Audi S8 - Winter Protect Detail

[Jimmeh]

Audi S8 – Protection Detail with full interior and LTT Leather care

The S8 was brought for this chaps Father, and, whilst he was away, he hoped I could clean it up a little as a nice surprise for his return.

Before:

After:

Product
• AutoSmart G101
• AutoSmart Tardis
• AutoGlym Glass Polish
• AutoGlym Vinyl Rubber Care
• Belgom ALU
• Chemical Guys Jet Seal
• Dodo Juice Born To Be Mild
• Dodo Juice SuperNatural
• Lusso Revitalizing Cream
• LTT Auto Ultra Foam
• LTT Auto Ultra Protect
• Meguiars APC
• Meguiars Super-Degreaser
• Meguiars Last Touch
• Meguiars Endurance Tyre Gel
• Sonus Green Mild Clay
• Zaino Z8 Grand Finale


Inspection:

A few of the alloys had seen better days; owner considering putting them through a full refurb. However, as they’re partly polished on the front facing, it boosts the cost up quite considerably! I was able to shift the most of but unfortunately some light pitting remained in the inner-groove and deeper into the rim. This would be a full wheel off jobbie to correct this..

Wheels cleaned with AutoSmart G101 (because of the polished surface (Acid is no good here!!)), Super-Degreaser sprayed up and into the arches as well as dousing the tyres before scrubbing..

Door shuts and sills after this.. Again, G101 weapon of choice here with a mix of De-greaser and AutoSmart Tardis to shift stubborn grease deposits.

Today I had the luxury of working with hot water – bonus.

Car given a thorough blast down with the pressure washer..

And then given the first of two snowfoams:

Allowed to dwell whilst I A) filled up wash buckets with Dodo’s Born To Be Mild, B) attacked small areas (petrol filler-cap etc) with a few brushes and C) had a sandwich!

Car then re-foamed to give an extra slick wash with the Born To Be Mild.

Solution > Wash > Rinse > Solution > Wash > rinse and so on..


Meguiars Last Touch was used to aid the claying stages; lubricating the surface allowing the Sonus Green Clay to glide without ‘drag’:

At this point it starts to rain. A final pass with the pressure washer was made to release clay-lube residues and then a quick sheeting of water with an open-hose to remove remaining standing water.

Once inside and dry, it’s time to take a look at the paintwork.

Hmm. Shame it’s not a correction detail!

 

[Jimmeh]

Mind you, Lusso’s Revitalizing Cream (which is primarily a pre-wax cleanser...) did a good job of tidying up the surface marring and swirls.

Same area as above afterwards:

Boot-lid before/after:

Deeper marks and scratches remain. Impressed with results from a quick pass over though..

(I’d opted for the Yellow 3M Polishing Pad as opposed to the Blue Finishing pad, as, Audi paint is typically rock-hard and I thought it would allow a bit more ‘bite&#8217

There were some funny old marks and hazes dotted around..

Overall though, it gave a nice finish (…for a protection detail only!)

On the bonnet and both sides, it was evident that someone had had a go with a machine polisher in the past; lovely buffer trials and holograms scattered around.

To give this one a little something ‘extra’ (as at the end of the day I’m an Audi man myself!), I used Dodo Juice’s SuperNatural wax to lay down the protection.

Hazing:

And later buffed up to a lovely shine:

Alloys sealed with Chemical Guys Jet Seal 901:

Tyres then dressed with Meguiars Endurance Gel.


At this point, I was asked if I could do anything with the engine bay. Bearing in mind all of the ‘wet-work’ had been complete, and, it’d be a shame to risk splashing dirt over the wings/glass, I opted for a ‘dry-wash’ whilst still in the garage.

Using AutoSmart G101 to clean, a fine brush to agitate and then ample amounts of microfibres to wipe away the residues. Finished with a buff down and a coat of AutoGlym Vinyl Rubber Care.

At this point, time is pushing. I thought I’d make the most of the break in the rain we were having, and, take a few outdoor exterior shots. (Interior still to follow..)

A nice day, huh? Looks well though – will give a final wipedown later once the wax has had a few hours to gas.

