Advice regarding paint correction on VW GTI?

[randomevent]

I'm wondering if anyone can offer me some advice in regards to correcting my wife's 2013 VW GTI (White).

Here's the skinny. We got the car in September 2013, but I haven't had the time to dedicate for a full correction process. About a month ago, I found some time, but decided that instead of doing a full correction, that I would go the AIO route.

I ended up using XMT360 with Hydrotech Tangerine pads to do the correction. The problem is that I'm not happy with the results. I probably should have stopped after I wasn't happy with my test panel, but decided to finish the whole car with XMT360 since I didn't know when I would find more time. In addition, since XMT360 has sealant properties, I thought it would be OK.

Fast forward to a month later, I notice light swirls and scratches all over the paint, and I'm sick of looking at them. Nothing really heavy, which is why I tried an AIO in the first place. I guess VW's just have really hard paint.

My question is in regards to everyone's personal experience with newer VW's. Do you think I could get away with using M205/HT Tangerine and only polishing? Or would I have to go M105/HT Cyan, then M205/HT Tangerine?

Like I said, the scratches aren't heavy at all, but I can't stand looking at them in the sunlight anymore.

I would love the time to get test both, but work has just been too hectic lately. I probably could fit in just polishing though. I'm just wondering if anyone could throw their experience about this out there.

I'm also open to other products, if someone knows of better products to work on VWs with. Thanks everyone.

[TrolleyVW]

I have a MKVI Jetta as a DD and the clear is definitely hard.

I did a full correction in the fall, well I'd say 90-95% correction, and I used a PC7424xp with CCS orange/uber compound and easily could've stopped there as a one step. Instead, I refined with a white ccs/M205 combo and it came out awesome.

[TrolleyVW]

These are some results

http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r671/trolleyvw/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsf76bfa7d.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/trolleyvw/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsf76bfa7d.jpg.html)

http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r671/trolleyvw/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps796314e0.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/trolleyvw/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps796314e0.jpg.html)

[Just02896]

If you want really good results...M105 with orange pad and then finish out with M205 and a white pad. If you don't mind spending a few more bucks on a higher end line. Get some Menzerna or Sonax!

[ski2]

My wife's 2012 Golf with non-metallic black was never in bad shape--didn't allow the dealer to touch it and I've done all the washing with proper technique so just have light marring from time to time. I use Buff & Shine 5.5" Orange pads on my GG DA at speed 5 with HD Polish. Takes 5 - 6 passes, but turns out fantastic.

[randomevent]

I've been hearing good things about HD Polish. If anyone else reads this topic, has anyone used it with Hydrotech pads?

[HateSwirls]

If it were me I'd try the m205 using a white pad, if you don't get the results your after try an orange pad.
205 has a little cut, just enough for paints that's not too bad.
IMO the 105 would be overkill for your situation.
105 is very aggressive and for that reason I only use it on the worst cars.
A little less cut than the 105 that works very well is the WG Über Compound, finishes down much better than the 105 without question, IMO anyway.

Then you always have the Ultimate Compound, not as much cut as the 105 or the Über but has good abilities to remove defects not to mention it's so user friendly.

[randomevent]

If it were me I'd try the m205 using a white pad, if you don't get the results your after try an orange pad.
205 has a little cut, just enough for paints that's not too bad.
IMO the 105 would be overkill for your situation.
105 is very aggressive and for that reason I only use it on the worst cars.
A little less cut than the 105 that works very well is the WG Über Compound, finishes down much better than the 105 without question, IMO anyway.

Then you always have the Ultimate Compound, not as much cut as the 105 or the Über but has good abilities to remove defects not to mention it's so user friendly.

I actually have Ultimate Compound/Polish. I've never used them. Honestly, I just remembered that I still have a bottle of both of them. I'm now considering giving that combo a try, and just saving the last of my M105/205 for my mother's car, which needs a lot of correction.

[ski2]

I've been hearing good things about HD Polish. If anyone else reads this topic, has anyone used it with Hydrotech pads?

Works well with Hydotech Pads as well as MF.

