should I get my TT detailed for.....
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should I get my TT detailed for.....
Is $160 too much to pay to get the entire car detailed? I went over to my dealer today to see if I get some minor scratches (the ones you can feel with your finger nails) on my car repaired. The bodyshop guy suggested I should get the car detailed instead of repainting different panels of the car. What exactly do they do when they detail the car? Will this completely remove the scratch or are they just going to cover it up with wax which I could do at home?
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Detailing is a very broad term...
For some places, it means wash and wax (which won't do much for the condition of your paint) and for other places, it means washing, cleaning, polishing (perhaps several stages), and waxing. They may even wet sand the deep scratches, and compound before doing the full detail. The later would go a long way towards making your car look better, but in the hands of an idiot, can also result in making your car look worse.
Without seeing your scratch, all I can tell you is that it is *possible* to deal with the scatch with just a good detailing session. However, once the scratch is deep enough to catch with your fingernail, it get's tricky. For your part, you should assume it will get better, but not disappear. Whether the remains are acceptable to you after the detail is up to you. If not, THEN consider repainting.
$160 is reasonable...but I wouldn't trust any old idiot to do the job, and it depends on what they are doing. $160 for just a wash and wax...I wouldn't do. $160 for the whole kit and kaboodle...good price.
Without seeing your scratch, all I can tell you is that it is *possible* to deal with the scatch with just a good detailing session. However, once the scratch is deep enough to catch with your fingernail, it get's tricky. For your part, you should assume it will get better, but not disappear. Whether the remains are acceptable to you after the detail is up to you. If not, THEN consider repainting.
$160 is reasonable...but I wouldn't trust any old idiot to do the job, and it depends on what they are doing. $160 for just a wash and wax...I wouldn't do. $160 for the whole kit and kaboodle...good price.
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Depends on the place...but personally, I wouldn't, mainly because >>
you never know what they will try to do. Possibly, they may try to use 3M compund with a orbital polisher to smooth it out...but may result in taking down too much paint. On the other hand, they may not, but I wouldn't take that chance. Wax won't cover up a scratch that you would normally feel with your fingernail.
I would start by washing and using claybar to see if some of the bumps and gunk comes off. After that, its smooth sailing, you get a nice smooth surface which you can either use any finishing polishes, then use wax for final. Or use what alot of folks here use, Zaino.
I would start by washing and using claybar to see if some of the bumps and gunk comes off. After that, its smooth sailing, you get a nice smooth surface which you can either use any finishing polishes, then use wax for final. Or use what alot of folks here use, Zaino.
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I would recommend it.... and use someone you trust with a good rep..>
I paid a detailer who came highly recommended $120 just for the exterior and he spent a good 4 hours carefully buffing the exterior and removed a dozen or so small scratches that I couldn't get out. It was well worth it to me....
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Try 3M Swirl Mark Remover (more)
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/28036/shiny.jpg"></center><p>with 3M Imperial Hand Glaze followed by wax of your choice. Both are pretty mild products; if you do it by hand, it is just about impossible to mess up the paint job. Make sure you only buff in one direction (not in a circle!), so you minimize the appearance of any defects.
I agree with kodeTT- you never know what the meatheads at the detail shop will do. Unless it is a very reputable shop that works on high-end german cars, I would skip.
I agree with kodeTT- you never know what the meatheads at the detail shop will do. Unless it is a very reputable shop that works on high-end german cars, I would skip.
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Works very well. 3M rubbing compound (ow, my arm) + 3M swirl remover + Zaino makes the A4 and TT
... very happy. The A4 (Dolphin Grey) looks slick and clean, and the TT (Amulet Red) just looks like a big drop of wet blood. Very brilliant. All done by hand. Some small scratches remain, however, that would be fixed with a proper detail (power buffer).
I have the IHG, but have not used it in conjunction with the other products yet. I figured that it would be superfluous with the Zaino.
I have the IHG, but have not used it in conjunction with the other products yet. I figured that it would be superfluous with the Zaino.
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I use any claybar, then Menzerna Final Polish followed by P21 carnuba wax.
The results are pretty nice...and besides, you get some satisfaction in doing it yourself. I apply the Menzerna with a Porter&Cable orbital polisher. My TT is brilliant black, and prepping with Menzerna makes the surface just about swirl-free.
Why not detail it yourself? unless you don't have ANY time to do it...doesn't take that long unless you go with the Zaino process.<ul><li><a href="http://www.properautocare.com/menfinpol.html">menzerna final polish II</a></li></ul>
Why not detail it yourself? unless you don't have ANY time to do it...doesn't take that long unless you go with the Zaino process.<ul><li><a href="http://www.properautocare.com/menfinpol.html">menzerna final polish II</a></li></ul>
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Works very well (more)
More detail on my annual routine:
1) Wash with Dawn
2) Claybar
3) Wash with Z-7
3) 3M Swirl Mark Remover (by hand- some guys use Porter Cable 7336 random orbital)
4) 3M Imperial Hand Glaze
5) Z-5 with Polish Lock
6) Z-6
7) Z-5 with Polish Lock
8) Z-6
9) Z-2
10) Z-6
11) Corona X 6
Takes a hell of a long time to do, but I only do it once a year. I do a Z-2/Z-6 routine about once a quarter.
1) Wash with Dawn
2) Claybar
3) Wash with Z-7
3) 3M Swirl Mark Remover (by hand- some guys use Porter Cable 7336 random orbital)
4) 3M Imperial Hand Glaze
5) Z-5 with Polish Lock
6) Z-6
7) Z-5 with Polish Lock
8) Z-6
9) Z-2
10) Z-6
11) Corona X 6
Takes a hell of a long time to do, but I only do it once a year. I do a Z-2/Z-6 routine about once a quarter.