993 c2s // kds keltec.. Amazing!

[christer]

Kelly is very busy despite the hundreds of detailers out there - there is a reason for that. I remember the first time I was there to pick up my car - it was on a Saturday and arrived at 1pm and the car was pretty much ready. I left at 4.30pm after Kelly and I spent some hours talking......sometimes he has time and others he doesn't I guess......

In any case if you want someone to kiss your arse as a priority over outstanding workmanship then you should definitely use whoever makes you happy

[Magic919]

Kelly has a great reputation for his work. Nobody ever commends his inter-personal skills. There are other good detailers that are keen to engage with their customers. You pays your money...

[irish boy]

Lovely car erics. I'm also a c2s owner and previously had a 6tt. I'm on my 4th 993 actually, find I keep coming back as I can't find anything that does so much so well and with the smile inducing character that 993's have. I commend you're attention to detail, car looks stunning.

I left mine in for a service at the local specialist 2 weeks ago and told them to do 'everything' and it cost me £2k...it was close to perfect but the clutch was a little heavy for my liking so was changed along with the master and slave cylinders and box oil. Also a major service with plugs, a/c re gas and geo check on the new bilstein suspension. Good to go for the next 12 months! I think with cars of this age money needs to be spent to keep them tip top but very little ever goes wrong so it would be easy to skimp if you know what I mean therefore buying a good used one takes time as even a fsh may only be basic oil changes and not money spent where it should be. At least we make it back in non-depreciation!

One thing I did notice at the specialist who did my work....2 996 and 2 997's with total engine failure. Not good and though I felt good driving away in my 993 I did think to myself there's 4 more people off porsche for the rest of their life.

[Caymanator]

christer said:

In any case if you want someone to kiss your arse as a priority over outstanding workmanship then you should definitely use whoever makes you happy

I'll settle for outstanding workmanship and passable manners thanks.

[J-P]

Caymanator said:

christer said:

In any case if you want someone to kiss your arse as a priority over outstanding workmanship then you should definitely use whoever makes you happy

I'll settle for outstanding workmanship and passable manners thanks.

To be honest - I think you're right. If you think he might annoy you, it's probably better to look elsewhere BUT he is the best detailer around - an absolute perfectionist. The job he did on my E92 M3 was simply stunning and could not have been performed by any other detailer to that level in the south of England. Like the OP, it's the quality of his work that I'm impressed with but the Mrs can't stand him - her car needs a paint correction, it's black which means Kelly would really make it pop but she won't use him, so I can see your point.

Christer and Puntograle are also correct though, when I first met Kelly he would talk about cars for ages. I must have spoken to him for an hour on the phone about the work on my E92 M3. After talking to him, I just booked. I think a lot of people have dicked him about and I think the nature of his business is very stressful. If you want the best, then Kelly is genuinely the best at what he does probably in the whole country! In your shoes, I'd use him and ignore any rough edges!

[erics]

So this should probably tell a better story than my lengthy digression....
Enjoy...

BEFORE:
http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll168/kdskeltec...

AFTER:
http://s288.photobucket.com/albums/ll168/kdskeltec...

[erics]

these few pics should be enough to convince anyone still in doubt



BEFORE:







AFTER:

Edited by erics on Wednesday 1st June 22:07

[Westy Pre-Lit]

Hi erics, your car now looks fantastic which is nothing short what I would expect from KDS.

As a side note on the thread.

I have known Kelly for over 20 years having both been apprentises at the same place, I left that place of work about 10 years later.

Three years ago I came into contact with him again when he started KDS detailing and he became one of our customers. So it's safe to say I've watched Kelly build the business from nothing to what it is today. Many now regaurd the guy as the best in the country for the results he produces.

In answer to a few of the points in the thread, these are my thoughts anyway.

Not wanting to put a too finer point on it, as a Static based detailer who works only from a unit ( i.e. everybody knows where to find Kelly for a chat ) and with a very small workforce, the stress and pressure the guy is under to turn around cars in a respectable amount of time and within acceptable cost levels are tremendous. I can personally vouch that he regularly works around the clock and I mean around the clock to finish a car for a waiting, apprehensive and excited customer.

I have personally witnessed Kelly spend well over 1.5 hours ( in the mean time others where waiting in the back ground for a 'chat' with him about their P&P ) showing a guy the in's and outs of what is achievable, products and methods that will be used etc to then book the car in for the full works. The next day he rang and cancelled with no reason given. Apparently this sort of thing can happen on a regular basis and although part and parcel of running a succesful business can put his work so far behind he has to work through the night just to get back on track.

Knowing Kelly as I do, he'd love to give each and everyone one of his customers his undivided attention, it's customers that pays the bills at the end of the day, but sometimes that just isn't possible. Being stand offish at times I suppose is his way of coping with it all. Get him on the right day and time he'll bore the pant's off ya, once he starts talking to you he doesn't shut up

I have learnt over this period that if Kelly is able to talk and has time he'll make me late for my next job, he can talk the hind legs off a donkey at times. If he can't talk I fully appreciate that and leave him well alone. It's nothing personal (hopefully ) although I can see how it can be misconstrued in that way.

Kelly might only have a few words at times but as a totally dedicated professional and perfectionist his work speaks volumes.

