Presidential Detailed: 2001 Audi S8 - 25 hours invested. - LotusTalk

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:20 AM

I spent 3 FULL days straight getting this car back into shape. The owner of this car also owns the AC COBRA I detailed, and we went for the full "Presidential" Package on this one! The car wasnt in that bad of condition, it just needed to be polished and touched up in a few areas. There were some pretty significant buffer burns across the hood, rear c-pillars and across the car overall from a previous attempt. I was very happy with the way this one came out, and I have a ton of pictures to show it! haha! Sit back, relax, and ENJOY! :d

It was 7AM when I started the first day, so there was some dew left on the car..

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:21 AM

I started by washing the wheels, undercarriage, and engine compartment.

The engine compartment was in dire need of cleaning.

There were even leaves in the TOP hinges!

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:21 AM

Pre-soak with Meguairs APC+

Now finished and dressed with Meguairs Hyperdressing.

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:22 AM

After the initial wash and clay bar you can see this car needed some work.

Roof.

If you look closely there are some bad buffer burns in this area.

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:24 AM

So I did a little testing and once again M105 pulls it off! I used M105/yellow wool for one pass to remove the harsher defects, then follow with a couple more passes using M105 on a PFW pad. This came out fantastic, I would say a 99% correction, there were only a few RIDs left throughout the whole car.

The hood completed after M105/SIP/3M UF

Fenders completed.

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:24 AM

Due to having to work outside I changed up my routine for this one, I did the entire front half of the car (polish/seal/wax) and then moved to the roof, then each side(doors), then I work on the rear section. This was to prevent me from having to repolish before applying LSP since the car was left outside each night, and I would only have to re-wash the car once finished.

Here is the car taped off to completely polish each trim peice as well as the front bumper.

This was the condition of the front bumper before I started.

After all said and done on the front half.

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:25 AM

To start day two I chose to work on the roof and ended up completing both the roof and the entire driver side.

My work environment, this thing made what would have been hell a much nicer place to work in the Florida Heat!

I made sure to tape off anything that I didnt want the buffer to touch..

This is after compounding and SIP/Orange

The roof completed and in the FL sun! BTW, the white lines that look like a hologram are actually plane tracers.

The drivers rear quarter panel 50/50.

And completed.

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:26 AM

I then proceeded to tape off the pillars as they were painted black and needed some work also. This was completed for both sides although I only picture one.

Here you can even see some hard water and how dull the finish looks.

After M105/PFW and SIP/Orange

I also gave under the door handles a bit of attention since they had been lightly scratched from finger nails, etc.

Before.

After M105 on a green foam finger pad.

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:26 AM

On the third day, the passenger side of the car and the rear portion of the car were completed.

The trunk was the worst section of the car requiring a bit more work.

After. You can see how well the flake comes out at you here..

The exhaust was also treated to some Adams Metal Polish. I did the best I could without being able to take it off the car.
Before.

After.

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:27 AM

Now finally finished and sealed with a coat of Optimum Opti-Seal as well as two coats of Dodo Juice Supernatural.

The final wash.

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:28 AM

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 11:28 AM

This car gives some awesome reflections!

antinym · 02-13-2009, 01:51 PM

dramatic and beautiful!

xceed · 02-13-2009, 02:34 PM

hot damn!

again, teach me!

djo715 · 02-13-2009, 03:35 PM

Amazing work! The end result looks absolutely fantastic.

Cheers,
-Darryl

Presdntial_Detail · 02-13-2009, 08:09 PM

Thanks!

foosh · 02-14-2009, 06:30 AM

That is incredibly nice work! I also enjoy seeing your documentation of this meticulous process.

It is amazing how much "normal wear and tear" damage can be reversed just by using the right products and processes, and, of course, with a lot of knowledge and elbow grease.

Presdntial_Detail · 02-14-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foosh

That is incredibly nice work! I also enjoy seeing your documentation of this meticulous process.

It is amazing how much "normal wear and tear" damage can be reversed just by using the right products and processes, and, of course, with a lot of knowledge and elbow grease.

thanks! I enjoy documenting it as well!

xtn · 02-14-2009, 10:51 AM

You're 50/50 pics are excellent marketing tools. All the fine blemishes don't really stand out to the untrained eye. They just make the car look aged without the person being able to say why. And looking at the final product the person will know it looks much better, but not really why. Those 50/50 pics really illustrate what happens.

xtn

SweetDaddyD · 02-14-2009, 10:52 AM

You know, that doesn't look half bad!

I have a question for you since you seem quite the expert.
What can I use to clean my matte black stripes and wheels that will keep them flat looking and not make them shiny?

02-13-2009, 11:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	Presidential Detailed: 2001 Audi S8 - 25 hours invested. I spent 3 FULL days straight getting this car back into shape. The owner of this car also owns the AC COBRA I detailed, and we went for the full "Presidential" Package on this one! The car wasnt in that bad of condition, it just needed to be polished and touched up in a few areas. There were some pretty significant buffer burns across the hood, rear c-pillars and across the car overall from a previous attempt. I was very happy with the way this one came out, and I have a ton of pictures to show it! haha! Sit back, relax, and ENJOY! :d It was 7AM when I started the first day, so there was some dew left on the car..

