What can I get away with?

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

Pick my car up in November. Brilliant black A4 Avant Black Edition. This is a two year lease so I won't own the car and aren't massively bothered about protecting the paintwork etc. However I would like to do something when I first get the car to help with future cleaning.

I was going to give the car a good clean and clay bar pretty much straight away but what is the easiest & lowest cost way of adding some protection to the paint? Wax for example? I'm looking for something I can do myself without costing the earth but something that will help with water beading and making future cleaning easier. I know black is a nightmare (hence why I haven't had one in the last 15 years) so want to make sure it stays looking good for longer. Any advice appreciated.

 

[Bristle Hound]

Pick my car up in November. Brilliant black A4 Avant Black Edition. This is a two year lease so I won't own the car and aren't massively bothered about protecting the paintwork etc. However I would like to do something when I first get the car to help with future cleaning.

I was going to give the car a good clean and clay bar pretty much straight away but what is the easiest & lowest cost way of adding some protection to the paint? Wax for example? I'm looking for something I can do myself without costing the earth but something that will help with water beading and making future cleaning easier. I know black is a nightmare (hence why I haven't had one in the last 15 years) so want to make sure it stays looking good for longer. Any advice appreciated.

@A4AvantBlackEdition - Can't beat Sonax BSD for the money IMHO
Adds protection & beads like a mutha too
BUT it can be grabby & will smear if over applied

Check out EuroCarParts & use one of their discount codes together it at a silly price delivered

 

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

@A4AvantBlackEdition - Can't beat Sonax BSD for the money IMHO
Adds protection & beads like a mutha too
BUT it can be grabby & will smear if over applied

Check out EuroCarParts & use one of their discount codes together it at a silly price delivered

Thanks buddy. I'll look into that.

 

[8utters]

Hi there, Surely a ceramic coating, while it might be £50-80, if it lasts for 12-18 months or so, represents good value?
Just my 2p


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[A4AvantBlackEdition]

Hi there, Surely a ceramic coating, while it might be £50-80, if it lasts for 12-18 months or so, represents good value?
Just my 2p


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Is that all they cost?

Why am I here thinking to have a car ceramic costed costs £300+?

 

[8utters]

You can DIY if you've got a dry space to do it, while a pro job will cost 300+ it will last longer, however, for much less you can get most of the same performance from a consumer product.


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[A4AvantBlackEdition]

You can DIY if you've got a dry space to do it, while a pro job will cost 300+ it will last longer, however, for much less you can get most of the same performance from a consumer product.


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Ah. Got ya. Do you recommend one?

 

[8utters]

I can't, I have bought some but not had my car back from the body shop so no experience of testing it. I had a good couple of days on YouTube, got some ideas from there and from Slims. I ended up learning that I wash my microfibres wrong too!!


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[A4AvantBlackEdition]

I can't, I have bought some but not had my car back from the body shop so no experience of testing it. I had a good couple of days on YouTube, got some ideas from there and from Slims. I ended up learning that I wash my microfibres wrong too!!


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Sounds complicated. I'll let someone else do it.

 

[8utters]

To be honest, once it's clayed, you'll want to wipe the panels down with a water/ipa mix ( not beer ) and then apply the coating, usually it's a wipe on, buff off job and leave to cure for around 12 hours. Genuinely l think it should be ok, will let you know about mine once it's done, but will be a week before she's back from the paintshop.


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[8utters]

I went with "Gtechniq Crystal Serum Light" - do youtube searches and you'll see the results, looks good to me!!!


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[scotty76]

I reckon something like Gyeon Cure would suit you. I'm using this at the moment diluted 1:1 with water. Probably last a couple of months at a time but it's spray on, wipe off. Job done.

 

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

I reckon something like Gyeon Cure would suit you. I'm using this at the moment diluted 1:1 with water. Probably last a couple of months at a time but it's spray on, wipe off. Job done.

I like the sound of that.

 

[Taxboy]

I was going to suggest something like Bilt Hamber Finis wax initially the small pot is about £15 and then follow up with the Sonax BSD when you wash to top up the protection

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[A4AvantBlackEdition]

I was going to suggest something like Bilt Hamber Finis wax initially the small pot is about £15 and then follow up with the Sonax BSD when you wash to top up the protection

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Can I put the Bilt Hamber Finis wax on and then immediately follow with the sonax bsd?

 

[Taxboy]

Can I put the Bilt Hamber Finis wax on and then immediately follow with the sonax bsd?

I've never applied BSD immediately after Finis, although I would imagine it should be OK if you let the Finis cure for an hour or so. I'm sure other BSD users might be able to share their experience.

