Sam's Auto: 2010 Phantom Black Audi S4 & 2008 Black Merc E500

artikxscout · 10-13-09, 12:33

First off the Audi:

This is probably the 2nd 2010 S4 available that I know of in Berkeley. New 2010 uses a V6 Supercharged engine. It's a monster. Just recently had the tints done and exhaust refined.

Also, my CG Jet Seal and EZ Cream came!

Exterior:
ONR Wash
Megs Apc
ZEP Windows Cleaner
P21 Wheel Cleaner
CG EZ Cream II
CG Jet Seal 109

Tools Used:
PC 7424
Blue LC Pad x2
EZ Detail Brush
Various Brushes

Before: Cloudy Day

Tires before after:

Afters (sorry for the blurry pictures, kit lens isn't VR and didn't have tripod)

Luckily dealer didn't hack up the car when it was delivered, but there were still some spot halogramming.

Final Shot:
I loved what Audi has done with their new headlights. It's beautiful and elegant, yet at the same time mean when you see it coming at you at 110mph.

Enjoy!

artikxscout · 10-13-09, 12:34

Man, these write ups take a long time to do, I don't know how you guys do it. But this is a client that I take care of bi-annual. It's a 2008 E500 in Black. I detailed it around 7 months ago and he's been doing a great job with the upkeep. It was some spot polish (some acid came from pipes in the garage and he tried to wipe them off) which eventually lead to scratching the car.

Exterior:
CG CWC via 2-bucket method
Clay w/ ONR lube (auto magic)
P21 Wheel Gel
Poorboys EX-P
Optimum OCW
ZEP windows cleaner
Megs APC 10:1 on tires

Interior:
Optimum OPP
303 for Dash

Polishing:
Orange LC SIP
Blue LC 106FA

Tools:
PCXP
PC 7424
Ridgid Vac
Defelsko Paint Gauge
Various Oxo brushes
EZ Detailing Brush

Before:
I love it when they know you're coming and keep the car dirty for that week.

So I pre-sprayed the tires with the Meg's APC and the wheels w/ p21 and let it dwell

Some of the scratches from removing the rusted water residue.

Afters:

Got to love Mercedes orange peel!

Sun shot:

Enjoy! Weather: 68°F

It feels good to be posting again after couple months in Asia.

dickwitham · 10-13-09, 05:45

LOVE the S4! Is that some curb rash on the passenger side front wheel?

Regardless, great work and a beautiful car!

gmblack3a · 10-13-09, 07:16

Very nice work Sam!

The new A4 that I did a few months ago was not touched by the dealer and it just had some slight marring from removing the plastic.

Got_Leather · 10-13-09, 08:00

Niice Sam. I LOVE how EZ Creme Glaze looks under a sealant. It's super easy to use too.

Scottwax · 10-13-09, 10:02

Nice job, both cars look insanely wet.

artikxscout · 10-13-09, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by dickwitham

LOVE the S4! Is that some curb rash on the passenger side front wheel?

Regardless, great work and a beautiful car!

Yeah, there's already some on the driver side also, but majority of it was on the passenger side.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

Very nice work Sam!

The new A4 that I did a few months ago was not touched by the dealer and it just had some slight marring from removing the plastic.

Thanks Bryan. I would've thought this metallic color would have a harder clear coat. Overall the phantom black is still harder than "brilliant black"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got_Leather

Niice Sam. I LOVE how EZ Creme Glaze looks under a sealant. It's super easy to use too.

I agree! It probably darkens the car by at least 10-20%. There was an immediate wow factor even before putting on the jetseal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Nice job, both cars look insanely wet.

Thanks Scott!

drew.haynes · 10-13-09, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by artikxscout

Afters (sorry for the blurry pictures, kit lens isn't VR and didn't have tripod)

What camera body are you using?

tdekany · 10-13-09, 02:51

Very nice work on both vehicles.

artikxscout · 10-13-09, 05:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew.haynes

What camera body are you using?

Nikon D40, Aperture Priority, on vivid setting. 15-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdekany

Very nice work on both vehicles.

Thanks Tom

drew.haynes · 10-13-09, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by artikxscout

Nikon D40, Aperture Priority, on vivid setting. 15-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Thanks Tom

When you get a chance you should snag some faster glass and you won't have to worry about "no VR" or tripods anymore!

I was going to recommend the old school Nikkor 50mm 1.8 prime @ only about 100 bucks, but on a D40, D40x, or D60 it will not autofocus... manual only (may be ok with you shooting still objects - cars - only)

More ideal - due to the autofocus issues with D40/D60 and older glass, and more ideal for cars due to the wider focal length, would be the Nikkor 35mm 1.8 that came out somewhat recently. They were very hard to find, but gettin a little easier now. Expect $200 sale price, but great image quality vs kit lens and the f/1.8 will save you so often!

artikxscout · 10-13-09, 08:19

Hey Drew, thanks for the suggestions. I was actually looking in the past 2 weeks for either the 50mm or the 35mm. It's not that expensive, but it's a great prime lens. Only problem with the 50mm right now is the crop factor, and I might not have room sometimes to snap the whole car. I'll probably be picking up the 50mm f/1.8D on amazon, and probably another 70-200mm VR for the long range ones.

Hopefully other people with the DSLR (d40, d60, d90, d5000, etc.) can use this tip too.