E39 M5 wheel re-furb -Lepsons and KDS detail
Discussion
Sideways Rich said:
I've been meaning to update this for a while with the results, I think they speak for themselves.
KDS were absolutely first class, I had very high expectations with all the good press they receive on PH however they surpassed those.
Their attention to detail (no pun intended :-)) was exceptional as was their customer service, if you're deliberating don't, just do it!
Some pics;
Was this Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum?KDS were absolutely first class, I had very high expectations with all the good press they receive on PH however they surpassed those.
Their attention to detail (no pun intended :-)) was exceptional as was their customer service, if you're deliberating don't, just do it!
Some pics;
nickrex said:
Can you give an idea of cost?
Hi, I went for the Silver detail so paid £680 + VAT for the detail and £428 + VAT for the wheel re-furb at Lepsons, all in circa £1300 VAT included.
When you see the amount of work these guys put in to transforming the condition of the paint it's actually good value in my opinion.
I was thinking of using All That Gleams for detailing ....
Have a look what he done on this M3 CS :-)
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
My only real query is whether this guy deals with a very small number of stone chips as well.
And this guy is far far cheaper
Have a look what he done on this M3 CS :-)
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...
My only real query is whether this guy deals with a very small number of stone chips as well.
And this guy is far far cheaper
Sideways Rich said:
Hi, I went for the Silver detail so paid £680 + VAT for the detail and £428 + VAT for the wheel re-furb at Lepsons, all in circa £1300 VAT included.
When you see the amount of work these guys put in to transforming the condition of the paint it's actually good value in my opinion.
I agree, it's like having your car fully resprayed! Stunning When you see the amount of work these guys put in to transforming the condition of the paint it's actually good value in my opinion.
thepony said:
I can't believe there is such a big price difference and at KDS you got to leave your P and J with them where this other detailer comes to you
With respect, you're thinking about it absolutely the wrong way:20,000 square foot dedicated detailing unit, a controlled environment that's covered, lit, protected from all the elements...
Every imaginable tool, product and facility invested in and available at all times, rather than a 'one size fits all' approach with no flexibility if your paintwork is particularly hard, or soft, or thin, or whatever...
Extreme security (copious CCTV, bolted iron gates, shutters, alarms and anti-ram posts) and properly registered professional accountability...
PROPER insurance (this is a big, big one, as you would be surprised how few detailers have the level of cover you would reasonably expect)...
All the above plus the fact Kelly has been painting and detailing at this level for a quarter of a century, and has a first-hand, marketing-BS-free understanding of what he and the products are actually doing (backed up with substantial engineering based qualifications)....
It's pretty clear that a man in a van is not a like for like comparison. I know. I considered becoming one, after encouragement from detailing a few mates cars. I was young, and would have been winging it. To a layman, I could get 80% as good results as KDS can get, and I'd charge you 50% of his prices. However, my luck would inevitably have eventually run out. Maybe 50 smiling happy customers down the line I could have burned through your car's paintwork. I would have been screwed. And so would you.
Jaykaybi said:
With respect, you're thinking about it absolutely the wrong way:
20,000 square foot dedicated detailing unit, a controlled environment that's covered, lit, protected from all the elements...
Every imaginable tool, product and facility invested in and available at all times, rather than a 'one size fits all' approach with no flexibility if your paintwork is particularly hard, or soft, or thin, or whatever...
Extreme security (copious CCTV, bolted iron gates, shutters, alarms and anti-ram posts) and properly registered professional accountability...
PROPER insurance (this is a big, big one, as you would be surprised how few detailers have the level of cover you would reasonably expect)...
All the above plus the fact Kelly has been painting and detailing at this level for a quarter of a century, and has a first-hand, marketing-BS-free understanding of what he and the products are actually doing (backed up with substantial engineering based qualifications)....
It's pretty clear that a man in a van is not a like for like comparison. I know. I considered becoming one, after encouragement from detailing a few mates cars. I was young, and would have been winging it. To a layman, I could get 80% as good results as KDS can get, and I'd charge you 50% of his prices. However, my luck would inevitably have eventually run out. Maybe 50 smiling happy customers down the line I could have burned through your car's paintwork. I would have been screwed. And so would you.
Hear hear! 20,000 square foot dedicated detailing unit, a controlled environment that's covered, lit, protected from all the elements...
Every imaginable tool, product and facility invested in and available at all times, rather than a 'one size fits all' approach with no flexibility if your paintwork is particularly hard, or soft, or thin, or whatever...
Extreme security (copious CCTV, bolted iron gates, shutters, alarms and anti-ram posts) and properly registered professional accountability...
PROPER insurance (this is a big, big one, as you would be surprised how few detailers have the level of cover you would reasonably expect)...
