GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Zermatt on 05 February 2019, 21:48

Title: 2018 GTI PP Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. GTechniq treatments completed
Post by: Zermatt on 05 February 2019, 21:48
So Saturday was a strange but useful day, to be been contemplating a change from my Fiesta ST M-Sport which I’ve been using as a daily the last 3 years.

I toyed with a U.K. Edition WRX Subaru , Focus RS and different variants of the Golf GTI.

I had thought my ideal spec would be a 3 door solid white Clubsport 40.

But during a quick visit to my local VW Dealership I fell in love with their demonstrator a late 2018 Isaac Blue GTI 3 door on Bresicas and Art Velour Interior.

It reminded me of a 2005 mark V Blue Graphite that I ran for 2 1/2 years whilst living in France ... a brilliant car that used to do everything so well with a man minimum of fuss yet come alive on a mountain pass when the mood took.

Normally I travel a long way to buy a car or wait a good deal of time for it to arrive. But I took a pretty quick decision to go ahead on this 3 door and look forward to picking it up next week.

Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Mutley75 on 06 February 2019, 00:22
An excellent choice sir, in particular with the colour and the wheels.

However - pics or it didn’t happen.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: clarky92 on 06 February 2019, 10:36
So Saturday was a strange but useful day, to be been contemplating a change from my Fiesta ST M-Sport which I’ve been using as a daily the last 3 years.

I toyed with a U.K. Edition WRX Subaru , Focus RS and different variants of the Golf GTI.

I had thought my ideal spec would be a 3 door solid white Clubsport 40.

But during a quick visit to my local VW Dealership I fell in love with their demonstrator a late 2018 Isaac Blue GTI 3 door on Bresicas and Art Velour Interior.

It reminded me of a 2005 mark V Blue Graphite that I ran for 2 1/2 years whilst living in France ... a brilliant car that used to do everything so well with a man minimum of fuss yet come alive on a mountain pass when the mood took.

Normally I travel a long way to buy a car or wait a good deal of time for it to arrive. But I took a pretty quick decision to go ahead on this 3 door and look forward to picking it up next week.

Congratulations  :grin:

Very good colour choice, I love mine. Under the sun it really is a lovely colour. Jealous of your interior  :cool:

Just be very careful with washing etc, Isaac Blue is a very very soft paint.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Mutley75 on 06 February 2019, 11:38
“Just be very careful with washing etc, Isaac Blue is a very very soft paint.”

Gah! I specifically avoided a solid paint and went for a metallic for exactly this reason. With my black A3, using snow foam, micro fibre mitt and the two bucket method wasn’t enough. It still looked like I’d washed it with a bag of grit and a Brillo pad.  Must be the eco friendly paint they use these days, plus putting thinner layers on to save money/recoup Dieselgate costs.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: kmpowell on 06 February 2019, 11:53
Just be very careful with washing etc, Isaac Blue is a very very soft paint.
Isaac Blue is no softer than any other colour in the palette.

When my detailer measured the depths and machine polished my car last month he said the paint was standard durability and needed the same levels of abrasion as other VAG paints, he didn't need to go a grade softer or harder. Soft paint on Golfs is normally found on anything that is painted in gloss black, so on the R it's all the bumper/window trims, mirror caps etc.

The only thing is that from 2017 onwards there's about 40% less paint used on the cars than in previous years!
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: clarky92 on 06 February 2019, 12:15
Just be very careful with washing etc, Isaac Blue is a very very soft paint.
Isaac Blue is no softer than any other colour in the palette.

When my detailer measured the depths and machine polished my car last month he said the paint was standard durability and needed the same levels of abrasion as other VAG paints, he didn't need to go a grade softer or harder. Soft paint on Golfs is normally found on anything that is painted in gloss black, so on the R it's all the bumper/window trims, mirror caps etc.

The only thing is that from 2017 onwards there's about 40% less paint used on the cars than in previous years!

