Just Detailed: BMW X6

Here is another popular urban 4×4 which BMW has coined a new term for, the SAV or Sports Activity Vehicle which are based on unibody car platforms instead of a traditional truck body on frame. Changing the “Utility” to “Activity” term does preclude the capabilities of it as demonstrated in one of the recent Top Gear episodes by Jeremy Clarkson *hehe*

Essentially all of BMW’s 4×4 are SAV’s with the X6 being slightly differentiated as the SAC or Sports Activity Coupe. Tomato, tomatoe. Lovely from some angles and curiously non-descript in others, the X6 is an eye-catcher and does write a new chapter in terms of design.

We took about four days to detail this turbocharged beast. It has been primed and treated with one of our proprietary hydrophobic coatings that eschews conventional paintwork maintenance with an acclimatized paintwork protection system that will seal off the perfectly detailed finish for up to a year. Designed to resist the tropical weather and humidity, it offers owners with an extremely convenient, minimalist approach to paintwork care. Malaysian owners of brand new officially-imported BMW’s from 2010 are offered this state-of-the-art treatment.

These photos are an example of how a perfectly detailed paintwork finish with an optically superior hydrophobic coating can bring about a rich unmatched shine, even on a light-colored subject. It will hold it’s own even against a dark-colored subject viz. the previous entry’s S-Line equipped Audi Q5.

Enjoy a last look at the famous “swooping” roofline. See you soon!

Just Detailed: Audi Q5 S-Line

2010 signaled the arrivals of the first Q5 units fitted with the S-Line specs.  For most of the local clients the half year wait was over. Here is one such unit from a long-time client of ours which came with Audi’s delicious Lava Grey paintwork. We spent a week detailing this turbocharged SUV and completed it with one of our proprietary hydrophobic coatings that seals off the painstakingly detailed paintwork finish for an entire year. Literally.

The rest of the photos will showcase the flawless paintwork under the sunlight with our signature wet-look mirror finish. I like how the Lava Grey melts when light falls on the curves of the bodywork.

We gotta thank God for such a beautiful day with clear blue skies. It can take an ordinary photo and turn it into stunning one…

Enjoy yourselves!

A New Lens for 2010!

Something I picked up to start the year *hehe* An amazingly portable super-zoom for professional motor-sports coverage! Been very busy with loads of cars for the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities. Will be updating the blog soon.

Take care!

Just Detailed: Nissan 370Z

This is the 370Z, the latest reiteration of the Fairlady legacy. And being the sixth generation, it is also the most powerful production Fairlady ever. Part of Nissan’s chief Carlos Ghosn’s vision(revered as the man behind the R35 GT-R’s success) for a re-launching of the famous Z insignia. Being a fan of the classic S30 240Z, I’ve always had an attachment to the Fairladys.

We took over 3-days to correct the various holograms, scratches and paintwork imperfections on the 370Z and transformed it into the stunning showpiece below.

Rear arches seem to have an exaggerated flare for a more muscular stance. Also notice the slight hint of a double-bubble roofline…

Where the 350Z’s design was cutting-edge when it was launched a couple of years ago, the 370Z has undergone a more organic look…

The headlamps merge into the fender bodywork mysteriously. If you close your eyes and caress the panels and feel how it interconnects between metal and plastic, you will love the fluidity in it’s design.

You can’t help but admire the lightweight forged RAYS Engineering wheels. The offset on the rear wheels are just delicious!

Down low, the rear arches make as if the car is ready to pounce…

Even the front fenders have a dramatic flare…

The rear tail-lamps have a nice three-dimensional feel to them

The deep metallic black paintwork glistens beautifully under the blistering sunlight. Perfectly swirl-free and an intense mirror-finish!

You’ll notice a homogeneous integration of the R35 GT-R’s A-pillar here…

Remember, how I asked you to notice how the signal indicators evolved? How cool does it look on the 370Z *hehe*

Hope you enjoyed the shots!

Just Detailed: Nissan 350Z

Here is an early-model Nissan 350Z that we detailed belonging to a fellow blog reader who had returned from Australia and brought his favourite coupe back to Malaysia! *hehe* It took two visits chatting to find out what detailing services was needed. It’s pretty much in stock form but it required some special touches to restore it to it’s former glory. The paintwork was oxidized from regular use whilst the windshield and windows were a tad bit watermarked. The headlamps as expected, were quite faded and opaque and the wheels needed some serious buffing to clear out the brake dust residue that had etched into the clear-coat.

So we spent a couple of days working on this rear-wheel drive coupe and crafted out a detailing finish that the owner had yet to experience. It’s funny how some might regard this as a little excessive but I find that having some personal one-on-one time with a client helps me to better understand what he or she needs. Not just from a directional view of which particular detailing module is selected/recommended but understanding the intrinsic relationship between a car and it’s owner I find, places me in an expedient position to transform the car and to do my best to exceed their expectations.

These photos will explain themselves…

A perfect paintwork finish…

Take a look at the headlamps which were restored to a better-than-new state…

A close up of the headlamps including the spankingly new-looking wheels…

This shot below was taken to highlight the differences in the evolution of the 350Z to the newer 370Z which is the next car up *hehe*

Observe how the side indicators evolve into the Fairlady “Z” logo in the next reiteration…

Cheers!

Just Detailed: BMW E92 M3

This is one of my favorite M3’s around. Not just because the owner has sweet upgrades like the BMW Performance Steering Wheel with the funky LED’s but also because of the insane rumble of the exhaust note. For about 40 large-ones, the Akrapovic Evolution exhaust system is beautifully crafted and finished. Not only does it reduce the car’s weight by a shocking 23 kilos, it also increases the performance by about an additional 20-horses!

The brakes are also drool-worthy material. Brembo Gran Turismo big brake upgrades in yellow match the 19in M3 wheels perfectly. This car rocks it!

Check out the perfect paintwork finish…

That’s the carbon-fiber roof which is as glossy as it gets!

The “Jerez Black” pearl-based paintwork literally melts under the blistering sun when it is perfectly detailed like this. It is an extremely tough colour to maintain but absolutely worth every dollar when it gleams.

Flawless detailing finish under the hot sun…

Mirror-finish everywhere…

Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Just Detailed: MB W212 E-Class

We’ve been detailing a number of the latest E-Classes for the recent launches. And car launches being rather secretive in nature means that we work unusual hours “covertly” with minimum or no exposure to the general public. They are transported by trailers to my garage in the cover of the night and it’s always exciting watching them being unloaded and unwrapped. Kinda like a Christmas present, only larger, dirtier… and not yours! *haha*

That being said, I was pretty impressed with the evolution of the E-Class with the W212’s. It looks different. Not decidedly aged, which is a good thing considering their clientele demographics are business executives. The lines are muscular and more taut now. The headlamp design will take a bit of getting used to by the older client base but it is cutting-edge and rather daring coming from Mercedes Benz. It’s a car that looks good in-person and the updated features like the daytime-running LED’s, the modern interior with a brilliant screen and the little touches around the car give it a unique feel and character. Certainly alludes to the feeling of luxury.

I didn’t manage to shoot the 250 CGT and the 300 because of time constraints but you can be rest assured the Avantgarde and Elegence specs are quite impressive. Will leave you now with the rest of the photos.

Enjoy!

Blessed Christmas everyone!

Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas as we remember the birth of Jesus, the greatest gift that God gave us. May God’s grace shine upon each and everyone of you in 2010. Have a wonderful time with the family!