All the above plus the fact Kelly has been painting and detailing at this level for a quarter of a century, and has a first-hand, marketing-BS-free understanding of what he and the products are actually doing (backed up with substantial engineering based qualifications)....
It's pretty clear that a man in a van is not a like for like comparison. I know. I considered becoming one, after encouragement from detailing a few mates cars. I was young, and would have been winging it. To a layman, I could get 80% as good results as KDS can get, and I'd charge you 50% of his prices. However, my luck would inevitably have eventually run out. Maybe 50 smiling happy customers down the line I could have burned through your car's paintwork. I would have been screwed. And so would you.
playalistic said:
Looks 
(except for the super chav illegally spaced number plate)
Firstly well spotted, secondly agreed, my father went through a spate of buying 'under-valued' no. Plates, he asked me to put this one on to 'market' it. Time to remove it, will do this when I sell the car soon. (except for the super chav illegally spaced number plate)
Sideways Rich said:
playalistic said:
Looks
(except for the super chav illegally spaced number plate)
Firstly well spotted, secondly agreed, my father went through a spate of buying 'under-valued' no. Plates, he asked me to put this one on to 'market' it. Time to remove it, will do this when I sell the car soon. (except for the super chav illegally spaced number plate)
Jaykaybi said:
With respect, you're thinking about it absolutely the wrong way:
20,000 square foot dedicated detailing unit, a controlled environment that's covered, lit, protected from all the elements...
Every imaginable tool, product and facility invested in and available at all times, rather than a 'one size fits all' approach with no flexibility if your paintwork is particularly hard, or soft, or thin, or whatever...
Extreme security (copious CCTV, bolted iron gates, shutters, alarms and anti-ram posts) and properly registered professional accountability...
PROPER insurance (this is a big, big one, as you would be surprised how few detailers have the level of cover you would reasonably expect)...
All the above plus the fact Kelly has been painting and detailing at this level for a quarter of a century, and has a first-hand, marketing-BS-free understanding of what he and the products are actually doing (backed up with substantial engineering based qualifications)....
It's pretty clear that a man in a van is not a like for like comparison. I know. I considered becoming one, after encouragement from detailing a few mates cars. I was young, and would have been winging it. To a layman, I could get 80% as good results as KDS can get, and I'd charge you 50% of his prices. However, my luck would inevitably have eventually run out. Maybe 50 smiling happy customers down the line I could have burned through your car's paintwork. I would have been screwed. And so would you.
Comprehensive response thanks :-)20,000 square foot dedicated detailing unit, a controlled environment that's covered, lit, protected from all the elements...
Every imaginable tool, product and facility invested in and available at all times, rather than a 'one size fits all' approach with no flexibility if your paintwork is particularly hard, or soft, or thin, or whatever...
Extreme security (copious CCTV, bolted iron gates, shutters, alarms and anti-ram posts) and properly registered professional accountability...
PROPER insurance (this is a big, big one, as you would be surprised how few detailers have the level of cover you would reasonably expect)...
All the above plus the fact Kelly has been painting and detailing at this level for a quarter of a century, and has a first-hand, marketing-BS-free understanding of what he and the products are actually doing (backed up with substantial engineering based qualifications)....
It's pretty clear that a man in a van is not a like for like comparison. I know. I considered becoming one, after encouragement from detailing a few mates cars. I was young, and would have been winging it. To a layman, I could get 80% as good results as KDS can get, and I'd charge you 50% of his prices. However, my luck would inevitably have eventually run out. Maybe 50 smiling happy customers down the line I could have burned through your car's paintwork. I would have been screwed. And so would you.
Guys
Firstly the car in this thread also had above detailing , the bonnet wet sanded due to poor paint finish that would not polish back with your standard paint correction ( very limited by the amount detailers that know how to or would take on such a job)
deep scratches ,
dull no reflection paint
then wet sanded before machine correction
and after the wet sanding and correction takes place to leave this finish.
and then the seats were re-coloured to bring them upto the condition of the rest of the car ,
I have trained over 120 people this year , with 14 being one 2 one for many days poeple traveling as far a field as Australia , i have noticed a few errors with in all the pro detailers that i have trained so far , and during and after training there is a light bulb moment .
the easiest way (All thou no where near what i demo and describe while training is in these threads)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A detailer from a Van i am not and we do so much more than just "detailing"
my view while fully wet sanding nearly new BMW
we even polish the carbon floors of supercars if need be
And this does not come from your standard detailing on our drive way , home garage (but not knocking such as long as the customer is happy with results thats all that matters)
Oh edit to say we did touch in the stone chips on the E39 M5 bonnet too .
