finerdetails
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Tim took time out from his usual Tuesday activities yesterday to bring the other half’s Audi TT along for some serious paint work treatment. The car is a 2004 model (so I was already prepared for a long day as these models seem to be carrying harder than normal jackets). To further challenge me the car has had a full front end re-spray, and it hasn’t been the greatest finish possible. We started off by walking round the TT, discussing the paint ‘issues’ and agreeing expectations. I then took a series of before shots to highlight those concerns in the car:
Some rather good swirls in the new paint:
The swirls in the existing paint:
The hologramming provided by the Dealership bodyshop:
And lastly, the flat finish of the new paint:
10am we then moved the car up onto the drive way and under the two gazebos. I sprayed the car down with the hose, before using a foam gun to soak the car with a car shampoo and left to soak for a couple of minutes. All arches and Alloys were sprayed with Poorboys APC by Tim whilst we then washed the car using the two bucket method.. The paintwork was rinsed after washing, and then we cleaned alloys and arches. All rinsed on completion.
Next job was to remove the surface contamination, so using DP clay. Tim had not clayed a car before, so I took time to explain what clay does, how to use, and made time to share hints, tips and techniques. We then started on the bonnet, ensuring Tim had a full understanding and was comfortable before progressing our way around the car to leave a silky smooth finish. We then re-washed the car before rinsing down and drying off.
Next Tim and I toured the Audi, using a paint depth gauge to complete and record the readings. Note the front end re-spray areas!
Following the recording of the readings, Tim and I started out with a masked area on the bonnet of the car, finding the combo of PC pad and polish that would correct the defects to an agreed acceptable level. % pads and 5 products later, stage one of the polishing was agreed as Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish, applied with a 4inch Medium cut pad. I then demo’d for Tim how to use the pC, and the technique required for SFX 1 and Pinnacle SR to complete the follow up stage for DCAP. Timthen got stuck in, making a very good job for a first time PC’er! We continued this process over the bonnet, and 2 and a half hours later, had a finish nearer to that expected and required. Whilst not completely 100% due to the paint re-spray, it was dramatically improved and swirl free.
We then moved to the boot panel of the TT, completing the test stages again, confirming and agreeing the combinations to be used on the standard paint. No great surprises, we continued our way around the rest of the car using the same combo and technique. 4pm in the afternoon, and the majority of the de-swirling was complete.
Next, using a polishing pad and Meguiars Speed Glaze I applied while Tim removed the residue. The whole car received one application, and the bonnet two. This final correction stage saw the paint really improve, looking quite glossy now.
As per the pre-detail discussion, we next started on the products to give the Audi as much bling and deep wet shine combo as we could. Using the Sonus finishing pad, I applied a layer of XMT Finishing Glaze to each panel, Tim following two/three panels behind wiping clear. Tim really liked this product, and the ease of use, especially compared to the earlier heavier de-swirling polishes.
Next Tim toured his car, applying a layer of DP Max Wax. Once Tim was a couple of panels ahead, I started to follow, spit shining the hazed panels with Pinnacle Souveran. Spit shining is not the quickest technique available to detailing, and it was 5.30pm by now, so Tim also applied and removed Meguiars #20 polymer sealant to the multi spoke alloys whilst I continued with the spit shining.
Tyres and arches were treated with Poorboys Bold n Brite, all glass wiped an cleaned with QD. I gave the Audi a quick wipe over with QD, and some eight and a half hours later we had this to reward our hard graft on a very hot summer’s day:
Hopefully more pics to follow once I find them on my computer! Don’t ask!
Thanks to Tim for bringing the Audi, I’ll look forward to seeing pics of the detailed A4!
Thanks for reading.
Iain
Some rather good swirls in the new paint:
The swirls in the existing paint:
The hologramming provided by the Dealership bodyshop:
And lastly, the flat finish of the new paint:
10am we then moved the car up onto the drive way and under the two gazebos. I sprayed the car down with the hose, before using a foam gun to soak the car with a car shampoo and left to soak for a couple of minutes. All arches and Alloys were sprayed with Poorboys APC by Tim whilst we then washed the car using the two bucket method.. The paintwork was rinsed after washing, and then we cleaned alloys and arches. All rinsed on completion.
Next job was to remove the surface contamination, so using DP clay. Tim had not clayed a car before, so I took time to explain what clay does, how to use, and made time to share hints, tips and techniques. We then started on the bonnet, ensuring Tim had a full understanding and was comfortable before progressing our way around the car to leave a silky smooth finish. We then re-washed the car before rinsing down and drying off.
Next Tim and I toured the Audi, using a paint depth gauge to complete and record the readings. Note the front end re-spray areas!
Following the recording of the readings, Tim and I started out with a masked area on the bonnet of the car, finding the combo of PC pad and polish that would correct the defects to an agreed acceptable level. % pads and 5 products later, stage one of the polishing was agreed as Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish, applied with a 4inch Medium cut pad. I then demo’d for Tim how to use the pC, and the technique required for SFX 1 and Pinnacle SR to complete the follow up stage for DCAP. Timthen got stuck in, making a very good job for a first time PC’er! We continued this process over the bonnet, and 2 and a half hours later, had a finish nearer to that expected and required. Whilst not completely 100% due to the paint re-spray, it was dramatically improved and swirl free.
We then moved to the boot panel of the TT, completing the test stages again, confirming and agreeing the combinations to be used on the standard paint. No great surprises, we continued our way around the rest of the car using the same combo and technique. 4pm in the afternoon, and the majority of the de-swirling was complete.
Next, using a polishing pad and Meguiars Speed Glaze I applied while Tim removed the residue. The whole car received one application, and the bonnet two. This final correction stage saw the paint really improve, looking quite glossy now.
As per the pre-detail discussion, we next started on the products to give the Audi as much bling and deep wet shine combo as we could. Using the Sonus finishing pad, I applied a layer of XMT Finishing Glaze to each panel, Tim following two/three panels behind wiping clear. Tim really liked this product, and the ease of use, especially compared to the earlier heavier de-swirling polishes.
Next Tim toured his car, applying a layer of DP Max Wax. Once Tim was a couple of panels ahead, I started to follow, spit shining the hazed panels with Pinnacle Souveran. Spit shining is not the quickest technique available to detailing, and it was 5.30pm by now, so Tim also applied and removed Meguiars #20 polymer sealant to the multi spoke alloys whilst I continued with the spit shining.
Tyres and arches were treated with Poorboys Bold n Brite, all glass wiped an cleaned with QD. I gave the Audi a quick wipe over with QD, and some eight and a half hours later we had this to reward our hard graft on a very hot summer’s day:
Hopefully more pics to follow once I find them on my computer! Don’t ask!
Thanks to Tim for bringing the Audi, I’ll look forward to seeing pics of the detailed A4!
Thanks for reading.
Iain