The paint on my 2017 Tornado Red GTI was a lot harder, as confirmed by my deatiler when it went in for some work.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: SRGTD on 06 February 2019, 12:31
Isaac Blue is no softer than any other colour in the palette

Agree, solid and metallic / pearlescent coloured cars will all have primer, base coat and lacquer and go through the same painting process so the ‘hardness’ should be the same irrespective of the colour. Begs the question why VW charges more for metallic paint over a solid paint. The exception may be pearlescent Oryx White, which has an extra stage in the painting process - a separate pearlescent layer applied to a Pure White base coat before the lacquer coat is applied. Assume this extra stage in the painting process is the reason for the significantly higher cost of Oryx White paint.

VW paint always used to have a reputation for being hard. Maybe modern water based paints mean this is no longer the case, although I’ve machine polished the last two VW’s I’ve owned - both with water based paint - and would say that the paint does seem quite hard. Maybe on a brand new car the paint hasn’t fully cured when the car leaves the factory, but it continues to harden more over time.

Soft paint on Golfs is normally found on anything that is painted in gloss black, so on the R it's all the bumper/window trims, mirror caps etc.

Pretty certain that the piano black B pillar trims are a gloss black plastic and not actually painted. Whatever the finish is, they are very soft and very prone to swirling.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Yusee on 06 February 2019, 14:07
I have Isaac blue. Despite my best efforts- lambs wool mitt/ 2 bucket etc- haven’t been able to avoid some very light swirling. Only visible on close inspection and in certain light, but i was surprised nonetheless- given how careful I felt I had been on washing.
I think I just have to accept it’s unavoidable on the darker colours
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: SRGTD on 06 February 2019, 15:53
I have Isaac blue. Despite my best efforts- lambs wool mitt/ 2 bucket etc- haven’t been able to avoid some very light swirling. Only visible on close inspection and in certain light, but i was surprised nonetheless- given how careful I felt I had been on washing.
I think I just have to accept it’s unavoidable on the darker colours

I think that even with a good washing technique, light swirling will happen over time. A good washing and drying technique will minimise it though.

Lighter colours are no less susceptible to swirling than dark colours. It’s just that swirls are much more noticeable on darker colours, especially in certain lighting conditions.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 06 February 2019, 16:08
Fact - darker shades of blue are a nightmare for swirls.

Isaac must the most popular GTI colour currently! Despite grey been the top UK colour.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: neepy7.5 on 06 February 2019, 16:32
Correct choice in colour and number of doors in my opinion  :smug:
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Yusee on 06 February 2019, 17:47
I may wash less frequently until the paint hardens.
It’s a great colour though, and a brilliant car!
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 06 February 2019, 18:36
I may wash less frequently until the paint hardens.
It’s a great colour though, and a brilliant car!

I’m not sure the paint will get any harder?

Are you using a snow foam or citrus pre wash?
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: watchdog on 06 February 2019, 18:45
I may wash less frequently until the paint hardens.
It’s a great colour though, and a brilliant car!

I’m not sure the paint will get any harder?

Are you using a snow foam or citrus pre wash?


I use both Pre Wash and Snow Foam (Valet Pro)...is this OK Jim?
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Zermatt on 06 February 2019, 18:48
Certainly need to be careful with the paint - I’ll probably get a GTechniq treatment and a Stage1 polish by the detailer that I normally use.

Thanks for the kind comments - if I’d ordered of the configuration  without going to the d alership - I would have ordered Tartan but seeing the Art Velour in the showroom I really liked the contrast with the exterior colour it all kind of worked.


In terms of most popular colour - I did a quick check on Autotrader ( not all of them obviously but a decent sample size) and of the 18/19 cars for sale .. 161 of them ...48 are White, 35 Black, 26 Blue, 19 Silver, 19 Red, 14 Grey ... hope that adds up to 161! .

Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Yusee on 06 February 2019, 18:50
I may wash less frequently until the paint hardens.
It’s a great colour though, and a brilliant car!

I’m not sure the paint will get any harder?

Are you using a snow foam or citrus pre wash?


I’m not- i’ve thought about snow foam, perhaps I should.
There isn’t anything visible on first look, I just don’t don’t want things to get worse.
What is a citrus pre wash?
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Mutley75 on 06 February 2019, 19:40
“Isaac must the most popular GTI colour currently! Despite grey been the top UK colour.“

Annoyingly so. Two days after placing my order someone at work rocks up in a GTI, same colour, same wheels. Theirs is an 18 plate and always dirty though.  :grin:
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 06 February 2019, 19:53
I may wash less frequently until the paint hardens.
It’s a great colour though, and a brilliant car!

