Spent a good 4 hours+ cleaning my GTi, here be the result...

[ModifiedMadness]

It does look quite high in that rear shot.

[andyg]

I think thats just cause the road is a weird camber, and the light was weird and the fact i had zero petrol in maybe :p

Just passed its MOT so i think everything is in order

[mk4 glx 1.6]

Heres my process: (I do a thorough wash like this once every 3 months)

1.) Washed with meguiars gold class shampoo & lambs wool mitt

2.) Dry with chamios

3.) Claybar and then wash + dry the car again (if appropriate)

The car looks great and to the trained eye, you can see it has been detailed well. Even though it is reflex silver, when the sun shines properly on it I am sure it looks amazing.

There is no need for stage 2 if you are claying afterwards, there is no need to dry the car inbetween and you are just wasting time and effort, as any water left on the car is just extra lube for the clay.

[mk4 glx 1.6]

Claybar won't remove things like scratching or tar spots.

A decent clay bar WILL remove tar spots if used properly.

I have used the meguiars one a few times, although I prefer the Swissol clay (called paint rubber) as in my opinion it is easier to use and gives a better result.

I prefer to use a home made solution for the lube, a mix (roughly 10 to 1)of car shampoo and water, in a pressurised spray bottle.

[andyg]

Thanks, good point about drying in between claying, cheers for that.

The silver does look nice, cause its metalic you don't get a mirror shine like you would black, but your right it does look good in the sun.

Only thing that annoys me is I have a few stone chips on the bonnet and bumper, plus one or two tiny scratches/stone chips on the door. I know if had of owned the car from new it would be totally immaculate.

I keep it as best as I can, might get a respray of the bumper some time this year.

[ModifiedMadness]

It doesn't last very long though, that's the only thing

My bumper was sprayed when I had it smoothed, and I've already got a few little chips on it.

[andyg]

My bumper was sprayed when I had it smoothed, and I've already got a few little chips on it.

Yeh it kinda sucks. Esp this time of year, Gritter on the motorway = 70 mph stones at headlight level. If I see a gritter I try pull in and on the motorway I tend to leave big distances for cars kicking up crap infront of me.

[ModifiedMadness]

I'll move right over where I can, I hate seeing them coming towards me.

I find myself cringing as it comes past.

[Si_GTi]

I find myself cringing as it comes past.

Me too. Cringing, swearing, almost crying sometimes when they're coming towards you and spraying that s**t left right and centre! I understand they have a job to do, but couldn't they do it at like 3am?

[ModifiedMadness]

Or stop spreading when they see us coming