greetings from Denver Co.

[jechilt]

I am new to the forum and not a professional detailer.

I do appreciate quality products that will allow my cars to look good and have great protection.
My main reason for joining is so I can ask the experts what is recommended for the average DIY guy wanting to maintain his Nissan Quest and Audi A4 Wagon.

thanks!

[The Cleaner]

Originally Posted by jechilt

I am new to the forum and not a professional detailer.

I do appreciate quality products that will allow my cars to look good and have great protection.
My main reason for joining is so I can ask the experts what is recommended for the average DIY guy wanting to maintain his Nissan Quest and Audi A4 Wagon.

thanks!

As you live in Denver, I would suggest you develop a regimen that addresses your winter and summer weather elements. My guess is winter is rather brutal, lots of snow, salt, chemicals on the road and little time/weather to detail your cars, so I would search the board for long lasting durable winter process/products. As for the summers in Denver, I have to admit I don't know, So my question, how are the summers in Denver? Also, the Audi (particulary if the Audi is Black) will most likely require somewhat different care than the Nissan in terms of paint/clearcoat prep, polish, etc. Search will reveal, many answers and most likely empty your wallet on your subsequent product purchases

[jechilt]

Originally Posted by The Cleaner

As you live in Denver, I would suggest you develop a regimen that addresses your winter and summer weather elements. My guess is winter is rather brutal, lots of snow, salt, chemicals on the road and little time/weather to detail your cars, so I would search the board for long lasting durable winter process/products. As for the summers in Denver, I have to admit I don't know, So my question, how are the summers in Denver? Also, the Audi (particulary if the Audi is Black) will most likely require somewhat different care than the Nissan in terms of paint/clearcoat prep, polish, etc. Search will reveal, many answers and most likely empty your wallet on your subsequent product purchases

Summers are hot, hot, hot, and dry.

My audi is silver and honestly, I don't really care for it. I will most likely be looking at selling it in a year or so. My priority is to keep the paint and interior in the best possible condition possible in hopes of getting top dollar for it when it is time to sell. I will probably get a used Acura or something like a volvo v50 wagon.

I bought my nissan from someone on the east coast. It has really been abused and there is some paint work done on it so I am hoping to find a cleaner that I could use on both.
I have noted that Mothers seems to be a good overall solution, though not necessarily the best.

One thing is certain, I won't allow the audi to drain my wallet on cleaners. It does fine on maintenance expenses already!

[The Cleaner]

See this Thread for Silver Paint Information

http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73776

This Thread for Information on German Paint

http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73745

For Durability/Longevity Protection Check Out this Thread

http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=61261

These are only a start, I hope you find them helpful. And thanks for info. on Denver Summers!

[jechilt]

Originally Posted by The Cleaner

See this Thread for Silver Paint Information

http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73776

This Thread for Information on German Paint

http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=73745

For Durability/Longevity Protection Check Out this Thread

http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=61261

These are only a start, I hope you find them helpful. And thanks for info. on Denver Summers!

Thanks for the reply.
I have looked at the links you provided and it looks like I will possibly get a combination of products from Collinite, Optimum, and being the basic guy I am, a mother product.
Any suggestions from anyone about cleaner for the seats in the audi...it is that pseudo-leather (vinyl) stuff.

[The Cleaner]

Originally Posted by jechilt

Thanks for the reply.
I have looked at the links you provided and it looks like I will possibly get a combination of products from Collinite, Optimum, and being the basic guy I am, a mother product.
Any suggestions from anyone about cleaner for the seats in the audi...it is that pseudo-leather (vinyl) stuff.

I am pretty sure that stuff is referred to as Leatherette. I use a woolite mix with water 10:1 on my leather seats and follow up with 303 Aerospace Protectant - Works great, and should work fine on leatherette, obviously test in a inconspicuous area first. Whatever you use, "scrub" apply very gently as you do not want to remove the dye form the material. By the way, I owned a 3 Series with leatherette and to be honest, the stuff wore like iron and I have to admit, I like it better that the leather in my 5 Series. One last note - yes, German cars will vaporize your money on maintenance

[a.k.a. Patrick]

You can always use a diluted all purpose cleaner, then protect with a vinyl/leather protectant.

[jechilt]

Hi all,

I am very sorry to make another post on this thread. I have been reading through the forum and have done nothing more than confuse myself even more and I have no idea which forum category to make a post in to say, "I am confused and need help picking the right product".

Maybe it is a little bit out of frustration in not knowing what to get. I have looked at a few kits and figure any one will be good but would be happier if I knew they will do a great job.
I have looked at these so far:
Sonus kit (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/son-sfxpol-kit.html)
Wolfgang Kit (http://www.wolfgangcarcare.com/wolfgang-pc-kit.html)
Klasse Kit (http://www.klassedirect.com/klascomconki.html)

To quickly recap, I have an 01 Audi A4 and a 02 Nissan Quest van. My neighbors own Hyundai cars.
I know there are high quality products and some products work better on certain vehicles. What I am really wanting is to be able to clean, polish, and seal the vehicles, providing a good shine and great durability. The longer the finish lasts, the better. I am a do-it-yourself'R and not running a business. I used to do minor detail work many many moons ago so I feel completely out of touch.

Thank you for any other suggestions and help.
Kind Regards,
John

[awahl63]

Welcome...any pics of the avant

[jechilt]

Originally Posted by awahl63

Welcome...any pics of the avant

No, sorry...I do not have any pics of the audi. I can run out in the garage and snap a few photos if you like (warning...it is dirty!).
Edit: Oops, don't have my camera. Wife has the camera....

The car has not had a thorough cleaning or good wax for about 9 months.
Overall, the paint appears to be in great shape. I used a flashlight to see if I could see any swirls or scratches. The back portion is excellent and the hood has very little marks. I am no expert but I think the paint is in excellent condition and will clean nicely.
My wife's van on the other hand is going to be the major project. It has scratches, car wash brush marks, etc.

[jechilt]

I decided to go with the wolfgang kit.
I will be sure to let you all know how it goes...

kind regards!
john