How to Detail my New A7?

[Epa7]

The dealer let me know that my A7 is ahead of schedule and will be delivered toward the end of April. The dealer told me this is their prep:

"Audi's arrive wrapped from the factory and without any wax. So after our pre-delivery inspection, we remove the wrapping and any adhesive from it... then wash, buff and wax the exterior. We also remove the saran wrap from the interior and vacuum the carpet only (no chemicals used)."

Does Audi use the white plastic panel covers or is it really "wrapping" (i.e. full coverage)? I definitely want to clay, seal, and wax at some point, but should it be done right away? Is there any benefit to waiting a bit?

[audisline08]

Correct me if I am wrong but you dont need to clay bar a brand new car?! You should be fine with regular washing/waxing for awhile!

[A4A4A4]

I'd follow something like this.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...m-Installation

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...l-Monsoon-Gray

[Darkstar752]

You'll want to correct the holograms that will most likely be there from the dealer. There is no benefit to waiting. Clay may or may not be necessary, depending on how much it was covered during transportation and how long it sat in the lot. I would recommend picking up an Ultra-fine clay bar to remove any contaminants, if it's not needed then you'll have it for when you need it 6-12 months down the road anyway.

[Epa7]

Thanks.

[OTDetailer]

The dealer let me know that my A7 is ahead of schedule and will be delivered toward the end of April. The dealer told me this is their prep:

"Audi's arrive wrapped from the factory and without any wax. So after our pre-delivery inspection, we remove the wrapping and any adhesive from it... then wash, buff and wax the exterior. We also remove the saran wrap from the interior and vacuum the carpet only (no chemicals used)."

Does Audi use the white plastic panel covers or is it really "wrapping" (i.e. full coverage)? I definitely want to clay, seal, and wax at some point, but should it be done right away? Is there any benefit to waiting a bit?

So you will let the dealership detail your car? if you have not taken delivery of your A7 and you care for it very much, I HIGHLY recommend you to decline their detail. I work inside the dealership as a Tech FYI, so yes they do come all wrapped.

[pokerfad]

So you will let the dealership detail your car? if you have not taken delivery of your A7 and you care for it very much, I HIGHLY recommend you to decline their detail. I work inside the dealership as a Tech FYI, so yes they do come all wrapped.

I second this highly!!! I have a two month old A7 that was mangled by the dealer. I think they used a brush on it bc it had scratches, swirls all over. I just compounded, polished and wax it and it looks phenomenal now, but most dealers do not use proper care.

[JoeyZ]

If you have a heartbeat, they will let you "detail" a car.

[maga4]

I'd follow something like this.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...m-Installation

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...l-Monsoon-Gray

Good links, thank you.

[mellonhdz]

I would definitely clay bar a new car on account of the rail dust it may be subjected to during shipping. It would take too long anyway since the finish is new IMO.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_clay_bar

[Epa7]

If you have a heartbeat, they will let you "detail" a car.

I was wondering about that. These guys have a pretty good reputation. I need to stop by to have them appraise my possible trade in, so I'll ask to see examples of their work. Thanks again for the input.

[VroomVroom]

Definitely worth checking their work. I'm still cynical about this - even most premium-branded dealers still employ the dirty bucket & stiff brush method of new car prep. That said, yours may be the exception. My wife's favorite Lexus dealer, for example, contracts out with a small detail shop that keeps two of their detailers on-site. These guys do great work, but again...they're the exception. The problem is, most folks at dealerships, especially on the sales side, simply don't know any better. They think they're doing you a huge favor, and occasionally seem insulted that you'd turn down such services.

In any case, a quality effort - or typical debacle - starts with how the wrap is removed. Caution and patience is key, and it's amazing how much micromarring is induced if either is skipped. If you're checking out their work, be sure to include this step. Good luck...

[Epa7]

In any case, a quality effort - or typical debacle - starts with how the wrap is removed. Caution and patience is key, and it's amazing how much micromarring is induced if either is skipped. If you're checking out their work, be sure to include this step. Good luck...

Great information! Thanks!

[Rodmar]

Don't let the dealership wash it, and I reccomend a clay if you have an hour to burn while detailing it, new car but rail dust, etc... all over it or even overspray, who knows TBH, you will after you clay it and see what stuck to the clay. But im no professional

[NYSpeedRacer]

All wrapped up


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[FITZ TITS]

Wrong thread?

[Epa7]

All wrapped up


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Hmm, that's what I was thinking of when I was talking about partial wrapping. If that's the case, then the vertical panels of fenders and doors are exposed during transport?

[helix139]

Hmm, that's what I was thinking of when I was talking about partial wrapping. If that's the case, then the vertical panels of fenders and doors are exposed during transport?

Generally the entire car is wrapped during transport. +1 to the guys who said don't let the dealership "detail" your car. I had a friend that bought a BMW from my dealership a week before I took delivery and his paint was swirled and scratched to the point of needing wetsanding. Made me glad I told them not to touch mine other than to remove the exterior shipping materials. I took mine for a real new car prep detail and clearbra install the next morning after I took delivery.

[Epa7]

Stopped by the dealer today for a close inspection of their prep. While I saw a few smudges and fingerprints, there were no swirls or holograms to be found. I wasn't able to actually watch them detail a car, but I'm going to trust them based on what I saw.