Finis is a durable wax I can get 4 months out of it on its own. I tend to use the BSD as an extra layer of protection top up ...plus I like the water behaviour of BSD

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[A4AvantBlackEdition]

I've never applied BSD immediately after Finis, although I would imagine it should be OK if you let the Finis cure for an hour or so. I'm sure other BSD users might be able to share their experience.

Finis is a durable wax I can get 4 months out of it on its own. I tend to use the BSD as an extra layer of protection top up ...plus I like the water behaviour of BSD

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Thanks. I'll probably let it set for a couple of hours then add a bit.

 

[Taxboy]

Thanks. I'll probably let it set for a couple of hours then add a bit.

The only tip I can offer with regard to Finis is the same as a lot of other waxes, to apply thinly. Enjoy your new car

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[A4AvantBlackEdition]

I was going to suggest something like Bilt Hamber Finis wax initially the small pot is about £15 and then follow up with the Sonax BSD when you wash to top up the protection

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This wax comes in 50ml and 250ml pots.

How many full car applications would I get from a 50ml pot? Ia it worth just getting the bigger one?

 

[Taxboy]

This wax comes in 50ml and 250ml pots.

How many full car applications would I get from a 50ml pot? Ia it worth just getting the bigger one?

I can't say for certain but I've done 5 applications out of my small pot and it's around the halfway mark but that's me. Others may get more / less. I would suggest getting the small pot initially to see if you get on with it. If it's not for you the you haven't blown too much cash or alternatively you get the detailing bug and want to try others

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[A4AvantBlackEdition]

I can't say for certain but I've done 5 applications out of my small pot and it's around the halfway mark but that's me. Others may get more / less. I would suggest getting the small pot initially to see if you get on with it. If it's not for you the you haven't blown too much cash or alternatively you get the detailing bug and want to try others

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It’s just £12 for 50ml and £33 for 250ml. Bigger one seems much better value for money. May just go for the big one.

 

[S32B]

Pick my car up in November. Brilliant black A4 Avant Black Edition. This is a two year lease so I won't own the car and aren't massively bothered about protecting the paintwork etc. However I would like to do something when I first get the car to help with future cleaning.

I was going to give the car a good clean and clay bar pretty much straight away but what is the easiest & lowest cost way of adding some protection to the paint? Wax for example? I'm looking for something I can do myself without costing the earth but something that will help with water beading and making future cleaning easier. I know black is a nightmare (hence why I haven't had one in the last 15 years) so want to make sure it stays looking good for longer. Any advice appreciated.

@A4AvantBlackEdition - Can't beat Sonax BSD for the money IMHO
Adds protection & beads like a mutha too
BUT it can be grabby & will smear if over applied

Check out EuroCarParts & use one of their discount codes together it at a silly price delivered

The Sonax is great, I used it on my black S3, just don't put too much on as a little goes a long way...as BH said it smears if you use too much!

Under it though I had G3 wax and just used the Sonax after each wash.

Just before I sold it:

 

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

The Sonax is great, I used it on my black S3, just don't put too much on as a little goes a long way...as BH said it smears if you use too much!

Under it though I had G3 wax and just used the Sonax after each wash.

Just before I sold it:
View attachment 139384

Looks great. And thanks for the advice.

 

[Rich76]

Any one got a link for the sonax bsd

 

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

Any one got a link for the sonax bsd

eBay has it mate.

 

[Taxboy]

Any one got a link for the sonax bsd

Or try Euro Car Parts. They normally have a discount code every other week !

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[Taxboy]

Or try Euro Car Parts. They normally have a discount code every other week !

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Just checked using code MID36 gets it for £7.35 currently

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[A4AvantBlackEdition]

Just checked using code MID36 gets it for £7.35 currently

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Only £7.69 delivered from eBay.

 

[S32B]

Any one got a link for the sonax bsd

Or try Euro Car Parts. They normally have a discount code every other week !

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And even if there is no code showing on the website, if you use WEEKEND30 you normally get...you guessed it 30% off

Sonax bsd https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/...ior-cleaning/car-detailer/?549992160&&cc5_761

The matte dash cleaner is also good https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/...ior-cleaning/car-detailer/?549992150&&cc5_761

Bargain for both:

 

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

And even if there is no code showing on the website, if you use WEEKEND30 you normally get...you guessed it 30% off

Sonax bsd https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/...ior-cleaning/car-detailer/?549992160&&cc5_761

The matte dash cleaner is also good https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/...ior-cleaning/car-detailer/?549992150&&cc5_761

Bargain for both:

View attachment 139444

Does that price include shipping? Both can be bought for £16.08 including shipping on eBay.

