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Audi RS4 Swissvax Corrective Detail - Best of Show



  Megane R26
Firstly please allow me to apologise for the lack of write ups from us recently - those of you who follow us on Facebook will see that we've been somewhat swamped recently with work so write ups have had to take a back seat for a little while but I'm keen to get back into the habit of posting them as I complete a project.


Also please excuse the state of our unit which is finally seeing the beginning of its overhaul (that'll be another thread) which will include a number of rooms being built, the entire unit is being insulated and re-walled, a false ceiling along with a smaller shutter door behind our main large outer door. A scissor lift or two and air conditioning will also be added towards mid April and a fresh lick of paint - I can't wait to see it all completed!


Onto the RS4 which is the subject of this write up. The owner recently sold his K04'd Mk6 Golf GTI and bought a car he'd wanted to own for quite a while - he managed to find the right example in terms of spec (RS4 buckets, carbon interior, sat nav etc) but the paintwork was looking a little tired and being black it was very evident. He approached us regarding the paints condition and to see what would be possible restoration wise. He opted for a Correction Detail and chose Best of Show to get the car looking its best for the forthcoming Spring period (if it ever comes!)


We were also tasked with fitting replacement OEM rear lights, new number plates, an interior overhaul along with fitting new number plates. The car has also recently had its wheels refurb'd.


A few before shots with the existing LED style rear lights, which were to be removed:


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DSC06157 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06160 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06161 by RussZS, on Flickr


The wheels, tyres, arches and calipers were cleansed first with AutoSmart G101, Smart Wheels, Tardis and IronX with various brushes:


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DSC06162 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06163 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06164 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06165 by RussZS, on Flickr


Next up we foamed the RS4 with Autobrite Magifoam which was left to dwell on this cool and cloudy day for around 8-10 minutes. The solution was also used with various brushes to clean the more intricate parts of the car:


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DSC06166 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06168 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06170 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06173 by RussZS, on Flickr


After removing the snow foam with a high pressure rinse we hand washed the car with a CarPro Mitt and Auto Finesse Lather shampoo:


8595302749_5714cf4c8a_z.jpg

DSC06174 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06175 by RussZS, on Flickr


Following another high pressure rinse we began to decontaminate the paintwork safely and efficiently using IronX to remove any fallout and AutoSmart Tardis on the tar deposits, which were liberally scattered along the lower half of the Audi.


Next the car was moved inside to finish off the decon process using Auto Finesse's clay bar in conjunction with Valet Pro's Citrus Bling as lubrication, which is a good choice as it aids the following drying process:


8595302049_18a476d4fd_z.jpg

DSC06176 by RussZS, on Flickr


Next we safely dried using the patting method with new Uber Drying towels and also used our Aeolus blower to remove any trapped water from areas such as the wing mirrors:


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DSC06177 by RussZS, on Flickr


This left us with a clean car free of contamination but it was very evident at this stage that the paintwork was looking very tired. We moved on to begin assessing the paintwork for any signs of resprayed areas and also to assess the paintwork for thickness.


Average paint reading was around the 160 mark, which is common for Audi's of this age:


8595301187_d5fdd75fb0_z.jpg

DSC06179 by RussZS, on Flickr


We never begin machine polishing under the assumption that all Audi paint of this era is 'hard' so we methodically tested various machines and combinations whilst assessing removal rates and results until we found the optimal combination to progress around the car with.


We settled on Rupes BigFoot with Optimum MF Discs and Meguairs 101 for cutting, followed by BigFoot and the Rupes Diamond Gloss and matching pad for refining. We also used the same pads on a Festool Rotex 90 'forced DA' in tighter areas.


Some pictures from the corrective process - most are before we refined so please excuse any marring evident in the photos:


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DSC06182 by RussZS, on Flickr


Before:


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DSC06186 by RussZS, on Flickr


After:


8596400048_1aca9b23f0_z.jpg

DSC06187 by RussZS, on Flickr


Drivers side rear door under 150W Halide:


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DSC06190 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06191 by RussZS, on Flickr


Some deeper defects remain but generally massively improved.


A section from the bonnet:


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DSC06199 by RussZS, on Flickr


Drivers side wing:


8596393172_6a32dc56af_z.jpg

DSC06203 by RussZS, on Flickr


Zoomed shot:


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DSC06206 by RussZS, on Flickr


We also have a modified Caddy in with us at the moment, which has been wet sanded and is being machined back - a little sneak peek:


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DSC06216 by RussZS, on Flickr


Back to the RS4 - before:


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DSC06229 by RussZS, on Flickr


After:


8595283433_b22c2cdfe0_z.jpg

DSC06230 by RussZS, on Flickr


We also removed the number plates and existing residue to ensure the new plates would bond correctly by soaking the area with a tissue saturated with Tardis, leaving it for a few moments, then wiping clean:


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DSC06237 by RussZS, on Flickr


The V8 badges were also placed incorrectly so we removed these at the owners request:


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DSC06239 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06240 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06243 by RussZS, on Flickr


Before:


8596380188_3128e13295_z.jpg

DSC06246 by RussZS, on Flickr


After:


8595278915_826c0f2506_z.jpg

DSC06248 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06250 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06251 by RussZS, on Flickr


The exhausts were looking a little tired thanks to the V8:


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DSC06270 by RussZS, on Flickr


Britemax Easy Cut was used to make short work of restoring them:


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DSC06274 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06272 by RussZS, on Flickr


After a final dust down, we finished with this Swissvax trio - Best of Show on the paintwork, AutoBahn on the wheels and Pneu (two coats) on the tyres:


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DSC06275 by RussZS, on Flickr


The new number plates were fitted:


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DSC06276 by RussZS, on Flickr


Finally, after a good 25 hours or so (I lost count!), some after shots:


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DSC06277 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06278 by RussZS, on Flickr


8595269749_12c05a8b7b_z.jpg

DSC06283 by RussZS, on Flickr


8595268277_a0151896b3_z.jpg

DSC06288 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06291 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06298 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06299 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06301 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06304 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06306 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06309 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06311 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06313 by RussZS, on Flickr


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DSC06315 by RussZS, on Flickr


Thank you for taking the time to read this - any feeback or comments would be greatly appreciated.


We have a busy week ahead including a VW Amarok, VW Caddy, Audi TTRS, Focus ST Mk3, Toyota GT86, Clio 172, Mk1 Focus RS and a Mk5 Golf GTI! I do have a good 15-20 write ups to post too including a stunning Audi S4 and a very nice white Evo 9 GT, which hopefully I'll be able to do over the next few days.


Thanks,
Russ.
 
  Clio 182
That is STUNNING (both the work and the car).

I'm looking for an RS4/M3 at the moment and this may have just made that decision!

How much did that whole job cost, Russ, if you don't mind me asking? (pm me if need be)
 
  Focus Tit Est & R26
awesome car, looks great Russ
is it running coilovers? i didnt think standard ride height was that low tbh
 


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