Black A4 Major Swirl Correction

I haven't posted on here for a wee while and it's now nice to see the Detailing section become a reality at long last. Too many people on here just not looking after their cars properly. SHAME ON YOU! We will change that though, over time.

I got the chance to do paint corrections on two Audis in Kent last week. A total drive there and back, of 1000 miles. On arrival, first up was the solid black A4 1.9 TDI Sport, Revo’d to 170bhp. A nice car and it looked great in the new RS4 alloys.

It was brought out from the shade into the sun to reveal its true self. Here we are:



http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/100_1881.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/100_1873.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/100_1897.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/100_1886.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/100_1896.jpg



Wash and Clay
First time I’ve washed a car in 27 deg direct sunlight with English water. It was murder. The water was drying almost instantly and the chemicals just stuck to the unprotected paintwork.

Wheels treated with Autobrite’s Acid Free Brite Wheels
Clay – SONUS Green
Pre-Soak: Megs APC through Superspray then hose-rinsed
Lowers treated with Autobrite’s Tar and Glue Remover
Main Wash: Two bucket thing using Megs Shampoo Plus
Clay Lube: Megs Last Touch 1:1
Never got the chance to pat dry the car
Ridding the car of all the chemical stains proved to be extremely difficult. Megs Last Touch was sprayed on each panel to try and remove chemical residue but only got most of it.

This all lasted for about close on 3 hours.

Machine Polishing
Paint thickness measurements showed that only the roof and bonnet were factory thickness (118-140 microns), whereas all the other panels ranged from 210-468 microns.

Rotary + Megs Polishing pad +Well-Behaved Menz 3.02
Polish spread for 2 passes at 900rpm, followed by 6 passes at main working-in stage on 1800rpm, with a final two passes at 900rpm. This achieved about 95% removal of surface defects and the owner was delighted to move forward on this basis. Most panels got two hits.

Plastic bumpers got 106FF at 1500rpm.

There were lots of deeper scratches that I’m convinced were not part of the top layer of clearcoat. I’m sure that before the re-spraying of the panels, any scratches were left on the paintwork before the clearcoat was applied. I just wasn’t going there and they were really only obviously visible upon inspection from about 12 inches.

Cleansing, Waxing and Dressing
HD Cleanse and Carbon wax. Final spritz with Field Glaze.
Wheels cleansed and sealed with JEFFS Prime Acrylic.
Windows cleansed with HD.
Tyres dressed with Poorboys Bold and Bright, left for 20mins and buffed over with sponge applicator. Second coat applied similarly 1 hour later.

I just don’t have time to sort out direct before and after comparisons, so here’s the general afters to show the improvements:



http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/100_1916.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/100_1917.jpg



http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/100_1908.jpg



http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/100_1914.jpg

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...4/100_1912.jpg


Any comments/questions very welcome.

PART 2 ON ANOTHER THREAD -2003 MET MORO BLUE S4 AVANT

Cheers,

JOHN

That is ridiculously good! Awesome job mate.

My new black GTi has the same swirl pattern marks but I don't have the facilities available to get them out.

Wow,what could you achieve working in shaded and cooler conditions.....this looks fantastic...I've used plain flour before to remove swirl marks...now after a machine polish using a black sponge pad a coat of zymol hand polished with a fine water spray seems to do the trick and the water beads are fantastic.Shame that you don't live down my way 'cos it would be great to learn from you!!

looking good

If you are ever in N Ireland you can do my A6 - it is unlikely we will ahve the heat problem...... but getting a good dry day is the main thing holding me back...

great job.

Good turnaround. Looks like it had been washed with rocks before!

Awesome turn around there mate, looks like new!

woa this is an extremely good finish!

Nicely done!

Thanks for sharing, Im sure many of us would like to get a finish like that.