Nardo Grey Audi RS3 - Detailed by Lawrence

[lawrenceSA]

If nothing else comes from this thread, I hope you will at least see how quickly improper washing and drying can mess up your car. This beauty only has 1200km on the clock and could only have had a handful of washes.... but look at the damage already inflicted.


The worst of it was on the softer B-pillars but even on Audi's very hard paint, the swirls were starting to show


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3749_zpsaukanjvt.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3751_zpsrjuyuq3x.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3750_zpsyoy4idyd.jpg


As always the engine bay was first. It only had some light dust and dirt


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3734_zpsqnyfx9x4.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3735_zpslga35rdf.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3737_zpsmzunf42i.jpg


And some cobwebs :lol:


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3739_zpslj2l2zod.jpg


Everything was blown out, then wiped down with mf towels and Carchem APC followed by a damp MF wipe down, the dressed with Autofinesse Dressel. Forgot to take any after pics :oops: sorry :fear:


The fender wells were then cleaned using Carchem APC and various brushes - these would later be dressed using Autofinesse Dressel. The tires and wheels cleaned using Angelwax Billberry, the tires dressed with Carchem Tire Dressing and the wheels protected using Gyeon Wetcoat.


Before


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3742_zpsbtystpoe.jpg


During


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3743_zpsmeunxdr3.jpg


After
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3744_zps2agce5gm.jpg


The car itself was pretty clean with only the odd bug splatter to contend with.


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3741_zpsxvjq5fo8.jpg


After a decent pressure rinsing the lower half of the car was soaked in Valet Pro Citrus Pre-wash which was left to dwell before being pressure rinsed off. Angelwax Fast Foam was then applied via a foam cannon, allowed to dwell and then pressure rinsed off. Then a 2 bucket wash using Carchem Luxury Shampoo was performed and the car rinsed. Carchem Revolt was then applied with minimal evidence of bleeding (a good thing as it indicates no contamination) before being thoroughly rinsed off. Any remanining contamination was dealt with using Shield Heavy Duty clay.


With the paint now 'bare' it was easy to see the swirls from poor washing and drying there were also a few bird dropping etchings on the bonnet. You can clearly see the deeper scratches close to the etching where someone has obviously tried to rub the bird dropping off the paint - you should instead try to 'lift' the dropping off the paint.


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3752_zps3wckmmbm.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3755_zpskqtqk0mh.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3760_zps7fbz9zdn.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3761_zpsgkec6opu.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3762_zpsry5adhi7.jpg


Paint readings were taken (all in µ [microns]) and as you can see the bonnet was significantly thinner than the rest of the car and so aggressive correction to remove the bird dropping etchings was simply not an option.


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/Audi%20RS3_zps2fxzjatr.png


After a few test spots I settled on Menzerna PF2300 on a Orange Lake Country Hybrid pads for the correction work. The car is full of really sharp body lines which meant I used just over 2 rolls of tape during the detail and with all the awkward angles, the newer shape RS3 is a fair bit more difficult to correct than the old shape.


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3767_zpst25ppykc.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3769_zpsqobn7qku.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3771_zpsectx6t32.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3779_zps4qyrvkbz.jpg


The paint was then protected with Collinite 915


All the rubber were cleaned using Shield Heavy Duty rubber cleaner


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3781_zpssjmyk6bq.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3784_zpskmtklzvm.jpg


Then protected using Optimum Optiseal.


The exhaust tip was polished using Meguiars NXT All Metal Polish


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3792_zpsuvxten3p.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3794_zpsebjsvfqj.jpg


The interior was then sorted out


Glass - Autoglym Fast Glass
Plastics - Wipe with damp MF towel | Protect with 303 Aerospace
Carpets - Vacuum | Brush | Vacuum
Leather - Clean with Carchem APC | Wipe with damp MF towel | Protect with Optimum Optiseal
Alcantara - Cleam with Valet Pro Citrus Prewash at 1:80
Door rubbers - Clean with Shield Heavy Duty Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner | Protect with Aerospace 303


And finally Exterior Rubbers - Shield Heavy Duty Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner | Aerospace 303 and Exterior Glass - Gyeon Prep


Here are some after shots


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3796_zps0rhspgzo.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3797_zpsn4dgtuem.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3798_zpscok8cakd.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3800_zpsmcf8hldu.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3801_zpsitzgn7jn.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3802_zpsqe8rx7jj.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3807_zpschabqg3z.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3808_zps6kzeijpq.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3810_zpsm6cklzoc.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3812_zpsbb8qvsur.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3811_zpslmbise3p.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3819_zps4rxxn8nc.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3821_zpsda0sav3t.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3822_zps4iboxsb5.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3820_zpsa7yekrvg.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3815_zpsxltaxfri.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3813_zpsgsummbt5.jpg


http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Reshal%20Audi%20RS3/IMG_3816_zpsrmjkqxhp.jpg


I must say I really fell in love with this color over the time I spent working on the car :drool: Not only does it really have some life in it for a grey, but it suits the lines of this car so well.


