MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: rob172cup on November 18, 2011, 10:36:27 am

Title: Machine polish
Post by: rob172cup on November 18, 2011, 10:36:27 am
Hi ive just got my golf this week and want to get the paint looking like new again. Am i better getting a machine poilsih done professionaly to do the job or am i better putting some elbow grease into it
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: Daffy on November 18, 2011, 11:53:32 am
Get a pro to do it you will never get near a machine finsih by hand. Have a look on DetailingWorld for someone in your area. There are loads of cowboys out there who think they can do it and seem cheap. Personally I would wait until spring next year otherwise you could be back to where you are now with the crud that comes off the road during winter. You will also need a decent wash process to keep it looking sharp.
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: keano on November 18, 2011, 11:59:45 am
Where are you located Rob?
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: JPC on November 18, 2011, 12:15:32 pm
I'd recommend using a pro to do any correction work. It can take years to be at a level good enough to polish a Vws paint without damaging it or seeing any viable difference ;)

I'm on Lancashire by the way and work all over. Cheers
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: rob172cup on November 18, 2011, 01:04:19 pm
Im in between Hull and York, i was going to wait until summer but just wanted some opinions as it does need doing. Any ideas on cost ?
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: rob172cup on November 18, 2011, 01:06:03 pm
Near Market weighton to be exact
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: stealthwolf on November 18, 2011, 02:08:51 pm
Don't see why you can't get a winter enhancement done. Will seal up the car nicely for the winter so the crud will come off more easily when you wash it yourself.
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: rob172cup on November 18, 2011, 02:38:14 pm
whats involved with a winter enhancement ?
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: stealthwolf on November 18, 2011, 02:58:15 pm
Basically an enhancement detail - which is basically wash/dry/de-tar/clay the car, followed by single stage polish (ie take out light swirls but no heavy correction) and the car is sealed with products that provide durability in cold weather.
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: Daffy on November 18, 2011, 07:30:56 pm
Don't see why you can't get a winter enhancement done. Will seal up the car nicely for the winter so the crud will come off more easily when you wash it yourself.

Better off to seal/ wax it and just wash it off. Unless they have a heated workshop it is more difficult to get polishes to work at lower temps. You will still be left with plenty of debris on the car even after a hot foam wash and no matter how careful a wash you do there will inevitably be some minor marring. Come spring when there is hopefully less crud on the road and hopefully the car you can give it a full machine polish and remove everything, where possible. There won't be much difference in price and IMO it is a waste of money to get a car done now. A decent detailer would probably charge in the region of £300 upwards depending on where you are.,
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: rob172cup on November 18, 2011, 08:35:59 pm
I think ive found my man not too far away , thanks for all the advice !!

Need to get some stone chips sorted first any advice on them ???
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: stealthwolf on November 18, 2011, 08:55:13 pm
Unless they have a heated workshop it is more difficult to get polishes to work at lower temps.
Depends on the polish. Menzerna is a no-no even at 15*C as I recently found out. Even a pass with something like Dodo Lime Prime will remove very light swirls and cleanse the paint. And it works fine at 12*C (so far!).
Title: Re: Machine polish
Post by: Grande_GTi on November 19, 2011, 12:25:48 pm
I would have said buy your self a beginners Dual action kit from some one like elite, that way you got it for the future,with a Dual action your very unlikely to burn through paint that way and the apprication will be greater as you'd have done it your self. :pomppomp: