2011 Audi S4 in Deep Sea Blue
06-04-2012, 11:29 PM
#1
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2011 Audi S4 in Deep Sea Blue
A concerned enthusiast contacted me regarding his 2011 Audi S4 with just over 5000 miles on the clock. He was very interested in high-level paint correction and had found it difficult to locate anyone in the area providing that service. In the end he was referred by Matrix Integrated, the premier euro tuning shop in the Portland area.
This owner was between a rock and a hard place in terms of car care. The water at his residence was exremely hard, leaving dreaded water spots all over the paint. A discerning enthusiast, to avoid this, he did some research and began to perform waterless washes on this Deep Sea Blue S4. This solved one problem, but left him with another- scratches and other defects induced from the regular waterless washes.
The car was brought back to proper form via the following process and over the course of 20+ hours:
*All surface decontamination - Body panels, gaps, trim, glass, door jambs, wheels, calipers and arches - Degrease foam/wash, tar removal, forced air dry, clay, multiple IPA wipedowns
*Wheels and calipers sealed
*Trim sealed
*Car completely debadged
*95% Paint Correction- compounding, polishing, jeweling
*2 coats of sealant, 12 hours in between
*All exterior glass polished, water spots removed, super sealant applied
*Engine bay degreased, water spots removed, dressed with protectant
Initial Presentation
Some patches of heavier scratching were visible through the grime in broad sunlight. More on this cluster later
Elbow grease is the way to a clean tire
Initial Engine
Mild covering of dust, with collections of debris in the cracks and crevices. Hoses and trim were in need of a deep clean and application of protectant. Water spotting present on underside of the hood.
Foam soak and 2 bucket method wash to remove grime and wax the owner had faithfully applied.
Door jambs were cleaned and sealed
This once again shiny beast was treated to a forced air dry, ensuring no additional paint defects were induced
Exhaust tips before
Exhaust tips after- cleaned, sealed, and protected. Showing some great beading.
Paint Correction
Examples of the defects present under various lighting. Little marring was found on the vehicle, but plenty of scratches ranging from light to full blown Random Deep Scratches (RDS) needed to be dealt with
Concentrating on clay!
Hood before correction
Afterwards
Driver front quarter before
Afterwards
Driver door 50//50
Driver rocker panel before
After
Driver C pillar and rear quarter- Remember that cluster of scratches from the pre-wash picture? Here it is again exposed, also note the bird bomb etch at the base of the C pillar.
After correction
Trunk deck 50//50
Passenger side rear quarter before
Afterwards
Post Paint Correction, prior to application of protection coat: LED/camera flash inspection.
This car now passes the test, deep, crystal clear reflection
Engine
The engine bay is now looking sharp and spotless with protection applied
Afters
This S4 has been rejuvenated and the following pics are proof. Despite an overcast day, the glossy, deep reflection is extremely evident.
Thanks for reviewing this project, comments and questions are welcomed as always.
Car sporting its new 'stealth' look, per owner's request
And now for the absolute best shot of the bunch. One of the best car pics I have seen in a while!
This owner was between a rock and a hard place in terms of car care. The water at his residence was exremely hard, leaving dreaded water spots all over the paint. A discerning enthusiast, to avoid this, he did some research and began to perform waterless washes on this Deep Sea Blue S4. This solved one problem, but left him with another- scratches and other defects induced from the regular waterless washes.
The car was brought back to proper form via the following process and over the course of 20+ hours:
*All surface decontamination - Body panels, gaps, trim, glass, door jambs, wheels, calipers and arches - Degrease foam/wash, tar removal, forced air dry, clay, multiple IPA wipedowns
*Wheels and calipers sealed
*Trim sealed
*Car completely debadged
*95% Paint Correction- compounding, polishing, jeweling
*2 coats of sealant, 12 hours in between
*All exterior glass polished, water spots removed, super sealant applied
*Engine bay degreased, water spots removed, dressed with protectant
Initial Presentation
Some patches of heavier scratching were visible through the grime in broad sunlight. More on this cluster later
Elbow grease is the way to a clean tire
Initial Engine
Mild covering of dust, with collections of debris in the cracks and crevices. Hoses and trim were in need of a deep clean and application of protectant. Water spotting present on underside of the hood.
Foam soak and 2 bucket method wash to remove grime and wax the owner had faithfully applied.
Door jambs were cleaned and sealed
This once again shiny beast was treated to a forced air dry, ensuring no additional paint defects were induced
Exhaust tips before
Exhaust tips after- cleaned, sealed, and protected. Showing some great beading.
Paint Correction
Examples of the defects present under various lighting. Little marring was found on the vehicle, but plenty of scratches ranging from light to full blown Random Deep Scratches (RDS) needed to be dealt with
Concentrating on clay!
Hood before correction
Afterwards
Driver front quarter before
Afterwards
Driver door 50//50
Driver rocker panel before
After
Driver C pillar and rear quarter- Remember that cluster of scratches from the pre-wash picture? Here it is again exposed, also note the bird bomb etch at the base of the C pillar.
After correction
Trunk deck 50//50
Passenger side rear quarter before
Afterwards
Post Paint Correction, prior to application of protection coat: LED/camera flash inspection.
This car now passes the test, deep, crystal clear reflection
Engine
The engine bay is now looking sharp and spotless with protection applied
Afters
This S4 has been rejuvenated and the following pics are proof. Despite an overcast day, the glossy, deep reflection is extremely evident.
Thanks for reviewing this project, comments and questions are welcomed as always.
Car sporting its new 'stealth' look, per owner's request
And now for the absolute best shot of the bunch. One of the best car pics I have seen in a while!
06-07-2012, 11:40 AM
#3
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Thread Starter
Thanks!
Theoretically, I suppose you could achieve this by hand, but practically it would take exponentially longer and your arms would be ready to fall off after a panel or two.
Theoretically, I suppose you could achieve this by hand, but practically it would take exponentially longer and your arms would be ready to fall off after a panel or two.
06-08-2012, 08:47 AM
#4
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: London,UK / Florida US State- Dazed & Confused
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With most modern dense (hard) paint like Audi, Corvette, Mercedes, etc hand polishing is not a viable option.One option would be to have a pro correct the paint and then (using proper washing techniques) maintain the vehicle
Kudos on the Audi detail...
Kudos on the Audi detail...
06-12-2012, 04:54 AM
#5
Intermediate
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May I ask who makes that small detail brush on the 6th photo?Fantastic work BTW, quite a transformation as it seemed the car was pretty decent condition. What never seems to amaze me about detailers is the car looks better than new when they are completed.
06-12-2012, 08:23 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
Thank you for the kind words! The brush in pic #6 is a Swissvax detail brush; they are terrific!
