Ah HA! The (beginnings of a) Detailing Party. All are welcome! Pity. Would love to be there but am a little too far away. Sigh!
Post the pictures and we'll join in the fun then.

Glad to hear that the Karcher is there/on its way. Waiting for the full report.

Mothers clay bar application ROUND 2

This time it was the turn of the hatch and rear bumper to shine. A quick 10 minutes job first with clay bar and then Formula 1 polish and the result is "Ohh La La".

How do I know for sure that the clay bar IS effective? Well, I first clayed RHS half part of the hatch and bumper and once done, moved my hand over the 2 halves. The un-clayed LHS half felt like I was moving my hand over a very rough surfacem, whereas the RHS half was as if I was moving hand over a brand new showroom car. Smooth as Silk! Not only the surface is un-stained, it also regains shine and even the paint starts looking like original.

Proofs:





Sorry for a late reply. I have always used this product on the matt balck plastic parts and it works like magic. Infact, it also gives a great shine to the tyres, but I have other tyre shine products too, so this is only for all plastic parts.

Men In Black:

Basky you have been the inspiration behind it.

When I saw your detailing of the Vento and the cleaning using Karcher I was spell bound. I knew I have to get it no matter what. Only thing which keeps me from doing proper detailing is just a DA. Few years down the line it would also be there in my detailing kit. Till then elbow grease is the way.

If you could join in the detailing party it would make wonders, the expertise I would get in detailing Vento would be priceless. But sadly I know its not possible(1500 kms). The date is almost final 12 Feb or at most 19 Feb the day I'm looking forward to. Another thing remaining is the Torin Jack stands 2 Ton, would have them soon too.

Will be posting a very detailed detailing post.

Hello BHPians,

NEED YOUR INPUT

I own a car detailing company in delhi (not mentioning the name as i don`t intend to promote it indirectly here). we only use Meguiars professional product range for every treatment. Currently its a doorstep service but I am planning to set up a quick detail center so that car lovers like you can get their cars looking like brand new always. For this I request you all to give your valuable inputs as i am in the process of making a business plan.

My questions are

PRICE
(please mention your car as well)

1) How much are you willing to spend for a quick steam wash & paint sealant (Meguiars) treatment for your car.

2) How much are you willing to spend on interior detailing with Meguiars professional products.

3) How much are you willing to spend for a complete paint correction/ protection. (compounding, polishing, sealant etc)

FREQUENCY

1) How often would you like to get a sealant top up for maximum paint protection.

2) How often would you like to get the complete interior detailed.

CHOICE

1) Would you prefer a dealership treatment v/s a specialized professional detailing center for your new/old car.

LOCATION

1) Which one would you prefer more - Mall parking lot or Shop in a car market.

Your comments/criticism are most welcome. If you see any flaws or have some creative ideas, please feel free to share. After all you will be the ones enjoying these special car-care services later on

Thanking you all in advance
Kind Regards
Sunny

Thanks for the invite. Just back from a 5 day, eye opening Varanasi trip and got back this morning. More on that later.

For an orbital polisher, best to pool in funds and timeshare. Why wait, Get it now (well almost). The difference in time, effort & finish is just too much to ignore. Use it once and you are hooked for life.

Has the devil tempted you yet?

Yeah the devil surely has tempted me but trying to resist it.
The DA surely on the radar but will be buying it few years down the line. Got some good news. Yesterday bought Karcher K2.180 from Bunnings Store.
Just wait and watch this section in 3rd wk of Feb for some superb detailing.

Amazon.com enters India through www.junglee.com and has under the automotive section

Meguiar's Complete Car Care kit among others

I seriously love Smooth Surface Clay Kit that Meguiars
Tech Wax 2

heres the link. ( site is under beta and not all items are available for sale)

I was never fancied with even washing a car until the super red Chevy Beat came into our family. To speak my heart out, me being a bit lazy yet with good observation, I find that a plain non-metallic color is heavy on maintenance. More than out of fascination, it now has been a necessary to keep her clean, as she attracts the slightest of dust on her and because she is happy to show off the dirt. She is 7 months old and water is no longer beading on her. I think a good wax such as the Collinite's No. 845 should do the trick. However, I need a couple of clarifications.

The Beat has got swirl marks (my eyes conveniently or otherwise skip noticing any swirls on our 6 year old Baleno, thanks to the metallic beige color she wears!) all around her, even though I was careful in not marring her paint with dry cloths while giving her a wash. She has also attracted small tar particles towards her side bottom. Also, I have noticed tiny (1-2 mm diameter) chipping of paint on her sides towards the back (nothing towards the front door) every time she comes after a wash from the service center. The adviser is so sure that the chipping has happened due to small stones being hit on the vehicle! How true is this? Why is it happening only towards the side backs? Even the body panel has got exposed in these tiny chipping. Please check the pictures below.







My question is how do I deal with this chipping, both on preventive and corrective accounts?

Another doubt is that whether I can skip the claying part (for removing the tiny tar spots) if I am going in for a polishing? Please suggest me a good liquid polish. I am planning to go for Collinite's No. 845 for the waxing.

One final query. Can I use both the polish and the wax on the windshield, the lamps, the chrome strips and other plastic parts (the black ones)?

Yes. That is a good development. I am wondering what is the landing cost of Porter Cable 7424XP.

What happens to the guys at ShopYourWorld now?

Edit: Total cost of
Porter-Cable 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher $115

is


Shipping & Handling:$29.80
Total Before Tax:$144.79
Estimated Tax To Be Collected:$0.00
Import Fees Deposit$33.76
Total:$178.55 (Rs. 8800)

That amazon thing is currently beta i.e. it'll just redirect you to amazon.com(US site)

I hope amazon actually opens warehouses with actual stock of stuff here, thats only when we'll get competetive prices!

SUN - PLease check is that PC7424XP the 240 V version for International customers ?

Also - Meguiars India have updated their site & will start selling quite a good range, which also includes the G220. I hear distribution channel is being worked out currently.

G220V2 Dual Action Polisher - Meguiars India

@thoma There is nothing you can do about stone chips through polishing, etc. However ensure you wax your car regularly. That shall avoid rusting where the stone chips have occured.

Typically the stone chips end up on the front of the car i.e. the front 6 inches of the bonnet. I have never seen any chips on the rear or sides. I hope the service center isn't trying to hoodwink you for a shoddy job at their end.

To prevent stone chips, you can get clear film which is put on the first 6 inches of the bonnet. Not sure how available it is in India, but at least that's what I have seen on cars abroad.

You have to live with stonechips and prevent any rusting through waxing the paint. This is thanks to the poor road conditions in India where you have rubble all over the dirty roads :( Another thing to blame on the lame government...