Maintaining Nardo Gray Paint

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Hey guys (and gals),

This topic is rather "unimportant" but I thought a few of you may have strong opinions and advice based on experience with Nardo Gray.

Background

I've driven mostly white, silver and black cars since I was a kid. My experience, even when I worked at a detail shop some 20+ years ago, is that black looks the best immediately after a complete detail when swirl marks and carwash marks are removed and/or hidden, which doesn't last long. With white and silver, carwash and swirl marks are almost undetectable in sunlight. And, as a result, I've been willing to run my last car through a carwash -- with brushes -- every couple weeks through the winter and even sometimes in the summer when I'm pressed for time.


Questions

Do I have to treat Nardo Gray like I would a dark blue, gray or black car such that it does not show carwash marks?

How about swirl marks from light machine buffing; will they show-up obviously in sun light as they would on a dark car?

I don't expect this one to be as easily maintained as white or silver and I have only run it through touchless wash over the past couple weeks of ownership, but would like to take it to a more complete carwash that uses brushes if I'm not going to run into the carwash scratch/swirl mark problems seen on really dark cars.

Those of you who own this color or have worked on it, please chime in when you have time.

Thanks so much!

[p3u]

While I don't own a Nardo vehicle you should never see swirl marks from a light buffing when done by proper hands with any color.

Also, avoid the brush wash like the plague. This is what ruins paint faster than any thing. Every one of those bristles touches so many filthy cars and is acting like sand paper when running over your vehicle.

I know it may not be realistic for everyone to hand wash if you have time constraints, but it's better to let your car stay "dirty" slightly longer and have it properly cleaned (quality vs. frequency).

[tommy2112]

Awesome color my friend, I do have Nardo, first have to say it does hide the dirt well. Of course nothing hides all the winter crud. Haha. My car has never seen the inside of a car wash, guaranteed to mess up your finish. I have the whole front end wrapped and the entire car is coated w C-quartz, IMO makes cleaning so much easier. Not sure if you have the luxury of washing your car at home, but if the temperature is above 34 I'm washing. Two buckets and big rubber gloves up to my shoulders, My neighbors think I'm nuts. Lol. Sometimes for light dust I'll hit w the foam gun, rinse it and leaf blower to dry. Also have done the Optimum rinseless wash when not to dirty.
Definitely agree with previous post, better to leave dirty until time allows for washing.
Good luck and enjoy.

[OlyS6]

If you MUST use a carwash, find a touchless one that does not have wheel guides. Won't leave any scratches, and will allow you to do the finer detailing at home if water or potential water supply contamination is a constraint. Get a random action orbital buffer, whether Rupee or Griot's garage, and good deep microfiber cloths for detailing. You won't leave any scratches or swirls if done correctly. I have a black car and live on the end of a 1/4 mile dirt road, so this has become a bit of an obsession.

[Ze_Nardo6]

TOUCHLESS CAR WASH OR NONE AT ALL...come on now..

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

TOUCHLESS CAR WASH OR NONE AT ALL...come on now..

Thanks for all the comments guys!!

I do have access to a touchless without wheel guides, but it’s only mediocre as compared to had wash or the full-on soft brush wash nearby. That was OK for my 2008 335xi in silver metallic, but I’ll keep Nardo away from the brushes..

I do have PC orbital and a slew of polishes and sealants. I gotta beef-up my arsenal now that I have new paint!

I’ll look into the Ceramic Coating mentioned above. Perhaps that and a weekly touchless during winter will suffice. Washing in my driveway during winter happens RARELY... just too cold here.


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[Safelder]

I've got a Nardo RS7, and the only car wash I'll put it in is the high-pressure wash--and then, only to wash off road salt and related grime (I really wish they'd stop treating roads with sand in the winter). If possible, I wait until a mild (non-freezing) day and hose it down in my driveway.

I'm fortunate that I've got a garage in which I can do a no-rinse wash, as long as there's no accumulated grime.

I've got the whole front end, mirrors, A-pillars, roof ahead of sunroof, full-length side skirts up to the tornado line, behind the rear wheel well, and luggage area covered in XPEL ultimate. That cost me about $2300. It's already proved worthwhile, though, because in cleaning it up this weekend, I noticed a gouge in the wrap on top of the hood. It won't self-heal -- it actually took a chunk out of the vinyl -- but it least it wasn't my paint.

