Detailing and Protecting my Brilliant Black A4

[Maxyim]

Hey guys,

I need some advice yet again. I am now the proud owner of a beautiful 2011 A4 Prestige S-Line sedan in Brilliant Black! I am also coming to realize just how difficult it is going to be to keep this baby looking sharp, particularly as I do not have a garage and have to park it under a tree!

My main question at this point is what I should be doing on a regular basis in terms of detailing the exterior and interior. The dealer told me to mix in corn oil with the car wash to get the shine, and that this will also keep all of the rubber seals black; does this ring true to you? Also, how should I care for the interior leather, consoles and alcantara? How should I care for the tires? Should I consider tinting the windows (within legality)?

Finally, should I consider getting a car cover? If so, what features are most important (besides softness against paint, of course).

Thanks for your help!

[maga4]

Good luck! Ha. In all seriousness, i would tint it and get a sunshade for it to protect the interior. Keep it clean and waxed and should be ok to start.

[Greg Nelson]

If you must park under a tree, would highly recommend a quality car cover to keep the tree sap off the exterior (paint & glass).
BB is a bear to keep clean - shows dust and swirl marks, but when clean and shiny, looks stunning (highly biased, BB owner).
Suggest hand wash only, quality microfiber towels, soft wool wash mitt, Sonax Gloss shampoo (what I use, many other good brands available).
There is a detailing forum here - check it out for more ideas.
Cheers

[EuroEclipse]

Phil from detailers domain has a BB S4. Best to ask him in the detailers forum.

[xbimmer06]

Keep in air-tight bubble...gd bb paint. Seriously, check out detailers forum...tons of advice to keepin our cars spot on. Best of luck!

[A4 Centaur]

Good wax, hand wash only, lot's of loving!

[Greg Nelson]

Also look into a car duster (wool?) to dust off daytime dust when you get home - my work is next to CA 101 on SF Peninsula, car is dusty at end of every day.
Cheers

[B G 8er]

Definitley going to be a challenge.
+1 on investing in a good locking car cover. You might want to search for "Covercraft". Just don't put the cover on when you car is dirty or dusty. While that tree might shade your car from UV rays, it is likely going to drop tree sap onto your finish as well as birds any that nest in that tree will have no mercy sh*tting on it! The most important care will be to keep the car hand washed regularly. Denatured Alchohol can be used to remove sticcky tree sap. Just follow with a water rinse. Don't let anything acidic or protien based sit and etch the finish, epecially while it is in the hot sun. I just happened to speak with one of the Customer Service guys at Meguire's. They are excited about a new polish they have out called Meguire's Ultimate Polish. Might work well with your black . Also, I've been very impressed with Meguire's Ultimate Quick Detailer Spray. It allows you to safely remove daily light dust off your car in between washings and waxings, adds amazing shine and depth.

[Blake P]

As previously mentioned, this post would likely be better suited in the detailing section, so I'll move it there for you.
Can't say I've ever heard of using corn oil when washing a car...

[Kidphc]

Corn oil intresting going to have to research that one. Use to use peanut butter to bring back the gloss on black exterior trim on my z32.

+1 for the car cover. Next door neighbors use to feed the birds. They would sure in the tree and shit on my car all night. Mixed with pollen it was a constant bitch to clean.

[FITZ TITS]

Are you really putting food on your car??

[FLASHMSTRC]

I was just getting ready to post a topic to ask for help on washing my BB 2011 A4. I use the two bucket method with grit guards and still have light swirls in my paint. Maybe I need to replace my mitt or rinse more often? Buddy of mine suggested washing with the body lines of the car and never working in a "swirling" motion. I've looked into getting a foam gun to help avoid it as well. Good investment?

[Maxyim]

What specifically should I look for in a cover? For instance, will something like this (http://www.autoanything.com/car-covers/60A3832A0A0.aspx)suffice?

I have not used the corn oil yet. I hand-washed it today with Meguire's and am not 100% happy with the results. I did it in 2 sections, front and side / back. I first soaked the car down by squeezing a soapy (not too soapy, only used 2 capfuls in big bucket) microfiber cloth over it, let it sit for a few minutes, then ***(here is where I am not sure that I am doing it right)*** I used a different, dry cloth to gently rub the exterior, then got a second bucket of clean water, used yet another cloth to apply it, then used yet another cloth to dry each area. The issue is that this process did not seem to have completely cleaned the car, and despite my best efforts, I could still see streaks on the car.

Basically, I am trying to figure out if I should (1) incorporate a hose to rinse the car, (2) get a foam gun for applying the soap, (3) use a different process to scrub the car.

