Here is a quick write-up on the correction polish I did on my '04 Audi Allroad yesterday. The clear on it is pretty tough, so you can understand why I used the polishes that I did. This might be redundant for some folks who have seen this post somewhere else. The color on it is cobalt blue and has a tendency to show swril marks like any darker colored car does. I've been meaning to do this since October, but finally go a chance with the holiday break.
It was fairly dirty from the some of the bad weather we've had in St. Louis lately. It was warm enough to do a traditional wash, but I opted for an Optimum No Rinse (ONR) wash instead. I had done my A6 a couple of days earlier using a grout sponge, but didn't care for it as a wash mitt too much. I know there are some die-hard fans out there, but I just don't think it's for me. Recently, I found a 3 pk bundle of MF wash mitts at Costco along with a large MF towel. The pack comes in 3 different colors and are pretty soft. I used 2 buckets (1 solution and 1 rinse with grit guards in both. Hey, I just noticed the text boxes to type posts are bigger...nice!!! Anyway, these wash mitts sreleased dirt pretty well after scrubbing on the grit guard after each panel. It didn't start to get real gunky looking until the lower half, front bumper and rear bumper. Here's a couple of shots from the ONR:
Little 50/50 action:
Costco wash mitts:
Finished product after ONR:
My plan was to do a 2 step polish starting with Menzerna IP followed by 106FA. I was thinking Menzerna Micro Polish for the 2nd polish, but glad I went with 106FA instead...more on that later. I started with an orange pad, IP, and speed 5 on a test setion on the hood. It cleaned up quite a bit, but not to where I wanted it to be. So, went with same combination, but speed 6 second time. A little better, but not quite there yet. So, screw it, busted out the Menzerna PowerGloss on an orange pad on speed 6. Now, that's better. I did most of the rest of the car with this combination. On a couple of panels I tried a yellow pad just to see if I could get some of the deeper scratches, but after a couple of panels, I noticed some micro-marring. Scared the crap out of me at first as I've never induced this before with the Flex. Quickly changed to a white pad and the 106FA, and it cleaned up nicely. Decided to play it safe and went back to the orange pad. I don't know if the Micro Polish would've cleaned things up this nicely.
As for the the 106FA, I really like this stuff. It continued to clean up some swirling and scratches while leaving an extremely glossy shine on the paint. Here's some pics with commentary...
This is the back left quarter panel which (for whatever reason) had some worse swirls than other areas:
Afters:
Hood before:
After:
I know it's not the same part of the hood, but the entire hood pretty much looked like the before pic. Also, there was a little overcast in front of the sun. it was difficult getting good hood shots at that particular time of the day. Also, I had some nasty water spots on my hood that bugged the hell out of me eveerytime I walked out into the garage and saw them on the hood. They were very visible under the fluorescent lights in my garage, but they are about 90% gone now! I know, I know, should've taken some pics...
Here's a favorite when I was laying the PowerGloss down. Now you see it:
Now you don't:
Here are some finished product shots after applying FMJ. Still need to put a 2nd coat on though.
Hello
Not as glossy as I would've like to have shown, but the clouds were in front of the sun on this one.
Anyway, I'm very happy with the results. This is the first time that I've done a 2 step with the Flex. on previous details that I've done for folks, they either weren't paying for the serious correction, or Menzerna IP worked like a champ. The PowerGloss + 106FA made a very good combination. I would've liked to have tried SIP but mine's not coming until Wednesday from DD. Also, don't think I'm neglecting the rest of the car. With 2 small kids I do what I can when I can. Last weekend I detailed the interior (including leather), and then probably in the next week or two, I'll go to work on the wheels. Anyway, please let me know if there are any questions, and with all these folks getting their Flex, let's see some pics!
It was fairly dirty from the some of the bad weather we've had in St. Louis lately. It was warm enough to do a traditional wash, but I opted for an Optimum No Rinse (ONR) wash instead. I had done my A6 a couple of days earlier using a grout sponge, but didn't care for it as a wash mitt too much. I know there are some die-hard fans out there, but I just don't think it's for me. Recently, I found a 3 pk bundle of MF wash mitts at Costco along with a large MF towel. The pack comes in 3 different colors and are pretty soft. I used 2 buckets (1 solution and 1 rinse with grit guards in both. Hey, I just noticed the text boxes to type posts are bigger...nice!!! Anyway, these wash mitts sreleased dirt pretty well after scrubbing on the grit guard after each panel. It didn't start to get real gunky looking until the lower half, front bumper and rear bumper. Here's a couple of shots from the ONR:
Little 50/50 action:
Costco wash mitts:
Finished product after ONR:
My plan was to do a 2 step polish starting with Menzerna IP followed by 106FA. I was thinking Menzerna Micro Polish for the 2nd polish, but glad I went with 106FA instead...more on that later. I started with an orange pad, IP, and speed 5 on a test setion on the hood. It cleaned up quite a bit, but not to where I wanted it to be. So, went with same combination, but speed 6 second time. A little better, but not quite there yet. So, screw it, busted out the Menzerna PowerGloss on an orange pad on speed 6. Now, that's better. I did most of the rest of the car with this combination. On a couple of panels I tried a yellow pad just to see if I could get some of the deeper scratches, but after a couple of panels, I noticed some micro-marring. Scared the crap out of me at first as I've never induced this before with the Flex. Quickly changed to a white pad and the 106FA, and it cleaned up nicely. Decided to play it safe and went back to the orange pad. I don't know if the Micro Polish would've cleaned things up this nicely.
As for the the 106FA, I really like this stuff. It continued to clean up some swirling and scratches while leaving an extremely glossy shine on the paint. Here's some pics with commentary...
This is the back left quarter panel which (for whatever reason) had some worse swirls than other areas:
Afters:
Hood before:
After:
I know it's not the same part of the hood, but the entire hood pretty much looked like the before pic. Also, there was a little overcast in front of the sun. it was difficult getting good hood shots at that particular time of the day. Also, I had some nasty water spots on my hood that bugged the hell out of me eveerytime I walked out into the garage and saw them on the hood. They were very visible under the fluorescent lights in my garage, but they are about 90% gone now! I know, I know, should've taken some pics...
Here's a favorite when I was laying the PowerGloss down. Now you see it:
Now you don't:
Here are some finished product shots after applying FMJ. Still need to put a 2nd coat on though.
Hello
Not as glossy as I would've like to have shown, but the clouds were in front of the sun on this one.
Anyway, I'm very happy with the results. This is the first time that I've done a 2 step with the Flex. on previous details that I've done for folks, they either weren't paying for the serious correction, or Menzerna IP worked like a champ. The PowerGloss + 106FA made a very good combination. I would've liked to have tried SIP but mine's not coming until Wednesday from DD. Also, don't think I'm neglecting the rest of the car. With 2 small kids I do what I can when I can. Last weekend I detailed the interior (including leather), and then probably in the next week or two, I'll go to work on the wheels. Anyway, please let me know if there are any questions, and with all these folks getting their Flex, let's see some pics!