I also noticed what looks like a few small chips from a stone that got kicked up along the rear driver's door--it's not a continuous scratch and there's no associated ding, so I doubt it's someone careless with a door. It also seems too low for that--it's just above the tornado line (and thus just above my XPEL). I'm debating whether to fix it with a Dr. Colorchip kit or not. It's my daily driver, so stuff like this is going to happen, I guess.

I did my own ceramic coating. I can't remember the name of the product I used, but I'm happy to look it up and follow up if you'd like. It does a great job of beading and sheeting, making cleaning easy (save for accumulated winter road grime). But, because it was nowhere near as easy to apply as advertised, when it wears off (18-24 months, according to advertisement), I'll probably do a professional ceramic coat.

I've had a series of dark blue, dark grey, and black Audis before this one, and this is my favorite color of them all. I've gotten a number of "coolest color ever" or "does that car drive as good as it looks" comments.

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Awesome color my friend, I do have Nardo, first have to say it does hide the dirt well. Of course nothing hides all the winter crud. Haha. My car has never seen the inside of a car wash, guaranteed to mess up your finish. I have the whole front end wrapped and the entire car is coated w C-quartz, IMO makes cleaning so much easier. Not sure if you have the luxury of washing your car at home, but if the temperature is above 34 I'm washing. Two buckets and big rubber gloves up to my shoulders, My neighbors think I'm nuts. Lol. Sometimes for light dust I'll hit w the foam gun, rinse it and leaf blower to dry. Also have done the Optimum rinseless wash when not to dirty.
Definitely agree with previous post, better to leave dirty until time allows for washing.
Good luck and enjoy.

Hey tommy2112, when you say “foam gun”, is that a power washer, something that hooks to or normal hose or something else???

Now that I’m obsessed with taking care of new paint again, I’m looking for good strategies!

My wife has an ink blue Q7, which is a bear to keep perfectly maintained and I’ve already given up. With bad or cold weather, she takes it to our local car wash - good guys - and it’s OK. My car, however, will be kept in great shape for much longer because I’m crazy obsessed....



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[tommy2112]

Hey tommy2112, when you say “foam gun”, is that a power washer, something that hooks to or normal hose or something else???

Now that I’m obsessed with taking care of new paint again, I’m looking for good strategies!

My wife has an ink blue Q7, which is a bear to keep perfectly maintained and I’ve already given up. With bad or cold weather, she takes it to our local car wash - good guys - and it’s OK. My car, however, will be kept in great shape for much longer because I’m crazy obsessed....



Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

It's the one that attaches to a hose. I get confused think it's called a "foam cannon". I believe the pressure washer provides better results but this one works pretty good. I just don't have room to store another toy. If you decide to do a professional ceramic coating you definitely should stay away from car washes. Also if you go to the dealership for service don't let them wash it, all they do is run it through a car wash.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000Y...ds=foam+cannon

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Thanks for the comments and link!




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[Speedooooo]

So, I don't have the time to hand wash a car, and especially don't want to do it during winter. I currently have a black Q5, and am considering a Nardo gray. I run my black Q5 through brush car washes. There is a lot of construction in our area right now, and winter is coming. I have marks on my black paint, it has some scratches, but it doesn't look that bad to me. Is a Nardo gray worse, similar, or better? I was sort off set on white because of this issue but saw a great Nardo gray.

[Ze_Nardo6]

So, I don't have the time to hand wash a car, and especially don't want to do it during winter. I currently have a black Q5, and am considering a Nardo gray. I run my black Q5 through brush car washes. There is a lot of construction in our area right now, and winter is coming. I have marks on my black paint, it has some scratches, but it doesn't look that bad to me. Is a Nardo gray worse, similar, or better? I was sort off set on white because of this issue but saw a great Nardo gray.

Black will always be the color that shows imperfections most. My last 2 cars were black, never again

[15 Phantom S6]

I run my black Q5 through brush car washes. There is a lot of construction in our area right now, and winter is coming. I have marks on my black paint, it has some scratches, but it doesn't look that bad to me. Is a Nardo gray worse, similar, or better? I was sort off set on white because of this issue but saw a great Nardo gray.

