What I did last weekend (with pics)
 

Over 6 hours of manual labor and here's what I accomplished:

1. Hand washed the wheels (twice each wheel)
2. Cleaned the rough bits with bug and tar remover
3. Hand washed the entire car
4. Clayed the entire car (first time using clay)
5. Washed the car again
6. Polished the car (by hand)
7. Waxed the car

Used a combination of Meguiar's and Mother's products. Car is in much better shape than before as water would just sit on the hood with no beading at all. After I was done however I noticed in the right light that some of the small scratches and swirl marks are still present in the clear coat but the HARDEST part was applying and removing the Meguiar's polish so it probably needs to be done with an orbital.

Oh! And the tint is also new; 50% in the front and 5% in the rear. Still getting used to the change in visibility.

http://carphotos3.cardomain.com/imag...6067_large.jpg
http://carphotos2.cardomain.com/imag...6068_large.jpg
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/image...6069_large.jpg
http://carphotos4.cardomain.com/imag...6070_large.jpg
http://carphotos4.cardomain.com/imag...6071_large.jpg

Looks good! S4 = ENGINE + (car attached)

Next time you have trouble getting the wax off, I bet you could just accelerate out from under it! (My Million-Dollar TV Commercial Idea, you're welcome Audi)!

You'll be in for a treat when/if you get yourself an orbital polisher like the PorterCable 7424XP or the Flex XC 3401 polisher. Once you have a good tool to get the job done well, it becomes something you can look forward to doing - at least I do :-)


Amazon has the Porter Cable 7424XP here.

Detailer's Domain has the Flex XC 3401 polisher and has always provided excellent service, and I will certainly recommend them.

Regardless of which polisher you may end up using, Phil @ Detailer's Domain also has an excellent selection of polisher pads and compounds for you to work with.

No affiliation - just a satisfied, repeat customer.

NICE JOB!

Shoot, I just clicked that link without thinking; now I'll be assaulted by Amazon Emails and AdChoices cookie-inspired ads for P/C Polishers forever...

I wonder if my P/C tradesman batteries (which I am very happy with) will fit any (cordless) polishers? Hmm, bAdChoices ads, here I come...

The car looks great! Not an easy colour to get right either.
Last summer I purchased a nice Makita polisher from CPO Outlets
Great professional polisher with variable speed

Looks great! How often do you guys usually polish your cars?

Most people say twice a year would be enough but of course it also depends on the weather and where you live.

The wax was actually not the issue, it was the polish. The wax was rather easy.

That is pretty much what I plan to do (twice a year). I'll do it again in the late fall to prepare for winter and then probably next spring to recover from the winter weather abuse.

What I learned from the Detailing forum could fill a book. Seriously, there are reasons that you had a hard time removing the polish, too much polish per section (the 2 by 2 rule). If you have that problem again, use a detail spray on the area, and wipe it with your microfiber towel, that should remove it. An orbital polisher will make it easier (although you may still have to remove some spots by hand). Do not allow the polish to dry and make sure that the microfiber cloth (and buffer pad) is clean.

I struggled with this a few times and finally looked at the detailing forum. There were many solutions, some good, some not so good.

The car looks great for all of your hard work. It will get easier.