I’m not sure the paint will get any harder?

Are you using a snow foam or citrus pre wash?


I’m not- i’ve thought about snow foam, perhaps I should.
There isn’t anything visible on first look, I just don’t don’t want things to get worse.
What is a citrus pre wash?

The idea of using a snow foam and optionally a citrus based pre wash as well is to loosen and lift most of the dirt before you touch the car. Touching a dirty car with a wash mitt will create swirls (not as much obviously as a closed cell sponge) but snow foaming a car with a good sealant on means the wash mitt part is not really picking up much dirt at all - crucial at this time of year as the car is halfway to been clean already after a powerwash rinse.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: hog_hedge on 06 February 2019, 20:04
Just to add my 2p, IME I’ve found that most of my self-inflicted swirls/holograms have happened during the drying process. I now use a rinse aid or sheet the water off with an open ended hose pipe and then only gently pat it dry using a very soft large towel.

To a normal person I sound like a right weirdo but it’s bloody worth it once a year when it gets a full decon and seal and I can’t find any swirls :grin:
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Zermatt on 06 February 2019, 20:05
Snow Foam , Citrus , 2 bucket method and hot air dryer for me ... has been for a number of years.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Mutley75 on 06 February 2019, 20:11
This - https://www.raceglaze.co.uk/car-care-exterior/wash/race-glaze-maxi-water-filter-large-25litre/

Swear by it. Worth it’s weight in gold. In particular hard water areas.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 06 February 2019, 20:31
This - https://www.raceglaze.co.uk/car-care-exterior/wash/race-glaze-maxi-water-filter-large-25litre/

Swear by it. Worth it’s weight in gold. In particular hard water areas.

Wow, that's pricey  :shocked:

If you really need a water filter - https://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/aqua-gleam/30ppm-de-ionising-water-filter-12.aspx
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Yusee on 06 February 2019, 20:47
I may wash less frequently until the paint hardens.
It’s a great colour though, and a brilliant car!

I’m not sure the paint will get any harder?

Are you using a snow foam or citrus pre wash?


I’m not- i’ve thought about snow foam, perhaps I should.
There isn’t anything visible on first look, I just don’t don’t want things to get worse.
What is a citrus pre wash?

The idea of using a snow foam and optionally a citrus based pre wash as well is to loosen and lift most of the dirt before you touch the car. Touching a dirty car with a wash mitt will create swirls (not as much obviously as a closed cell sponge) but snow foaming a car with a good sealant on means the wash mitt part is not really picking up much dirt at all - crucial at this time of year as the car is halfway to been clean already after a powerwash rinse.

Thanks for the explanation, Jim.
I’ll start snow foam, before I cause any real damage.
I hope this isn’t the start of a slippery slope, there’s no limit to what can be done to keep the car pristine!
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Mutley75 on 06 February 2019, 21:47
This - https://www.raceglaze.co.uk/car-care-exterior/wash/race-glaze-maxi-water-filter-large-25litre/

Swear by it. Worth it’s weight in gold. In particular hard water areas.

Wow, that's pricey  :shocked:

If you really need a water filter - https://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/aqua-gleam/30ppm-de-ionising-water-filter-12.aspx

RaceGlaze is better than the AquaGleam. 0ppm vs 30ppm and the resin lasts longer too. A must in my area otherwise the car looks like it’s been washed in water and flour!
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Snoopy on 07 February 2019, 19:32
9 years of dark Shadow blue = no issues = Valet pro snow foam + dodo born to be mild.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: kmpowell on 08 February 2019, 12:05
most of my self-inflicted swirls/holograms have happened during the drying process.
This. On cars that do not have any protection on them, this is where the vast majority of the swirling takes place, even if you use a really soft drying towel. You can snow-foam, prewash etc etc, but if you're lazy and/or don't have the time to stand in your driveway for half a day, just get the car and wheels ceramic coated and then when you maintenance wash it the dirt and water just glides off.

