travs

Bonjour et bienvenue!

World of difference 👍 Just be aware SRP, while classic, is basically fillers with wax; it’s been well used as it helps to fill in swirl marks to an extent but it will only last as long as the wax protects it. For gloss black pillars it’s definitely a good shortcut to polishing with compound though. Can also try a showglaze like Poorboys Black Hole but that's got no protection so would need something over the top to keep it protected from the elements.

Waterless products were developed in places like California where there are hosepipe bans often. It’s a solution looking for a problem and also a bit of a compromise. They work by having increased levels of surfactants and lubricants to lift dirt away from the paint so you can wipe it away but essentially you are still risking rubbing dirt against the clear coat and scratching it. Save your money on that in this country. There are specific products which help dissolve but generally getting it wet is a good start. But tbh it’s a biological matter, most things involving an alcohol (panel wipe), organic carbon solvent (tar remover) will do the job as will wheel cleaners which are safe for clear coated wheels [and therefore clear coated paint). Spray on, let dwell, rinse off. As always with paint, avoid as much mechanical removal as possible. No “some say” about it, the acids in the poo can eat into clear coat over time but what is a more common issue is when there is direct sunlight and the paint gets hot, the bonds of the outer molecules of the clear coat break and the poo is allowed to be absorbed.

Jealous. Would love that at home - but we are on mains pressure rather than a cold water tank and I think the flow-rates are too low (he says having done very little research on it mind you).

Times change with technical progression and demographics to say the least - that’s why we don’t have a man walking in front with a red lamp, right? The current road safety campaign strapline of “speed kills” is too low brow. Speed doesn’t kill alone, it’s speed without control, awareness and a moral code that tends to have the undesired effect. But “Speed kills” is simple and straightforward for the masses. And I think this legislation is the same issue - there are far too many nuances to driving to all be managed, but if they sort the headline-grabber then that helps lawmakers feel like they’re making a difference. As for wording if the article, it actually ebbs and flows all over the shop. Explaining what a limiter is (preventing speed limit breaches) then elaborating that it will be action to alert the driver. They’re not the same thing at all but there we are. Are there issues with vehicles with existing speed limiters? Lorries, coaches etc.?

I get the difference, but that wasn't my point. I wasn't just explaining what I think a speed limiter is. I've quoted the explanation directly from the article you linked to: it says that a speed limiter is going to be brought into use; whereas you and crankcase seem to speculate that it will probably be just a speed limit warning...

Not going on the article given it refers to introduction of a Speed Limiter and then: "What is a speed limiter? It's a safety feature you can install in your car to prevent it from exceeding a set speed. Unlike cruise control, which maintains a constant speed, a speed limiter lets you accelerate and decelerate as usual, as long as you stay within the speed limit you've set. Speed limiters, often referred to as Intelligent Speed Assistant (ISA), use GPS or traffic-sign-recognition cameras to determine the maximum speed allowed in an area and restrict the engine's power accordingly."

Mine is the same as the 2nd pic all the time as well - didn't think I'd done anything. So you switch the car off with the 2nd pic, but next time you switch on its back to the 1st pic?

I'm not absolutely convinced its completely nothing - it might not be the absolute panacea, but I do think there are specific conditions where its a benefit to the in-gear rolling with no fuel. I find a rolling road (a road with rolling hills, not the power-measurement device), can be ideal but you do need to get the timing right with the throttle pedal so you can maintain speed. Thinking of a certain section on the A21 from Tunbridge Wells down towards Battle, I'd definitely not make the gradients while still in gear and need to use throttle, whereas with coasting the car rolls easier and maintains sufficient to roll along. Agree it would need scientific measurement and consistent runs to work out whether its a benefit (ie a lab...)

Its a fair point - and its a bit of a niche market in many ways; both from product and service provider aspect. Product range has increased massively over the last decade or so, and with it comes a range of quality. There are a few social media and YT channels which are great at getting the word out there but any reviews are always to be taken with a pinch of salt on the basis of not proven to be entirely independent. There's also a few YT detailing 'specialists' who don't actually detail for a living but that's not necessary obvious. From the membership point of view, the joining and membership fees aren't an issue really and anyone who is serious about creating a business should see it as a valid business expense. Do you use Spotless Water or some sort of De-ionised setup? I love how that dries and leaves nothing behind - a definite game-changer.

