2009 Audi Q5 3.2 - 11,000 mile Nightmare
 

Sorry Oakes, I had to steal your headline because it worked so well for this car. :devilgrin

This 2009 Q5 is painted Deep Sea Blue Pearl which is really quite a beautiful color that goes from looking black to almost teal depending on the light. But it had the signature of the swirl-o-tron tunnel wash all over it. While the hood wasn't too bad, the lower rocker panels were especially hammered. The odometer showed 11,250 miles but this car could have easily had 112,500 miles on it based on the way it looks. Throw Audi's granite-hard paint in with some awful swirling and you've got a heck of a weekend project. Also...forgot to mention that the owner has two dogs which apparently suffered some sort of massive fur loss on the interior. That was a solid hour getting all the dog hair up.

Special thanks go to Todd (TSC17) for answering my phone call and giving me the stellar pointer on the 105/106 combo for the super-hard Audi paint. Yes folks....even I have to call for help sometimes.

Process

Wash with Griot's Car Wash and Microfiber Wash Mitt
Dry with WW MF towel
Clayed with Griot's Clay and Speed Shine as lubricant

Makita 9227C w/Lake Country 6 and 4" backing plates
Meguiars 105
Menzerna Super Finish (106FA)
LC PFW
LC White
IPA Wipedown
Re-Wash
Sealed with Blackfire Wet Diamond

Engine and Wheel Arches Degreased with Grime Reaper 4:1
P21S Polishing Soap on chrome exhaust tips
Griot's Long-Lasting Tire Dressing

TOTAL TIME SPENT: 18 HOURS

The car as it appeared on arrival.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5623.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5624.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5625.jpg

Pretty funky swirls, man...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5626.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5627.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5628.jpg

Like I said the hood wasn't too bad.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5629.jpg

You can see the dog hair on the center console (near the shifter) in this photo. While most of it was concentrated in the cargo area, some had floated all the way up to the dash board and even on the gauge cluster.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...IMG_5630-1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5631.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5632.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5633.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5634.jpg

That's not not dirt....that's dog hair. :ugh:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5635.jpg

Pulled up a decent amount of contamination with the clay. Most of it came from the lower panels closest to the road.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5645.jpg

Testing to see what polish and pad combo works best.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5641.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5651.jpg

I touched up the fuel filler door after this...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5659.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5661.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5663.jpg

The worst swirling was on the doors.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5665.jpg

And after the 105/106 combo. :rockstar:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5668.jpg

Front passenger door...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5673.jpg

50/50
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5675.jpg

After...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5677.jpg

The plastic door trim was equally hammered.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5682.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5686.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5689.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5687.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5688.jpg

Working the Makita and the PFW.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5694.jpg

The exhaust tips were trashed.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5696.jpg

P21S Polishing Soap brought them back.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5698.jpg

And now the after pictures! :woot:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5705.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5706.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5707.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5708.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5709.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5710.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5711.jpg

Nobody doesn't love Audi LEDs. :teef:
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5712.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5713.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5714.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5715.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5701.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5702.jpg

Sun was gone so the best I can do is this reflection shot of the lights.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...o/IMG_5703.jpg

Thanks for looking. :wave:

good recovery as usual!! and damn that cargo mat looked nasty!!

Awesome job!

Andrew your skills are madening more and more each time I see your work! Very nice correction on that stupid-hard clear coat. I'm glad the 105/106 combo worked well for you. :)

wow, very nicely done sir!

Portland, very nice job! It still amazes me how much neglect goes on....

Wow, that Q5 was swirled up pretty bad.

Good to know the 105/106 combo worked will on Audi paint...I still need to tackle the Q7 detail soon.

Nice work on a very neglected car, gotta love dog hair, my dogs shed like crazy everytime they're in my truck, nice work though all around :thumbsup:

Thanks for the compliments, guys. I certainly slept well last night! :sleep:

Paz you have my sympathies....those Q7s have a TON of painted real estate. Best of luck to you.

Wow great work....looks really good.. I wonder how these newer cars can have paint look like this already.

Just neglected from day one you think?

Fantastic recovery!

Damn Andrew, 0nly a little over 11K on the odometer...DAMN what a mess!!!
You sure did turn it around as you always do, looks great and now its appearence matches its mileage!