Quartz Grey Audi A7 - Detailed by Lawrence

[lawrenceSA]

One of the members of the local vw club was up from CPT on holiday (its about 1000 miles away) and wanted me to detail his dad's car for Christmas. They arrived on Friday night and we chatted around the history of the car, current 'maintenance', inspected the car and set some realistic expectations about what needed to be done, both for the detail, and after.

As with any silver car, they tend to look 'better' than most for longer - or appear to 'scratch' less. Really it is just that scratches which appear a silver/white'ish color to our eyes don't have any contrast against silver paint so are harder to distinguish than say against the perfect backdrop of black paint.

It had the usual surface dirt, and dirt ingrained into all the little places where inferior washes don't get - spend the extra few minutes each wash cleaning these areas out and you won't need to, at some point, throw multiple hours at it...

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5520_zpsa893940a.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5522_zps7547f405.jpg

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http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5527_zpsf814822e.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5525_zps754ccc5e.jpg

The exhaust tips were looking very sad

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5530_zpsee5014f2.jpg

The paint did have some fairly deep swirling (improper washing/drying) and a lot of holograms/buffer trails (from the previous person's poor attempt at polishing)

The defects were hard to capture on camera :oops:

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5534_zps0ed18195.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5543_zps131e5a0c.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5549_zps45b7be9f.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5551_zpsb3c6c19a.jpg

The swirls can be better seen in the B-Pillars and the Tail lights.

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5560_zps14636ba8.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5552_zps2b669c94.jpg

Now focus slightly more toward the camera lens and the hologramming shows up

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5554_zps30d43a6d.jpg

The interior was also in need of attention - here you can see only one panel has been cleaned of the dirt/body oils/otherstuffIdontwantothinkabout :puke: :lol:

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5700_zps009fd3c6.jpg

So early Saturday morning the engine bay was tackled

Engine bay
-Blow loose dust off with compressor
-Clean with APC, MF Towels and various Brushes
-Clean/Polish/Protect (AIO) using AF Tripple by hand
-Plastics dressed with Aerospace 303

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5569_zpsf261bb08.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5599_zpsd8c090b6.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5594_zps7cf31016.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5608_zpsab5d1994.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5617_zpsf20c38ff.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5618_zpsa2f73606.jpg

Then it was on to the wheels. On the way home from the airport the A7 had a blow out, so the spare was on , leaving one of the wheels in the boot - perfect for documenting a nice through wheels cleaning :thumbup:

What you start with

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5632_zps712d4539.jpg

After washing it

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5633_zpsb9809b45.jpg

You remove the remaining embedded iron

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/20141220_094642_zpsd529dd9f.jpg

A detailers attempt at creativity behind the lens :oops:

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5640_zps73dda851.jpg

Then you remove the remaining tar residue

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/20141220_095346_zps0861bd88.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5653_zps65d1dcf5.jpg

Clay off any remaining contamination and you are left with this

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/20141220_105743_zps84c65ff9.jpg

Then it was time to tackle the arches and wheels on the car.

Arches, Tires, Wheels
-HP rinse arches, tires and wheels.
-Clean arches with a Cyclo APC using a Mothers Fenderwell Brush
-HP rinse
-Clean tires with Valet Pro Billbery Wheel Cleaner @ 1:6 and a Mothers Tire brush.
-HP rinse
-Repeat tire cleaning
-HP rinse
-Wash wheels and brake calipers with VP Bilberry Wheel Cleaner @ 1:6, Daytona and Daytona Jnr brushes and Valet Pro Boars Hair Brushes
-HP rinse
-Dry
-Remove tar using Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover
-Spray with APC and HP Rinse
-Dry
-Remove bonded and embedded ferrous contaminants on wheels and brake calipers with Valet Pro Dragon's Breath Daytona and Daytona Jnr brushes and Valet Pro Boars Hair Brushes
-HP Rinse + flood rinse
-Later the tires would be dressed with Optimum Tire Sheen and the wheels sealed with Menzerna Powerlock and the arches dressed using Shield Sheen

After this it was head down to wash the car, decontaminate it, and get it ready to start polishing - there is a lot of ground to cover on a car this size.

Wash
-HP rinse
-Applied Valet Pro Citrus Pre-wash via a spray bottle, left to dwell
-HP rinse
-Applied Valet Pro ANSF via a MTM Hydro, left to dwell
-HP rinse
-2BM wash using lambswool wash mitts and
-Flood Rinse
-Dried using ONR and WW drying towels

Decontamination
-Tar removed using Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover
-Iron removed using Valet Pro Dragon's Breath
-Remaining contamination was clayed off using Shield Heavy Duty clay with ONR as lube.

