Affordable paint protection

[nsi]

Just bought a black S5, 2012 plate. Paintwork in reasonable condition for the age.

I would like the swirls taken out and then some protection applied which will reduce the amount of cleaning effort required to keep the car looking decent.

I'm not looking for concourse, but just the ability to either jet wash or take through a car wash and have it come out looking ok. (Yes, I'm lazy lol!)

What are your recommendations for a good value solution to this? (Budget up to ~£200-300)

[chan61922]

Depending on how bad swirls it needs a machine polish, stage 1 if not too shabby. A half decent deatailer can do this and then go ahead and apply some sort of protection. I wouldn’t take through any machine wash or have any 5/10 quid quick was on it from the friendly Eastern European chaps. Id invest in some kit and learn to wash yourself if you really want to keep the cars paint tip top. If you don’t have the time or can’t be asked PPF is your best bet, but don’t think it’s worth doing on an 8 year old s5, all depends how much you like the car

[scottydoesntknow]

£300 isn’t going to get you paint correction and PPF.

Spend the £300 on a DA, pads, polishes and coatings and then learn how to wash your car properly (snowfoam for a pre-cleanse, followed by a two bucket wash).

[chan61922]

You’d be surprised mate, there’s quite a few guys who can do a decent stage 1 and protect for 300 odd quid, not cowboys either, work along side reputable firms and work on the high end cars. Had swirl marks from my black 2016 Car Done within OP budget in summer, after dealer obviously masked most of it up with polish! Since then I’ve taken washing more serious, might take me 2 hours plus to do the bloody thing but the paints still in good condition and swirl free, touch wood. Winter months I’ve been pressure washing and snow foaming and using a iron fall out, just to keep most the crap off, and I use a pet dryer to dry because it would be daft drying with a towel as cars still dirty (last proper contact wash I obviously waxed and protected) so the gunk just flys off. But a contact wash every 6-8weeks. (Can’t be asked either lol) Summer months every month say. Might sound daft but in winter I try and do snow foam etc on a day I know it will rain, reason being I don’t have to dry it after and worry about water spots lol

[nsi]

Ok, if £300 is not enough, what do you think it will cost me?

[scottydoesntknow]

For full ppf? A quick google suggests £3500.

[chan61922]

I’d just get machine polished and pay a detailed to ceramic coat (will cost more but if they using good products can protect your car for 1-2 years! I’d then invest in a pressure washer and few cleaning bits along with a pet dryer for maintenance washes and keep the funk off. £500/£600 quid approx!

[nsi]

chan61922 said:

I’d just get machine polished and pay a detailed to ceramic coat (will cost more but if they using good products can protect your car for 1-2 years!

This is what I was intending. How much will this cost me please?

[moxy89]

Where are you located?

[nsi]

moxy89 said:

Where are you located?

North Hampshire

[moxy89]

If you need any help/advice/work then please don’t hesitate to give me a shout, I’m located in Southampton.

[chan61922]

Can point you in the right direction if London’s any good for you....a decent job should set your back £500/600 Quid, there’s cheaper options out there but can’t see it being anymore then a stage 1 machine polish and spray wax which wouldn’t last long at all

[Justin S]

There is a detailer in the unit next door to my work in Thatcham and is good at his work ( and gives me freebies to try !!) If you need a number then PM me .