Happy to put it here - might as well have it available to all. IDA is International Detailing Association. It’s US-centric but has national chapters located around the world in many countries. It’s there to standardise the industry, make sure the knowledge is accurate and consistent, create a level of ability and understanding and make sure that qualified members are of a minimum standard to attain certification Members then have to carry out CPD to make sure they stay at the required standard as well as keep their knowledge at the forefront of the industry. To be CD-SV (Certified Detailer - Skills Validated) you need to pass a set of knowledge tests (80% pass mark) and then be observed carrying out the right processes using the right techniques and products. PVD is uk-based and is run by a guy on the IDA UK board, so they aren’t in conflict with each other. Entry level into PVD is a bit more stringent about people who work professionally in the industry. It also has an entry exam but then requires (i) detailing to be your main source of income, and (ii) proof of sufficient insurance policies to cover not only 3rd party and public liability, but also vehicle under charge. Service providers are largely unregulated specifically (I.e. aside from usual business, tax requirements) and people are free to start and carry out business without any real regulatory hoops to jump through. This results in a wide range of abilities, no industry oversight and accountability, and no checks or controls on intention or quality of work. Whilst there is no authority charged with creating a minimum quality-standard, the next best thing is to create those minimum standards proactively and try to ensure the market is aware. As such, both the IDA and PVD are synonymous with members who have had to learn, understand and prove correct implementation of knowledge-backed, processes to ensure the high-quality services. In other words, while detailers/valeters who aren’t certified might not be cowboys, those that are will have jumped through a number of hoops to make sure they aren’t, and there is customer-recourse if anything does go wrong. Right, hopefully that didn’t sound too wordy…

2021 model and coasting in everything but sport mode (or if you knock the gearbox into Sport). My guess is if it has the roundel on the back it’s ECO only. And yes agree ECO is more likely to coast than normal or comfort

Thanks Danoid. These guys seemed to think that dealer was the only source which tbh I’d only be happy with OE; need to speak to Autoglass to get a quote pipe from them but it’s £115 excess for replacement and yes wouldn’t expect anything other than genuine parts.

In-laws place is down a private road; was their back garden being done on their own ride-on so no chance of getting that one pinned 😔

Cheers AS, will PM Passenger side.

Oh - that’s a bit unnecessary to have to do that. Sorry it didn’t work out. Ok, next one is Detailing Detectives. Serve South Yorks. The MD is on the board of the IDA and PVD assessed as well. They were my first thought but I didn’t think they were in the right area until I actually looked at their website. Hopefully worth a punt too; I can point in a word for you if you want if you’re not interested in any interior upselling etc.

Hi all, Mrs came out to the car down one morning at her folks and the rear nearside vent glass had been shattered. Still in place but a little hole in the middle; suspecting an unlucky shot from a lawnmower. Anyway, have spoken to a local windscreen company who say this is £470+ VAT and can only be sourced by a main dealer. Quick online quote from some random company through google comes up with a similar so willing to believe its not a one-off price. Seems like its covered by insurance if we use Autoglass at least and doesn't hit our NCB (so definitely definitely won't impact our renewal quote.....) but is there really no alternative?

Sounds like it’s sorted for a while then! Now to never take it to a car wash or a volume handwash! And if you ever feel like the costing isn’t as good after a year or so, it’ll more than likely just need a good decontamination clean etc 👍

Otherwise a plastic trim product with a matte effect? I tend to know Carpro products more than anything and they have PERL which can dress plastics and give UV protection.

Looks good - glad you’re pleased with it. What did you have done if you don’t mind me asking?

How did you get on? Success?

I never had a graphic on the Columbus with the seats. Just an indicator on the dash; might be a facelift thing though? However that was until a little over a year ago when it stopped working altogether. Had a new steering wheel out of it under warranty (just before expiring) but tech reckoned if Skoda wanted to dig deeper into found I’d been using VCDS then they might void the warranty. Tech was a bit vague on the phone but I think he said the system was feeding back that the wheel was over temp and so auto-switching off permanently. Found on VCDS that you can set the shut-off temp but it’s at 50c and can’t be set higher.

And, sorry to overlook but thanks @MartiniB for putting this together. Really useful and some brilliant stuff. Love tinkering with stuff like this.

On this turning on rear DRLs - I found the stored value is in English…BUT…there is Daytime Running Lights, and Daytime Running Lamps. On my MY21 it is “Daytime Running Lamps”. It is nuts how half of it is in English and half in German. For example - “Not Active”, then “Activ 100%”. Tricky

Yeah I think you’re right. The fixing at the end of the elbow is the wrong angle for mine. It’s silly as I think a load of websites are getting it wrong probably because 2021 vehicle for one brand isn’t the same. Mine must be very early Gen4 and is probably when they switched from 272 back up to 280. Maybe. Cheers for getting back to me. Fingers crossed for the sale 👍