I have recently been putting a lot of bits on a Golf MK iv so it will pass an MOT, now I have done this and the MOT is next week I am now looking at tidying up the paintwork.

 On the rear O/S wheel arch there is a deep scratch about 10cm long, this will need paint but the rest of the car is covered in marks and scuffs on the paint, the previous owner dropped a pressure washer lance on the bonnet and it has left some big marks.

 

 So, I am thinking on the lines of one panel at a time and trying to buff the majority of the marks out, question os what polish to use?

Do I use a machine or a cloth and my hand?

Once it has had a good cut what wax?

Will these scuffs even polish out is also a big question and if they don't what do I do next?

 

 I have never really been a car polishing person hence all the questions, thanks for looking and your assistance.

 

 

I have been looking at a few ways to make my car look better than it does, as nobody has any ideas for my question above, how about  the options I have HERE

 

 Thanks for looking.

I think we need close-ups of the marks you are trying to remove.

I will try and get some more pics on Monday, the ones I took today don't show the marks, but when you stand at the car they are blatantly obvious!

Close up pics would be handy, especially the mark left by the lance.

 

I am no expert, but are the marks just scuffs and swirls without breaking the paint? If so (barring the scratch that you mentioned) and as the car is going to be a track day project rather than a daily commute 'keeper it mint' type car, would probably recommend going for a machine cut on it. 

 

Wrapping will be the most expensive of the options I would have thought, don't really know about plastidip so can't help there, and stickers, well each to their own 

 

Sealing wise, someone with a lot more knowledge will help you on this, but there is a pinned thread that might help.

 

For a couple of hundred quid or if you're feeling a bit brave get the car mopped, you'll lose the majority of unsightly swirls and scuffs without breaking the bank. 

 

Not really much help, just my thoughts 

I have youtubed Mopping, looks a very aggressive process but the end result looked good, I could also see if the deeper scratch could be painted in and then mopped..

 Thanks for the alternative Lee

 

I too am dubious about stickers, I think they would make me stand out too much, but then again a pink V6 Golf doesn't blend in anyway, it is Murano Red Pearl but most people say it is pink 

Mopping is a term used by Valeters to, as you state, aggressively remove paint and pass it off as enhanced paintwork

Its never a term or practice that Pro or Amateur Detailers use

You will need to have the paint thickness measured and then machine polished with an appropriate pad and polish combination to lightly polish away the scratches

Here are a few pictures of my bonnet scratches, these are reduced a bit after I went at it with G3 stuff from Halfrauds.

 

Colour looks different because of camera compensation

 

 

 

It need machine polishing mate

Those scratches will be eliminated ...if they are not too deep

That sounds like a much cheaper option than paint or mopping, I have rules out plasti dipping the whole car.

 

 I see you are a resident OCD detailer, is this your hobby or your business? I might have some work for you 

Just a hobby mate