What should I use to clean dirt from pedals, etc?

Also, what about glass and tires / rims?

Finally, a local detailing expert told me about Flynn's Detail Products. I am looking at a few, please tell me your thoughts:

http://www.flynndist.com/products/black-tastic <****- should I get this to use on the rubber around the doors, etc? Would I want to use it on the interior as well?

http://www.flynndist.com/products/show-car-mist-1-gallon <****- supposedly this is specially formulated to not turn the rubber white, etc; guy who talked to me swore by it. Thoughts?

http://www.flynndist.com/products/ez-carnauba---quart-32-oz <****- likewise; seems like I need to go ahead and get the vehicle waxed. I will get professional help with that, but want to use the best products.

Also, I was looking at some sheepskin towels (they have special name, cannot think of it); guy I talked to said I should get two; one to clean and one to dry, and to use them instead of the microfibers. The ones at the Autozone I went to had some rough spots though. Are there any brands that you guys like better than others, or should I just get a sheepskin mitt or two?

Thanks for all your help!

[Maxyim]

Almost forgot - the car is slightly used and has some obvious swirling and tiny scratches in a few places. Is this something that a newbie like me can fix, or should I take it to a professional? What should I look for when picking said professional?

[DetailersDomain]

congrats on the car, yup bb is a hard color to work on for Audi.

what is your budget as well what does your car look like now?

[Maxyim]

My budget is flexible; I want to do all I can to keep it looking amazing.

The car has some minor scratches / swirling, and some discolorations on hood that I could not get out (looks like bird poop) in the first round of cleaning (I did not apply a lot of pressure with the microfiber). There are a good bit of tiny white scratches on parts of the car, particularly towards the corners of the trunk and sides along the hood.

Thanks for your help!


EDIT: I have decided to get windows tinted. I guess that I should get a sunshade as well, what do you guys recommend?

[helix139]

Your washing technique sounds like you're doing a lot more work than necessary, and not doing it the right way. Do this:

1. Get a bucket with a grit guard
2. Get an uber lamb's wool mitt from detailers domain and an uber firehose nozzle. Get a few Uber microfiber drying towels also. Optionally, you can get a gilmour foam gun also
3. put a couple caps full of your choice of car shampoo (I use Zaino Z7) in the bucket. Make sure the shampoo is pH neutral. fill the bucket and control your suds.
4. Put the mitt in the bucket and let it absorb soapy water and suds.
5. If you have the foam gun, this is the time you use it to pre-soak your car
6. Use the mitt to wash your car, top to bottom. Rinse often with the firehose nozzle on a high pressure setting OUTSIDE OF THE BUCKET.
7. Once you've washed the car completely, rinse the entire car on a medium pressure, high flow setting.
8. Use the drying towels to dry the car completely. Start with the horizontal surfaces (hood, roof, trunk). Then move to the glass and the sides, back, and front. Don't worry about a couple of waterspots on the car here and there. We'll get to them later. Make sure to open your trunk, doors, and gas tank lid and get any water out of there too and wipe down the jambs. if you drop a towel or let it hit the ground, stop using it until it has been thoroughly washed.
9. After the car is completely dry, then you can attack any spots. they'll be easy to remove at this point. Just get a microfiber or Zaino borderfree towel (my preference) and some detailing spray and wipe down the car under good lighting. Same rule with towels. if you drop it or it touches the ground, stop using it.
10. Wipe your glass down with your favorite glass cleaner (1Z Einszett Windscreen for me with Uber glass towels) to get rid of any spots on your glass.

Voila, you'll have a spot-free and streak-free finish and won't introduce any additional swirls.

For your trim, use wolf's trim coat. For your wheels, use sonax. for tires, Adam's Super VRT.

As for a wax/sealant, with your color and need for durability, I would heavily recommend Zaino. If you follow the directions, it will leave you with a great finish that will last 4-6 months, depending on your driving habits. The best shine will be had by washing with dawn to strip any old sealants, then layering Z-FX enhanced Z5 then multiple layers of Z2, and spraying on Z6 in between layers, then finishing off with Z-CS and wiping down with Z8. However, you can simplify the process by starting with Z-AIO and then moving on to Z5 or Z2.

You will probably want to get a professional to perform a paint correction before you wax or seal though.

[FITZ TITS]

The VRT can be used on the trim, so might as well save an extra product.

[DetailersDomain]

My budget is flexible; I want to do all I can to keep it looking amazing.

