BLOG (2014-2021)
FOLLOW ALONG WITH WHAT I GOT GOING ON
The art of auto detailing is fully featured in each of these five videos. Check them out: 1. Splash! Car Detailing - Modified Audi A32. Dr. Kuko Car Detailing - Audi S6 Full Detailing3. Detailer's Domain - Audi RS44. Revolab - Audi S55. Sr. Detailing - Audi S4 AvantNot sure how, but I stumbled upon this review for some crab shack on Trip Advisor, and I couldn't help but wonder if I have ticked someone off. Check it: I would love to know the story behind all of this. Here's the link.
A long weekend in the mountains resulted in a thoroughly filthy SQ5. Here's a video demonstrating how I returned my car to showroom condition after 1000+ kilometres of spirited mountain driving. The SQ5 eclipsed the 50,000 km mark tonight. We've had it for over 2.5 years, so 20K/year is pretty decent given the geographical size of this city. I have been nothing but impressed with every click we have put on this crossover. Here's to 50,000 more!
We've owned the SQ5 for 2.5 years and it is still on the brakes it came with. The only issue we've had is with some corrosion around the rotor hats. So, with the help of my QuickJack, I put the car in the air today and hit each hat with a coat of high-heat paint. The job took two hours. Here's a slideshow that demonstrates the steps I went to. I try to focus on a new detail every time I wash my SQ5. This time, I really focused on the door jambs. I was so inspired by the work I was doing, I decided to do a video and I titled it the Decadent Detail. The SQ was pretty bad due to an out-of-town jaunt up to Red Deer to see my Grandmother over the weekend. I think you'll like the video I threw together. Sidenote: my YouTube channel eclipsed the 700-subscribers mark. This virtual tour should give you a great sense of how things are laid out in my garage. I have to say, things are approaching perfection. It's just a matter of fine tuning the little details at this point. I hope you enjoy. Here's a little "before and after" video I put together after conducting a quick interior detail on the SQ5. Nothing earth-shattering here. I used Sonax Leather Foam on the seats, 1Z Einszett Cockpit Premium on the panels, dash, and console, and Invisible Glass on the windows. I also used Weather Tech's cleaner on the floor mats. The video does a pretty decent job of showcasing the amazing interior of the SQ5. The process took 30 minutes. I had the opportunity this past weekend to perform a "wheel off" wash. Using my QuickJack lift, I was able to remove all four wheels and really concentrate on the wheels and wells. I put together a five-minute video to demonstrate how useful the lift is. Enjoy. It took me an exhaustive and strenuous half-hour, but my rear wiper is off and I have never felt prouder of myself. It was touch-and-go when I couldn't actually get the wiper to dislodge, and then it magically popped off in my hand. I never used it so it was just a pain. The kit I ordered from Urotuning was a simple piece of metal that tightens from the underside and it contains an o-ring to keep things water tight. I am probably going to swap out the o-ring for a slimmer one to reduce the space between the rear glass and plug. Here's how it looks:
One of my good garage buddies, "Dubber" recently deleted his rear wiper on his VW Golf. He has one of those radical R32 models that came equipped with a 250-bhp 3.2L V6. Anyway, he recently did away with the rear wiper and used a plug to finish off the hole in his rear windscreen. I am following in his footsteps. I purchased this kit through a Florida tuner called Urotuning. I plan to tackle this seemingly (hopefully) simple mod in the coming days. I never use my rear wiper and I think its absence will give the SQ5 a cleaner look in the rear. Stay tuned for an update.
The QuickJack does what it says it does, and it lifted my SQ5 in fine fashion. I was very pleased that the even weight distribution of the QuickJack meant there were no divots or impressions in my RaceDeck Free Flow floor. Here's some shots, but you'll have to excuse the current state of the SQ5, it has been a busy and messy week. We actually had some snow on Thursday. Just by chance, I drove past a sandwich board advertising a free wash to Audi drivers. I hummed and hawed, but decided to give it a shot. The "detailers" used a high pressure steam machine and waffle weave towels. Their process did result in some swirl marks in certain areas. They were particularly noticeable on the rear deck. For a "professional" detailing outfit, they should be more skilled in washing a car - you would think. I have a major polish forthcoming, so I will be sure to do some before/after shots. Anyway, it was a cool idea on the part of the Audi dealership that sponsored it. Are they called hubs? Well, whatever they are called they are looking shabby. I picked up a can of high heat spray paint and I'm going to tackle them. Stay tuned for the result. I doubt a coat of spray paint will be a permanent fix, but I'll just keep reapplying it. If that doesn't work, I'll look for a more elaborate fix. This should do for now.
