S3 as a daily driver...

DommyR

DommyR

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Hello All.

I pick my S3 up on a week saturday, unfortunately couldn't manage march the 1st due to work and studying commitments. After nearly 3 months has flown by I cant believe that collecting my new car is imminent. (I can still remember the day I saw a new 8p S3 which planted the seed for my S3 love).

But what I really want to know is what people are using (If any) for paint protection for their S3's (A3's or any Audi). As in the title mine will be used as my daily driver to work (back roads in the fens) and going to the gym in the evening and general socialising, I'm thinking I might need some sort of barrier on the paint.

Of course the dealer offered life shine which I kindly declined, and at £400 rightly so. Although I have had a quote from a local detailer who will do ceramic scratch resistant paint, glass, exhaust and wheel protection including water and stain proof interior protection for £400. Im quite a stickler for keeping my car clean and always waxed so I'm thinking that this might be overkill.

Any thoughts?

Cheers
Dom
 
I had a ceramic coating put on my car after I collected it from the dealers (I too declined lifeshine), and it was a good investment. I paid about £280 for a enhancement detail and ceramic coating as I recall, and although it varies from detailer to detailer, £400 does seem a little much - depends which products he's using though I suppose. If its stuff which is only trade available then I can understand it (i.e. CQuartz Finest - only available to allowed traders - the public can't get it)
 
Having been quoted similar prices as you I decided to put the question to Polished Blss. I bought a range of cleaners, wax, protection,etc for around half the cost. I asked the dealer to refrain from washing/adding swirls, then spent a day painstakingly detailing the car myself.
I'll repeat the exercise every 6 months.
 
I am going for the Blackfire Wet ice over fire kit. Easy to do yourself. Rinse, decontaminate, clay, Polish or machine if needed depending on paint and then apply wet diamond sealant and wax on top. You can then add a top up layer each wash or even a bit more wax for a good 6 months protection before repeating again.

Got a few G technic products for the glass, plastics and wheels and a high temp wax for the tail pipes.

I am getting the front bumper wrapped in clear venture shield too.
Ps the Blackfire is really good for darker and pearlescent paint, that's why I have chosen that and have a few tubs kicking around from when I had the blue Focus RS.



Good luck with it.
 
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Detailing yourself is certainly a good idea.. depends if you have the time/inclination/space available to do so! www.detailingworld.co.uk is your friend for product ideas/reviews as well...
 
I tried getting the ventureshield and two sellers made a bit of a dogs dinner of it installation wise.

The templates 3M have for the S3 are not the best and have issues with pinch points / creases. Especially on the bonnet creases and around the lip of the bumper. It peeled off after 2 months on both fittings and have since put the whole thing to bed. Luckily both sellers gave me my ££ back.

I have it only on my LED headlights now.
 
Thats interesting Gents.

I already have loads of autoglym bits, clay and some collinite 845 wax.

Think I might try some of that Carlack all in one and sealant and give that a go (12 months protection apparently), I can then wax on top of that. I actually quite enjoy cleaning and looking after it.

I dont have an inside area to do the detailing but I live down a nice quiet cul de sac that I can easily work on it.
 
Yeh I have detailed all my cars outside. Frustrating when you plan to do it and it rains, or starts raining half way through...have a garage but that's now a gym. Do a few searches on detailing world for audi s3 detailing and see what others have done with your colour.
 
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Pulp84 said:
I tried getting the ventureshield and two sellers made a bit of a dogs dinner of it installation wise.

The templates 3M have for the S3 are not the best and have issues with pinch points / creases. Especially on the bonnet creases and around the lip of the bumper. It peeled off after 2 months on both fittings and have since put the whole thing to bed. Luckily both sellers gave me my ££ back.

I have it only on my LED headlights now.
Click to expand...

thanks for this. I didn't know this at all. I assumed just being the front bumper with natural joints etc, it would be an easy job..will do some more research. Thanks
 
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nickatkinson said:
I am going for the Blackfire Wet ice over fire kit. Easy to do yourself. Rinse, decontaminate, clay, Polish or machine if needed depending on paint and then apply wet diamond sealant and wax on top. You can then add a top up layer each wash or even a bit more wax for a good 6 months protection before repeating again.