The car has some minor scratches / swirling, and some discolorations on hood that I could not get out (looks like bird poop) in the first round of cleaning (I did not apply a lot of pressure with the microfiber). There are a good bit of tiny white scratches on parts of the car, particularly towards the corners of the trunk and sides along the hood.

Thanks for your help!


EDIT: I have decided to get windows tinted. I guess that I should get a sunshade as well, what do you guys recommend?

can you email me? I can put some stuff together.

[helix139]

The VRT can be used on the trim, so might as well save an extra product.

It can, but it won't keep the B8 windshield rain gutters from getting really bad waterspots. Wolf's is the only thing that seems to work for a decent period of time for that.

[FITZ TITS]

It can, but it won't keep the B8 windshield rain gutters from getting really bad waterspots. Wolf's is the only thing that seems to work for a decent period of time for that.

I see, OK.

[FLASHMSTRC]

Is Meguiar's Gold Class pH neutral? I would assume no since I get water spots if I'm not able to dry quick enough or miss spots when I run out of daylight.

[Maxyim]

Your washing technique sounds like you're doing a lot more work than necessary, and not doing it the right way. Do this:

1. Get a bucket with a grit guard
2. Get an uber lamb's wool mitt from detailers domain and an uber firehose nozzle. Get a few Uber microfiber drying towels also. Optionally, you can get a gilmour foam gun also
3. put a couple caps full of your choice of car shampoo (I use Zaino Z7) in the bucket. Make sure the shampoo is pH neutral. fill the bucket and control your suds.
4. Put the mitt in the bucket and let it absorb soapy water and suds.
5. If you have the foam gun, this is the time you use it to pre-soak your car
6. Use the mitt to wash your car, top to bottom. Rinse often with the firehose nozzle on a high pressure setting OUTSIDE OF THE BUCKET.
7. Once you've washed the car completely, rinse the entire car on a medium pressure, high flow setting.
8. Use the drying towels to dry the car completely. Start with the horizontal surfaces (hood, roof, trunk). Then move to the glass and the sides, back, and front. Don't worry about a couple of waterspots on the car here and there. We'll get to them later. Make sure to open your trunk, doors, and gas tank lid and get any water out of there too and wipe down the jambs. if you drop a towel or let it hit the ground, stop using it until it has been thoroughly washed.
9. After the car is completely dry, then you can attack any spots. they'll be easy to remove at this point. Just get a microfiber or Zaino borderfree towel (my preference) and some detailing spray and wipe down the car under good lighting. Same rule with towels. if you drop it or it touches the ground, stop using it.
10. Wipe your glass down with your favorite glass cleaner (1Z Einszett Windscreen for me with Uber glass towels) to get rid of any spots on your glass.

Voila, you'll have a spot-free and streak-free finish and won't introduce any additional swirls.

For your trim, use wolf's trim coat. For your wheels, use sonax. for tires, Adam's Super VRT.

As for a wax/sealant, with your color and need for durability, I would heavily recommend Zaino. If you follow the directions, it will leave you with a great finish that will last 4-6 months, depending on your driving habits. The best shine will be had by washing with dawn to strip any old sealants, then layering Z-FX enhanced Z5 then multiple layers of Z2, and spraying on Z6 in between layers, then finishing off with Z-CS and wiping down with Z8. However, you can simplify the process by starting with Z-AIO and then moving on to Z5 or Z2.

You will probably want to get a professional to perform a paint correction before you wax or seal though.

Awesome info! A few questions:

a) What detailing spray do you recommend?
b) Good lordy, that's a load of different products to wax. How many applications will buying the smallest quantity of each get me? Does the stuff last after opening?
c) What do you recommend for a car cover? I don't mind paying a bit more for something that will last a long time and make the car easier to take care of.
d) Should I get a windshield cover?

[OTDetailer]

Awesome info! A few questions:

a) What detailing spray do you recommend?
b) Good lordy, that's a load of different products to wax. How many applications will buying the smallest quantity of each get me? Does the stuff last after opening?
c) What do you recommend for a car cover? I don't mind paying a bit more for something that will last a long time and make the car easier to take care of.
d) Should I get a windshield cover?

a) Adams Detail spray ( Most detail sprays will leave some residual, I always go back around with cold distill water wipe )
b) Since your car sits outside 24/7, its might be good to invest in something like Aquartz or Wolf's body wrap
c) With coating applied and wax on top of your coating, just use detail spray to clean off fresh bird droppings or tree sap ( so car cover is not necessary as much )
d) If you just do a dash wipe with a interior protectant every 2 weeks, you won't need a windshield cover...

