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Audi: How to Wash, Wax, and Detail Your Car

Learn how to keep the paint on your Audi, and the vinyl inside it, sparkling and well-conditioned.

By Charlie Gaston - March 23, 2016

This article applies to the Audi Q5/Q7, A3, A4 B7, A4 B8, A6 C5, A6 C6.

The Audi is a beautifully designed automotive masterpiece that holds an impressive collection of highly positive consumer-rated and industry-tested reviews across the board. This is certainly a car you will want to keep sparkling and in optimum condition for the life of the vehicle. If you're wondering about the professional cost to detail your Audi versus doing the job yourself, here are a few standard figures: $75 (wash-wax-vacuum), $100-$300 (wash-wax-interior cleaning), and $150-$500 (pro-level detail and vehicle conditioning). Compare these costs to the very low do-it-yourself (DIY) cost of $15 to $50, which will depend on which detail kit you purchase. We recommend doing this job on your own one Saturday afternoon in a shaded area.

Materials Needed

  • Car soap
  • Bucket of water
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Sponge
  • Clay bar (optional)
  • Tire gel and wheel cleaner
  • Automotive detailing kit (with car polish and high-quality wax)
  • Orbital buffer OR soft cloth
  • Fabric and leather cleaner
  • Terry cloth

Step 1 – Wash the paint

  • Wash your paint using car soap and clean, warm water.
  • Use an up-and-down motion, never circle.
  • All the rough spots on your paint (from dirt and grime buildup) should disappear after one to two washes.
  • We recommend using Meguiar's Gold Class soap.
  • You can follow this step with a clay bar, but many Audi owners have found that a good wash should do the job at removing dirt.
  • Use a microfiber cloth or a non-abrasive sponge on your paint (avoid bristled brushes of any kind).
Wash from the top down

Figure 1. Wash from the top down.
  • If you do decide to clay-bar your Audi, you'll need to first lubricate your paint with water (or a lubricant) and then gently run the clay bar across one section of your paint at a time.
  • Dry the area with a microfiber cloth. Remove any clay residue using fresh water.
Using a clay bar can remove stuck-on dirt from paint.
Figure 2. Using a clay bar can remove stuck-on dirt from paint.
  • It's generally recommended that you wash your Audi once per week.
  • Don't forget to clean your tires using a tire gel and your wheels using a regular wheel cleaner.
Cleaning rims.
Figure 3. Don't forget to clean your rims!

Step 2 – Polish the paint

  • Polish your paint using a high quality car polish.
  • We recommend using Menzerna Super Finish, Meguiar's Ultimate Finish, or 3M Imperial Hand Glaze.
  • Either brand should provide excellent professional-level results.
  • Before getting started, you'll need to decide whether you want to use an orbital buffer or a soft cloth (the hand polish method). A cotton pad will also suffice.
  • Apply the polish to your preferred buffing method (e.g., orbital buffer or soft cloth), and then rub it into the paint using a circular motion.
  • Continue this step until the compound is fully absorbed into the paint.

This is an orbital buffer
Figure 4. This is an orbital buffer.

Pro Tips

  • Polish your paint by moving from one section to the next.
  • Do NOT use broad strokes across large sections of paint.
  • Don't forget to polish your wheels based on the type of finish you have (e.g., chrome or metal). We recommend the Eagle One Nevr-Dull or Mother's All-Metal Polish.

Step 3 – Wax the paint

  • Wax the paint using the same applicator method (but with new, clean materials) as you did when applying your polish.
  • A high quality wax will protect your paint from UV degradation and environmental damage, which are both major contributors to rust, a dull-looking finish, and peeling.
  • If possible, use a paste (rather than a liquid wax) and repeat the process at least four times per year.
A good wax will allow water to bead off your Audi.
Figure 5. A good wax will allow water to bead off your Audi.

Pro Tip

Applying a wax by hand is totally acceptable. In fact, it is highly recommended to avoid scratches.

Step 4 – Clean the windows, vinyl and leather

  • Clean your windows, focusing primarily on removing any streaks that may have formed during your previous soap application.
  • Eagle 20/20 and Eimann-Fabric Cleaner are go-to brands for the Audi and deliver excellent results.
  • Generally speaking, you will want to use an alcohol-based product versus an ammonia-based product.
  • Apply and remove the product using a clean microfiber cloth.
  • Once finished, move on to your vinyl. We recommend using a brand such as Vinylex, 303 Aerospace, Harly Poly-Guard or Maguilar's #40 Vinyl and Rubber.
  • Apply and remove using a terry cloth.
  • For your leather, we recommend using Lexol Leather Cleaner.
Eagle 20/20 glass cleaner
Figure 6. Give your windows special treatment for clear, sparkling results.

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