My Toy

[mjlinane]

I have a tasty German convertible on order. However, it`s been that way since the middle of June and projected arrival date still isn`t until the week of 10/28. So, in the mean time, I stopped by the local VW shop and picked up a 2013 Reef Blue Turbo Beetle Convertible. (They gave me one for an extended test drive and I did more joy rides in the 2 days I had it than in the nearly 3 years I`ve had the Sonata.) Mine was fresh off of the truck - literally that day - and I asked them to do nothing with the outside of the car. I did let them do the interior. (My philosophy: paint care requires skill; interior is mostly "want to".)

As it`s mine, the new car prep has been a bit drawn out.

Process/products:
Foamed with 1z W99
GDPWM with CG CWC
Removed adhesive & cosmoline with 1z W99 & GooGone
2 days later
Valugard A&B
GDPWM with CG CWC
"clayed" with Nanoskin Autoscrub + Nanoskin Glide + GG6
Next day
Finish polished with Opti HyperPolish on White LC CCS + Rupes 15 and Crimson Hydrotech + GG6 + 3" BP
Eraser wipe down
Next morning
Eraser wipe down
Opti OptiCoat
BF Total Eclipse Tire Gel
9 days later
P21S Wheel Cleaner Gel
Foamed with CG CW
GDPWM with CG CWC
Permanon Platinum (10%) applied with Porter Cable Compressor + HF Mini Detail Spray Gun (Item #92126)
Dried with MetroVac 8hp
Distilled water (spots)
Next morning
Duragloss 341 (top) - thanks Ben for pointing out Richy`s review to me
One week later
Foamed with CG CWC
Dried with MetroVac 8hp
Jambs rinselessed with Megs D114 followed by Permanon.

Because of all of the curves and taping/covering of the top, polishing took much longer than I was expecting (something more than 4 hours - small car with no top or defects, was expecting maybe half of that). It did allow me some quality time with my Rupes 15. Like it almost as much as its big brother - almost.

Here is how it turned out.












Not sure if it is the Beetle aura or a convertible thing or some combination of the two, but I find I am in far less of a hurry to arrive anywhere; sports talk has been replaced with mellow rock or jazz; folks smile & wave as I putt by; and I am in generally a better mood when I do get there. As they say, it`s about the journey rather than the destination.

Almost has me considering the flower and/or peace sign accessories.

And yes, they don`t have my picture next to "impulse buying" in the dictionary for nothing.

Thanks for viewing. Questions welcome.

[JSFM35X]

Is this the same car you have on order. Enjoy it.

[mjlinane]

No. But let`s say they are from the same extended family.

Thanks. Hope to.

[kc's]

mamamia looking

[mjlinane]

Thanks kc!

[Ronkh]

Great job !!!!
On a fun toy

ENJOY

[Stokdgs]

MJLinane -
Congratulations on an absolutely beautiful Volkswagen !

The work you did only enhanced the very nice paintwork and the rest of the quality appointments ! Beautiful work on what you shared with us in pics !

Finally ! They have put wheels I actually like on a Volkswagen !!! They look great !

When you put your beauty next to an older - say Beetle - you will be surprised to see how less curvy and round your Beauty is compared to the older ones.. I love this new body style a lot !

I like to buy and sell vehicles a lot, and the closest I came to getting a Volkswagen was when I drove one of the last R32`s and while it was very nice and fast, it just had too much road noise coming through the floor..

I am sure you will have much, much, fun in this car for a long time !

Thanks for sharing ! Absolutely beautiful house behind the car was just the perfect background for your photo shoot.

Dan F

[tropicsteve]

awesome vdub mike. you really laid down a beautiful finish on such a great color. looks like a fun car to drive.

[Bunky]

It looks great! The paint looks very clear.

[mjlinane]

Thanks Ron, Dan, Steve and Al!

[Addicted2Bling]

Nice job man, I love that Opti shine!

[ec90]

Nice job, great color!

[mjlinane]

Thanks Addicted2Bling and ec90.

[JSFM35X]

Ok so what the heck is it this distant relative. I am getting excited that it Amy be what I think it is. . . . . . .

Out with it already.

No. But let`s say they are from the same extended family.

Thanks. Hope to.

[mjlinane]

As I typed in the matte MB thread, I am learning the art of the tease from Todd. Hell, Todd would make a contest out of it.

I`ll start with hints: the VW Group consists of VW, Audi, Porsche and Bentley. It isn`t a Bentley.