Always hurts me when I read stuff like that, but I guess it's the reality for alot of folks.. I haven't put a car through a rape wash in many years as I'm too anal about swirl marks to do such a thing.. I suuped up my garage and added heat/AC so I can wash my cars at home myself when its too hot/cold or raining outside..

What about using touch-less car washes instead of the ones with brushes? I think you are on the right track to go with a white car which hides alot...

[Speedooooo]

Any regrets getting Nardo? My previous car, and current car are both black, and I'm with you... Never again!

I have two kids who are both very young so I don't have much free time. I used to be like why are parents' cars so dirty and why do they not workout!? I know now lol. We have a touch-less car wash right close by, but it doesn't not work well.

[Mordgier]

Ceramic coat your cars people.

It takes a few hours to DIY and helps keep the car clean for years.

[FourRings115]

Last three Audi’s were dark blue, black, and black.
Nothing can be worse than a black car. So enjoy your Nardo. It’s only a car. It’s a depreciating appliance. I would rather run my car through a car wash than get road grime on my hands/clothes, and leave winter salt on the entire car. Not much choice for me living in a city and no garage.

[Dirt]

I love having a clean car, but it takes me 3-4 hours to hand wash (including wheels/barrels, door jambs, etc). There’s no shade, so I use 2 EZ Up tents. I’m in FL, so it’s also ridiculously hot and humid.

Did I mention I live in FL? In addition to feeling like I climbed into a clothes dryer half way through the cycle for several hours, it’s also pretty much guaranteed to rain that afternoon. And the next afternoon.

That time and effort is usually wasted within 24 hours. And I stopped enjoying washing my car.

So I take my car through a rape wash (brand new, state-of-the-art, no tracks) and every 6-12 months I go to my detailer for some of his magic.

[JWebb_C7_Comp]

Any regrets getting Nardo? My previous car, and current car are both black, and I'm with you... Never again!

I have two kids who are both very young so I don't have much free time. I used to be like why are parents' cars so dirty and why do they not workout!? I know now lol. We have a touch-less car wash right close by, but it doesn't not work well.

NO REGRETS with NARDO whatsoever. I have not taken it through a brush type was, but I believe the dealer has a "soft cloth" wash and I let them wash it twice over the past 10 months of ownership. My swirl marks are very, very, very minor and I HAVE NOT done anything to the paint other than an extremely light polish/sealant combo and, on other occasions, straight-up sealant. The car is exceptionally unique, in my opinion, and I get compliments nearly every week. Contrasting the black optics against NARDO and black interior with red diamond stitching is pretty cool. FWIW, I have gloss black OZ Racing Ultraleggera for winter and those look pretty good against the NARDO.

Comparing NARDO to my wife's "Ink Blue" Q7 is like night and day in terms of maintenance. Mine is EASY and hers is nearly as tough as black.

Hope that helps.

[Speedooooo]

Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like it's a lot better than black, which is what I was looking for. I'm glad some of you are just like me, where we just want to run it through a car wash, and not worry about the fine paint details. Now if the recall stuff went away it would be great. I'm wondering if I should purchase while the recall/stop sale is still pending.

[gta7]

NO REGRETS with NARDO whatsoever. I have not taken it through a brush type was, but I believe the dealer has a "soft cloth" wash and I let them wash it twice over the past 10 months of ownership. My swirl marks are very, very, very minor and I HAVE NOT done anything to the paint other than an extremely light polish/sealant combo and, on other occasions, straight-up sealant. The car is exceptionally unique, in my opinion, and I get compliments nearly every week. Contrasting the black optics against NARDO and black interior with red diamond stitching is pretty cool. FWIW, I have gloss black OZ Racing Ultraleggera for winter and those look pretty good against the NARDO.

Comparing NARDO to my wife's "Ink Blue" Q7 is like night and day in terms of maintenance. Mine is EASY and hers is nearly as tough as black.

Hope that helps.

We have a lot in common.

I love my Nardo RS7 and get compliments on the color all the time. I find it very easy to maintain as well.

My wife also owns an ink blue Q7 and I agree it’s a pain to keep clean.