Just my thoughts anyway which hopefully will give a little insite

Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Thursday 2nd June 07:41

[Jaykaybi]

There are two things you have to know about Kelly. The first is that he has no known equal, no competition to fear, and nobody disputing that. The second is that, in order to satisfy the first point, he has to work like a machine and I can also confirm that he'll go literally without sleep to make sure he's happy with his work. Remember, KDS are unique in that they have a large, secure, EXPENSIVE purpose-kitted premises. This means a higher standard of result can be achieved, but also Kelly needs to do more work than mobile detailers (like, five times as much) and has much less chill time to pamper clients. I understand (and I'm sure he does too) that this will occasionally and unfortunately lead to unintentional frustration in a few people, but the simple fact is that he trades on the reputation of his results and delivers every time - and that's a rare and very fine thing these days.

[erics]

The man's an artist in my book

[porkey]

As a matter of interest what does it cost roughly?

[TonyHetherington]

porkey said:

As a matter of interest what does it cost roughly?

He's got the full breakdown and price list on his website

http://www.kdskeltec.co.uk/

(there's loads of different packages and options, so it's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question, depending on what you want).

[Mermaid]

erics said:

The man's an artist in my book

He is very good at paint correction, but is it because he thinks he is an artist that the problem arises...;)

Perhaps his time management/delegation could be better?

[christer]

To the poster who asked how much:

If it is your first time get Kelly to have a look and recommend. If your paintwork is really good even a "Valet Stage 4" is very very good and lasts well. I had that first time then an enhancement detail and will probably go for a Dodo Juice before the summer longer trips

[erics]

Posting what you have posted, you clearly have no idea of what these people do and have never been anywhere near this outfit. I won't blame you. I had the same attitude 3 weeks ago.

You should really go and have a look for yourself.

I am the greatest sceptic you can find. Trust me, I think twice before handing out my cash to people I don't know.

Kelly pushes the enveloppe of his job. He will go the extra mile.
He won't let a car go that's not up to his very high standards, regardless of how much more time is needed to complete the job.
He will charge only what he said he would charge from the off.

Value For Money is amazing.

A decent respray on such car would be what? 5-6k?
Here for less than £1k, you get dings out, paint correction, wheels, interior.
Your 15 year old car comes back better than new.
For what cost? less than 3% of its value??

Just go and try for yourself.

Over the years, I have been in a lot of different outfits with different cars from main dealers to specialists, from ferraris to porsches via lotuses. There is only one conclusion: this place is something else.

Mermaid said:

He is very good at paint correction, but is it because he thinks he is an artist that the problem arises...;)

Perhaps his time management/delegation could be better?

[Mermaid]

I am pleased to learn of your wonderful experience.

But isn't KDS's main job that of getting rid of swirls/peel/scratches and treating with long lasting sealants - and they are peerless in that. Wheels refurbs/dents removal/resprays etc are AFAIK 3rd party jobs. I stand to be corrected.

[christer]

Lepsons is just across the way from KDS so it is very handy.

I think enough has been said - if you want peerless work go to KDS if you also need a blowjob as part of the deal don't bother

[domster]

Caymanator said:

I commend your tolerance and patience. That would have been it for me. I will be having my car detailed at some stage and won't be using this chap. I'm positive that there are equally proficient detailers out there who can muster a modicum of good manners towards me when I procure their not inexpensive services.

Still, as he said, he seems busy enough so there are obviously enough people out their who will tolerate such rudeness and pay for the pleasure.

I am glad you are pleased with the results though and I hope you enjoy your fantastic car.

If you don't use Kelly you will be missing out. The comments are always amplified on forums and as Eric himself has said, 'don't let it put you off'. Kelly isn't the rude or brusque personality this thread makes him out to be. He is just extremely busy and gets overwhelmed with quotes, enquiries and visits and has to gently put people off. It is perhaps better called 'getting on with your job without undue distractions'. This can appear a bit stand-offish. No one likes being told/hinted to go away at closing time, but a job's a job and there are homes and families to return to.

Sadly, you are incorrect if you think there are 'equally proficient' detailers out there who do the same job Kelly does at the price he charges, or less, whatever the customer service. He is arguably the best detailer in the UK and far better than some others who 'market themselves' more widely or more visibly. Even if they gave you the red carpet treatment - which they may or may not do - they still wouldn't be as good as Kelly. So even if he was rude/brusque/arrogant (which he isn't!) he would still be worth the visit, if you wanted the best 'technical' detailer in the UK.

Should you want an above-average detailer with first class bedside manners and mateyness, there are dozens around, but non would worry Kelly from a technical point of view.

[Jason GT 650]

Jaykaybi said:

There are two things you have to know about Kelly. The first is that he has no known equal, no competition to fear, and nobody disputing that. The second is that, in order to satisfy the first point, he has to work like a machine and I can also confirm that he'll go literally without sleep to make sure he's happy with his work. Remember, KDS are unique in that they have a large, secure, EXPENSIVE purpose-kitted premises. This means a higher standard of result can be achieved, but also Kelly needs to do more work than mobile detailers (like, five times as much) and has much less chill time to pamper clients. I understand (and I'm sure he does too) that this will occasionally and unfortunately lead to unintentional frustration in a few people, but the simple fact is that he trades on the reputation of his results and delivers every time - and that's a rare and very fine thing these days.

Hear Hear ! Could not have put it better myself....

[erics]

do you, by any chance, leave in Wapping?

Jason GT 650 said:

Hear Hear ! Could not have put it better myself....