs Apc

ZEP Windows Cleaner

P21 Wheel Cleaner

CG EZ Cream II

CG Jet Seal 109



Tools Used:

PC 7424

Blue LC Pad x2

EZ Detail Brush

Various Brushes



Before: Cloudy Day

Tires before after:

Afters (sorry for the blurry pictures, kit lens isn't VR and didn't have tripod)

Luckily dealer didn't hack up the car when it was delivered, but there were still some spot halogramming.

Final Shot:

I loved what Audi has done with their new headlights. It's beautiful and elegant, yet at the same time mean when you see it coming at you at 110mph.

Enjoy!

 

[imported_artikxscout]

Man, these write ups take a long time to do, I don't know how you guys do it. But this is a client that I take care of bi-annual. It's a 2008 E500 in Black. I detailed it around 7 months ago and he's been doing a great job with the upkeep. It was some spot polish (some acid came from pipes in the garage and he tried to wipe them off) which eventually lead to scratching the car.



Exterior:

CG CWC via 2-bucket method

Clay w/ ONR lube (auto magic)

P21 Wheel Gel

Poorboys EX-P

Optimum OCW

ZEP windows cleaner

Megs APC 10:1 on tires



Interior:

Optimum OPP

303 for Dash



Polishing:

Orange LC SIP

Blue LC 106FA



Tools:

PCXP

PC 7424

Ridgid Vac

Defelsko Paint Gauge

Various Oxo brushes

EZ Detailing Brush



Before:

I love it when they know you're coming and keep the car dirty for that week.

So I pre-sprayed the tires with the Meg's APC and the wheels w/ p21 and let it dwell

Some of the scratches from removing the rusted water residue.

Afters:

Got to love Mercedes orange peel!

Sun shot:

Enjoy! Weather: 68°F



It feels good to be posting again after couple months in Asia.

 

[dickwitham]

LOVE the S4! Is that some curb rash on the passenger side front wheel?



Regardless, great work and a beautiful car!

 

[gmblack3]

Very nice work Sam!



The new A4 that I did a few months ago was not touched by the dealer and it just had some slight marring from removing the plastic.

 

[imported_DJ Mayo]

Niice Sam. I LOVE how EZ Creme Glaze looks under a sealant. It's super easy to use too.

 

[Scottwax]

Nice job, both cars look insanely wet. :up

 

[imported_artikxscout]

LOVE the S4! Is that some curb rash on the passenger side front wheel?



Regardless, great work and a beautiful car!

Yeah, there's already some on the driver side also, but majority of it was on the passenger side.

Very nice work Sam!



The new A4 that I did a few months ago was not touched by the dealer and it just had some slight marring from removing the plastic.

Thanks Bryan. I would've thought this metallic color would have a harder clear coat. Overall the phantom black is still harder than "brilliant black"

Niice Sam. I LOVE how EZ Creme Glaze looks under a sealant. It's super easy to use too.

I agree! It probably darkens the car by at least 10-20%. There was an immediate wow factor even before putting on the jetseal.

Nice job, both cars look insanely wet. :up

Thanks Scott!

 

[drew.haynes]

Afters (sorry for the blurry pictures, kit lens isn't VR and didn't have tripod)

What camera body are you using?

 

[Thomas Dekany]

Very nice work on both vehicles.

 

[imported_artikxscout]

What camera body are you using?

Nikon D40, Aperture Priority, on vivid setting. 15-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Very nice work on both vehicles.

Thanks Tom

 

[drew.haynes]

Nikon D40, Aperture Priority, on vivid setting. 15-55mm f/3.5-5.6





Thanks Tom

When you get a chance you should snag some faster glass and you won't have to worry about "no VR" or tripods anymore!



I was going to recommend the old school Nikkor 50mm 1.8 prime @ only about 100 bucks, but on a D40, D40x, or D60 it will not autofocus... manual only (may be ok with you shooting still objects - cars - only)



More ideal - due to the autofocus issues with D40/D60 and older glass, and more ideal for cars due to the wider focal length, would be the Nikkor 35mm 1.8 that came out somewhat recently. They were very hard to find, but gettin a little easier now. Expect $200 sale price, but great image quality vs kit lens and the f/1.8 will save you so often!

 

[imported_artikxscout]

Hey Drew, thanks for the suggestions. I was actually looking in the past 2 weeks for either the 50mm or the 35mm. It's not that expensive, but it's a great prime lens. Only problem with the 50mm right now is the crop factor, and I might not have room sometimes to snap the whole car. I'll probably be picking up the 50mm f/1.8D on amazon, and probably another 70-200mm VR for the long range ones.



Hopefully other people with the DSLR (d40, d60, d90, d5000, etc.) can use this tip too.

 

[SHPatel]

Amazing job Sam! I can't wait until you come out and do my car.