My own car - 1999 VW Passat 2.8 V6 4Motion (and usually the test bed for most products)

[PrismDetailing]

The weekend was the first time i got to see some snow in the 4Mo and it was amazing....the car performed really well and even more so since its still on summer tyres (Mitchelin Pilots). Headed to Perthshire, more specifically Kenmore. My sister headed up in her new Astra an got stuck a few times, had to turn back and took over 5 hours to get there....Passat did it in 2 hours with the traffic but more of the time i didnt have to stay in the single lane everyone else did and even on the country roads it felt very safe....some pics:

Very glad i got the 4motion now, didnt have any issues......just an amazing car

 

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Today i decided to work on the car a little more, even though about a year ago I had wetsanded my headlights, they were starting to show signs of deterioration and looks like this might be a common issue:

So unlike last time i wetsanded by hand this time (instead of disk on a DA), started with 2000 grit but didnt made enough impact so moved onto 1000 grit, then 2000 grit then 4000 grit:

Then again polished with a rotary using Scholls Concept S3 on a cutting pad, S17 on a Polishing Pad, S40 on a refining pad and followed up with Nanotech Super Gloss Polish on a refining pad:

Also decided to polish the door shuts etc....just to give a nice gloss finish again:

Then the external black gloss trim (which had staining, stratches etc):

Then the black gloss trim around the door frame:

From

To:

I know its not a big improvement on the change of the car......

I have had issues with the recirculating air flap, with it clicking away behind the dash, became soo much of an annoyance i removed the power to it, might mean i dont get to recirculate the air, but im not minding, ill try and fix it sometime...

Also had to replace the two front tyres as tread was very low (at the marker), big big difference with the new tyres in handling and performance...

and....recently i have noticed the car is running a lot better than it has done in the past, to the extent others have mentioned who have been in the car. Power delivery is much better, before i felt a flat spot now thats gone and its flying....I loved the car before, now i love it even more

Another outstanding problem i have found, the headlight washer is leaking water, possibly a seal, i will check it more soon but suspect needing a new jet

 

[PrismDetailing]

A little update, since my last post I have applied Swissvax Shield. Have also reapplied more Gtechniq C4 to the side trim of the car, as i felt the winter with salt etc had taken its toll. I have had to get 2 new tyres on the front and really this seems to be the only true expense with this car (apart from petrol).

Over the last month or so, there has been a leak from the front of the car, screen washer fluid to be more precise. after removing the wheel and arch lining and looking at the bottle, it looked as if the fluid was leaking from the bottom washer pump area:

So i swapped the pump out for a new one:

once all fitted in place:

It was still leaking just as bad, from the same area, so i thought maybe the rubber seal, but it was ok, after 20 mins then realised the water was coming down the back on the bottle, round and past the bottom pump, following the trail lead me to the headlight washer pump i replaced last year:

So i removed this and found the rubber seal had snapped:

so all this leaking water, bottles of fluid lost every night because of this

I fixed by using plumbers teflon tape and put it all back together. There is still a slight leak coming from the jet for the headlight washer:

but this is something that will be looked at very soon to see if there is a way to stop the leak as the part is very expensive new and still quite expensive second hand.

 

[PrismDetailing]

A little update....got bored so decided to put some Gtechniq Exo on the paintwork to see how it does, the application was good but needing to remember previously there has been Gtechniq C1 added, I used panel wipe to remove the Swissvax Shield i used recently then applied the Exo, two coats applied 30 mins apart and it was done. The gloss was increased and the slickness of the paint was amazing:

I have to admit this is the best protection i have EVER seen, the water behaviour is amazing. Beading is tight, sheeting is fantastic but in every day driving i was out on a wet road which the night before had been gritted and even the spray beaded perfectly on the car:

and a pic of the normal beading from rain. Im seriously a fan of this product.....love it

 

[PrismDetailing]

So a few pics from my service and things i noticed and had to repair.....

Pollen Filter change:


Air Filter:


Engine cover off (finding potential oil leak):


I had noticed the PCV had deteriorated and when checking it fell apart:


had to make an improvised repair for now until i get a new one:


Looking over the rest of the hose i had noticed other areas where it had previously been repaired with tape


So currently looking to replace, but struggling to find out what exactly im looking for.....

