Ultima system and Dr. ColorChip plan - please critique

[creaky]

Good morning,

Longtime reader, novice detailer, new poster.

After much research, I'm planning on using the Ultima system (Elastrofoam cleaner, Paint Prep, Paint Guard) and possibly some compound polishing on a Brilliant Black Audi A5 to ready her for winter (the car is a daily driver). I also want to fix seven paint chips with Dr. ColorChip. On The Dr. ColorChip website, they state that hard detailing such as sanding and compound polishing should be done before using Dr. ColorChip or waiting 30 days after using Dr. ColorChip. Waxing can be done 7 days after using Dr. ColorChip. So, here’s my plan of attack. Please critique!

1. Wash (GG's car wash)
2. Ultima Elastrofoam cleaner
3. Ultima Paint Prep with random orbital (test small area)
4. If all swirls, etc. do not come out, polish with Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound and afterward use Ultima Paint Prep with random orbital for entire car
5. Isopropyl alcohol clean small chip areas for Dr. Colorchip
6. Ultima Paint Guard Plus EXCEPT small areas chipped
7. 2 additional layers of Ultima Paint Guard Plus except areas chipped
8. Wait 7 days
9. Wash
10. Hand wax small areas where Dr. CC was used (perhaps with an easy liquid wax like Mother’s)
11. Do nothing except hand wash for 3 weeks
12. Wash
13. Remove wax from chipped areas with isopropyl alcohol or P21 wash
14. Ultima Paint Prep with random orbital
15. Ultima Paint Guard Plus

Any critique, feedback, or tips would be most appreciated – thanks!

[Eric@CherryOnTop]

If you're dealing with a late model Audi expect the clear coat to be very hard. Any pics of what you are working on?

The paint prep is non abrasive and probably won't do much for swirl marks on hard German paint. Your thought process is spot on however, using the least aggressive product first. What buffer and pads do you have on hand?

Lastly, I think with the touched up areas you should just wash and use the paint guard on after 7 days, not sure of the thought process using wax, waiting, removing wax and the using the paint guard.

I saw in your other post you are local to me. I am willing to help out if you want to take a drive.

-Eric

[creaky]

Thanks for the reply Eric!

I'm in Kerhonkson, Ulster County, so not too far away. I really appreciate your offer for help. My wife has the car at work so I'll try and get some pics up later tonight or tomorrow.

I'll be using a GG 6" orbital with a Sonus SFX-3 Orange pad (as recommended by Ultima) for the Paint Prep and a GG orange pad for the Megs Ultimate Compound, if necessary.

My thinking on the wax was that I wasn't sure that if the Ultima Paint Guard would mess up the Dr. CC spots if I din't wait the whole 30 days (I contact both Ultima and Dr. CC and neither were able to give me a definitive answer). I'm assuming you think it's OK to go over the Dr. CC with the Paint Guard after 7 days and not bothering with the wax, correct?

[Eric@CherryOnTop]

If they say you can wax after 7 days then there is no reason you can't put the paint guard on after 7 days.


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[creaky]

If they say you can wax after 7 days then there is no reason you can't put the paint guard on after 7 days.

Excellent and thank you!

BTW, do you have any relation to Ray Kennett?

[Eric@CherryOnTop]

It's entirely possible but I'm not certain, my grandfather was very tight lipped as far as lineage.


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[creaky]

No worries - Ray Kennett is a body shop guy (BTO Autoworks) who does restorations in Poughkeepsie and has been great to work with. Thought maybe there was a connection.

Anyway, one last question: If I do the Paint Guard after 1 week of letting the Dr. CC cure, do you think I will need to do the Ultima Paint Prep as well on those isolated spots? (My wife needs to use the car as a DD.) If I do need to use the Paint Prep, do you think it's OK for to go over the Dr. CC after a week?

Thanks again!

[Eric@CherryOnTop]

Probably should to ensure proper bonding. I would do those spot areas by hand though.


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[creaky]

Probably should to ensure proper bonding. I would do those spot areas by hand though.

So do you think the Paint Prep will be OK over the Dr. CC spots after a week of curing? Thanks my only concern.

Thanks again, Eric! I do intend to do those spots by hand.

[creaky]

So here's a pic of the paint on this project. As you can see, there is a major blemish (a wrinkled, raised crater about the size of a pencil eraser that I think is from bird poo) that I posted about in another thread. Obviously, there are many swirls that need attention.