Paint swirls

[sixlargebeers]

I am compiling a shorlist for a car to replace my SLK.  The GTi is top of my list at the moment, although wife needs to be convinced too !

I would prefer a dark colour - Limestone or Carbon Grey look great - but I wondered what others' experience of the darker paints had been thus far in terms of how easily swirls and minor scratches are inflicted when washing (assuming it's done properly with pre-wash/foam then 2 bucket wash with decent mitt and a careful drying routine).

Thanks

[Wo-Wo]

That's the billion dollar question right there! As you say it all depends on how you look after it and your cleaning equipment.

What's about Tungsten silver? Its the best colour I've ever known for not showing up the dirt or marring.

[sixlargebeers]

Thanks wo-Wo.  Just had a look at a couple of pics of cars in Tungsten Silver. It's very nice and I can see how it would hide marks better than the greys. I'd prefer a darker colour but will certainly try to see one in TS in the flesh.

[Jimble]

When i go back to a GTI after the Touareg it will most likely be Tungsten tbh, photo's do nothing for the colour, it looks like dripping wet silver in real life!

[Booth11]

As said, it depends on how careful you are during the washing and drying phase. 

All cars get swirls but obviously the darker the colour, the more swirls show up, with black being the worst of all and silver or white best for hiding swirls. 

Whilst it's nearon impossible to avoid swirls, with a careful cleaning regime and the right equipment, it is possible to reduce swirling.  Light swirls and surface scratches and marring can always be polished out once/twice a year if you want to.

You mention carbon grey and I think that colour would be a good compromise if you want to stay on the darker side but not have the pain of maintaining black or dark blue.  And it's a beautiful colour too.  Agree that Tungsten great for hiding swirls and the silvers seem to really suit the sharp lines of the mk7.  I wouldn't consider Limestone Grey to be a dark colour though, more on the lighter colour spectrum.