Come on Tom..............think OEM+...............you love FSDs/Eibachs!!!

Sounds like you have been looking on Edition38!!!

Got myself some FSDs for the Leon. Now I need the Eibachs & I'm sorted.

God.... really need to go and clean my Ibiza now!!!!!!

Nice detail there, shame the colour doesn't show the effort you put into it compared to say a black car. At least it won't look dirty as quickly!

Black will always show up well but to be fair I thought the paintwork looked very 'wet' after that detail?

God.... really need to go and clean my Ibiza now!!!!!!

Black will always show up well but to be fair I thought the paintwork looked very 'wet' after that detail?

If I can be brutally honest, you need some better photos of it. I thought the ones outside looked a little too overexposed, to properly show off your work.

Some outside, with decent natural light, and I reckon it will look epic. What camera are you using?

Steve

I do agree Steve, th photos aren't doing the details justice! :P

If I can be brutally honest, you need some better photos of it. I thought the ones outside looked a little too overexposed, to properly show off your work.

Some outside, with decent natural light, and I reckon it will look epic. What camera are you using?

Steve

I will get my coat then............achieving what I do in the time I do IMHO is really good work and I am not the best person on the camera so I guess I need to get some advice but it's hard with the lighting inside and then no light outside.........

I do agree Steve, th photos aren't doing the details justice! :P

Buy me a better camera then...............

Not taking anything away at all mate from the quality of the detailing etc, and your write ups are spot on... but lighting really isn't on your side for showing off...

Bring on the sunshine!!!

Yup, couldn't agree more. Wasn't having a go at all - hence the question about the camera, so we could maybe get some better shots

Steve

Not taking anything away at all mate from the quality of the detailing etc, and your write ups are spot on... but lighting really isn't on your side for showing off...

Bring on the sunshine!!!

Something that I can't help I am afraid............joys of starting early and finishing late............:thumbdwn:

Yup, couldn't agree more. Wasn't having a go at all - hence the question about the camera, so we could maybe get some better shots

Steve

This is my current camera:

Sony : DSC-W90 (DSCW90) : United Kingdom

I only now looked at this thread, and my sincere apologies for I am about to dampen your enthusiasm for manual waxing:

You can get the same effect (actually better if you wash often) by washing the car in automated tunnel car wash and selecting "hot wax" option. In IMO-Arc it costs stlg7 total and takes 3min...

Note: try several tunnel car washes in the area, because a lot depends on preparation prior to the wash.

If you really MUST wax, the only areas on the car that are worth hard-waxing on top of the hot wax treatment manually are front and rear bumper and the fuel filler area.

I only now looked at this thread, and my sincere apologies for I am about to dampen your enthusiasm for manual waxing:

You can get the same effect (actually better if you wash often) by washing the car in automated tunnel car wash and selecting "hot wax" option. In IMO-Arc it costs stlg7 total and takes 3min...

Note: try several tunnel car washes in the area, because a lot depends on preparation prior to the wash.

If you really MUST wax, the only areas on the car that are worth hard-waxing on top of the hot wax treatment manually are front and rear bumper and the fuel filler area.

Before I answer this with my instant reaction, are you suggesting that you only go through the tunnel having wax applied or does this 'automated tunnel car wash' involve the brushes touching your paintwork and cleaning the car and then applying the wax........:confused:

I only now looked at this thread, and my sincere apologies for I am about to dampen your enthusiasm for manual waxing:

You can get the same effect (actually better if you wash often) by washing the car in automated tunnel car wash and selecting "hot wax" option. In IMO-Arc it costs stlg7 total and takes 3min...

Note: try several tunnel car washes in the area, because a lot depends on preparation prior to the wash.

If you really MUST wax, the only areas on the car that are worth hard-waxing on top of the hot wax treatment manually are front and rear bumper and the fuel filler area.

I'm sorry but......

Before I answer this with my instant reaction, are you suggesting that you only go through the tunnel having wax applied or does this 'automated tunnel car wash' involve the brushes touching your paintwork and cleaning the car and then applying the wax........:confused:

IMO - ARC clean car centres.. IMO - ARC clean car centres. The largest car washing company in the world.IMO, imo, ARC, arc, carwash, clean car, autowash, locator, car care, valleting, valeting, local carwashes, regional, dirt removal, grit removal, a

There probably are other companies, which might even be better, so no flaming for posting link please. I tried this one in several places and it works for me.

As for use, if you go to imo-arc and ask for "the Works", or program number 5, remember to fold mirrors and undo and foldd the roof aerial.

You sit in the car as it is dragged across a tunnel while the brushes and foam/water jets wash the car including the underbody. Afterwards, hot wax solution is sprayed and then the car is dried out. If it does not advertise hot wax, go to a different wash!

In my experience, these washes do work, the trouble is the often lazy/idiot assistants in front of them, who do not do the preparation correctly. That's why I said try a few, as I had mixed experience both in UK and abroad with the same company. And for ultimate preparation, hand wash the dirt off the fuel filler area, inside door sills, and front and rear bumper, then go to the car wash for "The Works". It still is 5 times less work than wash/wax the whole car by hand and it can be done under half an hour total.

I used to wash and wax my cars by hand for about 6 years. Then they built one of these automated tunnel washes around 500yards from where I live. Went there once, and that was the end of manual car washing...

Yes, if you spend 3-4 hours you can wash the car and wax it better than they do, but for stlg7 and short drive + 3min wash I don't think it's worth the effort. The key is to wash once a month or so, before the grime is too thick. It also waxes underbody...

