What have you done to your MK 7 today ?

[Booth11]

Brought mine home from the dealers with all the factory covers etc still on.
Must have looked a fool driving it like that but needs must.
Took longer than expected to get all the stickers off especially from the edges of the rear window spoiler.
Gave the outside a wash and dry, nothing too special due to lack of time but it looks presentable at least.
I couldn't quite believe how dirty it actually was when I collected it.
It looked like it had been sat at a dockside for a fortnight......... oh wait, it had

You got it today?  Woohoo, congratulations kalimon.   

Mine was exactly the same when I picked it up unprepared - really dirty.  I did just the same as you, de-glued it, wash and dry and then 2 weeks later it got a full detail. 

So, how do you like it?  And where are the pics......? 

[kalimon]

Brought mine home from the dealers with all the factory covers etc still on.
Must have looked a fool driving it like that but needs must.
Took longer than expected to get all the stickers off especially from the edges of the rear window spoiler.
Gave the outside a wash and dry, nothing too special due to lack of time but it looks presentable at least.
I couldn't quite believe how dirty it actually was when I collected it.
It looked like it had been sat at a dockside for a fortnight......... oh wait, it had

You got it today?  Woohoo, congratulations kalimon.   

Mine was exactly the same when I picked it up unprepared - really dirty.  I did just the same as you, de-glued it, wash and dry and then 2 weeks later it got a full detail. 

So, how do you like it?  And where are the pics......? 

Thanks Rebecca, it's been a long wait
To be honest it all feels a bit weird. I joined this forum about 5 months ago in preparation for my new car. I've posted a lot as I usually have something to say, most of it sh!te probably.
I ordered the car having not sat in one, never mind driving one. My first impressions of it are that its far nicer in the flesh, photos just don't do it justice. Carbon grey is stunning and the thing that everyone who's seen it have mentioned is the Austin alloys. They are gorgeous !
It's the first petrol car I've driven in years apart from hire cars on holiday and it just sounds brilliant and pulls like a train.
Absolutely love the interior as well.
So yes, I'm a very happy man.
I'm going to take my wife out for a drive tomorrow, might even let her get behind the wheel if I'm in a good mood.
I'll  try and get some pictures up but I honestly don't know how to do it on here. It appears to be more complicated than other sites I frequent😀

[Mk7-GTD]

I see a test next time you do your car. Spray the snow foam on one side dry and the other side wet maybe.

Car looks great as always when when you clean it. Do you or have you ever used a powered polisher on the car. As we are going to be getting at least two new cars this year and we are moving to a house with a garage that is just over 33'x16' I was thinking of investing in some serious detailing gear. However I don't want to be one of those people that have all the gear and no idea. Are they any places that one can go to be thought about how to do it right.

Someone suggested that I buy a few bonnets to practice on.

Did that snow foam test ages ago - pre-moistened car for me. 

I do have a dual action polisher (DA), in fact I've just replaced my old DA with a new DAS-6 Pro Plus, and sold the old Meguiars machine to someone on another forum.  But I haven't yet polished the R - I asked the dealer not to prep it so the paintwork was in excellent condition and didn't need polishing.  The first DA polish will be done later this spring and then again (if needed) in autumn.  This is the DA I've just bought.  http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/das-6-pro-plus-dual-action-polisher/das-6-pro-plus-15mm-dual-action-polisher/prod_1452.html



Some good starter kits on here too - look under each machine for kits http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/cat_68.html

There's loads of advice on DA polishing on places like Detailing World but also plenty of advice on this forum too in the detailing section.  Some good guides here:

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html
http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polisher.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/porter-cable-7424xp-dual-action-orbital-polisher/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/images/misc/dapolishing.pdf
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog/car-care-advice.html
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=63859%C2%A0

Practicing on a lesser car or some old panels from the scrappers is worthwhile to give you a chance to get used to the weight, speed of the machine and practice your techniques and arm pressure.  Here's a bit of general DA advice:

On a general polishing note, the rule of thumb is to start with the least abrasive polish and pad combination and step up from there as required by the severity of the swirls.  Choose your polish first used on the least abrasive pad and if not getting required result, try next polish up on the same pad. Then if required, step up to a heavier pad.  And step down when refining.
 
