A Winters Detail

Chownie

Chownie

Member
I thought I'd do a post of my beloved A2 having a winter detail. Some of you will remember the car from the Audi days when I used to go with my dad, and my goal is to get it in tip top shape for this years day! I may even do a post in the projects forum as a few bits need doing and I'm looking to make it as good as it possibly can for a 14 year old 111k car. The car will not be used too much now as it's now going to be a pampered weekend, good weather car as I want it to last many decades to come.
I go on detailing world a lot and it's great for showing off your hard work and wouldn't it be great if more people done the same on here? So decided the A2 deserved some proper love rather than a wash and occasional wax and thought I'd share with you :D.
I started with a snow foam using Bilt Hamber autofoam, followed by a jet wash. Then I used Bilt Hamber Surfex to remove the tough grime, BH Korrosol fall out remover, followed by a wash using G3 shampoo. I then clayed using a G3 mitt which I was really impressed with as so much quicker than a clay bar, but you can't get right into tight areas so will still use a bar as well in the future. The car was washed down again.
Once dried I polished using GTechnic P1, the car has a few light swirls but as the paint seems real hard it didn't do too much so will be investing in a machine polisher in the next few months, as my vRS needs doing too. Two coats of Harlys Wax to protect the paint and add to the shine! This wax doesn't seem to get mentioned too much but I find it great and it's not expensive either! Glass was clayed after the wash and then polished with AutoGlym glass polish then AutoGlym Fast Glass, then Rain X'd. Plastics and rubber was dressed in AG Vinyl and Rubber care.
The interior was cleaned using AG Interior shampoo which was brilliant, any real stubborn stains I used Surfex. Leather was cleaned and protected using FurntureClinic products which really brought the leather up a treat! AG Vinyl and Rubber dressed the interior plastics. The interior is the best it's looked in years!
I didn't bother much with the wheels as these need a refurb and I still need to do the engine but I'm pleased how the rest of the A2 has turned out! It's now all ready to go for its service and Mot at A2 Cars next week. It'll be my first visit there which I'm looking forward too! I've taken a few quick pictures with my phone which aren't great but will get the dslr out soon for some proper pictures.
I hope you enjoy, and would love to see more threads of us valeting/detailing our cars that we love so much.

Peter
 

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Looking excellent Peter. You're right we probably could do with some more pampering threads. Your prep there sounds impressive. I'm also a fan of bilt hamber products.
 
If anyone wants a car to pamper (practice?) I am more than happy for my Korma Cream interior to be guinnea pig! Its not a colour that is easy to keep clean.
 
Thanks Murdo. Let's see if it kick starts some more. really impressed with Bilt Hamber so will try out some more products. I think they're local to me too.

chb I would love to if you wasn't a few hours away ;)
 
Hi it would be great to see it at some socials---fellow essex boy. The car is looking great. cheers mike
 
a2sumo said:
Hi it would be great to see it at some socials---fellow essex boy. The car is looking great. cheers mike
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Hi Mike. Yes will definitely get along to some. Yep not too far from you! I go to Maldon every now and then to walk my dog so I'll keep an eye out for your A2 :). Thanks Mike
 
Hi Peter,

As others have said, it starting to look good.

As you're looking to keep your dad's old car for a very long time, maybe some of the new ceramic LSP (last step protection) products might keep the bodywork looking pristine.

I'm thinking about trying Siramik when I do a full autum detail as I believe, from various reports, the protection it gives can last for up to 2 years, even if the car is a daily driver, where as most of the really good waxes start to loose their protection after 8 to 12 weeks.

As far as I can make out, the new ceramic LSP's aren't affected by slightly harsher pre-wash foams, however standard Carnauba waxes are, so a good pH neutral snowfoam is worth investing in if wax is the last step.

Anyway - nice to see these types of posts - thanks

Jeff
 
Hi Jeff

I've been looking at these. Haven't heard of Siramik so will look into it. I've been looking at GTechnic etc and think it may be the way to go, although I do like the look of wax and some now do last a while. I want to get the paint corrected first, swirls and light scratches then may go for a ceramic coating. They need to be applied inside I believe so if I went for ceramic coatings I'd have to find somewhere, like my brothers garage if I catch him in a good mood :0). The garage I keep it in is too small.
I think the BH Autofoam is fine with waxes but yes some can be harsh.

It would be nice to see more posts showing off our A2s.

Peter
 
Chownie said:
Hi Jeff

I've been looking at these. Haven't heard of Siramik so will look into it. I've been looking at GTechnic etc and think it may be the way to go, although I do like the look of wax and some now do last a while. I want to get the paint corrected first, swirls and light scratches then may go for a ceramic coating. They need to be applied inside I believe so if I went for ceramic coatings I'd have to find somewhere, like my brothers garage if I catch him in a good mood :0). The garage I keep it in is too small.
I think the BH Autofoam is fine with waxes but yes some can be harsh.

It would be nice to see more posts showing off our A2s.

Peter
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Hi Peter,

Yes GTechnic C1 is another great ceramic LSP, but some testing seems to show tighter beading with Siramik, and about 4 times longer lasting - but I guess this is speculative as it’s quite a new product in the general detailing community.
As you point out, absolute cleanliness is essential when applying the product, but also in cleaning the paintwork prior to application.

Siramik have 2 products that I’m interested in using in the next 3 months.
Surface Coat, which is the LSP, and Nano Primer which is used as a final finish to machine polishing and correction, as well as cleansing the paint preparing it for the Surface Coat.

As for your brother, well at least you don’t have 2 sisters that think a car is only a means to get from A to B, and wouldn’t entertain such timewasting activities - lol

And yes – it would be great to see more threads like this pop up.

Cheers

Jeff
 
A2Steve said:
I started a thread about 6 months ago to do just this and had very little response so closed it. I too would like to see more pics of members cars.
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There's a stack in the gallery. I've a full album of my wee pal. Not great pics but we all love looking at A2's so let's celebrate that. It's a good option to address this when we review the forum to link the gallery to a 'members car's' type thread.
 
murdo said:
There's a stack in the gallery. I've a full album of my wee pal. Not great pics but we all love looking at A2's so let's celebrate that. It's a good option to address this when we review the forum to link the gallery to a 'members car's' type thread.
Click to expand...

That would be great!!
 
Not seen them Cammy. It's easy to forget what a special A2 you have. I think the spec signatures become superfluous. Like notice boards. After a few days you don't notice what's on there unless it changes but a picture paints a 1000 words as they say. Lovely car mate.
 
thanks guys,

well i still have a list of stuff to upgrade & fix at some point, that being the rns e, blue leather handbrake cover, worn buttons, 12v cig lighter upgrade, gearbox crunch and no doubt a full service inc timing belt etc... forgot to add heated leather seats with the climate control buttons to match.

i did get lucky with this car in terms of price and options and i know for sure if i hadnt got this, birchall was next. i guess the only sad thing it doesnt have is open sky :( if i were categorise this i would say its between medium to top of range on option basis :) unless there are other options i still dont know about. i only found out a few weeks ago that a2s have a 3rd sun visor albeit a very small one! (thanks to steve for mentioning that)

cammy
 
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