Threeput,

Have a mooch around some of the detailing sites. Plenty of advice on how to get rid of swirls. A couple of UK based ones I can recommend are http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/and http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/

And if you go through a car wash again we'll all come round and slap your legs.

 

I won't be going to a car wash again. As someone said in this forum notvery long ago, if I can't wash it myself, it stays dirty, or words to that effect.

 

Try Meguiar's Scratch X as a temp solution. Basically any high quality polish that's slightly abrasive will help remove those swirls, as the damage is not to your actual paint (unless u see metal) but just the top layers of the wax. Follow with some wax and you should be fine.

I have a black A3 as well and it's been the biggest headache of mine since I bought the car. I think I might just get my car professionally detailed every 6 months or so, especially with summer season around the corner here in SoCal.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try. I am just waiting for some warmer weather to get something done.