Audi A3 SportBack with Optimum Gloss-Coat

Discussion in 'Show and Shine' started by EbbeJ, Oct 14, 2014.

  1. EbbeJ

    EbbeJ Jedi Nuba

    Hi Guys and Gals,


    Time for a little write-up.

    After seeing that Optimum updated their coating line, I wanted to try Gloss-Coat to see what it's like to use and maintain over a longer period of time. I'll be maintaining the A3 for around a year from now on, so I won't be able to see it through, but I should be able to get a clue if it's a worthy update of OC2.0.

    The car is a daily driver, which explains the rather large amount of dirt build-up on it. But as it has been washed carefully through the most of it's life, there was close to no wash marring. Please bear in mind that the car had never been polished before. Just regular washing done by me, and a spray on product or quick detailer here and there.



    General condition at arrival:

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    Wash:

    I began by washing wheels and wells, using Sonax Felgenreiniger PLUS and SX MultiStar and various brushes:


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    Diverse børster blev derudover brugt til at gøre hhv. fælge, dæksider og skærmkasser rene:
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    Efterfulgt af en grundig afskylning til sidst:
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    The product setup for washing the exterior of the car. SX Multistar through a Gloria CleanMaster CM12 pump-sprayer for pre-washing, and Sonax Gloss Shampoo for hand washing.
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    Rinsing the car down, before soaking it in Sonax MultiStar:
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    Handwash:
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    Removing tar:
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    And iron deposits:
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    After this, the car was rinsed again and a clay-towel was used for removing the rest of the accumulation on the paint:

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    After last rinse and dry:

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    After decontamination:

    Paint was in really good condition - except the piano black super-soft trim and a few other spots. The trim was swirled up by the dealership when the car was new.

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    Piano-black trim a bit worn:

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    Covering up the car:

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    Paint correction and polishing:

    After giving Sonax EX a go on the hood, we settle for this as the go-to product. My buddy began polishing while I had other things to take care of:
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    Nasty bird etching on the hood:

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    The area was wet sanded via the Rupes mini and Mirka Abralon (2k and 3k). After this compounded with Sonax CutMax on a Rupes MF pad:


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    After this, I began using Sonax EX as well on the rest of the car:

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    Rear lights polished:

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    Piano-black trim of doom:
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    Getting handy around the badges:
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    Not so bad - a bit of flake pop:

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    After the paint was corrected, it was wiped down with a silicone remover in order to remove anything left behind.

    Coating the paint, and some finished shots:

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    Kind regards,

    Ebbe
     
  2. detailersdomain

    detailersdomain Administrator

    that looks great thanks for sharing.
     
    EbbeJ likes this.
  3. AndyThomason

    AndyThomason Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    Amazing write up.
     
    EbbeJ likes this.
  4. Socal Brian

    Socal Brian DB Forum Supporter

    Great job Ebbe
     
    EbbeJ likes this.
  5. EbbeJ

    EbbeJ Jedi Nuba

    Thanks guys! Gloss-Coat is way slicker than regular OC. When it comes to looks, I think it darkens the finish a bit and makes it look glossier. Water repellency isn't the same as OC2.0 though.


    Kind regards,

    Ebbe
     
  6. Chas

    Chas DB Forum Supporter

    Awesome write-up, thoroughly enjoyed it, and amazing work!
     
    EbbeJ likes this.
  7. EbbeJ

    EbbeJ Jedi Nuba

    Thanks Chas :)
     
  8. kyle butler

    kyle butler Birth of a Detailer

    nice work! love your wash bay as well!
     
  9. rwisejr

    rwisejr DB Forum Supporter

    Great job looks amazing !!!
     
  10. Nice write up, and good work. How was Gloss-Coat to work with vs. Opti-Coat?
     
  11. EbbeJ

    EbbeJ Jedi Nuba

    Thanks, It's not mine but either way an awesome work space!

    Thank you!

    Thanks, well - my initial thoughts were that it's slicker and runnier to apply. I actually liked the thicker nature of regular OC/OC2.0. And you still need to buff high spots.


    Kind regards,

    Ebbe
     
    Reflective_Properties likes this.
  12. Ali604

    Ali604 New Member

    WOW! Great Work.
     
    EbbeJ likes this.
  13. tigerwash

    tigerwash New Member

    You made that car look fresh! Great Work.
     
    EbbeJ likes this.
  14. GDAL

    GDAL Super Moderator

    Great work ... You mentioned that water repellency isn't the same as 2.0. Could you please elaborate on that? Thanks in advance.
     
    EbbeJ likes this.
  15. Auto Concierge

    Auto Concierge DB Pro Supporter

    Well done......................
     
    EbbeJ likes this.
  16. rogerp3380

    rogerp3380 New Member

    Very Nice
     
  17. tdekany

    tdekany Wax on..Wax off

    Great write up, excellent work and very nice photography.
     

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