Advice Needed :: Black Audi A6

[Pete F.]

Guys-

I am going to be detailing my buddy's 2005 Black Audi A6 tomorrow. Please offer advice on this process:

1. Wash with Griot's car wash (trying to finish off the gallon)
2. Clay with fine Opti-Clay and soapy water
3. Polish (using PC/Excel pads) with PB SSR (not sure which one until I see the paint), but work toward SSR1 in the end.
4. Seal with PB EX
5. Wax with Souveran
6. Cover Souveran with Natty's Blue

I have the interior and other details covered, I just really want to make the black paint pop and look dripping wet.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

-Pete

[Accumulator]

PeteF.- Heh heh, I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to use up that Griot's wash, it's my favorite shampoo

You'll need some pretty aggressive stuff to correct an Audi with the PC, and it'll take a while. If you have access to a rotary I'd sure use that for the major correction. Can't really comment on the SSR line as I haven't used it but the Spies-Hecker clear is quite hard and it's nice and thick (so you can really work it if you need to).

Treat the black plastic "B" pillar (and the similar trim by the trailing edge of the rear doors) like sorta-soft paint.

I think you'll spend enough time on the marring that you won't be all *that* inclined to do multiple LSPs I'd choose between the Souveran and the Natty's and just use one of them over the EX. If you *do* want to use both, I always use Souveran as the last step since it doesn't last all that long compared to other LSPs.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

PeteF.- Heh heh, I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to use up that Griot's wash, it's my favorite shampoo

You'll need some pretty aggressive stuff to correct an Audi with the PC, and it'll take a while. If you have access to a rotary I'd sure use that for the major correction. Can't really comment on the SSR line as I haven't used it but the Spies-Hecker clear is quite hard and it's nice and thick (so you can really work it if you need to).

Treat the black plastic "B" pillar (and the similar trim by the trailing edge of the rear doors) like sorta-soft paint.

I think you'll spend enough time on the marring that you won't be all *that* inclined to do multiple LSPs I'd choose between the Souveran and the Natty's and just use one of them over the EX. If you *do* want to use both, I always use Souveran as the last step since it doesn't last all that long compared to other LSPs.

Thanks for all of the information. I was looking to try some other shampoos since I used to buy 100% Griot's products and have found several things that I prefer to the Griot's.

The car is only 4 months old, so I am hoping there isn't a lot of marring. I'm not sure if his dealership has ever washed the car - I am hoping not.

My buddy is going to help out, so I think we'll still be charged up for the LSPs. I was under the impression that folks used Natty's over Souveran...but what you say makes sense.

Thanks again for the info.

-Pete

[Neothin]

Don't forget that sealants need a cure time where they are untopped and not exposed to moisture. As a rule of thumb, it's best to wait 12-24 hours before you put anything on top of a fresh sealant.

As accumulator said, use souveran over the natty's blue. If you want to get adventurous, try spit shining the souveran. The look is noticably better.

european paint.... ugh... be prepared for a war if your using a PC.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by Neothin

Don't forget that sealants need a cure time where they are untopped and not exposed to moisture. As a rule of thumb, it's best to wait 12-24 hours before you put anything on top of a fresh sealant.

As accumulator said, use souveran over the natty's blue. If you want to get adventurous, try spit shining the souveran. The look is noticably better.

european paint.... ugh... be prepared for a war if your using a PC.

We're starting early and working in my heated garage. We are going to let it sit in there before applying the waxes. It'll give us time to rest and watch the Rolex 24 hour race.

It sounds like what I save in the size difference of doing my F250 Super Duty is going to be lost in the effort required to do the Audi?

Thanks again guys.

-Pete