Discussion
Chalk and cheese to drive, run and own - both exhilarating in equal but different parts. But I wasn't prepared for the difference to clean shine, and detail!
The Elise seats take 5 minutes to remove, then the carpets just un-velcro. The Griff needs jacking, spanners underneath to hold the non-captive nuts and replacement of the 8 custom ground washers (as they rust) before the seats come out, then the carpets are glued in...
But...the Griff, with its 'monocoque' body and endless curves can be washed and waxed in a couple of hours. On the other hand I've just spent a whole week inside and outside the Elise. What a pain all those black plastic trims are (especially the fake grills by the rear lights as they do precisely nothing); and the moulding section lines and returns which make the S2 look sharp and agressive are a PITA to wax and polish; and the 'frenched' rear lights; and the engine lid...
But I think the results are worthwhile:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48637058@N06/sets/721...
The Elise seats take 5 minutes to remove, then the carpets just un-velcro. The Griff needs jacking, spanners underneath to hold the non-captive nuts and replacement of the 8 custom ground washers (as they rust) before the seats come out, then the carpets are glued in...
But...the Griff, with its 'monocoque' body and endless curves can be washed and waxed in a couple of hours. On the other hand I've just spent a whole week inside and outside the Elise. What a pain all those black plastic trims are (especially the fake grills by the rear lights as they do precisely nothing); and the moulding section lines and returns which make the S2 look sharp and agressive are a PITA to wax and polish; and the 'frenched' rear lights; and the engine lid...
But I think the results are worthwhile:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48637058@N06/sets/721...
kazste said:
is detailing a hobby for you or a job, i ask as i'm interested in getting mine done to get rid of wintry crap.
very nice job really brings out the colour.
very nice job really brings out the colour.
Neither really! Certainly not a job, the time it takes me. I bought the car from a specialist in 2008 and I always felt that because the deal was done before he'd even collected the car (it was EXACTLY what I wanted) he didn't give it as thorough a valet as he might have. It wasn't at all bad - in fact it was in excellent condition, but I was proved right about the valet as I found 12 pence and a lot of parking tickets etc under the seats. Plus the steering wheel leather came up nicely matt after I'd cleaned it...
I would have got it done professionally, but I'm too tight to spend hundreds on one of the few specialist detailers that really would go to town. The valeters who advertise regionally might do OK, but I just don't see how they can do what I'd want in a day. Hence I saved up my leave and did it myself. Bear in mind I'd already done the engine bay and under the front access panel last year!
Now I am a bit of a perfectionist and I only consider a car 'finished' once I've cleaned the last owners dirt our of every nook and cranny. The last job is to clean the key and fob. OCD? Me?...
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