need help with black A4

[audispeed08]

ok so this is my first black car and right now it is killing me! In the month or so that I have owned it I have waxed it 3 times and even tried paying someone to wax it. I can't seem to keep the paint looking clear like i could with my other cars. I feel like I get scratches if some on just touches it with their finger or after i wash it (i'm very careful when i wash it too). Is this just how black paint is or does audi paint just suck or is there some trick that i'm missing? haha I figure at this rate, next year my paint with just look silver from all the scratches.

I love the car but I feel like the paint is a losing war. My other car was a 1999 green passat that now has 80k on it and the paint looks better then my audi with 25k.

haha so any tips? I have tired mothers wax and the 3 step Meguiars wax.

[juggernaut201]

liquid ice works great on my black a4 .... the liquid wax and detailer after and ur set make sure u use micro fiber towles 2 and a microfiber dryimg towel pm me if u have n e more questions its should work

[A4SoftWalker]

Black and other dark colors show more faults and require more attention than any other color. Always do these things:

1) Wax the car by wiping it down in the same direction - reduce the spider scratches Side-to-side or up-and-down u choose for the part. Try not to make circular motions.

2) Use only the best of soft cloths/rags - no shop towels and definitely no wash rack scrub brushes.

3) I personally did not find Mcguires any good took too much elbow grease to make it work right. Find a wax that works and stick to it.

4) A black car needs frequent washing and find a good touch-up spray wax to use inbetween waxes usually 3-6 times a year depending on weather, parking cover, or the wax used.

5) Always clean car from top to bottom in stages. Pick a line that runs around the car and clean above that level all around the car. Then move down to the next level - This prevents the sand from the lower parts scratching the upper parts.

6) Fold/change cloth frequently while cleaning

That's all I can remember for now...

[llau515]

You wanna wash your car first, Liquid ice does work well. Then, if you've got the time, claybar it, if not just hit up the polish, then wax after. It should feel smooth, and look like it's glistening after.

EDIT: Polishing helps clean up those little swirl marks and very minor scratches. For the more noticeable scratches that seem to be fixable, you can use some rubbing compound (i.e. Meguiar's Paint Cleaner) which is a little stronger than polish.

[martini]

i use adams polishes and like they way they work... i remember back in the day there were a couple people pushing some other products for black cars... they were all the rave, but i cant even find their names now... it was a multi-part system.. i thought hyperspeed used to use them back in the day

[beAu4]

also cause its black doesn't help much. black shows the most

[got boost.]

Audi has hard clear coat and scratches considerably easier than other paints thats why its harder to maintain. Try the two bucket method with a grid guard while and with pre-foam before the regular wash.

Turtle wax liquid FTL.

[03 silverbullet]

there is a DIY with adams polish around here some where that you could try.

i have also used turtle wax rubbing compound then used McGuire Wax and the out come was pretty nice and shinny.

i was doing it all by hand though and the car was white not black, pain in the butt..

[gle_helle]

You really need a dual-action polisher (NOT a rotary) and the right combination of compounds, polishes, waxes, etc. Also, there is a right way to wash a car to minimize damage.

Go to autopia.org, a forum for detailing professionals. It has a wealth of knowlege, just be prepared to read a lot and spend more money!

Black cars are the worst to keep looking good.

[martini]

http://www.a4mods.com/index.php?page...tml&category=5

[evohuntina4]

Audi has hard clear coat and scratches considerably easier than other paints thats why its harder to maintain. Try the two bucket method with a grid guard while and with pre-foam before the regular wash.

Turtle wax liquid FTL.

Uh hard clear coat should scratch less, I just came from a Subaru WRX, Obsidian Black. Subaru has one of the softest clearcoats and is a joke with swirls. One of the softest paints of any manufacturer....

Audi paint should be a lot better due to stronger clear coat...

[kneel]

Try the black wax for your car. I use it on my wifes GLI. You get messy with it but i'll swear by it.

[mdzaudi]

Dude, you just need a ShamWOW. Duh!

[NvrFllw]

Use very soft towels when washing and drying. Do not over wax your car it will end up looking worse then before. Have a professional detailer cut your car with some good polish and a good coat of carnuba power wax. When i say power i mean being applied by an orbital and removed by an orbital makes it easier and does a better job.

[b6onboost]

I don't find Black hard to keep clean, nor do I find the Audi easy to scratch. I wash mine every 1-2 weeks. Full wax every few months. Instant detailer in between. Certainly nothing professional. All products picked up at a local store.

[R Evolution1]

Welcome to German paint

Ditto on what everybody else said -- follow a 5 step paint care process and you will be golden. Just remember that Black needs more love than all the other colors