Audi A5 detailing in Houston

What we watch for

Paint and interior on the A5

Paint and exterior

The long doors and low roof make the A5 a big canvas for swirls, and the sharp shoulder line along each side is where polish residue builds up if it is not wiped carefully. RS 5s in Nardo Gray often wear PPF on the nose.

Interior

Coupe and Sportback rear seats are low and tight, and the front seats slide forward for access, which shows how much dirt collects on the rails. S5 seats often have diamond stitching and perforation that traps dust and needs a soft brush.

Living in Houston

A5 cabriolets get real use in Houston's mild months. In July the fabric top bakes and dust settles into the weave, so it is cleaned and protected rather than pressure-washed. Coupes are often weekend cars kept in garages in Cypress and Fulshear.

• Hard clear coat: swirls take more cutting to remove, so correction is slower, but a corrected finish holds up well afterwards.
• Black and dark colors are common: they show swirls, water spots and pollen film first, and benefit most from a coating.
• Fabric convertible top: cleaned with a top-specific cleaner and protected, with no pressure washer on the seams.