OPINION: CARS International

[kevster30]

Just as a matter of interest, I was wondering what's your opinion on this detailing franchise that is found in almost all shopping centres basement parking?I shall reserve my opinion for later. :nyehehe:

 

[ALBundy]

I think its a waste of time. I have tried it long before. But of course, they have come out with a pretty good plan and set themselves out in crowded shopping malls! Moral of the story, don't need a great product but good business acumen and marketing plan! And I know plenty of folks sent their cars there while shopping because cannot find parking lot!

 

[c-square]

IMHO... they are a complete waste of time and money. Those so-called polishing session are not cheap and costs from RM250 upwards. Sent my car there once (at 1-Utama basement) about 2 years back. Sure the car looked clean, gleaming and all under those light but when I drove the car back home and see it under direct sunlight, I noticed all those swivel marks. :aggressive:

 

[jeffreyewe]

Kevster..when are you free to detail my ride?

 

[kevster30]

Originally posted by jeffreyewe@Aug 16 2005, 10:31 PM
Kevster..when are you free to detail my ride?

CAll for appt lar........

 

[Fuhrer]

my parents are a big supporter of these detailing centres in malls because it offers convenience when there's no parks and she can get the car cleaned while she shops and its ready when she gets back. but she's been dissapointed with the waxing results as they dont keep their shine for very long.. like duh!!

 

[ALBundy]

Originally posted by jeffreyewe@Aug 17 2005, 03:31 AM
Kevster..when are you free to detail my ride?

White colored cars aka Company vehicles need detailing?? :blink: :unsure:

 

[kevster30]

Originally posted by ALBundy+Aug 16 2005, 10:51 PM-->QUOTE (ALBundy @ Aug 16 2005, 10:51 PM)

 

[ALBundy]

If thats the case, please extend your love...."they" always have my fullest sympathy :rofl:

 

[fast&furious]

I just send my UDM to Cars International yesterday in Mid Valley. I took their so called 4 layer full detailing package. It took almost 4 hours give me enough time to even go to Cititel Spa.
Haha car need detailing , I also need detailing ma.

but overall I wouldn't recommend them cause I am not very happy with their service. The interior is not well clean, there is still dust here and there. No doubt thet give me a 7 day grace period to bring it back to them.

fast & furious :aggressive:

 

[cysoon]

I send my car to this place before. I have bad experience. My black car under the sun light can see many circles and marks
Dont risk

 

[ah lian]

many years ago, i tried them out using my fren's card while i got a perm at mid valley. a perm takes 3-4 hours with washing and cutting before the perm and another 45 minutes for other conditioning.

out wid a new look for myself... and expecting to see my face on my car. was i so wrong. the top part of the car was shiny under the lights... but the bottom half wasnt. the interiors were barely cleaned... the door jambs werent wiped at all. the bottom grill of my car was still muddy (dun think it was even washed). i made them clean up the bits they missed... for another 45 minutes, and their faces became blacker as the car got cleaner.

wud i go back? not even if it was for free...

 

[adzhar]

I strongly agree with all of you here.

True Story

FYI, i'm the Platinum card holder for CARS International. I feel that it is just their marketing strategy that makes it look so impressive. Once you've sign-up they didn't keep their quality services. I refused to renew the membership as i would rather send to other small car detailing shop that really up to my expectation !

So for you guys... think wisely before subscribing their membership.

Just to share my honest opinion !

 

[M30revival]

Originally posted by kevster30+Aug 17 2005, 11:42 AM-->QUOTE (kevster30 @ Aug 17 2005, 11:42 AM)

 

[johnchen]

If you truely love your UDM and want to keep it spic and span, NEVER EVER send your ride to one of those basement carpark or similar kind of places.

Send to the real professionals who loves cars as much as you do. Unfortuntely there's only a hand full of them.

AutoDetailer in PJ is one of them. Bro Kev is another popular and reliable guy who does house calls. You can work with him on your own car for that real TLC.

 

[davistan]

True... check out some of these photos
http://www.iamtagged.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=128

 

[The Necessary]

Bloody hell, that's an amazing detailing job!

However, I am wary about this entire "wet/dry sanding" thing... will it/ won't it strip the top coats of your paint?

Does it also mean that you have to constantly wax it, after sanding, to keep it from corroding?

 

[davistan]

Well, you can ask the fella who does it - he's my friend. Before knowing him, I dun really know much about detailing, but looks at the difference. Cool!

 

[macdude]

Originally posted by The Necessary@Oct 13 2005, 10:40 AM
Bloody hell, that's an amazing detailing job!

However, I am wary about this entire "wet/dry sanding" thing... will it/ won't it strip the top coats of your paint?

Does it also mean that you have to constantly wax it, after sanding, to keep it from corroding?

Hi The Necessary,

I'll just chime in a bit about wet/dry sanding. It's actually a common process used even at the paintshop level to correct certain paintwork defects. FYI, it would probably have been used on your car from primer, basecoat and/or all the way to the clear coat level (which is what your paintwork would consist primarily of). Over at AutoDetailer, we specialize in this particular detailing subset to create sharper image reflection which is termed as DOI or Distinction of Image. Take a look at your OEM/refinished paintwork and you'll be able to immediately spot what we call "orange peel"effect which comes as a standard feature!
Essentially, wet/dry sanding eliminates the high points of the clear coat knocking off "peel" effects on the clear coat itself. This is done using specialized tools and specific resin-bonded sandpaper that runs between 1,000 grit all the way to 4,000 grit. At 1,000 grit the sandpaper feels a bit like your average A4 sheet. Extremely fine. Using a random orbital that "orbits" and "skips" instead of consistently going around in a rotary-like manner allows the surface to be skimmed.
Next comes the buffing process which is extremely time-consuming. Quite a fair bit of showcars/display cars in exhibitions, photoshoots and private garages are done at our detailing center and requires typically 1-3 weeks to complete. An indicative cost for a proper wet/dry sanding finish of this calibre would cost between RM 2,000 to RM 3,000. Not cheap but extremely spectacular for a finish!
I do have to emphasize that this is a very skill-specific and specialized area. I've seen a fair share of cars sent to us for corrective work and/or ultimately repainting because the owner's placed it in the wrong hands.

N.B. Maintenance for a wet/dry sanded car is just like any other paintwork. Regular good-old washing and waxing helps to preserve the finish JUST like any other detailed car. Remember though, proper wet/dry sanding detailing is done at the clear coat level for an OEM or refinished car without harming the basecoat. It will not induce corrosion in itself.

HTH!

Cheers!
macdude

 

[The Necessary]

Macdude,

thanks for your comprehensive reply. Could you please PM me your contact details, address, and price list.

Thank you.