... And having washed one of my cars every month for 2 years, I did not notice the deterioration of paintwork so eagerly dreaded of by manufacturers and sellers of hand wax... I guess the brushes nowadays must be a lot softer, because the paintwork is definitely not harder these days...

...No, I don't have shares in these, I wish I did! I'd sack one or two "assistants"

And regarding the "beading", I once ended up with 2in water "beads" after a rain, so it seems to work rather well

IMO - ARC clean car centres.. IMO - ARC clean car centres. The largest car washing company in the world.IMO, imo, ARC, arc, carwash, clean car, autowash, locator, car care, valleting, valeting, local carwashes, regional, dirt removal, grit removal, a

Website worked well yesterday as I was looking up a German car wash but today they have maintenance. Try tomorrow.

There probably are other companies, which might even be better, so no flaming for posting link please. I tried this one in several places and it works for me.

As for use, if you go to imo-arc and ask for "the Works", or program number 5, remember to fold mirrors and undo and foldd the roof aerial.

You sit in the car as it is dragged across a tunnel while the brushes and foam/water jets wash the car including the underbody. Afterwards, hot wax solution is sprayed and then the car is dried out. If it does advertise hot wax, go to a different wash!

In my experience, these washes do work, the trouble is the often lazy/idiot assistants in front of them, who do not do the preparation correctly. That's why I said try a few, as I had mixed experience both in UK and abroad with the same company. And for ultimate preparation, hand wash the dirt off the fuel filler area, inside door sills, and front and rear bumper, then go to the car wash for "The Works". It still is 5 times less work than wash/wax the whole car by hand and it can be done under half an hour total.

I used to wash and wax my cars by hand for about 6 years. Then they built one of these automated tunnel washes around 500yards from where I live. Went there once, and that was the end of manual car washing...

Yes, if you spend 3-4 hours you can wash the car and wax it better than they do, but for stlg7 and short drive + 3min wash I don't think it's worth the effort. The key is to wash once a month or so, before the grime is too thick. It also waxes underbody...

... And having washed one of my cars every month for 2 years, I did not notice the deterioration of paintwork so eagerly dreaded of by manufacturers and sellers of hand wax... I guess the brushes nowadays must be a lot softer, because the paintwork is definitely not harder these days...

...No, I don't have shares in these, I wish I did! I'd sack one or two "assistants"

And regarding the "beading", I once ended up with 2in water "beads" after a rain, so it seems to work rather well

While I agree that these 'Car Washes' do have their market and purpose for me these will scratch, swirl and mark your paintwork easily so it's a no, no from me.....

It would be interesting to see what your paintwork looks like with direct sunlight on it.........no scratches, swirls or defects on mine but then I wash my car by hand using the 'Two bucket method (2BM)'...........

While I agree that these 'Car Washes' do have their market and purpose for me these will scratch, swirl and mark your paintwork easily so it's a no, no from me.....

It would be interesting to see what your paintwork looks like with direct sunlight on it.........no scratches, swirls or defects on mine but then I wash my car by hand using the 'Two bucket method (2BM)'...........

I already stated:

... And having washed one of my cars every month for 2 years, I did not notice the deterioration of paintwork so eagerly dreaded of by manufacturers and sellers of hand wax... I guess the brushes nowadays must be a lot softer, because the paintwork is definitely not harder these days...

Anyway, if you prefer the handwork, stick to it. It's good exercise, anyway

>>>If it does advertise hot wax, go to a different wash!

Sorry, should have been "if it does NOT advertise..."

How people use these car washes?

How many times are they maintained and how often?

You just don't know the answers to these questions.

At least when washing & waxing by hand, you know what state the wash mitt/waxing applicators/cloths are in.

At least when washing & waxing by hand, you know what state the wash mitt/waxing applicators/clothes are in.

I wen to the imo-arc place in chesterfield when I didn't know better, and a surly youth attacked my car with a broom and a bucket :eek:

It didn't leave swirls, it actually left scratches like a scouring pad! I could have cried.

Left me older and (a little) wiser. Only now am I getting the hang of using the right tools and the right methods - I'd never heard of 'detailing' till about 6 months ago!

I'd love to get a full paint correction from someone like you Baker, but I fear that with my bonnet and wings being as chipped as they are there's little point :(

I wen to the imo-arc place in chesterfield when I didn't know better, and a surly youth attacked my car with a broom and a bucket :eek:

It didn't leave swirls, it actually left scratches like a scouring pad! I could have cried.

Left me older and (a little) wiser. Only now am I getting the hang of using the right tools and the right methods - I'd never heard of 'detailing' till about 6 months ago!

I'd love to get a full paint correction from someone like you Baker, but I fear that with my bonnet and wings being as chipped as they are there's little point :(

All you need to know is this website, it's soooooooo addictive:

Detailing World - A world for detailers by detailers.

Your not far away from me mate and to be fair if you saw my bonnet it's more than likely in worse condition that yours.........drop me a PM if your interested in getting anything done.............

Oh, and on topic - i.e. 'beading': I waxed mine week before last and of course it rained that night...Monday morning found a car covered in great big FROZEN water beads! They were like ice cubes welded to the roof...on the way to work after a few miles of slow cruise I hit the dual carriageway and the road behind me was suddenly filled with icy shrapnel Wouldn't have liked to be following me...

Oh, and on topic - i.e. 'beading': I waxed mine week before last and of course it rained that night...Monday morning found a car covered in great big FROZEN water beads! They were like ice cubes welded to the roof...on the way to work after a few miles of slow cruise I hit the dual carriageway and the road behind me was suddenly filled with icy shrapnel Wouldn't have liked to be following me...

You can't beat Frozen Beads..............