Polished Bliss Vs 330bhp Audi S3 + Zymol

[Clark@Polishedbliss]

Well, this car made me earn my wages thats for sure!

The owner contacted me from this Forum last month saying he wanted the full works on his car as he wanted it ready for the up and coming show season. He also said not to worry too much about the wheels as they are just his winter ones and some new ones were on the way anyways

Here's the car on arrival:

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3f.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3f.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3f.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]



[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3a.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3a.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3a.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

I took nearly 2 hours to wash and clay the car as it was VERY rough, despite having come from the body shop not too long ago. The owner told me what areas had been re-sprayed which were the majority of the car bar the roof. He also told me where the Bodywork had been done and i immediately began to worry as i know this particular body shop have big ovens that they bake the cars in once painted so i knew the paint could well be very hard indeed....

Anyways, the car was put inside and i taped it up and then inspected the condition of the paint under the halogens. I was expecting the usual Rotary Holograms, which there were plenty of, but there were also some very bad scratches on just about every panel and the paint was generally pretty fecked. Swirls and cob-webbing were not going to be the biggest problem in this detail thats for sure!

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3x.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3x.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3x.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]


[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3v.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3v.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3v.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3p.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3p.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3p.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

Next step was to take paint readings. The car in general was showing the usual 200-280 microns associated with a re-spray, the bonnet was 120 average so i assumed it must have been a new panel as the owner told me it was part of the car that had been re-sprayed (he later confirmed that it was a new bonnet ) I got a shock reading on one piece of the car though:

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3l.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3l.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3l.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

I figured i hadnt held the probe down on the paint properly so took another reading but this only confirmed there was a very low spot on the near side rear arch, a 2 or 3 square cm area averaging 55 microns Needless to say this got taped up and I HD Cleansed it 4 times once the polishing stage had been done.

To try and Tackle the defects i went with the stronger of the 2 finishing polishes with the Rotary @1500rpm, the paint just laughed at me with this so i stepped up to the compound @1700rpm and a polishing pad and this had a pretty good effect. Although to get a result i was happy with most areas needed at least 3 hits, with the roof and bonnet needing 4! This paint was without a doubt the hardest paint ive ever come across and it was mentally challenging as well as physically, its quite soul destroying having to go at the same section up to 3 or 4 times lol!

All in, nearly 10 hours of solid machine polishing was needed before i was happy. I eventually had to give up at leaving a couple of random scratches that just werent going to come out.

Top of tailgate before:

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS32.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS32.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS32.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

top of tailgate after:

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS33.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS33.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS33.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

N/S Wing before:

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3m.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3m.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3m.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

N/S Wing after:

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3q.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3q.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3q.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

Holograms on A-Pillar before:

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3j.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3j.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3j.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

Holograms on A-Pillar after:

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3g.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3g.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3g.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

The car was then Final Polished with the least aggressive of finishing polishes and a finishing pad @1200rpm's.

After that I then HD Cleanses all the paint and glass, and applied Zymol Vintage to all paint and exterior platsics/rubbers, buffed off and then highlighted the leading edges of the cars panels.

Whilst any remaining oils rose to the surface i applied sealant to the alloys, dressed the tyres, (arches were dressed outside after the wash stage), detailed the interior and fed the leather with Zymol treat.

Exhaust tips were also polished:

before:

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3i.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3i.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3i.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

after:

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3k.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3k.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3k.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

Once that was done the car received a final wipe down with Zymol Field Glaze to remove any oils and smears

And here's the afters:


<A href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS35.jpg" target=_blank>
[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS34.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS34.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS34.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3u.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3u.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3u.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3t.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3t.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3t.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3n.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3n.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3n.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS31.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS31.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS31.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3z.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3z.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3z.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]


[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3s.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3s.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3s.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3r.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3r.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3r.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3e.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3e.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3e.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3d.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3d.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3d.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

[URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3o.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3o.jpg"][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/Clark_VTR/CS3o.jpg"][/URL][/URL][/URL]

Total work time was 16 hours and it felt like a hell of a long detail purely just because of the length of time needed to correct the paint, but it goes to show that its all in the preperation as I was extremely happy with the end result, as was the owner who has now signed up to a monthly maintainance contract

Thanks for looking

 

[rickparmar]

excellent job,

chris look after your car now (if its chris's)

 

[ChriS3]

excellent job,

chris look after your car now (if its chris's)

My car? Never....

I'll be taking a lot more care of it from now on, so will Clark and the Polished Bliss guys.

