DIY or Pro. Circular scratches on 09 GTI.

L

LTParis

New member
I used to detail cars a while back (not professionally), but it's been 12+ years since I seriously did anything. I recently acquired a 2009 GTI that I want to get back to tip top shape, but there are some descent circular/halo scratches on her.



http://ltparis.com/images/2013-04-06-16.40.40.jpg



I was first thinking to take it to a pro in case it needed some descent paint correction. However where I am located there seem to be few shops really focused on detailing and correction. And I have heard some hit and miss stories on the ones that do exist.



So I have been thinking of detailing this on my own, possibly by hand. Not sure if those scratches would require a heavy cut polish that I am certain I would need at least a DA on. I don't want to waste a couple hundred on some new products either if it's too far out of my realm to restore.
 
LTParis said:
I used to detail cars a while back (not professionally), but it's been 12+ years since I seriously did anything. I recently acquired a 2009 GTI that I want to get back to tip top shape, but there are some descent circular/halo scratches on her.



http://ltparis.com/images/2013-04-06-16.40.40.jpg



I was first thinking to take it to a pro in case it needed some descent paint correction. However where I am located there seem to be few shops really focused on detailing and correction. And I have heard some hit and miss stories on the ones that do exist.



So I have been thinking of detailing this on my own, possibly by hand. Not sure if those scratches would require a heavy cut polish that I am certain I would need at least a DA on. I don't want to waste a couple hundred on some new products either if it's too far out of my realm to restore.
Click to expand...





That doesnt look like anything to serious from the pic but then again hard to see what else there might be. IMO that would probably take a 1 step and with the right pad/products and skill you would be able to remove most of that if not all. If you go out and buy the stuff needed for the job your probably gonna spend what it would cost to do the car by a professional. If you bought a da and megs cutting pad, hd cut then followed with whte pad hd polish you'll be looking good
 
Ever since the HF DA came out, you can get all the tools you need for under $100 (DA, a few pads, and UC and UP). If you used to detail before and like doing it, grab the tools, you will use them again.
 
Those swirls don't seem that much more serious than those I had on my 07 Passat from the one picture. Like Dan said you can get away for not much more than a $100. The Harbor Frieght polisher $48 (with the 20% off coupon), $45 (including shipping) for a 5" backing plate and 5 Buff & Shine 5.5" pads (4 orange, one red) from Autoality.com and $15 (plus shipping about $10) for 16 oz of UNO from HD. UNO on orange pads should be enough to remove those and finish down LSP ready from my experience on VW paint.
 
Rcrew said:
Where are you located?
Click to expand...



Upstate (Kingston) NY



Anyways I think I am going to go solo on this and get the tools. The 6" DA came in under $60 for shipping and taxes. Not bad. Still need to get the backing plate and pads, think I might hut up Amazon on that since I have prime.



Those Buff and Shine orange pads are medium cut right? With the DA how much protection do I have to the point I don't have to worry about burning my paint?
 
The B&S orange are medium cut so they're not too aggressive. It is almost imposible for you to burn your paint with a DA --- if you put too much pressure on the polisher the pad will stop rotating--it's not like a rotary which is a direct drive. You should read as much as you can on how to use a DA and watch as many videos as you can before you begin. Here's a link to some good info and video's--just don't follow the instructions on priming the pad if you're going to use HD polishing products--The Definitive How-To Article for Removing Swirls, Scratches and Water Spots Using a Porter Cable 7424XP, G110v2 or Griot's Garage Polisher - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum
 
VW? Likely take two steps. Meguiars #105 with a Meguiars MF cutting pad is where I'd start. Finish with Optimum Hyper Polish or HD Polish and an Optimum MF polishing pad. 2' x 2' sections at a time. The compounding step will take a while, polishing step should go a lot quicker.
 
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