cautiousbuyer

I just purchased my first A4. I wanted to humbly ask what you guys woud recommend for me putting together a "starter kit" of sorts of car care equipment. (what to wash with, wipe with, care for the interionr, debug, clean the grill and wheels.) Keeping in mind that my vehicle for the past many years was a ford pickup, which received the 'car soap and dish towel' treatment. I've been doing some searches and am having trouble keeping straight which is used for which purpose.

The a4 is light silver with platinum leather, and in two days has become a modest bug cemetery.

Thank you for helping a novice.

408_B6A4

I get all my stuff at AutoGeek.Net they have great deals there and they have a coupon code (AUDIWORLD) which can save you some money.

This is a good STARTER KIT for the exterior... click on this---> http://autogeek.net/prestigeiiikit.html

It includes Klasse All-in-one and P21S Carnauba Wax...also P21S Car Wash Soap and a microfiber towel, a MF Applicator and 2 foam applicator pads. That alone is good enough to detail your car with BUT you will need MORE microfiber towels. YOU ALSO NEED A GOOD CLAYBAR....Pinnacle OR ClayMagic Claybar is a good brand. CLaybar get all the paint contaminants out of your paint which CAN NOT be rid of by normal washing or waxing alone.

Now..to dry with...Absorbers are good to dry the car with...or a combo of CALIFORNIA WATER BLADE and a large Microfiber towel after to spot dry.

Interior....for leather...I like to use LExol conditioner and Lexol Cleaner. AS for dash and door panels and so forth...You can get 303 protectant.But I like Einszett Cockpit Premium for my interior.

As for wheels...I just use a separate wash mit to wash my wheels with and a tire brush to wash the tires with. And I use Muguires tire gel for tire dressing. I recommend gel cuz it lasts a long time and doesnt run off on your paint when you drive off.


SO...shop around the net and see what you like...here are some sites

AutoGeek.Net <--- use coupon code "AUDIWORLD"
and
http://www.autopia-carcare.com/

Hope that helps

mpwolf

Step one, go to Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target and get the following:

1) 2 5 gallon buckets (Home Depot also has these for cheap) for clean soapy water and rinse water.
2) 2 white, high quality (don't skimp) 100% cotton bath towels for drying.
3) 3 white, high quality (don't skimp) 100% cotton hand towels for small drying tasks, for applying and buffing interior leather and vinyl products, and for applying and buffing Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish for you exhaust tips.
4) 1 Sheepskin Wash Mitt for washing painted body panels.
5) 1 Cotton Chenille Wash Mitt for wheels and plastic unpainted lower body panels (usually a little cheaper than the sheepskin mitts).
6) Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish for your exhaust tips.

<img src="http://www.mothers.com/products/productcatalog/productpix/05100-05101.jpg">

Step two, go online.

This is a good first order from <a href="http://www.carcareonline.com">Car Care Specialties</a>:

<a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=10420">P21S Bodywork Conditioning Shampoo - 500 ml Bottle</a> <b>$8</b>

<img src="http://www.carcareonline.com/images/10420.jpg">

<a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=10103">3M Imperial Hand Glaze (IHG)</a> for temporarily hiding swirls and light scratches. <b>$10</b>

<img src="http://www.carcareonline.com/images/10103.jpg">

<a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=10430">P21S Gloss Enhancing Paintwork Cleanser (GEPC)</a> for producing a nice deep shine on the paint. <b>$10</b>

<img src="http://www.carcareonline.com/images/10430.jpg">

You'll also need an applicator for the 3M IHG and P21S GEPC. <a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=17606">The Detailers Choice Applicator Pad</a> will work fine. <b>$8 total</b>

<img src="http://www.carcareonline.com/images/17606.jpg">

<a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=10201">One Grand Blitz Carnuba Wax</a> <b>$17</b>

<img src="http://www.carcareonline.com/images/10201.jpg">

<a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=10260">One Grand Show Off Quick Detailer</a> <b>$10</b>

<img src="http://www.carcareonline.com/images/10260.jpg">

<a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=10229">One Grand Exterior Rubber &amp; Vinyl (ERV)</a> for tires and exterior plastic panels. <b>$11</b>

<img src="http://www.carcareonline.com/images/10229.jpg">

<a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=11202">Harly Poly-Guard Vinyl Treatment</a> for interior vinly and plastic. <b>$9</b>

<img src="http://www.carcareonline.com/images/11202.jpg">

I'm not sure what seats you have in your A4, but if they are Leatherette you can use the Harly Poly-Guard. If they are leather, you want:

<a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=10701">Lexol pH Leather Cleaner</a> and <a href="http://www.carcareonline.com/detail.asp?product_id=10706">Lexol Leather Conditioner</a> <b>$10 total</b>

<img src="http://www.carcareonline.com/images/10701.jpg"> <img src="http://www.carcareonline.com/images/10706.jpg">

That order from Car Care Specialties will be over $75 so you will get free shipping.

Next, go to <a href="http://www.properautocare.com">Classic Motoring Accessories</a> for a few other items.

The <a href="http://www.properautocare.com/glasplascark.html">Glass and Plastic Cleaning Kit</a> includes two microfiber glass cloths, Eiman-Fabrik Clear Vision glass cleaner and Plexus Plastic Cleaner &amp; Protectant. <b>$35 with shipping</b> (I've tried to keep the size of the order from CMA to a minimum because their shipping charges are very high, but these products are very good and worth having.)

<img src="http://store4.yimg.com/I/classic-motoring_1738_1011855">

Finally, you'll need microfiber towels. Go to <a href="http://www.microfibertech.com">Microfiber Tech</a> and get 5 <a href="http://www.microfibertech.com/ultraTowel.html">Ultra Microfiber Towels</a> for removing IHG, GEPC, Wax and One Grand Showoff. It's also good to have an extra. <b>$22 with shipping</b>

<img src="http://www.microfibertech.com/images/UltraBlue/folded.jpg">

That should be enough to get you started. Search this forum as well, there is TONS of good info. Let us know if you have questions.

lovintt

Try the complete detailing and cleaning kit by Pinnacle... Lexol for the leather and 303 for dash and other non-leather parts. The forum sponsor offers a discount to Audi Forum members. Check them out at AutoGeek.net