Got a few G technic products for the glass, plastics and wheels and a high temp wax for the tail pipes.

I am getting the front bumper wrapped in clear venture shield too.
Ps the Blackfire is really good for darker and pearlescent paint, that's why I have chosen that and have a few tubs kicking around from when I had the blue Focus RS.



Good luck with it.
Click to expand...
I've got the Blackfire stuff from PB. Combined with Werkstatt it's the DB's in my opinion. I'm just going to layer every week, lots and lots of carnuba. Never had a new car before so really looking forward to a proper paint surface without any marks.
 
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Like you Nick mine is also Sepang. Im thinking either the carlack, gtechniq C2V3 or Zaino.

I like the idea of being able to top up the finishes.
 
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C2 v3 is really good, it is so easy to apply and beads like mad so you can almost tell it's there and when to top up.

Honestly have a look at Blackfire wet diamond polymer sealant for Sepang. A lot of people swear by it for enhancing the colour and then if you add a wax on top you have the added protection too.

Good colour btw..not seen an s3 in sepang yet..
 
Don't forget of course that it's as much what you buy to apply as how you apply it, and how you prepare the surface. New car or not, I'd give it a once over with some soft clay (Bilt Hamber being my fave) to remove any contaminants and then apply your choice of sealant using some quality pads, buffing off with a nice soft micro-fibre. Anything less and you may add some swirls.

Do like Menzerna range of polishes personally, sealed using Menzerna Power Lock sealant, which gives an excellent lasting finish which beads really nicely and really buffs up
 
Do these sealants actually provide protection from muck and bird dropping etching etc?
 
Yep, Me too!! Blackfire wet Ice Over Fire kit. £139 from PB For Mythos Black SB and have a look at Gyeon Q2 Rim great for sealing anything that gets hot. Chrome exhaust tips, wheels, brake callipers etc.
 
DommyR said:
Do these sealants actually provide protection from muck and bird dropping etching etc?
Click to expand...

No they don't nothing I know of protects paint from bird droppings, you still need to get that off ASAP. What sealant will do is seal the wax finish in such that it lasts a bit longer to save you re-waxing every few weeks, instead you can "get away with" just washing the car and quickly going over with detailer to top the finish up and bring it back to its lustre - especially useful in winter months when it's cold outside and many waxes won't work properly because of the temperature. Sealants can last up to a year before needing re-application but I tend to re-apply mine every 6 months, just before and just after winter. I've been impressed with the Menzerna sealant for its beading qualities and how it lasts.
 
I got the opticoat + ceramic glaze on my car professionally applied with a DIY wheel protectant from Armourall. This is my 3rd car with a ceramic glace and I recommend it.
 
audi upgrades
Do not take this the wrong way but I find this really interesting.
I have had mine 7months and does maybe 200miles a week and has yet to see a bucket or hose, OK I like shiny wheels so clean them but mainly as I am middle aged and still think brake dust corrodes but as for rest of it I don't do.

Horses for courses and all that but there is clearly a world out there I never knew about !!
 
All Gtechniq Uk Accredited Detailers charge the same price as set by Gtechniq themselves

 
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Ahh I haven't seen that. Cheers Bristle.

I must say your new avatar worries me a bit.
 
Bristle Hound said:
All Gtechniq Uk Accredited Detailers charge the same price as set by Gtechniq themselves

Click to expand...

See this is how it started with the S3 order a reasonable base price but then there were optional extras like Crystal Serum among others which has pushed my quote up to £839.... but thats literally the works, every optional extra, everything protected.

Though during a meal with friends I told the girlfriend there is no food in the car and she threatened to do it anyway... the conversation quickly changed to how she would be in the boot with the cage/bar things! Not the best way to win brownie points after forgetting valentines day :keule:
 
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msdmjb said:
Do not take this the wrong way but I find this really interesting.
I have had mine 7months and does maybe 200miles a week and has yet to see a bucket or hose, OK I like shiny wheels so clean them but mainly as I am middle aged and still think brake dust corrodes but as for rest of it I don't do.

