Audi A8 detailing in Houston

What we watch for

Paint and interior on the A8

Paint and exterior

The aluminum body is a broad, flat expanse on the hood and roof, so dark A8s show sun-baked water spots and wash swirls plainly. Chrome around the windows and grille spots easily, and the long doors make the jambs a big part of the job.

Interior

Fine Nappa or Valcona leather, wood veneers and soft carpets are standard, and light interiors are common. Some cars have reclining rear seats with massage and a footrest, plus rear controls of their own, so the back seat takes as long as the front.

Living in Houston

Shuttled between River Oaks, downtown and Bush or Hobby airport, an A8 picks up brake dust and freeway tar fast. The passenger notices the cabin first, so the rear seat matters most.

• Hard clear coat: swirls take more cutting to remove, so correction is slower, but a corrected finish holds up well afterwards.
• Nappa or fine-grain leather: cleaned with a pH-balanced leather cleaner and a soft brush, then a non-greasy conditioner.
• Light-colored seats are popular: denim dye transfer and sunscreen stains are cleaned early, before they set in the heat.
• Lots of chrome: Houston hard water etches it, so it is dried fully, polished where needed and sealed.