I`m not on here often, but I got a LOT of help from this forum a couple years ago when I had a 2013 VW GTI and was not seeing the results I wanted. DaveT435 (if he`s still around) was extremely helpful, and with his suggestions, and a few others, I found some products way better than the Meguiars M205 I was using. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread: https://www.autopia.org/forums/car-...ams-despite-careful-washing-frustrated-6.html
Since then, that GTI was totalled out TWICE in a year and I had to cut my losses, so in January I picked up this 2011 Audi A3 TDI. I wish I had some "before" pictures, but at 9 years old, 90k miles and 2 previous owners, the paint on this car was really a mess. Once the "glaze" that the dealer put on wore off, I was treated to some really deep swirls, RIDS, dull paint, and cloudy, splotchy oxidation everywhere. I told myself I would accept that this car will never be "perfect" and gave myself two days to take care of things. Pretty happy with how things turned out: ONR wash, clay, compound with Menzerna M400 LC flat grey pads and PC 7424XP on 6, then finish with Sonax EX04-06 with LC flat orange pads on 4-5, panel wipe, check with an LED light, then two coats of GTechniq CSL.
When I had the GTI I applied GTech Exo and I had some high spots, but with the CSL it looks more evenly applied. Not sure if my application/removal was better or if CSL is easier to work with. Im not sure if a rotary or a more powerful DA polisher would help with the remaining defects, as I`d like to eventually learn how to do more difficult paint correction. I feel like there has to be a better DA to step up to after using the PC for a few years.
Some examples of the defects I couldn`t totally correct:
More pics if anyone is interested: https://imgur.com/a/wJy7hzr
Since then, that GTI was totalled out TWICE in a year and I had to cut my losses, so in January I picked up this 2011 Audi A3 TDI. I wish I had some "before" pictures, but at 9 years old, 90k miles and 2 previous owners, the paint on this car was really a mess. Once the "glaze" that the dealer put on wore off, I was treated to some really deep swirls, RIDS, dull paint, and cloudy, splotchy oxidation everywhere. I told myself I would accept that this car will never be "perfect" and gave myself two days to take care of things. Pretty happy with how things turned out: ONR wash, clay, compound with Menzerna M400 LC flat grey pads and PC 7424XP on 6, then finish with Sonax EX04-06 with LC flat orange pads on 4-5, panel wipe, check with an LED light, then two coats of GTechniq CSL.
When I had the GTI I applied GTech Exo and I had some high spots, but with the CSL it looks more evenly applied. Not sure if my application/removal was better or if CSL is easier to work with. Im not sure if a rotary or a more powerful DA polisher would help with the remaining defects, as I`d like to eventually learn how to do more difficult paint correction. I feel like there has to be a better DA to step up to after using the PC for a few years.
Some examples of the defects I couldn`t totally correct:
More pics if anyone is interested: https://imgur.com/a/wJy7hzr
