Correction Detail - Audi A3 2.0T finished in new Auto Finesse DA Sealant!!

[RussZS]

This detail has been booked in for a while and it's been one I've been very much looking forward to - a Phantom Black Audi A3 2.0T with tasteful modifications such as Porsche Brakes, BBS wheels and coilovers.

The car itself was very well kept but suffering from significant swirling, so the aim of the day was to cleanse the paintwork thoroughly and restore the lustre and gloss back into the paintwork, then add some solid protection.

I've been using the new Auto Finesse DA Sealant a bit this week, so decided to use it on this too to see how if performed on metallic black... I wasn't disappointed!

Some befores:


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Wheels were dealt with first.

I started off by pressure rinsing with the Kranzle K7 to remove any loose dirt/dust:


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Next Autobrite Very Cherry Wheel cleaner was applied using a Foam Spray Head:


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This was agitated with Valet Pro brushes:


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and an EZ Detail Brush:


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Tyres were treated with AutoSmart G101 and an Envy Brush:


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Arches with G101 and the largest Wheel Woolie:


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and rinsed again:


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At this stage the wheels were looking a lot better but a lot of brake dust pitting was evident:


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So latest formula IronX was used to remove this:


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This was then rinsed off. 

Next, the car was foamed with Autobrite Magifoam which has become my favourite foam as it actually cleans, unlike most!!


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Whilst the foam was dwelling I worked around the car with G101 and VP brushes:


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After 15 mins it was still clinging really well!


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The Magifoam was then rinsed and I began to hand wash with Lather, CarPro Mitt and Zaino bucket:


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This was then rinsed and I turned my attention to the tar on the wheels, which was treated to Tardis:


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They were also hit again with IronX to remove as much of the pitting as possible:


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then the bodywork was cleansed of tar with Tardis - no pics of it reacting on the paint due to the colour, but this is the cloth afterwards:


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Next the car was foamed again with a deliberately watery foam to ensure all of the IronX and Tardis had been run off the car:


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then finally rinsed:


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The car was moved inside to begin claying:


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Weapons of choice for the day were Citrus Bling as lube and Bilt Hamber Medium, which I found to be a bit harder than I'd like so not ideal for a cooler day!


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Contamination removed from bonnet!


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I recently bought a cheap compressor to aid dust removal from polishing and drying process so I used this to help dry the car:


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Water build up:


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Quick blast:


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It's a very useful tool to have indeed:


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After drying was completed I began to test combinations on the paint.  I finally settled on Scholl S17, with S3 in places on various pads, and refining where required with Megs 205:


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The bonnet was particularly bad and in fact the customer told me he wanted to get it resprayed, but I felt it didn't look too bad - perhaps beyond a position where I could rectify it completely within day, but certainly would be able to clean it up significantly!


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Flake pop on the front wing:


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50/50 from passenger door:


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OS rear quarter under Halide:


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This shows how bad the bonnet was, under only natural light:


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It wasn't perfect, but could be with enough time, and was much improved!!

I finished with:


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The interior was given a quick clean too:


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and finally, some afters!


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Great flake pop from the sealant!!


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Great reflective properties too!


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[RussZS]

and of course, some Tesco pics!!


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Thanks for reading!!

I have a few more write ups which I need to complete including a stunning Peugeot RCZ in Pearl White wearing Crystal Rock!

Next up we have a 996 Carrera 4S, highly modified Leon Cupra Mk2 and a matching pair of Racing Blue Clio 182's!!


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Russ.

[Tfsi_Mike]

   

dude what time do i come on wed?   

[RussZS]

I'll give you a call tomorrow Mike 

Will be afternoon sometime, need to check my calendar tomorrow AM, is that okay?  Can't wait...

Russ.

[craigy123]

Great work Russ 

What camera do you use?

[markymark]

Awesome work as usual Russ, results speak for themselves!

[Tfsi_Mike]

Awesome work as usual Russ, results speak for themselves!

Looks AMAZING!

[vRS Carl]

Very Nice Russ 

Quick question, do you really rate Magifoam that much? I've tried a couple of different types of foams and non perform like they claim. Does Magifoam really work that well?

[ianv5]

Russ,

As to the Magifoam what ratio do you use ?

At the moment I have a 500ml bottle filled with 1 inch of magifoam, I then fill bottle to the top with warm water. Foam goes on nice and thick but does not dwell as long as you have shown in pictures.
Do you rinse car first before applying foam?

Would be grateful for any suggestions

Thanks Ian

[RussZS]

Thanks all :)

Regarding Magifoam - yes, very good cleaner indeed and better than the other foams I've tried whilst remaining 'wax safe'

Dilution Ratio wise I pour about 1 inch into a 1L bottle and top with water (cold as I don't have any hot in my unit).

You must bare in mind that flow rate, pressure etc will all impact how thick the foam is, so my Kranzle will product better foam than a C110 Nilfisk for example.

Cling wise, if you have a sealant on your car it won't cling quite so well due to the slick/hydrophobic nature of the protection - this car had near no protection so cling time can be affected by this also, but Magifoam definitely clings longer than most.

HTH

Russ

[ianv5]

Russ,

Did not think of the sealant issue! That would explain why foam is sliding off car within 5 minutes!!

Detailed my Tornado red gti very recently finishing off with Clearkote Red Moose Glaze and Victoria Concours wax.

Do I need to snowfoam every time I wash the car, I am just worried about scratching car after all the hard work I have put in?

[RussZS]

It depends how dirty it is really - the aim of snow foam is to break down any dirt present on the car which rinsing alone won't shift.  You want it as clean as possible before making physcial contact with the paint with your mitt/sponge, to minimise the risk of swirling/marring.

Quick slide off is a good thing.  Great choice of red btw - defo a winning combo.  Only Best of Show or Crystal Rock better it IMO.

[ianv5]

Must admit happy with the results. Tend to wash car every weekend so does not get that dirty.

Any recommendations for the front grill?

[George]

Fantastic work once again Russ, the 50/50s are incredible! What do use on the glass mate?

[sub39h]

thanks again Russ, it's just a shame it's rained non stop since and the car is filthy again 

can i use some of the photos? for signatures and the like?