[helix139]

Stopped by the dealer today for a close inspection of their prep. While I saw a few smudges and fingerprints, there were no swirls or holograms to be found. I wasn't able to actually watch them detail a car, but I'm going to trust them based on what I saw.

I wouldn't. Swirls and holograms can easily be covered up with a wax or sealant containing fillers. You wouldn't buy a new car from a detailer, so why would you get a detail from a dealership?

[Epa7]

I wouldn't. Swirls and holograms can easily be covered up with a wax or sealant containing fillers. You wouldn't buy a new car from a detailer, so why would you get a detail from a dealership?

Yeah, I was wondering about wax/sealant covering things up, and while that's always a possibility, I saw consistently good finishes. What's the real downside? If there are swirls and holograms under wax/sealant, then when they reveal themselves I get the car detailed. The only downside I see is if there's irreperable damage done by the dealer, which is highly unlikely given the good appearance of cars awaiting delivery.

Regardless I'll post my findings.

[pokerfad]

I wouldn't. Swirls and holograms can easily be covered up with a wax or sealant containing fillers. You wouldn't buy a new car from a detailer, so why would you get a detail from a dealership?

My A7 was a great example of this. After each car wash I performed with the proper equipment I noticed more and more swirls and scratches appearing. I know they weren't coming from my washes. I just performed the correction on the car last weekend and it took me about 7 hours form start to finish and it looks great now, but if your spending 70k on a brand new car this should never happen. It baffles me how people that sell cars actually know nothing about car care. I thought that it was my dealer originally, but i bought my Q5 two weeks after the A7 from the same dealer and the Q5's clear coat is pristine. I have deduced that the A7 was mangled by the dealer that my dealership swapped inventory with to secure exactly what myself and my wife wanted. I have been meaning to tell my salesperson about this issue, but I just haven't done it yet. I would urge you to just opt out of it if you enjoy detailing your own vehicles. If you don't then take it to a professional and have a new car treatment done. It'll be beneficial in the long run.

[helix139]

Yeah, I was wondering about wax/sealant covering things up, and while that's always a possibility, I saw consistently good finishes. What's the real downside? If there are swirls and holograms under wax/sealant, then when they reveal themselves I get the car detailed. The only downside I see is if there's irreperable damage done by the dealer, which is highly unlikely given the good appearance of cars awaiting delivery.

Regardless I'll post my findings.

I just would not want to have to strip down the clearcoat on a brand new car. It happened on my buddy's 335i. The fillers in the waxes covered it up but the first time he washed with a pressure washer it was swirl city and it needed wetsanding. It was a real nightmare for him as subsequent washes revealed more and more blemishes and holgrams for the next several months afterwards. The dealership payed for the initial repair, but not the subsequent ones. The clearcoat damage he had was well over $1000. Lucky for him he is the web designer for the detailer we both use so the detailer took care of it for him with no out of pocket cost, but it's something I would not want to have had to deal with. There is no reason anyone should have to remove significant clearcoat on a brand new car.

[Epa7]

Pokerfad,
Great feedback. Thanks. I'm just learning about detailing, swirls, etc., so not sure that I'm quite ready to tackle my first detailing on this car, and because it's early, I may not have time to practice on my other cars as I'd planned. While I can certainly opt out of the dealer prep, that means I need to get a detailer lined up immediately (or do it myself) upon delivery. I'm not sure I will have the time to do it myself or even get it to a shop within a week of delivery. What isn't clear is the benefit of opting out if I'm going to need to do a detail/correction anyway. Why not take the convenient way out and have the dealership do the prep? The worst case seems to be they put more swirls/holograms in which will get removed when I detail it the first time anyway.

Again, thanks for all of the great information.

Edit: While I was typing my response to Pokerfad, helix was answering my question about the worst case. $1k in damage to the clearcoat is definitely not good. Guess I'd underestimated the amount of damage that can be done with a hamfisted dealer prep

[helix139]

Pokerfad,
Great feedback. Thanks. I'm just learning about detailing, swirls, etc., so not sure that I'm quite ready to tackle my first detailing on this car, and because it's early, I may not have time to practice on my other cars as I'd planned. While I can certainly opt out of the dealer prep, that means I need to get a detailer lined up immediately (or do it myself) upon delivery. I'm not sure I will have the time to do it myself or even get it to a shop within a week of delivery. What isn't clear is the benefit of opting out if I'm going to need to do a detail/correction anyway. Why not take the convenient way out and have the dealership do the prep? The worst case seems to be they put more swirls/holograms in which will get removed when I detail it the first time anyway.

Again, thanks for all of the great information.

Edit: While I was typing my response to Pokerfad, helix was answering my question about the worst case. $1k in damage to the clearcoat is definitely not good. Guess I'd underestimated the amount of damage that can be done with a hamfisted dealer prep

If you don't have the time to get a detailer lined up right away, here's what I would do: Request the dealership not do the detail. If you decide to go with the clear bra installation, bring some blue painters tape with you for the ride home and tape up the front of your car. Set aside some time on the Saturday or Sunday after delivery to give it some quality care. Give it a quality wash with proper technique, then clay the car. Wipe it down with IPA to remove any residue. Then apply a quality sealant or wax by hand that will last at least until you can get it to a detailer. Reapply the painters tape until you can get to the clear bra installer. That way you'll at least have the car decontaminated and protected a little until you can give it some proper care from a pro.