Realslimshady

I'm new to Audi and this is my first car. Any suggestions and tips regarding car wash including the washing liquids and stuff.

tenspeed

Don't use anything but automotive soap unless you want to remove the wax. I use the two bucket method for washing. Check out these sites.

http://www.paintcare-n-detailing.com/
http://www.autopia.org/forum/content/

psychodo

I like Griot's products
http://www.griotsgarage.com/home.do?...FQcFRQodGnDKig
and I know that a few folks here like Adams
http://www.adamspolishes.com/

the griots site has some info on detailing as well. Just depends how much time you want to spend washing/waxing the car

arrived1

Great subject Realslimshady...lots of opinions on this one depending on how much time (and money) you want to invest. I spend quite a bit of time recently deciding for myself and researching products. Here's my feedback.

1) Washing
I looked at a variety of options from a)using the local car wash (don't do it), b) using various hand washing options (the "wash mit" is important, and perhaps under rated), c) "foaming guns" which I will talk more about, and d) a combination of b) and c).

I decided to go with a true "foam lance", rather than a foaming gun. The difference is that a foam lance attaches to a pressure washer (I already had a pressure washer), while a "foam gun" attaches to a garden hose. They're about the same price, individually, although the lance requires a pressure washer which can cost well over $100 (mine is a 2500 psi washer that was about $300 and I use it to clean my driveway, house siding, fence, deck, etc.). The biggest difference, in my opinion, is that the foam lance puts out a much thicker foam. The type of soap used will likely make a big difference, I chose Chemical Guys HoneyDew Snow Foam here, although I've not yet used it due to the weather in Idaho :
http://www.chemicalguys.com/HoneyDew...cws_110_16.htm

I just purchased a foam lance ($50) from this website:
http://www.globalindustrial.com/sear...481867&x=0&y=0

Here's an example of a foaming gun:
http://www.amazon.com/Wolfgang-Quart...=39U6ZCLROQTFY

There are many Youtube videos of both types of foam applications in use. Here's two of the lance-type.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMo9Z...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZrmt...eature=related


2) Drying
Yes, I now believe this deserves it's own item...I didn't necessarily before. I purchased an air dryer, rather than a towel or "shammy". The idea is basically that the less you touch the paint, the less chance of scratching the clear coat. This is more important for darker paint colors. Here's what I bought (Metro Air Force Master Blaster Car & Motorcycle Dryer, that they had a deal on and I got it for $264), and man does it put out some serious airflow:
http://www.autoanything.com/car-care/69A3939A0A0.aspx


3)Post-Wash
For the most part, I've chosen to go with products from Chemical Guys (www.chemicalguys.com). I plan to use a sealant/glaze and a wax. Again, there's many opinions on this subject, particularly with sealants and waxes. I've tried a few products over the years and this is what I chose for my Phantom Black A6:

Sealant/Glaze (includes a detailing spray):
http://www.chemicalguys.com/Detailer..._p/hol_151.htm

Wax:
http://www.chemicalguys.com/HOW_AND_..._p/wac_300.htm

Lastly, I have to give credit to forum member "uskjxl70", who got me started down this crazy path of detailing products and methods. Thank you. Here's that thread:
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...2813752&page=2

I hope this helps you and would be glad to provide more info on what I looked at for products.

Neurobit

I use the local drive-through high end car wash. I have a membership and it's unlimited washes for a flat monthly fee of $23.

I know some guys are overly **** about washing their cars but this method works for me, since I can pop in any time the car is dirty and I'm in and out in about 10 minutes. I really get my money's worth during pollen season when I wash my car every two days. Rest of the year I do at least two washes per week. This keeps the car maintained and also the wheels never have a chance to get any crud on them. If I had a black car I might wash it myself to avoid swirls, but in a silver car I cannot see the difference.

Neurobit

Realslimshady

thanx guys for valuable suggestions

tenspeed

I wonder what method they use at the dealership when in for service.

manishaudi

arrived1: Which pressure washer do you have?

3PedalMINI

Read this thread, please dont hesitate to PM me with any question
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...ght=3pedalmini

I also just did the spring detail on the a6 yesterday, i will be doing another write up in the coming days so i wont go indepth right now in this thread, ill be sure to focus on proper washing. but here is a teaser pic

the detail yester day was extremely simple, all due to proper care and car washing.

vinrun

Great shine! WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!