Haha, I was embarrased by the condition its got into over the winter. I felt guilty about the amount of work that went into it (till I paid the bill ). The turn-around is breath-taking. This is another one where the photo's don't do it justice. The sun came out on the way home, and the depth of colour is amazing.

Cheers Clark, well worth it

 

[rasA4]

wow very nice what was the bill if you don't me asking?

 

[Clark@Polishedbliss]

no probs chris, i'd love to say i felt guilty at taking the money off you but well, i didnt as 16 hours is 16 hours at the end of the day and i'm knackered now! lol!

 

[ChriS3]

Lol, for the price it was definately worth it. It's a 5 1/2 year old car that looks new again. I'm still surprised you got it done in just 16 hours. I was thinking I'd get it back tomorrow or Friday

 

[Clark@Polishedbliss]

If i wasnt doing your bosses car tomoro it probably would have been fri you got it back lol!

 

[Randomjim]

BBS winter wheels

 

[OutLore]

Err, WOW!.

Great job!

 

[Defratos]

Excellent job mate, I need to get this done. Chris the car looks transformed, everycar Clark gets his hand on looks amazing, I need it, I need it, I need it

 

[ChriS3]

BBS winter wheels

I was pushed off the road by a lorry driver, not looking where is was going when he pulled into my lane. Anyway, the wheels on the passenger side are curbed and they all need a good refurbishment. I have some new wheels on the way. Besides, you need to look good all year round

 

[Sinny71]

As always, fantastic work..!!

 

[cdb2]

Nice job - what do you use to dress the tyres if you don't mind me asking and does it last?

 

[Randomjim]

I was pushed off the road by a lorry driver, not looking where is was going when he pulled into my lane. Anyway, the wheels on the passenger side are curbed and they all need a good refurbishment. I have some new wheels on the way. Besides, you need to look good all year round

 

[colinra]

All I can say is WOW.

I have seen pics of this car before and its always looked superb. The difference in the pictures before and after are stunning.

CriS3 - top motor.
Clark - top work.

 

[spuddie007]

Here here!

 

[Olly_K]

that looks totally amazing !

 

[batwad]

Great to see Noggy getting the treatment it deserves

 

[DIPS_A4]

Stunning job looks better then new!

 

[Boydie]

perfect!!

cant wait for my BBS's to arrive!

 

[A3_Turbo]

That looks truly fantastic! If only you guys wernt all the way up in scotland!

Jason

 

[Boydie]

travel to northern ireland much??

 

[Clark@Polishedbliss]

travel to northern ireland much??

funny you should ask as we had an enquiry from someone wanting us to go over to do their Evo

 

[bigollieg]

Wow wat a differance, very nice work!!!

Hmmm starting to think detailing is going to take alot of patience!!!!!

:sign_ot:
Clark, love the guides on your site, really clear & concise for us noobies, cheers

 

[icenutter]

Nice job - what do you use to dress the tyres if you don't mind me asking and does it last?

My Guess is Blackfire Long Lasting Tyre Gel

 

[Boydie]

funny you should ask as we had an enquiry from someone wanting us to go over to do their Evo

there are some really tastey evo's over here including a 700bhp privately owned evo 7!

i can think of 2 people who it might have been....

Phil: red evo 7 (with the 700bhp)

or a guy known as Amos - blue evo 9

 

[lox19]

Amazing job, car has some serious shine to it. Respect to the labour !!

 

[leecs3]

brilliant work. I've just spent the day with L200 Steve, while he was detailing my dad's car he handed me a PC and set me to work on my S3. I thought machine polishing would be a breeze, god i was wrong. Its hard labour, audi's clearcoat is rock hard!!

 

[Clark@Polishedbliss]

there are some really tastey evo's over here including a 700bhp privately owned evo 7!

i can think of 2 people who it might have been....

Phil: red evo 7 (with the 700bhp)

or a guy known as Amos - blue evo 9

nope, wrong lol

 

[Boydie]

oh well - im sure if you do come over to NI there would be a lot of people willing to meet up with you for some business!

 

[A3simon]

Oh aye sounds a bit frisky that

 

[normski]

The colour looks amazing afterwards.

Out of interest, how bad is the bonnet etc. from stone chips, as it is the only thing stopping me going for this colour on a new S3.

After seeing how it cleans up though, it might just have swayed me.

Beautiful!!

 

[Drmatrix]

once a gain beautifull job dude well done

 

[AL_B]

Incredible! That is some work you put in there.

AL