 

[S32B]

Does that price include shipping? Both can be bought for £16.08 including shipping on eBay.

Yes I think it does.

 

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

Yes I think it does.

Then with the discount code that a very good price.

 

[happytalk73]

Hello, new member here (will post on into thread in a mo.)

Just ordered A4 Avant BE for delivery Feb/Mar.

Selected Brillant black but seeking opinions on solid paint maintenance. Will be keeping the car on a 4 year lease and worried it may start to look tatty towards the end. (Never had a non metallic car)

If this is an issue we can change to solid white, but guessing that too comes with a few cons.

Any advice genuinely appreciated.

First Audi for us. Really looking forward to it.

Ant.

 

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

Hello, new member here (will post on into thread in a mo.)

Just ordered A4 Avant BE for delivery Feb/Mar.

Selected Brillant black but seeking opinions on solid paint maintenance. Will be keeping the car on a 4 year lease and worried it may start to look tatty towards the end. (Never had a non metallic car)

If this is an issue we can change to solid white, but guessing that too comes with a few cons.

Any advice genuinely appreciated.

First Audi for us. Really looking forward to it.

Ant.

Same car as mine but I’ve got mine for 2 years.

It could be worth ceramic coating yours perhaps. I’m not overly fussed and I’m confident I can keep mine looking nice with the products I’ve mentioned.

 

[happytalk73]

That's interesting. So you've ordered Black edition with Brillant black?

Have you seen the solid paint in the flesh? Did you ever consider White at all?

Did you throw any other options at it? (Sorry for all the questions.)

I'm confused about the Audi configurator. The BE has flat bottomed stearing wheel as standard. When you add tech pack onto configurator the flat bottomed wheel is changed to standard round one. Is this an issue with configurator or are these not available together?

Ant.

 

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

That's interesting. So you've ordered Black edition with Brillant black? Yes.

Have you seen the solid paint in the flesh? Yes. It looks good but will be a b|tch to keep clean.

Did you ever consider White at all? Yep. It was my second choice. I’m just not keen on the black trim that comes with the black edition. Doesn’t look right to me.

Did you throw any other options at it? (Sorry for all the questions.)

I'm confused about the Audi configurator. The BE has flat bottomed stearing wheel as standard. When you add tech pack onto configurator the flat bottomed wheel is changed to standard round one. Is this an issue with configurator or are these not available together?

Ant.

So you've ordered Black edition with Brillant black? Yes. Picking it up next Thursday.

Have you seen the solid paint in the flesh? Yes. It looks good but will be a b|tch to keep clean.

Did you ever consider White at all? Yep. It was my second choice. I’m just not keen on the black trim that comes with the black edition. Doesn’t look right to me.

Did you throw any other options at it? No. There were a few I would have liked but it’s just a two year lease so I didnt want to spend much. I’m happy with the spec. I maybe would have liked the rear camera but I can live without it.

Regarding the flat bottom steering wheel, there is a user on here who ordered the pack and thought he was getting the round wheel but got he flat bottomed one. But I think that was an error as I have seen some BE with tech that have round wheels. So I’d double check that.

I 100a% wanted flat bottom wheel.

 

[happytalk73]

Thanks for the info.

As far as I know the flat bottomed wheel is standard on the A4 BE?

I've got the Tech Pack but would be a little miffed if the FB stearing wheel gets deleted.

Not long until yours now. Bet it's been a long wait. Enjoy.

 

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

Thanks for the info.

As far as I know the flat bottomed wheel is standard on the A4 BE?

I've got the Tech Pack but would be a little miffed if the FB stearing wheel gets deleted.

Not long until yours now. Bet it's been a long wait. Enjoy.

Yes, it’s standard on the A4 BE. But I do think it gets deleted and replaced with a round wheel with tech pack. I’d confirm that with Audi

 

[happytalk73]

Yes, it’s standard on the A4 BE. But I do think it gets deleted and replaced with a round wheel with tech pack. I’d confirm that with Audi

This morning I had a call back from customer services of Audi UK. She confirmed that the flat bottomed steering wheel that comes as standard with the Black Edition will still be there with Tech Pack added,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Which is nice!

 

[A4AvantBlackEdition]

This morning I had a call back from customer services of Audi UK. She confirmed that the flat bottomed steering wheel that comes as standard with the Black Edition will still be there with Tech Pack added,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Which is nice!

Bo11ox.

That was the deciding factor for me not adding the tech pack!!!! I really wanted the flag bottom wheel. Not happy.