On a positive note, after doing the service....my MPG went up from a usual 23mpg to:


and even did 100 miles at the speed limit (mixed motorway and town driving):

 

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From my temp fix of the PCV hose, i decided to replace it asap rather than leave it, and very happy i did as it had split in another place. I thought it was going to be difficult to do, but very simple and fairly quickly done.

This is where it had snapped previously:


did my temp fix:


But started to leak and split further down the hose:


So disconnected and removed it:


As you can see it had actually split into 3 parts:


and the gunge inside the hose:


Fitted the new one and secured in place:




After I took the car for a drive and it felt much more responsive and quicker acceleration so very happy with overall

 

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Since owning the car, there has been something annoying me. The rear "4motion" badge as the red had faded from the "4"



So had thought of the idea of simply replacing it, but then came up with the idea of changing the colour. So opted for blue instead for something different. So ordered some vinyl heated it into place and cut round it and this is the results.....:









Im going to try a few more attempts until im 100% satisfied with it...but hopefully you get the idea

 

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Today I received my new InCar DVR

Looks like this:



Opened the box and had all this:



Installed the front Camrea/Screen behind the rear view mirror (no not distract me) and hardwired into the car:







and wired the rear camera though the roof lining:





Front the outside you cannot see the rear camera at all and from the front quite difficult to see the front one:



Later ill try and upload a couple of example videos

 

[PrismDetailing]

Today i painted the calipers in the same colour of blue as the R32's (or there about) a few pics:







After the 3rd coat:





and the rears:





and the finished article behind the alloys:















Very happy with the results, so thinking whats next to work on......

 

[PrismDetailing]

well a little update....not much really been too busy with work, so the car has been used as a workhorse, up and down the country....

But what i have done...I polished out the scratches in the windscreen with CarPro CeriGlass



I have to say, i was really impressed with how well it worked. Dont get me wrong will not remove deeper scratches but did remove the scratches which were really annoying me...not sure you can tell by the pics as i found it hard to capture...

before:





after:




Having had an oil leak decided to try Wynns Engine Stop Leak, see if it works or not....only time will tell:



Also today whilst cleaning the car i noticed a CV boot i recently had repaired had come loose and missing the clamp




resulting in my wheel looking like this.....



So another thing i need to take up with the garage and hopefully they will fix as it has been a few months since it was repaired.

and one last thing, have been having a knocking from the front left checking bushes etc all were fine apart from this one:



and finally the final thing, I have deodourised the interior with a fogging machine i recently got:






Thanks for viewing

 

[PrismDetailing]

Not much to update but as edition is coming up soon thought would start to clean up the car a bit more....an todays task was the engine bay....

Cleaned it up with Meguiars APC and a Swissvax Detail Brush, and a Viking Long Reach Wheel Brush, cleaned the manifold heads with Megs Metal polish and 0000 grade steel wool, then dressed all the trim with Chemical Guys Silk Shine Trim Dressing, all exposed painted areas were cleaned, then sealed with Chemical Guys Jet Seal 109, followed by an application of Dodo Juice Supernatural Hybrid and the tubular bit on top of the engine (whatever that is lol) with Permanon Aircraft (due to heat). The underside of the bonnet was also cleaned and protected with Jet Seal 109 followed by Dodo Juice Supernatural and i have to say im happy with it








Also did something else which has been annoying me since the day i got my car (yes taken me one and a half years to fix)...:



You might notice the orange paint flecks in the indicator...took a lot of effort and patience but got nearly it all out



anyway thanks for viewing, be doing more over the next few days in the run up to going away.....

 

[PrismDetailing]

Next update as i wanted to do a few things with the car this week....

Well i installed the ipod controller (Alpine KCA-420i), removed the glove box and installed behind there with the lead coming out next to the ash tray from the iphone:



Also didnt like how the head unit was starting to look with lots of fine scratches so polished with Meguiars Stratch-X:

before:

after:


not perfect but a lot better....

