Make a donation

Author Topic: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show  (Read 9160 times)

Offline RussZS

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 88
  • -Receive: 17
  • Posts: 325
    • Email
Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« on: March 27, 2013, 10:05:53 pm »
Firstly please allow me to apologise for the lack of write ups from us recently - those of you who follow us on Facebook will see that we've been somewhat swamped recently with work so write ups have had to take a back seat for a little while but I'm keen to get back into the habit of posting them as I complete a project.

Also please excuse the state of our unit which is finally seeing the beginning of its overhaul (that'll be another thread) which will include a number of rooms being built, the entire unit is being insulated and re-walled, a false ceiling along with a smaller shutter door behind our main large outer door.  A scissor lift or two and air conditioning will also be added towards mid April and a fresh lick of paint - I can't wait to see it all completed!

Onto the RS4 which is the subject of this write up.  The owner recently sold his K04'd Mk6 Golf GTI and bought a car he'd wanted to own for quite a while - he managed to find the right example in terms of spec (RS4 buckets, carbon interior, sat nav etc) but the paintwork was looking a little tired and being black it was very evident.  He approached us regarding the paints condition and to see what would be possible restoration wise.  He opted for a Correction Detail and chose Best of Show to get the car looking its best for the forthcoming Spring period (if it ever comes!)

We were also tasked with fitting replacement OEM rear lights, new number plates, an interior overhaul along with fitting new number plates.  The car has also recently had its wheels refurb'd.

A few before shots with the existing LED style rear lights, which were to be removed:


DSC06157 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06160 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06161 by RussZS, on Flickr

The wheels, tyres, arches and calipers were cleansed first with AutoSmart G101, Smart Wheels, Tardis and IronX with various brushes:


DSC06162 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06163 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06164 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06165 by RussZS, on Flickr

Next up we foamed the RS4 with Autobrite Magifoam which was left to dwell on this cool and cloudy day for around 8-10 minutes.  The solution was also used with various brushes to clean the more intricate parts of the car:


DSC06166 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06168 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06170 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06173 by RussZS, on Flickr

After removing the snow foam with a high pressure rinse we hand washed the car with a CarPro Mitt and Auto Finesse Lather shampoo:


DSC06174 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06175 by RussZS, on Flickr

Following another high pressure rinse we began to decontaminate the paintwork safely and efficiently using IronX to remove any fallout and AutoSmart Tardis on the tar deposits, which were liberally scattered along the lower half of the Audi.

Next the car was moved inside to finish off the decon process using Auto Finesse's clay bar in conjunction with Valet Pro's Citrus Bling as lubrication, which is a good choice as it aids the following drying process:


DSC06176 by RussZS, on Flickr

Next we safely dried using the patting method with new Uber Drying towels and also used our Aeolus blower to remove any trapped water from areas such as the wing mirrors:


DSC06177 by RussZS, on Flickr

This left us with a clean car free of contamination but it was very evident at this stage that the paintwork was looking very tired.  We moved on to begin assessing the paintwork for any signs of resprayed areas and also to assess the paintwork for thickness.

Average paint reading was around the 160 mark, which is common for Audi's of this age:


DSC06179 by RussZS, on Flickr

We never begin machine polishing under the assumption that all Audi paint of this era is 'hard' so we methodically tested various machines and combinations whilst assessing removal rates and results until we found the optimal combination to progress around the car with.

We settled on Rupes BigFoot with Optimum MF Discs and Meguairs 101 for cutting, followed by BigFoot and the Rupes Diamond Gloss and matching pad for refining.  We also used the same pads on a Festool Rotex 90 'forced DA' in tighter areas.

Some pictures from the corrective process - most are before we refined so please excuse any marring evident in the photos:


DSC06182 by RussZS, on Flickr

Before:


DSC06186 by RussZS, on Flickr

After:


DSC06187 by RussZS, on Flickr

Drivers side rear door under 150W Halide:


DSC06190 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06191 by RussZS, on Flickr

Some deeper defects remain but generally massively improved.

A section from the bonnet:


DSC06199 by RussZS, on Flickr

Drivers side wing:


DSC06203 by RussZS, on Flickr

Zoomed shot:


DSC06206 by RussZS, on Flickr

We also have a modified Caddy in with us at the moment, which has been wet sanded and is being machined back - a little sneak peek:


DSC06216 by RussZS, on Flickr

Back to the RS4 - before:


DSC06229 by RussZS, on Flickr

After:


DSC06230 by RussZS, on Flickr

We also removed the number plates and existing residue to ensure the new plates would bond correctly by soaking the area with a tissue saturated with Tardis, leaving it for a few moments, then wiping clean:


DSC06237 by RussZS, on Flickr

The V8 badges were also placed incorrectly so we removed these at the owners request:


DSC06239 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06240 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06243 by RussZS, on Flickr

Before:


DSC06246 by RussZS, on Flickr

After:


DSC06248 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06250 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06251 by RussZS, on Flickr

The exhausts were looking a little tired thanks to the V8:


DSC06270 by RussZS, on Flickr

Britemax Easy Cut was used to make short work of restoring them:


DSC06274 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06272 by RussZS, on Flickr

After a final dust down, we finished with this Swissvax trio - Best of Show on the paintwork, AutoBahn on the wheels and Pneu (two coats) on the tyres:


DSC06275 by RussZS, on Flickr

The new number plates were fitted:


DSC06276 by RussZS, on Flickr

Finally, after a good 25 hours or so (I lost count!), some after shots:


DSC06277 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06278 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06283 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06288 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06291 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06298 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06299 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06301 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06304 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06306 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06309 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06311 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06313 by RussZS, on Flickr


DSC06315 by RussZS, on Flickr

Thank you for taking the time to read this - any feeback or comments would be greatly appreciated.