Kelly
Firstly the car in this thread also had above detailing , the bonnet wet sanded due to poor paint finish that would not polish back with your standard paint correction ( very limited by the amount detailers that know how to or would take on such a job)
deep scratches ,
dull no reflection paint
then wet sanded before machine correction
and after the wet sanding and correction takes place to leave this finish.
and then the seats were re-coloured to bring them upto the condition of the rest of the car ,
I have trained over 120 people this year , with 14 being one 2 one for many days poeple traveling as far a field as Australia , i have noticed a few errors with in all the pro detailers that i have trained so far , and during and after training there is a light bulb moment .
the easiest way (All thou no where near what i demo and describe while training is in these threads)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A detailer from a Van i am not and we do so much more than just "detailing"
my view while fully wet sanding nearly new BMW
we even polish the carbon floors of supercars if need be
And this does not come from your standard detailing on our drive way , home garage (but not knocking such as long as the customer is happy with results thats all that matters)
Oh edit to say we did touch in the stone chips on the E39 M5 bonnet too .
Kelly
Edited by kds keltec on Thursday 4th October 10:02
Edited by kds keltec on Thursday 4th October 10:48
kds keltec said:
Guys
Firstly the car in this thread also had above detailing , the bonnet wet sanded due to poor paint finish that would not polish back with your standard paint correction ( very limited by the amount detailers that know how to or would take on such a job)
deep scratches ,
dull no reflection paint
then wet sanded before machine correction
and after the wet sanding and correction takes place to leave this finish.
and then the seats were re-coloured to bring them upto the condition of the rest of the car ,
I have trained over 120 people this year , with 14 being one 2 one for many days poeple traveling as far a field as Australia , i have noticed a few errors with in all the pro detailers that i have trained so far , and during and after training there is a light bulb moment .
the easiest way (All thou no where near what i demo and describe while training is in these threads)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A detailer from a Van i am not and we do so much more than just "detailing"
my view while fully wet sanding nearly new BMW
we even polish the carbon floors of supercars if need be
And this does not come from your standard detailing on our drive way , home garage (but not knocking such as long as the customer is happy with results thats all that matters)
Oh edit to say we did touch in the stone chips on the E39 M5 bonnet too .
Kelly
Firstly the car in this thread also had above detailing , the bonnet wet sanded due to poor paint finish that would not polish back with your standard paint correction ( very limited by the amount detailers that know how to or would take on such a job)
deep scratches ,
dull no reflection paint
then wet sanded before machine correction
and after the wet sanding and correction takes place to leave this finish.
and then the seats were re-coloured to bring them upto the condition of the rest of the car ,
I have trained over 120 people this year , with 14 being one 2 one for many days poeple traveling as far a field as Australia , i have noticed a few errors with in all the pro detailers that i have trained so far , and during and after training there is a light bulb moment .
the easiest way (All thou no where near what i demo and describe while training is in these threads)
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
A detailer from a Van i am not and we do so much more than just "detailing"
my view while fully wet sanding nearly new BMW
we even polish the carbon floors of supercars if need be
And this does not come from your standard detailing on our drive way , home garage (but not knocking such as long as the customer is happy with results thats all that matters)
Oh edit to say we did touch in the stone chips on the E39 M5 bonnet too .
Kelly
Edited by kds keltec on Thursday 4th October 10:02
Edited by kds keltec on Thursday 4th October 10:48
Thanks again Kelly, I had extremely high expectations with everything I'd read about KDS, however I have to say the service I received surpassed those and then some! it really did transform the car and freshen it up.
Rich
@Kelly
are touching in stone chips available on your bronze or silver or gold paint protection packages ?
I have a very small number of stone chips.
Btw do i supply the touch up kit mine is Carbon Black Metallic Paint from BMW if i ordered one of your packages?
And do you detail the underbody of the car?
Thanks :-)
are touching in stone chips available on your bronze or silver or gold paint protection packages ?
I have a very small number of stone chips.
Btw do i supply the touch up kit mine is Carbon Black Metallic Paint from BMW if i ordered one of your packages?
And do you detail the underbody of the car?
Thanks :-)
Sideways Rich said:
I've been meaning to update this for a while with the results, I think they speak for themselves.
KDS were absolutely first class, I had very high expectations with all the good press they receive on PH however they surpassed those.
Their attention to detail (no pun intended :-)) was exceptional as was their customer service, if you're deliberating don't, just do it!
Some pics;
That looks absolutely beautiful KDS were absolutely first class, I had very high expectations with all the good press they receive on PH however they surpassed those.
Their attention to detail (no pun intended :-)) was exceptional as was their customer service, if you're deliberating don't, just do it!
Some pics;
Very tempted next year to take my car down to them.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff