Key fobs not opening 'new'car? Pics now added.

[mcmaddy]

Gtechnic exo ceramic should cost you more than £500 if applied by a pro detailer. To me it's not about the next owner benefiting if and when that is it's about trying to keep the car paintwork looking nice for me now and making it easier to clean regularly. You will also get some benefit come sale time as a car regularly car washed or done by the sponge jockeys at your local supermarket will look worse than a carefully looked after car and will almost definitely get you more, might not be much but it will.

So can you get say 5years from this Gtechnic? And only wash it thereafter. What kit and products do you use, I'm starting from scratch (so to speak) as formerly one bucket micro fibre hand held and leather man!

The exo ceramic has a 7 year guarantee and all I do is wash the car now. I use foam, two bucket wash drying towels, wowo wash mits etc etc, wowo wheel kit etc. Biggest thing is nothing sticks to the paintwork if it's been applied properly and I've also gtechnic protection on the alloys which means brake dust crap doesn't stick either. (Other methods and other products can be used) 

[CHB100]

Yippee! R due for delivery key fob sorted. Monday pm. Think I'll go for R222 kit but can't find it available anywhere. Basisically would like a complete starter kit and top as needed. I don't want to be a weekend slave at the detail alter.

[JoeGTI]

To all  detailers,, first think how long do you own the car. Assume you have bought with own cash or HP . Whatever you will mostly be selling on and getting the next variation In 3 years?. I've been there in 60s/70s Lotus, BMW 2002 turbo,Tii,TR6, Porsche, Williams, 182, Gti's all marks and loads more. The majority not from new, this is by far the most I've spent on a car. And intend to keep it, it may even be my last!? This detailing to me is losing sight of short term ownership, so much time spent on it, do you guys not have other commitments or interests? you will get very little more in return than anyone who goes through the local car wash. I know it can be therapeutic and satisfying.
I'm 70 and know the  buzz, from weekends spent on motors,re built my own Lotus7 did all maintenance, clutches, brakes, long before the days of dealer servicing leaving only time for wash and maybe polish, depends on your circumstances I guess or age! Although I am asked for ID when asking for age discounts. 20 at heart, and looking fwd to enjoying my R for whichever lasts the longest.
Btw I am looking at this Gretech pro ceramic? Treatment as a one off £500 fcs my lady thinks daft.
PS Have had some vino as on my tod tonight, hope not too incoherent, fellow Golfers

To be honest, you speak a lot of sense. Most guys on here will chop and change every 2-3 years so spending ludicrous sums to wash a new car is lunacy stuff when you think rationally about it (and I include myself here).

So I've come to the conclusion that there is a balance to it. There's no point trying to achieve a concours finish on a daily driver "shopping trolley" car because it will break you mentally. But I still couldn't bring myself to use a local sponge / rollers carwash! If you have the time / energy / patience it's fairly rewarding to keep on top of it DIY. So I see it as a hobby. I've little faith, from experience, of detailers who claim years worth of protection from a sealant. I just don't believe any sealant gives you maintenance free for years on a car that's in daily use.

As for getting extra for the car come trade in time - no. Not really. Dealers don't care so long as it isn't an obvious wreck. Mileage and year on the plate are the main factors determining what they'll offer you for it.

[mcmaddy]

No matter what people think you will get a bit more for your car trading it in if it's in better condition than a car that hasn't been looked after.

[a9wyn]

No matter what people think you will get a bit more for your car trading it in if it's in better condition than a car that hasn't been looked after.

I think there is a difference in looking after a car and spending hundreds of pounds on car detailing equipment.
 Latest experience of this is when I traded in my 2005 Mk1 TT 3.2 manual (owned from new) in for my Golf. I washed this car on a weekly basis, clay barred and waxed twice a year, complete Audi service history(even for new tyres) and when it came to trade in, the dealer just glanced around the car. He did comment on the condition. When I mentioned the cleaning regime I used to perform on the car he told me it would not make a difference to the trade in value, as the car would go out to auction. Yes I could have got a bit more for it privately but didn't want the 'tyre kickers' coming around.

[JoeGTI]

Yeah in a private sale, a tidy, well minded car will certainly sell much easier and for a bit more than average. But a dealer isn't gonna be the slightest bit interested in your washing regime.

[I wanted a GTi]

No matter what people think you will get a bit more for your car trading it in if it's in better condition than a car that hasn't been looked after.

I think there is a difference in looking after a car and spending hundreds of pounds on car detailing equipment.
 Latest experience of this is when I traded in my 2005 Mk1 TT 3.2 manual (owned from new) in for my Golf. I washed this car on a weekly basis, clay barred and waxed twice a year, complete Audi service history(even for new tyres) and when it came to trade in, the dealer just glanced around the car. He did comment on the condition. When I mentioned the cleaning regime I used to perform on the car he told me it would not make a difference to the trade in value, as the car would go out to auction. Yes I could have got a bit more for it privately but didn't want the 'tyre kickers' coming around.

What did you think they were going to do with a 2005 TT but give it to an underwriter or auction?

If it is a 3 year old car then the condition will matter, although the dealers sponge monkeys will probably ruin it by the time it's sold.

[Booth11]

To all  detailers,, first think how long do you own the car. Assume you have bought with own cash or HP . Whatever you will mostly be selling on and getting the next variation In 3 years?. I've been there in 60s/70s Lotus, BMW 2002 turbo,Tii,TR6, Porsche, Williams, 182, Gti's all marks and loads more. The majority not from new, this is by far the most I've spent on a car. And intend to keep it, it may even be my last!? This detailing to me is losing sight of short term ownership, so much time spent on it, do you guys not have other commitments or interests? you will get very little more in return than anyone who goes through the local car wash. I know it can be therapeutic and satisfying.
I'm 70 and know the  buzz, from weekends spent on motors,re built my own Lotus7 did all maintenance, clutches, brakes, long before the days of dealer servicing leaving only time for wash and maybe polish, depends on your circumstances I guess or age! Although I am asked for ID when asking for age discounts. 20 at heart, and looking fwd to enjoying my R for whichever lasts the longest.
Btw I am looking at this Gretech pro ceramic? Treatment as a one off £500 fcs my lady thinks daft.
PS Have had some vino as on my tod tonight, hope not too incoherent, fellow Golfers

For me detailing is part of the whole ownership of the car enjoyment and experience - just like driving it, servicing it properly, modifying bits here and there, and every other aspect of it. I don't do it for the next owner or to get better trade in value (which it doesn't really affect), just as I don't spec a new car with that in mind, I spec exactly what I want (and can afford) and I detail because I get a lot of satisfaction out of having my car looking as good as is possible given the time (and money) I wish to spend on it.  If I had anything for 3/4 years I would look after it, and not treat it as a disposable item.  That said, you do sell your car privately, then a car well cared for and kept in very good condition will be a more attractive proposition and can attract a better price, that certainly proved to be the case when I sold my mk6 GTI to another enthusiast. Not the reason for detailing it but an added bonus.

Detailing is therapeutic but that secondary to me (I do yoga, pilates and have the odd massage all of which are also therapeutic so that's kind of taken care of), the main aim and desire is to have the car in great condition for my own enjoyment. I own my car outright but I would treat it the same regardless of means of paying for it. People have all sorts of interests and passions and what they choose, how much time and money they spend on them is purely personal.   

[maxie]

To all  detailers,, first think how long do you own the car. Assume you have bought with own cash or HP . Whatever you will mostly be selling on and getting the next variation In 3 years?. I've been there in 60s/70s Lotus, BMW 2002 turbo,Tii,TR6, Porsche, Williams, 182, Gti's all marks and loads more. The majority not from new, this is by far the most I've spent on a car. And intend to keep it, it may even be my last!? This detailing to me is losing sight of short term ownership, so much time spent on it, do you guys not have other commitments or interests? you will get very little more in return than anyone who goes through the local car wash. I know it can be therapeutic and satisfying.
I'm 70 and know the  buzz, from weekends spent on motors,re built my own Lotus7 did all maintenance, clutches, brakes, long before the days of dealer servicing leaving only time for wash and maybe polish, depends on your circumstances I guess or age! Although I am asked for ID when asking for age discounts. 20 at heart, and looking fwd to enjoying my R for whichever lasts the longest.
Btw I am looking at this Gretech pro ceramic? Treatment as a one off £500 fcs my lady thinks daft.
PS Have had some vino as on my tod tonight, hope not too incoherent, fellow Golfers

For me detailing is part of the whole ownership of the car enjoyment and experience - just like driving it, servicing it properly, modifying bits here and there, and every other aspect of it. I don't for the next owner or to get better trade in value (which it doesn't really affect), just as I don't spec a new car with that in mind, I spec exactly what I want (and can afford) and I detail because I get a lot of satisfaction out of having my car looking as good as is possible given the time (and money) I wish to spending it.  If I had anything for 3/4 years I would look after it, and not treat it as a disposable item.  That said, if you do sell your car privately, then a car well cared for and kept in very good condition will be a more attractive proposition and can attract a better price, that certainly proved to be the case when I sold my mk6 GTI to another enthusiast. Not the reason for detailing it but an added bonus.

Detailing is therapeutic but that secondary to me (I do yoga, pilates and have the odd massage all of which are also therapeutic so that's kind of taken care of), the main aim and desire is to have the car in great condition for my own enjoyment.  People have all sorts of interests and passions and what they choose, how much time and money they spend on them is purely personal.

i'd agree totally but with myself being disabled i'm unable to do the (t-cutting) (that's how long since the accident) detailing so it's a case of going to the guys who do the jet washing etc (found a good one).. i still have my old mk5 gti and i'll miss her when i upgrade to the 7.5 and i'd think this will be my last upgrade so i'll wont her to stay young with no swirls unlike the mk5..  so getting something like this for me is a must, i was considering ppf but that will be too much £ for me... thanks for the advice.

[Booth11]

Gtechnic exo ceramic should cost you more than £500 if applied by a pro detailer. To me it's not about the next owner benefiting if and when that is it's about trying to keep the car paintwork looking nice for me now and making it easier to clean regularly. You will also get some benefit come sale time as a car regularly car washed or done by the sponge jockeys at your local supermarket will look worse than a carefully looked after car and will almost definitely get you more, might not be much but it will.

So can you get say 5years from this Gtechnic? And only wash it thereafter. What kit and products do you use, I'm starting from scratch (so to speak) as formerly one bucket micro fibre hand held and leather man!

The exo ceramic has a 7 year guarantee and all I do is wash the car now. I use foam, two bucket wash drying towels, wowo wash mits etc etc, wowo wheel kit etc. Biggest thing is nothing sticks to the paintwork if it's been applied properly and I've also gtechnic protection on the alloys which means brake dust crap doesn't stick either. (Other methods and other products can be used) 

Be aware that Exo and Crystal Serum are two different products but often used together by pro detailers.

Crystal Serum is a ceramic coating that is pro detailer application only and bonds with the paint at substrate level and to remove has to be wet sanded off.  Gtechniq state it gives 7 years protection (guaranteed), but as I said on another thread, most enthusiasts have moved onto other cars long before then and never find out if this is the reality, but most detailing manufacturers overstate these things. 

Gtechniq Exo is an additional coating that can be applied on top of Crystal Serum (or other coatings) which adds a highly hydrophobic layer on top of the ceramic base coat, and this helps to repel dirt, water etc, and will be the coating that reduces the maintenance element to a good degree.  The lifespan of this is 12-18 months, so if you are keeping a car long term then this will need reapplying every other year or so, unlike the Crystal Serum. 

If you are looking for a very easy care regime then both the above combined are a great choice and you can effectively just wash and go, or if you want you can refresh now and then with C2v3 or another nano/polymer sealant, every month to 6 weeks.   A great option to keep things well protected and relatively low maintenance, just the initial outlay to consider (it's not cheap) and an awareness that the Exo (should you choose it) will need reapplying in the future but that can be done either by a pro detailer or by yourself, unlike Crystal Serum.