GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Bennis79 on 16 April 2026, 10:30
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Hi everyone, just picked up my first GTI (first Golf, first VW) yesterday and have a couple of initial questions.
I haven't hand washed any of my own cars for a good while, but feel a need to hand wash this one. Are there any specific products I should be using?
Also, I wanted to know what the best way of setting up Android Auto would be, if it's possible for this car. I was looking into it before I bought it and wasn't too bothered if it had the functionality or not, but it does seem to have the option to select App Connect from the main screen and I get the 'contact dealer to activate' message on screen, and the car does have the USB port in the cubby hole in front of the gear stick.
Any info would be appreciated.
Cheers!
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Welcome.
With respect to hand washing, there’s a myriad of products and methods from basic hose sponge and car shampoo right up to detailing with sophisticated detailing products - some of the results some members get from the latter are stunning and indicative of the time and money spent.
I’m sort of halfway in between both, I power wash first, apply Autoglym Polar blast foam with a foam attachment, power wash again and then shampoo with Autoglym shampoo, power wash again , dry and then wax with Autoglym Instant Ceramic Spray wax and then polish off. That lot usually takes about 90 mins. Results are good enough for me and Autoglym stuff is reasonably priced.
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Nice one, thank you for the advice. Anything specific on the wheels at all?
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Nice one, thank you for the advice. Anything specific on the wheels at all?
Welcome to the forum @Bennis.
There’s a very good comprehensive guide in the ‘Detailing’ of the forum to keeping your car looking at its best - link below;
https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=277318.0
It’s a few years old now so some of the products referred to may no longer be available or they may have been superseded by more technologically advanced products. However, the process outlined is still valid IMHO so worth a look.
I’d say that whatever products you end up using, be sure to ditch the sponge and wash leather and use a safe two bucket wash method (outined in the guide at the above link).
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I'll leave the detailing tips to others, suffice to say it's real wormhole if you get serious about it!
Regarding the Android Auto enablement. I did it on my 2015 car back in October when I bought it. The car had the App Connect function, but if I pressed it it displayed a message telling me to throw some money at a dealer if I wanted it to work.
After much Googling, all I had to do was download some free firmware from the 'net and upload to the car via the SD slot. I didn't pay for anything or need any diagnostic tools and it has worked perfectly since. I was super nervous doing it in case I bricked the head unit or something, but it was straightforward in the end. I posted the link to the guide I used here: https://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=290914.0