Clean and Serene: Eight-Hour Detail of an Audi R8 V10
Even if you’re not a neat freak, this deep clean of a filthy Audi R8 V10 should prove deeply satisfying.
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m going to admit that I’ve never gotten a lot of joy out cleaning my vehicles. Since I live in Seattle, where rain is as part of the landscape as expresso stands and Mount Rainier, keeping your car squeaky clean is basically a fools errand. So I don’t stress too much when I see road grime on my ride. That said, I do — somewhat conversely — like watching detailing videos where interesting cars get pampered and make to look better than they did when they left the factory. This eight-hour detail of an Audi R8 V10 is just such a clip.
Here, the Top Gear cameras are rolling as detail wizards Joe and Jack are tasked with buffing the neglected supercar to a high luster — and the pair have their work cut out for them. As it turns out, the car was wrapped in the emerald green as soon as the owner bought it. But after being caught in a freak hail storm at an Italian car show, the wrap had to removed so the damage could be addressed. The big question I have, which I wish the video had some insight on, was whether the wrap offered some protection from the “golf ball-sized” hail. Because I’ve always understood that hailstorms can quickly total a car.
Compounding the hail-related damage was some good old-fashioned neglect, as after the wrap was ripped off and the damage repaired, the Audi saw no love for a year. So along with all the leftover residue from the unfortunate weather event, there was grit and grime on every surface — including the lovely quilted leather interior. That meant the entire car needed to be clay barred after the initial wash, which is a time and labor intensive process. Interestingly, the glue from the wrap proved a snap to remove.
As you might expect, by the end of the session, the ten-pot supercar is virtually unrecognizable, and the owner looks to be thrilled. Personally, I’d like to know just what goes through the mind of someone who owns a car this gorgeous and surrenders it to the elements for a year. But something tells me it has to do with having way, way more money than I do. Enjoy the video, and if you’ve got a legendary detail story, drop me a line! I’d love to hear a car you’ve brought back from the brink!
Photos: YouTube