2011 Audi TTS Roadster

[Andy408]

Please be gentle. This post has a lot of firsts for me:

- First ever click-n-brag post on any forum

- First time doing paint correction on a black car

- First ever convertible

- First time using Menzerna FG400

- First time using microfiber cutting pads

- First time applying Opti-Coat



Background: I`m a weekend warrior type of car detailing enthusiast. This is only the second car I`ve done any sort of polishing beyond my own cars, of which I`ve only done a handful of times anyway. That means I`m pretty inexperienced at paint polishing.



Story of the car: A friend/co-worker of mine bought this pre-owned car a couple of months ago. I suggested getting it cleaned up (polished) and protected, especially after pointing out the various swirls. One conversation led to another, and I ended up with a weekend of mental therapy. :)



Process and products:



Thorough wash with Dawn, and not re-using the wash media

Decontamination using Speedy Prep Towel

GG 6" with Menzerna FG400 and Optimum MF pads; some areas were also hit with Menzerna SF4000 and B&S Green pads

Wheels cleaned using Sonax Full Effect and various brushes

Tires and wheel wells cleaned with Meguiar`s APC+ and various brushes

Nooks, crannies, jambs, etc cleaned up

ISP wipedown, followed by Opti-coat for LSP

Rubber and plastic treated with 303 Aerospace Protectant

Interior was in good shape -- just a quick wipedown; 303 for the plastic bits, and Lexol twins for the leather





Before the wash:



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2615.jpg



Typical Audi brake dust:



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2616.jpg



Owner tried to clean the brake dust a couple of weeks beforehand, but it didn`t help much:



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2617.jpg



Lots of brake dust in the barrels:



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2618.jpg



Rear wheels were about the same:



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2619.jpg



Sonax FE in action:



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/IMG_2412.jpg



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/IMG_2413.jpg



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/IMG_2414.jpg



After wash, decontamination, and drying, here`s what I found ... surprise! The whole car was like this:



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2626.jpg



After some work, I got it to look like this:



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2627.jpg



50/50 -- please excuse the polishing dust. :) You can see water spots and/or minor bird bomb etchings on the left (uncorrected) side.



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2630.jpg



After pictures. Wheels are all better:



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2632.jpg



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2634.jpg



Opti-Coat applied, and all done!



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/DSCN2635.jpg



http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/m581/ak_random/Detailing/2013-04-13%20--%202011%20Audi%20TTS%20Roadster/IMG_2422.jpg



My friend was ecstatic. Told me it`s better than when it was new. :)



Ok honestly, I think I achieved maybe an 80% correction. There`s still a lot for me to improve on, especially how efficiently I can do this. I could also use a better camera.



Thanks for looking! Feedback would be appreciated.

[Gray_Panther]

I remember when i first started out. You did a really great job for your second time. The more cars you do the more of your own art it becomes. Expanding your arsenal makes leaps and bounds of difference.

[Andy408]

Thanks! I`m aiming to be more predictable and efficient with my current tools before expanding too quickly. There are so many products available it`s overwhelming, so I figure get some basics, hone that, and incrementally adapt/try others if I think it will help improve what I`m already doing.

[Scottwax]

Looks a lot better to me, nice job!

[Andy408]

Thanks, Scott!

[ls7drew]

Looks good, nice job

[Andy408]

Looks good, nice job



Thanks! Am recuperating my energy for the next dark colored car. :)