My routine and stuff, there's really no need to spend lots:
1. Power jet-wash to lift the dirt and get rid of the surface debris.
2. '2-bucket' wash with PH neutral shampoo (https://amzn.to/2TDvT29), and wash-mits (https://amzn.to/2Sk8BS3).
3. Slow/Flood jet-wash rinse
4. Dry what water is left (normally very little) with a large drying towel (https://amzn.to/2RKt9y8) that has some of THIS (https://amzn.to/2Gk3tai) sprayed onto/into it to ensure the ceramic coating stays in its best possible form.

:)
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: SRGTD on 08 February 2019, 13:40
Yes, a poor drying technique can inflict damage. I like to minimise contact with the paintwork during the drying stage.

I’ve got a warm air dryer that I use to blow the final rinse water off the car. If the car is well protected, blowing off what rinse water is left leaves very few droplets to pat dry with a good quality absorbent drying towel. A warm air dryer is also very good at removing the water from all those annoying water traps too, some of which can continue to drip for some time after you’ve finished drying the car (door mirror housings, grilles, door handles, window rubbers, wheel bolt holes etc.).
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Jim_mk7.5 on 08 February 2019, 14:10
Yes, a poor drying technique can inflict damage. I like to minimise contact with the paintwork during the drying stage.

I’ve got a warm air dryer that I use to blow the final rinse water off the car. If the car is well protected, blowing off what rinse water is left leaves very few droplets to pat dry with a good quality absorbent drying towel. A warm air dryer is also very good at removing the water from all those annoying water traps too, some of which can continue to drip for some time after you’ve finished drying the car (door mirror housings, grilles, door handles, window rubbers, wheel bolt holes etc.).

Yes, should have mentioned drying as well. If anyone is still using a Chamois leather - please immediately go and put it in the bin!
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Yusee on 08 February 2019, 14:32
Using microfibre towel. Just picking up some turtle wax snow foam now!
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Cardy on 08 February 2019, 19:44
Sounds a great choice look forward to seeing some pics mate
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Zermatt on 10 February 2019, 14:18
Cheers pick it up this week - looking forward to getting to know it throughout the spring.

Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Zermatt on 16 February 2019, 10:04
Picked the car up this week.

Delighted with the spec combination on it really like the colour contrast of the dark blue against the red accents on the lights and grille as well as the Art Velour interior.

Getting used to the drive in comparison to the Fiesta ST I had before, the turn in on the Golfs OEM rubber  is not as precise as the Fiesta ST  but the engine note and interior are a big step up.

I’ve seen a lot of discussion about the 19” ride requiring adaptive suspension - so far I’m happy with the standard set up - I don’t find it overly firm , less firm than the Fiesta and the 911 we had till last year .

Hopeful to find out more about it this weekend on a drive out in the Scottish Highlands.
Title: Re: 2018 Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Zermatt on 16 March 2019, 14:46
So 4 weeks in with the GTI, I’m delighted with it and as it clicks round to 1600 miles after a 600 mike round trip to visit some friends last weekend and watch a stage of the Malcolm Wilson Rally it covered ground brilliantly on some pretty wet motorways.

The Adaptive cruise control worked really well and the TFT screen works well and I’ve kind of settled on the Nav in the centre- I would like it to allow you to show the nav in the middle when Apple CarPlay is showing the map on the centre console.

I bought one of the thick rubber mats for the boot as recommended on this forum and was really pleased by the quality and the thickness.

The standard stereo is ok in this type of car as the exhaust note shines through on twisty sections.

A very happy Mk7.5 GTi customer it’s an excellent modern day hot hatch.

Next step is to get the car booked in for a GTechniq protection at the detailer I use- looking forward to the results.

Title: Re: 2018 GTI PP Isaac Blue 7.5 3 door .. back in the GTI World
Post by: Zermatt on 26 May 2019, 11:11
So finally got the GTi booked in for a GTechniq Crystal Serum Detail at AMDetails in Elgin this week picked it yesterday I’m delighted by the depth the detail has added to the colour.

Not worked out how to embed photos into a post on here yet but hopefully this Flickr link works of some photos in the detailing bay then out and about yesterday.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/181641601@N07/?

AM Details have done a number of detailing jobs for me over the years and the quality is always brilliant.
I’ve elected for the interior package and wheels of treatments to keep the Bresicas in good order.