I've had a couple of conversations with forum members about the durability of the B9 clear coat, which is the clear layer placed over our car's paint color. Since the B9 is approaching three years of service now for some on the forum, I would really like to hear how everyone's clear coat is holding up for them. Some say clear coat is a little softer than it has been in the past because of changes Audi has had to make to their paint finishes due to environmental regulations. The result can be more fine scratches from everyday use or fine swirls and holograms in the clear coat from commercial car washes, etc.

Please let us know your opinions or praises or criticisms if you have any and just generally how the clear coat is holding up for you.

It is pathetic. Period. I only use touch free washes in winter and self wash during the summer. I’m a detailing enthusiast and take good care of my cars. The B9 has pathetic clear coat. Even my X3 which is abused has better clear coat. Though my A4 has been ceramic coated since August 2018, it wasn’t before that and it would manage to collect swirls irrespective of how careful I was. I took it through a brush wash only twice when it was new and it had more swirls than my X3 which has been through brush washes a million times. I corrected it after and it still managed to get more swirls than it should. Same with the SQ5. The A7 is so much better.

It’s not holding up at all, but I also abuse the hell out of mine. A lot of wear and blemishes are showing up (not counting the constant peppering of bumper/hood areas on track).

Probably will need paint correction at some point soon.