Hi Guys,

I own a 2003 Golf and the paint is a bit swirly and I need some advice on what to buy to correct it.
I've had a look at your site but was a bit blown away by all the options ! I do wash my car regularly but dont wax it often TBH.
I don't want gold standard kit or wax, I just wondered what you advice would be for someone with a modest to reasonable budget looking to correct poor washing.

Thanks in advance

 

You have a car which has one of the hardest paints around, the VAG paint.
Whilst this is good news for thickness etc, it also means it is generally one of the toughest paints to correct.
Saying that, if the car has been through many dodgy car washes, then it will be swirl city on the bodywork.

Based on a limited budget, you can achieve a decent correction by hand, followed by a better hand washing routine afterwards. This will help maintain the swirlfree finish once you have done the correction.

If you have a look at the Polished Bliss hand polishing guides you will get a rough idea on how to do it and what to use/buy.

https://www.scoobynet.com/car-care-3...d-machine.html

The reason I mention the hand method is because you obviously dont have the budget for investing in a Polishing Machine like a PC or Meguiars DA, which is fine. So rough cost ?

Menz Intensive Polish £13
German Applicator Pad £4
Microfibre towel £3
Elbow grease (lots of) £free

Then for a good washing routine, you can pick up some good quality car shampoo from Halfords like Meguiars Gold Glass Shampoo, 2 clear buckets from Homebase, a decent lambswool washmitt and you are sorted

Total cost about £35

Then follow either the Polished Bliss guides
Car Care Advice - How to wash and dry your car safely and effectively

or try one of my new guides
Polished Swiss Cleaning Guides

That should get you started

 

all i'd add to that is after polishing use something like poorboys black hole. this is a glaze and will help minimise the appearance of any left over swirls and rds.

vag paint is a nightmare to correct by hand. good luck

 

Cheers Tony and mneame, I will follow your advice,

Thanks again

 

The Poorboys Black hole is a great product, as it is a superb 'filler' so to speak. Useful when you cant machine polish, as it essentially fills in the hazes and swirls and leaves a much better 'finished' look to the paintwork.

 

Cheers Chris and Matt, can't add anything more to the above - great advice!