[mwoolfso]

I have a 2012 VW CC. I tried M105 with Orange and my Flex and it didn't make a difference! I was applying maybe 30lbs of pressure at one point. I was floored that nothing was happening.

I used Menzerna IS-1500 with White and then SF-4500 with White and boy what a difference. Swirls gone and nice pop in gloss.

[Pureshine]

I do a lot of VW cars during spring from my car club. I use FG400 and MF pads works great and you just need to give FG400 enough time break down.

[randomevent]

I have a 2012 VW CC. I tried M105 with Orange and my Flex and it didn't make a difference! I was applying maybe 30lbs of pressure at one point. I was floored that nothing was happening.

I used Menzerna IS-1500 with White and then SF-4500 with White and boy what a difference. Swirls gone and nice pop in gloss.

That's scary, lol. I'm going to still give some Meg's combos a try before I buy anything else.

[lawrenceSA]

I just finished another Candy White golf Gti this past weekend.

Here is the link to the show n shine thread. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/76092-candy-white-golf-6gti-another-one-detailed-lawrence.html#post1037633

Being part of the VW club a lot of my work is on these cars, and in particular the candy white version (they are very popular over here).

IMO if you are not looking for heavy correction, Menzerna PF2500 on a tangerine pad is a winner.

If you want better correction, FG400 on an orange pad or a MF pad.

If you then want to eek out the last bit of gloss, follow it up with Menzerna SF4000 on a white pad.

Hope this helps and good luck.

If you are interested in seeing a few more (and the processes used/results), here are some....

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/75585-candy-white-golf-6gti-detailed-lawrence.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/74993-candy-white-polo-6r-detailed-lawrence.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/70957-candy-white-golf-5gti-detailed-lawrence.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/70324-candy-white-golf-r-detailed-lawrence.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/64469-candy-white-g6-gti-detailed-again-lawrence.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/61279-candy-white-g6-gti-detailed-lawrence.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/57421-candy-white-seat-leon-fr-detailed-lawrence.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/57139-candy-white-seat-leon-cupra-detailed-lawrence.html

[Desertnate]

Lawrence: Does the PF2500 finish down to the same level (or close) as 4000 or 4500 in this scenario?

I'm facing a similar situation regarding condition, but with a black car. I'd like to find a solution that would allow me to only do one step (i.e. SF4000 on a white pad) vs having to do two steps. The more I research, the less I think this is possible, but I'm still holding out hope!

[lawrenceSA]

Lawrence: Does the PF2500 finish down to the same level (or close) as 4000 or 4500 in this scenario?

I'm facing a similar situation regarding condition, but with a black car. I'd like to find a solution that would allow me to only do one step (i.e. SF4000 on a white pad) vs having to do two steps. The more I research, the less I think this is possible, but I'm still holding out hope!

On cw paint for the average car owner, yes. For a passionate detailer I suppose SF 4000 will obviously eek out a little more gloss, but even so, it is not a necessary step on white daily driver.

Decontaminating white paint makes a significant change to most daily drivers.

I also think that the harder the paint the less likely the haze will be from the previous step.

On other paint, for example the black you mention. .... A lot will depend on the paint itself (hard/soft), how deep the defects are, and what the owner is looking for.

I think if you are using a DAT based polish like Menz then if you work the product through its cycle, there is a standard amount of clear coat removal each time you replicate this over the vehicle.

So, by 1-stepping with something like pf2500 will remove x amount of paint.

Given that swirls are of varying depth it may require stepping up to a more aggressive initial polish (eg FG400) or a different pad, to achieve the level of correction you want.

And so the deeper you need to go the more likely a final polish is necessary to remove the more aggressive initial polish haze, and more so when the owner's expectation is absolute gloss.

IMO each car you polish will require a different approach, even when the paint type is the same, the depth of the damage and the expected outcome may be different.

In other words the more gloss you expect, the less cut you will get from 1 particular polish.

The conundrum that is the 1-step. Lol.

I know I am not giving you the answer you are looking for but there are too many variables at play.

This is why performing a few test spots every time you polish paint is so important