I have a BB A4, and it sits out 24/7...

[maga4]

Also look into a car duster (wool?) to dust off daytime dust when you get home - my work is next to CA 101 on SF Peninsula, car is dusty at end of every day.
Cheers

+1, good call Greg...best 90 seconds you could spend each evening.

[maga4]

Also, I use optimum (sp?) no rinse all the time. Great way to get clean without having to worry about water spots

[DetailersDomain]

are you planning on picking up an orbital polisher?

[Maxyim]

are you planning on picking up an orbital polisher?

I would, if that is what you suggest.

By the way, what is all this talk of clay around here? Do not understand it...!

[DetailersDomain]

take a look here.

Clar Bar and Clay Lube how to video (https://detailersdomain.com/Adams-Clay-Bar-and-Detail-Spray_p_62.html)

[Maxyim]

a) Adams Detail spray ( Most detail sprays will leave some residual, I always go back around with cold distill water wipe )
b) Since your car sits outside 24/7, its might be good to invest in something like Aquartz or Wolf's body wrap
c) With coating applied and wax on top of your coating, just use detail spray to clean off fresh bird droppings or tree sap ( so car cover is not necessary as much )
d) If you just do a dash wipe with a interior protectant every 2 weeks, you won't need a windshield cover...

I have a BB A4, and it sits out 24/7...

Awesome! The money I save on the cover can go towards an orbital polisher.

Continuing the chain of questions, what interior protectant is considered the best?

Also, I just spent about an hour watching all the Volume 7 videos on detailersdomain.com. If I follow their process of wash > clay > polish > glass seal > glaze > wax, when do I use the Aquartz / Wolf's? Finally, how often should I do all of this?

Also, should I worry about using clay on the windows before getting them tinted?

[OTDetailer]

Awesome! The money I save on the cover can go towards an orbital polisher.

Continuing the chain of questions, what interior protectant is considered the best?

Also, I just spent about an hour watching all the Volume 7 videos on detailersdomain.com. If I follow their process of wash > clay > polish > glass seal > glaze > wax, when do I use the Aquartz / Wolf's? Finally, how often should I do all of this?

Also, should I worry about using clay on the windows before getting them tinted?

wash > clay >IPA wipedown> polish ( wolf's shine & seal ) > wolf's glass seal > wolf's body wrap.

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Wolfs-Chemicals-Nano-Kit_p_677.html Get them in a bundle and save.

since your car sits outside 24/7, I say 2 times a year with bi-weekly washes.

[helix139]

Awesome info! A few questions:

a) What detailing spray do you recommend?
b) Good lordy, that's a load of different products to wax. How many applications will buying the smallest quantity of each get me? Does the stuff last after opening?
c) What do you recommend for a car cover? I don't mind paying a bit more for something that will last a long time and make the car easier to take care of.
d) Should I get a windshield cover?

a) I use the Zaino system, and Z6 works really well with that. It's great at emulsifying calcium deposits (water spots) and lifting out sap, bird shit, etc. A little (quarter sized amount) goes a long way and can cover a 2 foot x 2 foot area. No residue as long as you aren't using too much of the product and you turn your towel frequently. The only time I really saturate is with bird shit or other material that has the potential to scratch.
b) The Zaino products last several years and are concentrated highly so you don't need a lot to do a typical car. Get a bottle each of Z-FX, Z5, Z2, Z6, Z7, and Z-CS and you'll have all you need. Alternatively, you chould start with Z-AIO and then layer Z5 and/or Z2. It's less time consuming and less expensive, but I don't feel the results are quite as good.
c) I don't like car covers because they have the potential to scratch or swirl if you have any sort of dirt underneath the cover. If you're going to go with one, I'd go with a covercraft and make sure to dust and wipe down your car before putting on the cover, and maybe lay a few of the jumbo uber microfibers over the paint. I like this better though: http://www.carcapsule.com/
d) nah. Get your windshield tinted instead with something like Llumar Air 80 ceramic tint.

Here are a couple of representative samples of my paint after over a year of ownership using the Zaino system:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6914355575_4ac2700df7_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6913862143_1e090d03fb_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6914380755_fb279b6265_b.jpg

As you can see, no swirls. I went over my entire car not covered in clearbra with that light a couple weeks ago after a wash, and outside of the random small handful of clearcoat nicks that any daily driver will have, that is what it looked like

[DetailersDomain]

you would want to

wash ****> clay--> compound if needed ****-> Polish ****->wax or seal (wolfs or aquartz would be here, you would not have to wax or seal.)