I am not one to go too mad with this as I don't have the time or the patience but there are some minor surface scratches and swirls in the Golf's paintwork. The car is dark blue so it shows up more than light colours and frankly I can't afford the prices offered by the Pro's with their machine polishing skills etc.

I've done some digging online though and it seems that Autoglym super resin polish is the key to defeating swirls and then follow it up with Autoglym HD wax. For those who know their stuff with detailing etc, how long after completing the super resin polish would I need to leave it before applying the HD wax?

Much more affordable than paying someone to do it I might add LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

the Super Resin Polish is a polish that leaves fillers in the defects to mask them, so sooner they are locked in by a wax/sealant the better Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I'll apply wax as soon as the resin polish has been buffed up nicely. Won't be this weekend though, too cold and wet from looking at the forecast  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I'd get some Sonax brilliant shine detail spray as a top up for your wax , this really is a fantastic product and is available from Eurocarparts for a very good price . I wouldn't be without it .

Mark 2009 FL2 TD4 SE (Sadly gone)
2007 FL2 TD4 GS (The wifes , gone after 8 great years)
2012 FL2 SD4 SPORT LE(Gone and missing it)
2015 DISCOVERY SPORT 2.2SD4 HSE (Now gone)
2014 Ford Bmax 1.0 ecoboost ( Gone but what next )
2014 Ford Focus 2.0tdci Zetec S (Gone,but what a car)
2020 Ford Fiesta ActiveX 1.0 Ecoboost
2024 Skoda Kodiaq 1.5 Tsi SEL

Ideally use a paint renovator first as that will help get some of the swirls out rather than just filling them. (Past) Freelander 2 HSE 2010 MY In Rimini Red.
(Past) RR Evoque Dynamic Lux Si4 In Firenze Red.
(Past) RR Evouque Pure Tech in Barollo Black with bespoke Firenze Red colour coding.
(Present) Freelander Metropolis 2015 MY In Santorini Black with Ivory Premium Leather.

So would it be paint renovator, followed pretty much straight away by resin polish then wax? Or does there need to be a more significant period between applications of the products? LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

paint renovator is just a harsher polish, with more cut, to remove defects in the paint, by hand its hard work either way

imo SRP does a good job on its own, for a by hand job, using the correct polishing pads, not some old rag :thumbs:

or look a poorboy black hole, does same as SRP but some say easier to use  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

I can get the Autoglym SRP complete with a proper pad and finishing cloth. Same for the HD wax  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Right, I'm armed and ready for washing the car tomorrow (2 bucket method). It is going to be cloudy but dry which is ideal for polishing and waxing and although it will rain early next week , I'll just wash it again when it dries up I got lazy with my last car and just kept paying £5 for the local Polish car wash - Free swirls with every wash

From Meguiars, I have a lambswool wash mitt. The rest of the gear is Autoglym: Bodywork shampoo conditioner; Clean wheels spray; Instant tyre dressing spray; Hi-tech microfibre drying towel; Super resin polish (with pads and cloth); HD Wax (with pads and cloth).

There aren't any major scratches, just typical swirls and nothing overly drastic at that. I think the above will do nicely for a few months before another application. Before and after shots will be had me thinks...



P.S, we recently purchased a new Karcher pressure washer too. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

if you don't want to use a mop or kestrel orbital das 6 polisher (which is perfect for swirl removal and no skills required) use meguires swirl remover polish on a microfiber cloth and use plenty of elbow grease followed by poorboys black hole polish (excellent for dark cars and has special fillers) - FL2 3.2 i6 - There is no Replacement for Displacement

If my wife ever sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it, there will be some bargains out there!

Surprise surprise! The useless bloody weather forecasters have cocked up and it's raining as I'm trying to dry the car

They could not get the forecast right if their lives depended on it  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

That's 'cos you are on Gallifrey - it's dry here  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

You are just safe in Nottingham. Just checked netweathers live radar and we are getting the outside edge of a band of rain moving south east. If it clears soon, I can start polishing as its only very light rain so the car will be dry quickly. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Well pleased with the results The deeper scratches that do exist will need a pro with a machine polisher and some paint me thinks! The super resin polish and HD wax has certainly improved matters though and the photos don't do it justice. Really good for an 8 year old car.

Before:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/142163784@N02/shares/M672Hn

After:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/142163784@N02/shares/9564KT LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Looking good Doc!  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)