Paint correction
- Paint readings were pretty much all healthy (avg 140) with only a few spots dropping down to the 90µ range.
- Flex 3401 / Menzerna FG400 / 6" Purple Foamed Wool Lake Country pad followed by Flex 3401 / Menzerna SF4000 / 5.5" Flat Green Lake Country Polishing pad. For the smaller areas 4" Orange and White Lake Country CCS pads were used with same polishes on a Shield DA and for the remaining tight spots, polishing was done by hand

Before

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5675_zps06571d62.jpg

After

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5681_zps708c1c6b.jpg

Paint protection
- Optimum Optiseal

Glass
- Autofinesse Crystal

Exhaust Tips
-Cleaned using APC, MF towels and various brushes
-Polished and protected using Meguiars NXT All Metal polish

Door rubbers, window rubbers, exterior plastic trim
- Cleaned using Shield Heavy Duty Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner
- Protected using Aerospace 303.

[lawrenceSA]

A few before / after type shots

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5552_zps2b669c94.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5739_zps3282df2b.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5560_zps14636ba8.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5716_zpse99d5dba.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5526_zps26d06538.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5746_zpsa91ffff4.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5525_zps754ccc5e.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5747_zpscafac6c8.jpg

And a few randoms

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5713_zpsd57cb665.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/20141221_170901_zpsa22f7091.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/20141221_170944_zpsf5a635fa.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/20141221_171005_zpse854f76e.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/20141221_171030_zps90d0ee0a.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/20141221_171121_zps2fe0854f.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5752_zps958f967e.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5758_zpsa01d8870.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5776_zpsf343d99e.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5782_zps5bdfa783.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5786_zpsa1039223.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Davin%20Audi%20A7/IMG_5790_zps1ba72cac.jpg

Total time spent = 39 hours

Thanks for looking and as always and comments or questions are welcome.

[Sicoupe]

Beautiful job Lawrence, looks incredible my friend:)

[DoctorDoctor]

The bleeding-iron shot is insane! It's insane to see how much you pulled out of the barrel.

[VISITOR]

excellent, great work as always. do you find the flex with the pfw pad to correct more than the microfiber pads (or any other aggressive pad) in your experience?

[haris300]

Absolutely perfect. Your attention to detail is very impressive. Nice job.

[allenk4]

Brilliant S&S

I like how you placed the After picture in immediate sequence with the Before, very impactful

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Beautiful work capturing everything that goes into your full on details. What a dramatic transformation.

Job well done.

[lawrenceSA]

Beautiful job Lawrence, looks incredible my friend:)
Thanks buddy


The bleeding-iron shot is insane! It's insane to see how much you pulled out of the barrel.
Yes there was a fair amount of contamination, but I don't think these wheels have had a proper clean in the 3 or so years the owner has had it so its a lot of time for stuff to build up.


excellent, great work as always. do you find the flex with the pfw pad to correct more than the microfiber pads (or any other aggressive pad) in your experience?

Thanks. Well the Flex apparently doesn't play nicely with MF pads so I haven't tried them together yet. The PFW pads imo definitely cut more than say a lake country cyan pad or an orange pad... I can't quantify by how much.... I've really only started using them since I got the Flex as with a typical DA I found I got better results with a 5.5" cyan pad so never really bothered with them - If I needed more cut I would use MF pads.

But now with the power of the Flex, these pads have come into their own. They leave an amazing finish for something with as much cut as they have. I have some of the new hybrid range on order and I believe their foamed wool pad cuts even better:xyxthumbs:


Absolutely perfect. Your attention to detail is very impressive. Nice job.
Thank you


Brilliant S&S

I like how you placed the After picture in immediate sequence with the Before, very impactful
Thanks Kyle


Beautiful work capturing everything that goes into your full on details. What a dramatic transformation.

Job well done.
Thanks Mike

[hoyt66]

That's solid work there! Nice!! Your customer had to be thrilled

with that:dblthumb2:

[FrankS]

Excellent work and photography Lawrence :dblthumb2:.

[sayroger]

Oh man shes new again. looks great

[lawrenceSA]

That's solid work there! Nice!! Your customer had to be thrilled

with that:dblthumb2:
Thank you, and yes he was:props:


Excellent work and photography Lawrence :dblthumb2:.
Thanks Frank - I think photography is very much like detailing in that you have the learn the art form, and that it is not necessarily a good camera (read buffers/polishes/pads) that makes a great picture (read nails a detail), but rather the knowledge being applied by the operator <---- I hope that all makes sense...

I still have a long way to go, but through constant learning/practicing it seems to be getting better....


Oh man shes new again. looks great
Thank you

[Tato]

Wow, top notch detail!, incredible, inspiring.

I like your attention to detail, thanks for sharing.

Kind Regards.

[custmsprty]

Outstanding work, you're truly dedicated to perfection! Thanks for sharing.