Detailing my red Audi - questions - Photos

[CRFTony]

Hi all,

Tonight I washed my Audi 90S Quattro and bought a big bag of Meguiars products to detail it tomorrow.

I've worked out a bit of a plan and wanted to run it past the experts here to make sure I have everything in order.

1st: Clean the Paint with Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner.

2nd: Clay bar areas still in need of it.

3rd: Polish. I have both Deep Crystal polish and #7. What would you recommend? My paint is in "good" condition but has a bit of fading on the horizontal areas and some minor swirling(along with paint chips, but they're there to stay. )

4th: Wax. I bought #26 because I've heard such great things about it.

Okay, so any thoughts? Should I use two coats of any of these products? If I apply a second coat of wax should I wait 24-48 hours?

Thanks in advance!

Tony

[Aurora40]

I would suggest claying before using the Paint Cleaner.

For the polish, you could try each one on a small section and see which is easier to apply and buff off or which does a better job. I suspect they will perform similarly.

You can try two applications of the Paint Cleaner if it seems like the paint can use it. The next "polish" step really won't correct anything. So if it's not looking pretty close to how you want it after the first go-round of DC Paint Cleaner, you can definitely try a second go-round.

I'd sometimes get a hazy look on the paint if I applied #26 twice back to back. I'd probably just save it for the next time you wash the car, toss some wax on it then.

[Saqs]

If you have any type of oxidation or swirling, I'd go with ColorX over the DCPC #1.

Also, claying the car should be your first step after washing & drying.

I always like to do a double coat of any LSP (last step product) so yes i'd reccomend that

[Murr1525]

Just too add on:

Definately Clay before using the paint cleaner.

DC#1 will not remove any swirling. Working by hand, you will need to use either ColorX or ScratchX for that.

The polish will not remove any swirling, so get it how you want before that. Then just pick which polish you like based on the test spots.

Then wax with your favorite.

[CRFTony]

Well folks, about 6 hours later I'm done for day one!

So far I have:

Washed
Clayed
Washed
DC Paint Cleaner - 2 coats on the hood, roof and trunk
Polished with DC Polish - 2 coats on hood, roof & trunk
Waxed with #26

I'm pleased with the results so far. I do think the hood, roof and trunk look a bit "smeary". I wonder if it's because I used 2 coats of the cleaner and polish on them...

I think there's a noticible improvement though, especially when you look at the front left fender which was repainted last summer when a wheel came off and hit it(long story). In the before and after pics you can see how it looked after just a wash and how it looks now.

Later this week I'm thinking of putting on a coat of #7 show glaze and then topping with another coat of #26. I'm also going to grab some cleaner for my tires and moulding strips.

Anyway, here are some pics. Thanks for all the help!

Tony

BEFORE:







AFTER:

[LnkPrkSoldier]

the car doesn't look as pink as it did before...

[JeffM]

That looks really good.

It seems parking under a tree makes for better pics, more stuff to reflect off the finish, no?

[LnkPrkSoldier]

yea ^ especially if the sky has no clouds.