02-13-2009, 02:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
xceed Idle @ 5700rpm Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 161	hot damn! again, teach me! __________________ 2005 Saffron Yellow Fed. Lotus Elise [Touring, Sport, Premium and Blackout Pack, Stage 2 Exhaust, Hard/Soft Top] - [Currently @ 6500 Miles] [CF Centre Console, Zoom Eng. CF Rearview Mirror, iTG Cold Air Intake, 55w 8000k HIDs, Engine Dampers, reVerie CF Engine Covers, Raised Rear-Lotus Letters, A/C Bypass Switch]

02-13-2009, 03:35 PM	#15 (permalink)
djo715 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 375	Amazing work! The end result looks absolutely fantastic. Cheers, -Darryl __________________ 2007 Lotus Exige S \| Aspen White \| Track Pack, LSD, Starshield, Cup Suspension, Wheels & Slicks 2003 BMW M5 - daily driver 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo - T04R

02-14-2009, 10:51 AM	#19 (permalink)
xtn McLareghini Bugatterrari Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 6,845	You're 50/50 pics are excellent marketing tools. All the fine blemishes don't really stand out to the untrained eye. They just make the car look aged without the person being able to say why. And looking at the final product the person will know it looks much better, but not really why. Those 50/50 pics really illustrate what happens. xtn __________________ 2006 McLareghini Bugatterrari, Storm Titanium... <mods> installed: air horn, Scroth 4-point ASM harnesses, Sector111 halon extinguisher and mounting bracket, Von Hep exhaust and rear panel delete, Pagid brake pads, red Volks CE28n wheels, Toyo RA-1 tires, Nitron SA coilovers, Sector111 (WorksBell) quick-disconnect steering wheel kit. awaiting installation: Scroth "pull-up" lap belts, Sector111 RTD Brace, Tony's heater bypass mod, and dropped steering rack mounting plates. </mods>

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02-13-2009, 11:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	I started by washing the wheels, undercarriage, and engine compartment. The engine compartment was in dire need of cleaning. There were even leaves in the TOP hinges!

02-13-2009, 11:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	Pre-soak with Meguairs APC+ Now finished and dressed with Meguairs Hyperdressing.

02-13-2009, 11:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	After the initial wash and clay bar you can see this car needed some work. Roof. If you look closely there are some bad buffer burns in this area.

02-13-2009, 11:24 AM	#5 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	So I did a little testing and once again M105 pulls it off! I used M105/yellow wool for one pass to remove the harsher defects, then follow with a couple more passes using M105 on a PFW pad. This came out fantastic, I would say a 99% correction, there were only a few RIDs left throughout the whole car. The hood completed after M105/SIP/3M UF Fenders completed.

02-13-2009, 11:24 AM	#6 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	Due to having to work outside I changed up my routine for this one, I did the entire front half of the car (polish/seal/wax) and then moved to the roof, then each side(doors), then I work on the rear section. This was to prevent me from having to repolish before applying LSP since the car was left outside each night, and I would only have to re-wash the car once finished. Here is the car taped off to completely polish each trim peice as well as the front bumper. This was the condition of the front bumper before I started. After all said and done on the front half.

02-13-2009, 11:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	To start day two I chose to work on the roof and ended up completing both the roof and the entire driver side. My work environment, this thing made what would have been hell a much nicer place to work in the Florida Heat! I made sure to tape off anything that I didnt want the buffer to touch.. This is after compounding and SIP/Orange The roof completed and in the FL sun! BTW, the white lines that look like a hologram are actually plane tracers. The drivers rear quarter panel 50/50. And completed.

02-13-2009, 11:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	I then proceeded to tape off the pillars as they were painted black and needed some work also. This was completed for both sides although I only picture one. Here you can even see some hard water and how dull the finish looks. After M105/PFW and SIP/Orange I also gave under the door handles a bit of attention since they had been lightly scratched from finger nails, etc. Before. After M105 on a green foam finger pad.

02-13-2009, 11:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	On the third day, the passenger side of the car and the rear portion of the car were completed. The trunk was the worst section of the car requiring a bit more work. After. You can see how well the flake comes out at you here.. The exhaust was also treated to some Adams Metal Polish. I did the best I could without being able to take it off the car. Before. After.

02-13-2009, 11:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	Now finally finished and sealed with a coat of Optimum Opti-Seal as well as two coats of Dodo Juice Supernatural. The final wash.

02-13-2009, 11:28 AM	#11 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164

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02-13-2009, 11:28 AM	#12 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	This car gives some awesome reflections!

02-13-2009, 01:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
antinym The Doombringer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 656	dramatic and beautiful!

02-13-2009, 08:09 PM	#16 (permalink)
Presdntial_Detail Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 164	Thanks!

02-14-2009, 06:30 AM	#17 (permalink)
foosh AR #0369 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 804 Images: 4	That is incredibly nice work! I also enjoy seeing your documentation of this meticulous process. It is amazing how much "normal wear and tear" damage can be reversed just by using the right products and processes, and, of course, with a lot of knowledge and elbow grease.

02-14-2009, 10:52 AM	#20 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	You know, that doesn't look half bad! I have a question for you since you seem quite the expert. What can I use to clean my matte black stripes and wheels that will keep them flat looking and not make them shiny?