Spent Saturday afternoon (5pm - 12am) and Sunday (8am-7pm) detailing a black 2001 S8 for a fellow AWer. It had the usual swirling and marring that is associated with dark colored cars. It also had buffer wheel marks from the previous detailer. Not sure if the wrong pads were used but you could see them clearly.

So I started with the engine bay, cleaned and then dressed with 303 (dressed after 2nd wash). Then cleaned the wheels and wheel wells and dressed both (after 2nd wash). The onto the car gave it a wash and rinse and a dry. Then clayed and washed again and a final dry.

By the time I was done with all that it was dark, moved it into the garage to start on the interior. Vaccumed and shampooed all carpet and mats including trunk (which was a mess). Then cleaned the alcantara on the door cards. Look at the clock its midnight and feel like I just spent forever on the carpets (tons of crumbs and what have you in the front between both seats and console). Drink a beer and called it a night.

Wake up and start once again (8am). Back to the interior.

Clean and shampoo all leather. All plastic/vinyl was cleaned and dressed with 303 and wiped dry. Clean inside windows with invisible glass. Polish all chrome trim and mirrors with proper product and remove.

Lunch time. Take break and drink some more beers.

Exterior now. Sprayed with Adams detail spray and wiped dry. Clean all jambs (door, trunk and engine). Flex time. Started with 1z paint cleaner and orange pad and removed. Paint is now looking better. But not complete. Move on to the 1z polish with a white polishing pad and remove with micro fiber. Now the paint is looking great. Needs some wax. Pull out the 1z glanz and a black pad and again remove and admire the shine. Gave it a second coat of the glanz and removed.

Softer than soft at this point. Dressed plastic molding on lower valence with 303. Look at the clock and its about time for the customer to come a take delivery of his showroom like S8. Do a final wipe down with the Adams and attempted to take some after pictures. Spent some time on this one and customer loved it. He was like a little kid on Christmas seeing the car, made me happy.

All buffer wheel marks were removed along with the swirling and marring. I need to download the before and afters pictures tonight and I will post them tonight hopefully for those interested. Hope you enjoyed reading my step by step / play by play. I'm sure I left out some things.

Here is an after shot the owner took this morning and posted.


and an engine bay picture he posted.


Now my photos. Warning I apologize image sensor has dust and needs a cleaning. My exterior arent that great since it was night and in the garage.

Hood before.


Hood reflection after.


Another hood shot.


Drivers rear door before.


Scratch on drivers rear fender before.


Swirling on rear quarter before.


Shot from rear after.


Big scuff on drivers rear bumper before.


Scuff is still present after.


Drivers rear wheel and wheel well before.


Drivers front wheel and well after.


Drivers front well before.


Drivers front after.



close up before.


close up after.


Passenger side after.


Trunk Lid after.


Engine bay after. Sorry I guess I didnt snap any before shots.


Roof after.


Passenger side from front after.


From Passenger after.


Passenger front door card after.


Wish I was able to provide better after results but I was limited but you get the idea. Thanks for all the great comments. Much appreciated. Enjoy.

2000 S4 Silver with Onyx/Silver Alcantara
1998 A6 2.8 with mileage