The original Audi TT was a target for jibes about its somewhat dainty curves – a car for hairdressers being the main epithet. Get behind the wheel of a TT though, and your opinion would change within a couple of corners, for the TT Quattro was both quick, and truly planted through even the tightest of fast bends.
The TT name is taken, somewhat strangely, from the world-famous Isle of Man TT – an event for motorbike racing, but given its grip and poise through the twisties, it is perhaps well-deserved.
The latest Audi TT is styled in line with their range – tight, muscular bodywork in a now-distinctly Germanic design. If the Audi TT still seems like it’s still a slightly feminine, then it’s at least a bodybuilding, steroid-pumped version you wouldn’t want to mess with.
Our customer bought in their newly-purchasedex-demonstrator, an Audi TT Roaster Quattro Black Edition with just 60 miles on the clock. Yes, we know it’s red, but the Black Edition offers theMisano Red Pearl Effect colour, unique to S-line and Black Edition models. This alsocompromises of titanium-look alloys, radiator grille and frame in polished black, plus tinted rear windows on the Coupé.
Red and black has always been a good combination, and we were going to make this particular version look even better, with aNew Car Protection Treatment.
The TT Roadster was already covered in heavy swirls – the results of poor washing techniques. Sticky tree sap also showed evidence of the TT being left outside for a period, so there was plenty to do, regardless of the car being nearly new.
Although the wheels weren’t too bad, there were already sign of brake dust getting ingrained, so we broke out two products that clean safely and deeply; Valet Pro Bilberry Wheel Cleaner, andBilt-Hamber Korrosol Fallout Remover.
ThebiodegradableBilt Hamber Surfex HDwas then used to degrease the gaps and doors shuts, to ensure no grime was missed.
Time for a thoroughly enjoyable part of the detail process – snow foaming. For this, we used the award winning high-foamingUltimate Snow Foam, which breaks down and loosens dirt, making removal of it far easier than a tradition straightforward wash – meaning less chance of further damage to the paint surface too.
After a quick rinse, we then usedto get rid of any road grime, made quick work of removing that sticky treesap too. All done, we gave the car a shampoo withValet Pro Concentrated Car Shampoo, before rinsing the car with water filtered through the excellentAqua Gleam De-ionising Water Filter, eliminating any chance of watermarks or streaking – a result of minerals being present in normal tap water. Drying was done with a softGtechniq Zero Scratch Microfibre Drying Towel.
Being a Roadster, the fabric roof was in need of protection. While a convertible soft-top will obviously not leak from lack of protection, there are a couple of factors to remember; UV rays, industrial and environmental fallout, plus extremities in weather conditions all go towards damaging a fabric roof, considerably shortening its lifespan.
For combating the above reasons, plus the fact it gives awesome water beading qualities, we applied the brilliant German designed and manufactured Nanolex PREMIUM Textile Sealant for Convertible Tops.
It was now time to decontaminate the paintwork, and for this a medium-gradeBilt-Hamber Auto-Claybar was put into action, removing the ingrained grime quickly and efficiently.
The next stage was to bring that wonderful red paintwork back to better-than-new, and that meant machine-polishing stages. As usual, we used the reliableFLEX PE14-2 150 Rotary Machine Polisher, along with the swirl and hologram-killingSCHOLL Concepts S40 Anti Swirl-Compound Black. Although this is usually reserved for darker-coloured cars, it also gives a superb lustre and depth to colours like theMisano Red Pearl Effect.
Machine polishing stages done, we gave the TT a wipe down withGtechniq Panel Wipe Slow Evaporation Residue Remover, to get rid of any traces of the polishing compound, ready for the sealant stage.
Again, we went with the sublime, for its ability to not only protect paintwork for many months against fallout and UV rays, but also the fact it hassuperlative water sheeting and beading ability.
Glass cleansing and protection is just as important as any other surface, if not more, in our opinion. Keeping vision as clear as possible is paramount, especially in a car with the performance of the TT Roadster, so we firstly cleansed the glass thoroughly using Nanolex PREMIUM Glass Polish, before applying a layer ofNanolex ULTRA Glass Sealant. Now, the heavier the rain falls, the less need for windscreen wipers there is!
To not only give the tyre walls protection, and of course a great look, we went with the classySwissvax Pneufor the satin sheen finish it leaves. Finally, any exterior chrome and metal – such as the exhaust tips and Audi badges – was cleaned withGtechniq M1 All Metal Polish, giving them a high, new-look shine.
Overall, this Audi TT Roadster Quattro Black Edition now looks better than new, and ready for the harsh winter weather that lay ahead.
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