Total time spent = 26 hours


As always thanks for looking and any comments or questions are welcome


:hi:

[DetailedByPrecision]

Dammmm that is one fresh looking ride. Lawrence, I'm surprised menz203 with orange pad were able to handle the hard paint. Defects were on the fair moderate side perhaps?

[Aaryn NZ]

Wow! I'm with you on the colour Lawrence, stunning. Would look nice sitting beside my Beetle in the garage. :dblthumb2:

As usual, your workmanship is first class my friend but geeze - this shows just how precious the surfaces on vehicles are. Rather surprised how marred the paint was, being an Audi in all. Was it the normal "hard" paint Lawrence? I'm guessing it was base/clear? Did the owner know of the defects before coming to you?

Beautiful job mate, great write up too as is the norm from you Lawrence, & the photos are fantastic & tell quite the story. :props:

Aaryn NZ. :xyxthumbs:

[lawrenceSA]

Thanks so much for your kind words my friend.

Yeah the paint was definitely the 'normal' hard audi paint.... my initial test spot with SF4000/Grey LC hybrid didn't do much at all to remove the marring, even SF4000 and a white pad wasn't all that great...

The owner was aware of damage, hence him bringing it to me... it was a combo of the dealership's wash and unfortunately his first few attempts at washing it... 1 bucket and presumably the same mitt that cleaned the wheels was used on the paint.

I have since educated him and hooked him up with the necessary products/tools etc, so hopefully he'll look after it now.

[Aaryn NZ]

I have since educated him and hooked him up with the necessary products/tools etc, so hopefully he'll look after it now.

:props: Nice one Lawrence. Each one, teach one aye mate.

Aaryn. :xyxthumbs:

[RPM_BR]

Excellent job, Lawrence. Audi is a PITA to work with, hard paint and thin clearcoat, talent is needed to pull this off.

[TTQ B4U]

Beautiful job. Very glad to see an RS too. Can't wait to the RSQ3 comes to the states next year as we're looking at one for the wife who wants a smaller SUV.

A good friend of mine has an RS7 in Nardo Grey. Wonderful color really.

here's an interesting video on Audi's process.
https://youtu.be/UNcMULKu-O8

[Desertnate]

Wow, amazing work! Great looking car. Nargo Gray cars I've seen here always seem rather dull and boring, but you made that car really shine. I really hope the RS3 heads to the US as the rumors seem to suggest.

Did you find the 2300 and the orange pad finished down LSP ready pretty easily on that paint? I may be getting into an Mythos Black S3 next year and am already plotting my strategy.

Do you know if those two-piece brake rotors are OEM? The calipers appear to be original, but I've never seen an Audi wearing rotors with scalloped edges like that.

[SYMAWD]

Wow, amazing work! Great looking car. Nargo Gray cars I've seen here always seem rather dull and boring, but you made that car really shine. I really hope the RS3 heads to the US as the rumors seem to suggest.

Did you find the 2300 and the orange pad finished down LSP ready pretty easily on that paint? I may be getting into an Mythos Black S3 next year and am already plotting my strategy.

Do you know if those two-piece brake rotors are OEM? The calipers appear to be original, but I've never seen an Audi wearing rotors with scalloped edges like that.

It was confirmed to US dealers that the RS3 will be coming but as a sedan. All of the RS cars have the scalloped rotors to reduce unsprung weight.

[Jaretr1]

Nice work. Another of the cool cars we do not get in the US. Why do Americans hate hatchback / wagons so much?

[SYMAWD]

Nice work. Another of the cool cars we do not get in the US. Why do Americans hate hatchback / wagons so much?

I think part of it is pricing. Using Audi for example, the Allroad and Q5 are both built on the A4 platform with identical power trains. A comparably equipped Allroad is $2-4k more than a Q5 and Audi offers more incentives on the Q5 than the Allroad making it even cheaper. Last month, the dealer I work for sold more Q5s than any other model. Our second best seller was the Q7.

And Lawrence, you did a fantastic job on that RS3. I know how Nardo Gray can sometimes be tricky to see imperfections on because of how "flat" it is despite being gloss.

[custmsprty]

Another great job Lawrence.

[Klasse Act]

Great work as always and you've worked on another AWESOME ride! Sadly we will not be getting the hatch version of the RS3, just a sedan version, pity! Thanks for sharing as always!!

[Sizzle Chest]

Very nice work! Car looks great. LOVE it. Nice write up and explanation as well as pics. Good job!!!

[Heavygen]

Looks great. Love the Nardo Gray. Heard somewhere that it just the primer color. Not sure if there's any truth to that or not.