Back inside and time to start on the interior..

Generally things are in great shape. Plastics and pillars needed a G101 wipedown, pedals a gentle scrub, carpets hovering and scrubbing and then the leather treating with LTT.


Floor mats had seen better days – especially the drivers; a bit worn at the heel unfortunately.

After a dousing in G101 and a light scrub.. Residues wiped with a microfibre.

Here’s something I didn’t know, when the front mats (n/s and o/s) are lifted, it leaves a great big hole! The underside of the mat is heavy with insulation and padding, but, I wonder why this is?!

LTT Auto Ultra Foam used to clean the leather..

LTT Auto Ultra Protect used to protect!

 

[Jimmeh]

Alcantara was given a damp wipeover with a couple of microfibres.

Glass polished in and out with AutoGlym Glass Polish.

Exhaust attacked with varying different tools and chemicals..

Before:

After:

(Not the best after photo – there were stubborn marks on the bottom-half of the tip that I couldn’t shift..)


A wipedown with Zaino Z8 Grand Finale:

And a few after pictures.. (All inside I’m afraid; raining again outside (plus, its dark!))

Nice ‘clean’ paint – albeit a few deeper swirls and random scratches.

Total time was just under 9 hours. A little longer than I anticipated! Still, at least I’ll know for next time; the A8/S8 is a biiig car!

Thanks for reading. I enjoyed both completing and documenting this detail – RS4 Cabriolet in a solid red to follow shortly!

Jim

 

[S3 Rav]

Stunning Jimmeh. Really look forward to your work. Such a class car too. Look forward to the next detail.

 

[phoenixv6quattro]

Very good Jimmeh. Bet you were itching to give it a full correction after seeing those swirl marks.....Like the way you compensated with the Lusso though...Your not going to like this because it was ages ago/when you first started.......I have read all your write-ups on here and I still like the RS2 one the best! But as all your write-ups, I use them as a reference and fair play for taking the time out to post them on here!

 

[head]

looks the mutts nutts mate.good job

 

[Nilz]

Nice one Jimmeh, excellent job as always, on a quality car too!!!

 

[jojo]

Nice work!

 

[A3Tom]

Nice work!

Thats made me want an S8!

 

[JD09]

This thread looks familiar Jim

As said on CS, great job. Now get up to Cheshire and get the rotary out on mine! Car is in the body shop at the moment, but will be out on Tuesday, so weekend after next is washing/claying/taping day, followed by hours and hours of PC and Menz PG fun!!

Jamie

 

[Jimmeh]

Thanks all.

Jamie, got the car back now? What did it go in for?! 'PC fun', ah, that takes me back to the first correction detail on my old one!

Be sure to document it for us!

 

[rob v6]

very nice work

 

[jamie226bhp]

how much would that cost as i woul like something similar on my a4

 

[WX51TXR]

Cracking work and a great read as usual. :icon_thumright:

 

[N8]

Simply STUNNING Jim

 

[MRYETH]

great work as usual, i do have a question though - what is the purpose of foaming? as i've seen you do it on other cars. thanks

 

[Jimmeh]

Hi MRYETH, many thanks.

Have a read of THIS GUIDE for the snowfoam explanation.. It's at the bottom of Page 6 and continues through to pg.7. You may pick up a few others tips in there, too..

Let me know if its of any use to you.

Ta! Jim

 

[Gops]

Absolutely stunning! I love your posts!! I wish my car was this shiney

 

[VALLEYSBOY]

speechless

 

[Curt]

Wow, what a transformation, brilliant work. Love the car too, gotta own one of them one day! Looked at them before I got my A3, just a bit big though really..... but that's why I love 'em.

Excellent stuff!

 

[MRYETH]

Hi MRYETH, many thanks.

Have a read of THIS GUIDE for the snowfoam explanation.. It's at the bottom of Page 6 and continues through to pg.7. You may pick up a few others tips in there, too..

Let me know if its of any use to you.

Ta! Jim

Jim

Thanks for that guide it's cleared a few things up for me! Will PM you with a few questions.

MRYETH