The engine compartment received some love over the weekend. It had been a year since its last detail, but it wasn't too bad. Entire process took a half hour. Came out great. I did a video last year that demonstrates the process I use in the engine bay. I actually used my Tornador air foam gun with a mixture of Griot's Garage Engine Cleaner and water (1:20) and it made a nice frothy cleaning foam. It was a quick and easy way to ensure the cleaner found its way to every nook and cranny. Sorry, I didn't get a photo of that, but these photos do a good job of showcasing the before, during, and after phase of the process.
Spring has sprung, so it was time to take off the winter wheels and install my shoulder season setup. Here's some photos of the event. I am still putting the finishing touches on the winters before I sock them away. If you haven't had the chance to see what is involved with detailing my winter wheels prior to storage, you can see the process here. I have to go now. I have a lot of rocks to pick out of the treads.
I wouldn't call it a full detail, but the SQ5 got a pretty decent wash this afternoon. I really got under the car with my new Kobalt pressure washer as well as the wheel wells. The driveway was awash with dirt afterwards. Once the dirt was off, I backed her up into the theatre to have at her. Here's a finish shot.
My son recently eclipsed the 40-lb mark so we could move up to a booster seat. Not having to clip and tighten that harness each and every time he hops in the seat is awesome. We went with the "Monterey" by Diono which we have heard really good things about. I also bought their seat protector pad to safeguard the leather. Here are a few photos to demonstrate what it looks like in the back of the SQ5. So far, my son is absolutely loving it.
Some people are savvy negotiators. Some are not. I have never considered myself a shrewd negotiator. In fact, I have often joked to friends that my middle name is "Full Price". Recently, a forum member at Audi World asked for some advice regarding negotiating the purchase of a new car. Audi World member "plat27265" was first to respond and his advice was awesome. I asked his permission to share his response here on my blog, and he was cool with it. So, here's what he had to say about negotiating with a dealer on a new car. Brilliant stuff. Click here to connect with the actual thread at www.audiworld.com
I ordered some Husky liners because I was frustrated with my WeatherTech mats. The mounting point on the WT's was allowing water to seep through which was leaving my carpets stained. These new Husky liners are one piece so, as long as the tray doesn't fill so much it floods, it should prevent water from staining my carpet. Instead of mounts, they use sharp spikes to anchor themselves in place. After a few months, I'll share my impressions. I'll keep the WeatherTechs and perhaps use them in the summer. Until then, here's some photos.
Here's a set of photos that illustrate the process I have developed to quickly clean my disgustingly dirty floor mats. The process begins with a mist of water followed by a coat of Griot's Garage Rubber Cleaner. I have some WeatherTech cleaner, but I opted for the GG today. With a 1.25" RaceGlaze brush, I cleaned out all the grooves in the mat and let them sit under the infrared to dry. With my wide blue bucket underneath, it's a clean and painless process that takes about 5 minutes. I may be forced to live with a filthy exterior most winter days, but I'll be darned if I'm going to subject myself to a dirty interior. Been down with the flu for the past week, but found the energy today to perform the swap from my Fall/Spring setup to the Blizzaks! No snow here , yet. When it does come, I will be ready. The Blizzak LM-60's are, by far, the best winter tires I have ever owned, and I've owned a few. The entire swap took about an hour.
With the arrival of my Spring/Fall wheel setup, it was time to prepare my stock 21" wheels for storage for the coming winter. I love these wheels, but I don't know what do with regard to wrapping them with rubber. The Pirellis are already looking spent, and I don't want to shell out 2 large for another set. I am hoping someone out there releases a 255/40R21 performance all-season at some point.
The job was a long one. I picked up some tar on the highway a few weeks ago, so it took me about an hour per wheel to rid each one of that nasty stuff. I washed the wheels, decontaminated the with Iron-X, polished with Menzerna's FG400, and sealed with GTechniq's C5 Wheel Armour coating. I bagged them with Audi tire totes, now I just need someone to help me hoist them into position on the wall rack. |
RAD GARAGE is my personal detailing theatre. I am a teacher who finds immense pleasure in completing deeply therapeutic, thorough and highly satisfying detailing projects in my residential garage. I have converted my suburban double car garage into a world class detailing environment and I enjoy caring for my own car and select cars belonging to others. The garage and the work I complete in it have allowed me to connect with other detailing enthusiasts from around the world.
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Carzilla is a local detailing store that caters to the North American community of professional and enthusiast detailers. I have been a longtime customer and I am fortunate to call the owner a friend. Besides stocking a vast quantity of top quality detailing products, the owner has supported various garage and detailing projects of mine over the years.
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