Then installing my JBL amp. I decided I wanted it hidden away as im using the car for work purposes and didnt want heavy objects OR liquids near to it...I so removed the CD Changer:



and installed the amp into there:





Then the cabling for the amp...I have looked at a few peoples opinions on here and guides for routing, but this was mine:



Down in the wing behind the plastic arch through a rubber grommet there:

Into the interior at the perfect area to feed to the rear:

Under the plastic trim to the rear:

removed the rear seat for better (and only access):

there is a small gap for easy access into the boot itself:

and to the amp:


End result a nice clean boot:


and sounds fantastic even with the standard speakers!!!! I should say took me roughly a hour to install and didnt come across any major problems. The only issue im having with my iphone4S the cable does not charge, but i have ordered a 12v-5v converter which will also charge my phone

Also as im starting to get into amateur radio recently unsure if i want to fit my CB radio, but if i did was thinking here:


Anyway thats my update for now, thanks for viewing


Robert

 

[PrismDetailing]

Not done too much with the car recently as I have been working and training too much but the MOT is due this month so had a look over the car to ensure it is ok.....The front passenger side headlight washer was leaking, bad enough would go through a bottle of screen wash in 2-3 days. Last March driving in the snow, the bottle froze and started from the leaking area....



I removed the front inner arch hoping to get easy access to it, but in the end I loosened the bumper which bad it a lot easier, but still fiddly.



Not sure exactly where it was leaking from, if it was simply the rubber gasket but decided on a new one...unfortunately dealer only for the part.



connected the system all back up and works perfect without leaking

then noticed a creaking as i drove away, first time i heard it...thought maybe loose trim, but NO, it was worse....cv boot came loose AGAIN



Got some CV grease and a jubilee clip, filled the boot and grease the CV and put back together, no more creaking and all good again

 

[PrismDetailing]

Should also add (which i forgot about), as preparing for the winter treated all the door seals with Swissvax Seal Feed to help prevent the doors freezing up.

The glass, which was previously treated with Gtechniq G4, then protected with Gtechniq G1/G2 roughly 2-3 months ago. Over that time, the screen had started to judder so applied Gtechniq C2v3, but after 2 months there was obviously signs of G1 failing. This could be down to mostly town driving an also me not washing the car for over a month (or so) and dirt on the glass, thus causing abrasion. Also meant there was a lot of "smearing" on the glass an very difficult to drive in late evening (low sun) or at night (head on traffic). I used Gtechniq G4 again to clean the glass and this time applied Gtechniq Exov2 which seems (so far) to be better as a glass sealant. No issues like associated with G1/G2 combination. Excellent sheeting again above 40mph. Ill keep you updated on how long this lasts for.....

So little update.....G1 on the glass has failed, waiting for the opportunity to strip with Ceriglass but how it looks right now:



So in reality it lasted from Sept 2013 until Jan 2014 and now its not the best to drive with

Also gave the car a good wash, got a few issues needing fixed...so giving certain people the opportunity to remedy the issue. Car is currently protected with Swissvax Shield. the only reason i choose this was due to the time of day, dew point and quickly needing to remove the wax.

Once i have removed the G1 remains ill try something else, probably Dodo Juice SN Glass Sealant.

 

[PrismDetailing]

Today i cleaned the windscreen with Dodo Juice Clearly Menthol, followed by polishing with Gtechniq G4 then applied 2 layers of Dodo Juice Supernatural Glass Sealant:

During

Done


Ill keep updated on how it performs...Initially i was slightly worried as it started to rain and first time using wipers there was serious juddering, but after a little bit of time this stopped.

 

[PrismDetailing]

Well replaced the bulbs in the centre vents as they had done out, being used to them in the dark just felt like something was missing (the OCD coming out in me)



So i removed the vent (which was quite easy)




and this is where it got interesting, too me forever to get the bulb out, after a while and a slashed finger (when the screw driver slipped), i finally got it replaced an working



Have to admit for something i thought would be simple, what a nightmare !

 

[PrismDetailing]

Driving on the motorway today took a short video of the Dodo Juice Supernatural Glass Sealant working on the windscreen:

[video=youtube_share;6WyfOLfdR5Y"]Dodo Juice Supernatural Glass Sealant (in action) by Prism Detailing - YouTube[/video]

Also i was seriously impressed at nearly 200 miles out of half a tank of petrol:



Not bad considering its a 2.8 V6 4WD and full weighed down at the time

and thats me up to date 02/03/2014!!!!

 

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

Basically gave that beauty a new life! Looking awesome!!!

 

[PrismDetailing]

well its a nice car and cant be working on all these lovely cars and have mine a mess, but its also a workhorse for the business travelling up an down the country, but looking to replace it for something more economical, at the end of the day, a business is about making money/profit so being able to cut costs anywhere whilst still providing the best quality of service is paramount.

 

[Sicoupe]

Awesome write ups! Thanks for sharing your journey