Horses for courses and all that but there is clearly a world out there I never knew about !!
Click to expand...


So your saying in seven months you have not washed your car at all? It must be minging!!! This makes me ill haha :no:
 
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DommyR said:
Do these sealants actually provide protection from muck and bird dropping etching etc?
Click to expand...
The more layers you apply to your paint, the more resistant it is to bird doo doo, however I always carry a microfibre in my boot, just incase the attack of the starlings appears. It took around 3 months for my previous TT to build up a super slick layer of wax, then it was resistant to so much more airborne substances.
 
audi upgrades
DommyR said:
Hello All.

I pick my S3 up on a week saturday, unfortunately couldn't manage march the 1st due to work and studying commitments. After nearly 3 months has flown by I cant believe that collecting my new car is imminent. (I can still remember the day I saw a new 8p S3 which planted the seed for my S3 love).

But what I really want to know is what people are using (If any) for paint protection for their S3's (A3's or any Audi). As in the title mine will be used as my daily driver to work (back roads in the fens) and going to the gym in the evening and general socialising, I'm thinking I might need some sort of barrier on the paint.

Of course the dealer offered life shine which I kindly declined, and at £400 rightly so. Although I have had a quote from a local detailer who will do ceramic scratch resistant paint, glass, exhaust and wheel protection including water and stain proof interior protection for £400. Im quite a stickler for keeping my car clean and always waxed so I'm thinking that this might be overkill.

Any thoughts?

Cheers
Dom
Click to expand...

Done 15k in mine since collecting in June - use it every day, commuting to work and then at weekends - including charging round the Fens ... hardly a stone chip on it and I only clean it once every couple of weeks and don't do much past a quick go with a sponge/water/shampoo, yet it still looks concourse after a clean up. Occasionally, I'll wax it. Inside, it's always spotless. Think I have only had to occasionally hoover and wipe away a little dust that can gather. Only thing that does need regular work are the exhaust tips. I clean mine with metal polish and then add a coat wax when done.That needs doing every few weeks or else you have a major job on your hands to get them spotless again. So, IMO no need at all to splash out on all of that jazz to protect it. Car should be good enough without that. Just the Dealer trying to improve his commission ... may be see you on the back roads - remember to wave!
 
Last edited:
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naughts4187 said:
This is the Werkstatt replacement after they stopped manufacturing. I've got that kit ready to go so will report on it.
Click to expand...

Please let me know mate. The finish is mean to be fantastic on pearlescent and metallic finishes.
 
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Been thinking about it and the crystal serum does look great.

I'll probably end up getting that,
 
J6YAK said:
So your saying in seven months you have not washed your car at all? It must be minging!!! This makes me ill haha :no:
Click to expand...

Correct, gets washed in the rain :)
Down south where I am hardly ever any salt on the roads regardless of the temperature so not needed as much as the UK, Audi must spend a fortune on paint tech and I simply can't be bothered, the car doesn't care and is just metal and plastic after all.
As long as it starts and stops and goes as it should I am happy, looks better anyway with dirt and mud splatter all over it.

You guys must hate me.
 
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> Correct, gets washed in the rain

I'm not a stickler for car cleaning either. Given that I think a very long lasting OptiCoat Pro treatment may be a good option for me. The underlying paint will be protected even though I may neglect to clean it for long periods. Are there any downsides to using OptiCoat?
 
michael-s3 said:
> Correct, gets washed in the rain

I'm not a stickler for car cleaning either. Given that I think a very long lasting OptiCoat Pro treatment may be a good option for me. The underlying paint will be protected even though I may neglect to clean it for long periods. Are there any downsides to using OptiCoat?
Click to expand...

The only downside would be if it's applied incorrectly. Other than that it's a lot of money for something you can't see!!
 
It might be alot of money for something you can't see,

But take oxygen for example! You can't see that but it's pretty important
 
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