Can I get the results I want on my car?

[Nicolas]

Ever since I bought my first car a couple of years ago, I've been using Meguiar's for every step of the way. About a year ago, I sold my first car and bought a used Audi A5. Although in good condition, it was obvious from the start that it used to be a company car and was not looked after the way I would look after it.

Just before spring, I set out to polish and wax the entire car using a G220 and the D/A microfiber system (I must add, this is all a first for me). After spending 48h+ on the car, I was not to pleased by the result. I couldn't really tell the difference (besides the hydrofobic properties of the wax during subsequent washing). Not having a paint thickness gauge, I decided to be happy with what I had and leave it like that (rather than risking burning through the paint or something).

The car looks clean (it always has), and in the sun I can't find to many swirls... but it's just missing something. I would love to get my car looking like this (http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...Auto-Detailing), but it's just nowhere near (OK the color is different but still). The reflections just aren't as pronounced as in the link. Basically, it just looks like every other car I see that just went through the car wash. Nice... but not showroom nice.

At the end of the summer, I'd like to give it another try, but with better results. What would you guys suggest?
I know the paint job has some orange peel, but it's the same effect as in the link above (I believe it's just the paint texture and not really orange peel), so I don't think that's keeping me from getting the results. Did I just polish wrong and need more practice, or should I experiment with other products than the D/A system? Or can it be that the color of my paint just doesn't shine the way I would want?

I know it's a though question, but having spent over $500 on the G220 and D/A system without getting any results, I'd like to be a bit more certain that I can actually achieve what I want before spending even more money (such as on a paint thickness gauge, so at least I know how far I'm going).

[Murr1525]

What products did you use last time?

[Nicolas]

1. I started off by washing the car using NXT Generation Car Wash
2. Clayed the entire car with clay bar and Quick Detailer
3. Polished using D/A Microfiber system (cutting pad and correction compound provided in the kit)
4. Waxed using D/A Microfiber system (again with provided products)

(3) and (4) were done with a Meguiar's G220v2 D/A polisher. I cleaned the pads regularly using compressed air. Wiped the products off using Meguiar's microfiber towels.

[Murr1525]

It may be worth mentioning that the MF system is meant for heavy correction in a production environment. It is not really something that would be used on a show car.

A show car detailing would tend to use the foam pads, and things like Ult. Polish / #205, maybe #7, and then a wax like Ult. Wax, Nxt 2.0, Gold Class, etc.

You can also use something like the Ult. Quick Wax or Gold Class Apray Wax after future washes to brigten things back up a bit, and boost the wax.

[Nicolas]

I understand that the MF system is not really intended for this use, I didn't know that. But can this be responsible for the results I'm achieving?

This is all new domain for me, but as far as I understood, the MF system contains a compounding / polishing product and a waxing product. I could understand that Ultimate Compound and NXT wax create a (slightly) different result, but I would expect that the MF system would be capable of producing wonderfull results as well?

If changing from MF to UC and NXT wax could give better results, I'll look into buying the foam pads as well. I have all the products, just not the pads.

[ffboy]

Dark colors, especially black will look fanatastic when all swirls, scratches, imperfections are removed and after a polishing and waxing will just add further shine and depth. Depending on your A5's color and process and products, it may be hard to replicate those results. If for example your car is silver or something similar, it will be almost impossible to bring out the kind of depth you're looking for. The thread you mentioned, he did use a rotary in 1 of his steps, and used a different LSP to seal his car, and his car is black.

Black paint looks awesome, light colors are easy to make look good but hard to make it look great.

Maybe switching or adding other products (like mentioned use a pure polish to add depth, use a different wax just like NXT 2 or ultimate to just alter the look of the paint by just a bit) may help you get the results you want, but as mentioned the car's color will be a factor. All things equal, a fully detailed/corrected paint will look more awesome than a light colored car. The problem is black paint is a lot harder to maintain.

[Grip]

Audi and Merc tends to have very hard paints compared to say a Lexus which has soft paints.

[Nicolas]

Just wondering: it's been mentioned that the MF system is normally used for heavy corrections. Is there any data how much clear coat is cut during the MF procedure?

I'll be purchasing a thickness gauge before my next attempt. From then on, I'll be able to track how much I'm taking off, but I don't know how much I already took off. Can I expect to have taken of an undetectable amount, or can I already have taken of more than 0.3 mil and compromised the paint job?

I'll try to post some picture later of my car. I'd like to know what you guys think about the orange peel structure and if deep shine is atainable on my color (it's a blue/greyish tint).

[Murr1525]

If the MF system fixed up your swirls ,etc, then you probably wont need UC. But you could try some Ult. Polish and Nxt by hand on a panel first, and stand back and compare, see what you think.

Using a foam pad with mild products wont remove much of anything.

[Please Wash Me Detailing]

the MF system is fine. But you stated you use an MF for wax? that's not its intended use. use a foam yellow or black pad for your lsp. and maybe try changing your wax.
The reflection comes from flatening the paint, like a mirror, which it sounds like you did. Then the wax, lsp. protects and gives gloss/shine.
So it sounds like your on the right track but you have to adjust your technique/products to fit your car. Every car is different, even the panles on the same car car be different. Always keep this in mind.