A garage or workshop is preferable especially one with a good light source so you can regularly check your progress.  If you do it outside (I do), the light needs to be good and you're at the mercy of the weather.  If doing it outside and over more than a day, you will need to wash the car again prior to continuing.  I'm not a pro but these are my best tips:
 
•   Assess the condition of the paintwork first in good light, so you know what is required
•   Prepare the paintwork prior to polishing - tar remover, iron remover, claying etc, to ensure it's free of all bonded contaminants.
•   Tape up all trim with low tack masking tape.
•   Take it slowly and split larger panels up into manageable areas. 
•   Start with the least abrasive pad and polish combo and step up as necessary.  Choose your polish first. Then the lease abrasive pad, if more cut is required step up to the next pad. If a more abrasive polish is required use that again starting with the least abrasive pad.....and so on.
•   Start with the correction/swirl remova polishing stage first using a cutting pad then follow with the refining stage using a finishing pad.
•   Use moderate pressure - too light and it will have little effect, too much and you will fry your backing plate screw thread.
•   Use mid speed - as too low a speed won't achieve anything.
•   Always sling the DA cable over your shoulder otherwise it can drag/trail across the paintwork causing marks (just as you are trying to get rid of them!).
•   Stop and inspect at regular intervals to see how you are progressing and what further is required.
•   Use a good LED light source to check for swirls close up.
•   Once you've primed the pad with polish make sure you place it on the paintwork before switching on    DA, otherwise the polish will fling off everywhere.
•   You might need to do several passes to achieve the required correction.
•   After polishing use a good IPA like Gtechniq Panel Wipe to remove polish residue before going on to seal/wax the car.
 
Finally look on YouTube for Mike Philips (formerly of Meguairs) DA tutorials.  He also has lots of good tips on Autogeek site.  Great for someone new to DA polishing.

Then there's the actual DA machines, pads and polishes.  It can be a minefield but have a look at these 2 recent threads where it was discussed .

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=276899.0

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=276985.0

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for the advice, I have just had a quick read through but I have bookmarked it for later when I can spend time reading through everything properly.

[kalimon]

I found out something new today, carbon grey is real b!tch to keep clean!
Its still the best colour imo and a huge error on the part of VW by not offering it on the R.
That would have been a match made in heaven 

[Eccie]

Now I know you shouldn't check it............ But I had a weak moment today



I don't do much motorway driving, hence the low average MPH

[kalimon]

I've had mine a day and I can see it's gonna be a thirsty devil.
Good job I don't use it for commuting really.

[Booth11]

Now I know you shouldn't check it............ But I had a weak moment today



I don't do much motorway driving, hence the low average MPH

Count yourself lucky, my long term mpg is usually around the 23mpg mark. 

[Watts]

Now I know you shouldn't check it............ But I had a weak moment today



I don't do much motorway driving, hence the low average MPH

All looks great but I couldn't have the volume control with the line in any position other than bolt up-right - I go mad if my OH moves it

[Bungleaio]

Now I know you shouldn't check it............ But I had a weak moment today



I don't do much motorway driving, hence the low average MPH

I think you're doing well, I'm averaging just over 30mpg. My commute kills my average I think.

All looks great but I couldn't have the volume control with the line in any position other than bolt up-right - I go mad if my OH moves it

First mod I did on mine was covering it up,



http://www.badgeskins.com/store/p63/MK7_-_Headunit_power_button_blackout_set.html

It comes as a set of three so I put one on the other side too just so that they match completely.

[JB GTI]

Now I know you shouldn't check it............ But I had a weak moment today



I don't do much motorway driving, hence the low average MPH

All looks great but I couldn't have the volume control with the line in any position other than bolt up-right - I go mad if my OH moves it

Does my head in too if it's not bolt upright !!