The durability and susceptibility to scratches for Moonstone shouldn’t be any different to any other colours that VW use on the mk8, as the same painting process is used in the factory for solid, metallic and pearlescent colours; primer coat, colour coat, clear coat (I think Oryx White is the exception - I believe it has an extra stage in the painting process). However, lighter colours are better than darker colours at ‘hiding’ minor scratches and swirls, and I’d say that Moonstone should be quite forgiving in terms of hiding such minor imperfections.
A few sensible precautions when it comes to the regular washing routine will help to minimise the risk of swirling to the paintwork from the washing process;
- use a safe wash technique; pre-rinse, two bucket wash method with a decent wash mitt and drying with good quality plush drying towels or a warm air dryer. There’s some good advice in the sticky ‘Rebecca’s Guide to Detailing’ on the Detailing forum board, and on sites such as Detailing World - this is a good intro guide to safe washing on the Detailing World site; https://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=4637.
- never let the VW dealer do the free complementary service wash when your car’s back at the dealership for servicing or repairs. The service wash is known as the ‘scratch and swirl’ treatment for good reason .
- keep away from the many hand wash car washing places. Getting cars through the wash process quickly is their main objective as time’s money to them, so they’re likely to use harsh products to speed up the cleaning process and those products can strip any wax / sealant protection from a car’s paintwork. I’ve also seen the hand washers rubbing hard on localised areas on a car to remove baked on bugs etc., and doing that is likely to inflict scratches and swirls.
If I was considering a mk8, then Moonstone would be one of two colours on my colour choice shortlist
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