We have a busy week ahead including a VW Amarok, VW Caddy, Audi TTRS, Focus ST Mk3, Toyota GT86, Clio 172, Mk1 Focus RS and a Mk5 Golf GTI!  I do have a good 15-20 write ups to post too including a stunning Audi S4 and a very nice white Evo 9 GT, which hopefully I'll be able to do over the next few days.

Thanks,
Russ.
www.midlandscarcare.co.uk - www.facebook.com/midlandscarcare

I used to be indecisive.......... but now I'm not so sure!

Offline Deako

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 38
  • -Receive: 44
  • Posts: 1655
  • Eat, Sleep....VAG
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #1 on: March 29, 2013, 08:42:12 pm »
Lovely work Russ!!  :happy2:
#1493

Offline MC71

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 413
  • -Receive: 427
  • Posts: 5198
  • Mk7 R
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,113185.0.html
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2013, 08:56:26 pm »
Great job fella. Those half and half shots are incredible, the difference is really shows what a sorry state the car was in before you got hold of it.

:happy2:
.                              

                    Build thread Stage 2+ Edition 30 ~~Clicky here~~

Offline monte

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 116
  • -Receive: 134
  • Posts: 2747
  • Global Ruler
    • Deep-Shine Detail. Detailing-Wrapping-Tints. Lincoln.
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,67679.0.html
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2013, 10:09:42 pm »
Amazing Work as always Russ  :congrats:

Offline ripmateyy

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 16
  • -Receive: 18
  • Posts: 342
    • Email
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2013, 08:50:47 am »
Such a beautiful car! Looks perfect!


Can I ask, how did you find the uber drying towel? I've recently bought one! And how do you guys maintain them? Sorry for questions!

Offline Cupra R

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 18
  • -Receive: 12
  • Posts: 519
    • Email
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2013, 05:33:15 pm »
Stunning work Russ.

Where abouts are you located?

Offline rdfcpete

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 98
  • -Receive: 52
  • Posts: 2567
    • Email
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2013, 05:55:08 pm »
What a stunning bit of kit Russ, you did an excellent job on it too by the looks of things  :happy2:
The OEM tail lights look loads better than the aftermarket LED ones.

You must enjoy giving that car park (where you take the 'after' photos) some acoustics to remember when you have a customers' motor of that nature? :evilgrin:
Pete


RNS-E LED 2012 | Aux-In | AP Coilovers |  Hawk HPS Pads | Revo Stage 1+
Previous: OEM+ 2006 MK5 Golf GTI 2.0T FSI Steel Grey 3 Door

Offline JoeDarKa

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 57
  • -Receive: 73
  • Posts: 3188
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2013, 07:37:44 pm »
Looks awesome!


GT Sport - Reflex Silver 2.0 TDI My Build

Offline mrbubba

  • Just Arrived
  • **
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 0
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 19
Re: Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2013, 02:05:51 pm »
Amazing car and amazing work. How much would something like that cost? (detailing, not the car :D )

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk 2
MK2 Leon Cupra

Offline Frodo-anni

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 14
  • -Receive: 45
  • Posts: 1336
    • Email
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2013, 10:07:15 pm »
Think he is Walsall area, check MCC out on Facebook, has details on there  :happy2:
mk4 Anniversary pd No0341 - Sold
mk5 GTI Edition 30 DSG No0391

Offline Tr0nic

  • Taking part
  • ***
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 2
  • -Receive: 3
  • Posts: 42
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2013, 08:17:31 pm »
Amazing difference !  :congrats:
Milltek Catback Non Resonated - K&N panel filter with Carbonspeed, NQSBBK front, Caddy rears, CF engine cover, Bilstein B8 with Eibach Prokit, DS2500 all around

Offline Mk5Dom

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 3
  • -Receive: 19
  • Posts: 424
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2013, 11:41:34 pm »
Oh my, what a lovely car. Fantastic work mate!
Past: MY07/Mk5 Golf Match 1.9 TDI 105PS Manual Steel Grey Metallic
Present: MY13/Mk7 Golf GT 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG Tornado Red, MY14/2K Caddy Startline 1.6 TDI 102PS Manual Candy White

Offline Leebo310

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 10
  • -Receive: 5
  • Posts: 157
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #12 on: September 24, 2013, 03:02:02 pm »
Honestly, that is the most amazing job on the most amazing car I have ever seen.
I would happily give my left nut for that...  :laugh:
55 plate GTI DSG / Revo remap / Miltek cat back exhaust / Evolution Motorsport Induction Kit / Sony XAV 62-BT head unit/ LED Rear numberplate lights

Offline rob-gti

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 2
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 55
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #13 on: September 24, 2013, 04:12:56 pm »
Top work dude!
I love to see detailing threads, both amateur and pro!

Offline Lollylauren

  • Taking part
  • ***
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 1
  • -Receive: 0
  • Posts: 39
    • Email
Re: Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show
« Reply #14 on: October 09, 2013, 08:53:33 pm »
Looks amazing proper job on a proper car  :happy2: