[Nikhilb2008]

Got half my car repainted. The car looks stunning now. Absolutely in love with the way this car looks with this shade.

The guys who worked on my car seem to the best in Bangalore. They are ably supported by good quality equipment like spray guns, good quality paint from Glasurit and a high quality paint booth which has been maintained well.

I got the car repainted at Car Surgeons and will make a detailed post in the next few days detailing my fantastic experience there. Just hold on till I post my complete experience. Dont immediately pick up the phone and start calling them! They are very picky about the cars they work on!

Just some eye candy for you to go through now. These are pics of the car before detailing. Just a fresh high quality paint job and some good finishing. My Kamikaze coatings will hopefully reach me in the next couple of weeks and my trusted detailer Sunny will apply them on my car.









In the above 4 images, you can clearly see the mismatch in the paint shade. The bonnet (which had been repainted about a month before the pics were clicked) is a different shade from the front fenders which are original Skoda factory paint. This was the paint job done at TAFE Skoda. The full report is here:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/india...bangalore.html (Excellent experience with TAFE Skoda, Bangalore)

I am happy to report that while the front right fender was repainted by Car Surgeons, the front left fender is still original factory paint and the hood now matches that perfectly.

Frankly, there is no difference between the factory paint and the paint sprayed by Car Surgeons.

[Maibaa]

Absolute color match and fantastic finish
Sad that these "Car Surgeons" consider only high end cars.

By the way are you planning for a fresh coat of ceramic on the car?

[KungFuPanda]

Its great to see the car back to its full glory. It should get even better after getting the TLC from your friend Sunny. I need to get the rear right wheel arch of my car redone and had been putting it off not knowing whether i can get a factory finish done. This is definitely inspiring . Will wait for your detailed write up before I contact them. Should be driving down to Bangalore in Feb, so will plan to get it done then. Thanks!!

[Nikhilb2008]

Thanks guys! The ceramic coat is also done now. Will post some pictures soon.

[bipinbn]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

I got the car repainted at Car Surgeons and will make a detailed post in the next few days detailing my fantastic experience there. Just hold on till I post my complete experience. Dont immediately pick up the phone and start calling them! They are very picky about the cars they work on!

Hi Sir,

When can we expect the write-up of your experience at Car Surgeons? I am planning to take my Jetta to them for some work.

Are these guys located at Marathahalli?

Thanks,
Bipin

[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by bipinbn

Hi Sir,

When can we expect the write-up of your experience at Car Surgeons? I am planning to take my Jetta to them for some work.

Are these guys located at Marathahalli?

Thanks,
Bipin

Hi Bipin, I'm working on the write up. It's sitting in the Assembly Line as I've been a bit busy to put the finishing touches to the thread.

In principle, I can say you should feel comfortable going there. They charge a premium but in my opinion, it's worth it.

I think they also have a branch at Marathahalli but I went to their workshop near Agara Lake, Koramangala.

[graaja]

Hey Nikhil, what is your long term review of the Yoko Advans? How many kilometers have you done? How is the performance, comfort and noise levels? I am planning to go with these for my 3GT. I see only the Advans and Conti CSC5 (tubeless) in the 245/45/18 size. Wanted try the Advans for a change, after hearing SanthoshBhat's experience with his X3.

[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by graaja

Hey Nikhil, what is your long term review of the Yoko Advans? How many kilometers have you done? How is the performance, comfort and noise levels? I am planning to go with these for my 3GT. I see only the Advans and Conti CSC5 (tubeless) in the 245/45/18 size. Wanted try the Advans for a change, after hearing SanthoshBhat's experience with his X3.

I frankly like it a lot. But then as I mentioned in one of my previous posts, no side by side comparisons as I havent used the CSC5 or the PS4.

[graaja]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

I frankly like it a lot. But then as I mentioned in one of my previous posts, no side by side comparisons as I havent used the CSC5 or the PS4.

Thanks Nikhil. As I have already tried CSC5 (with the runflats), I will try the Advans this time.

[Nikhilb2008]

50k Update after Two and a half years.

As mentioned previously, I got car painted at Car Surgeons. The car looked damn good but now it was time to (apply some ceramic coating. ) take it to the next level.

The last time we had gone for Kamikaze ISM and Miyabi. This time, we went one better. I splurged and went all out on Kamikaze Zipang and Miyabi.

The idea was to make a Miyabi Zipang sandwich. One layer of Zipang, allow it to dry, then a coat of Miyabi and finally another layer of Zipang.












Of course, we can debate till the end of time/lockdown if it is worth it and whether it really makes a difference.

All I can say is that I was lucky to have been in the position to even try this, so I did try it.

Since there is no way to compare this 'Ultimate Zipang-Miyabi-Zipang Sandwich' with just a layer of Zipang, I am not going to say this is worth it or any such controversial statement.

All I will say is that the car looks absolutely incredible in the flesh. Images don't do it justice and frankly, posting the compressed images on TBHP further spoil the quality.

I'll just post a bunch of pictures for you to admire. Afterall, a picture speaks a thousand words, they say....

As I was going on a business trip for a week by air and thus would not need the car for a week, It was decided between Sunny and me that he will finish detailing the car in this period of one week. I dropped off my car at his place and set off for my trip.

The story hereforth is as narrated by Sunny -

Day 1 started with a focus on cleaning the car - every nook and cranny around the car was cleaned as well as it could be cleaned. A full decontamination procedure involving Fallout and Tar removal, followed by claying was done to get rid of any and all ingrained contaminants.




Wheels came off and deep cleaned



As expected, lot of fallout was observed (purple bleeding from the alloy faces)



The previous wheel coating was still holding on, impressive considering the usage!



Day 2 began with moving the car into a paintbooth that was lent for detailing, A basic round of cleaning followed by claying was performed to make sure any contaminants picked up on the drive from my house to the paint booth have been taken care of.





Paint Depth readings were noted for safe correction.



50/50 shot of correction performed over newly painted parts. Thsi is to remove any and all sanding marks left behind after flattening the paint.



Progress at the end of Day 2 was slow. Correction of the newly painted panels were complete!

Parting shot for the day.



Day 3 began with correcting the leftover panels. A quick 50/50 shot



mmm. sweet!



Tail lamps before



Tail lamps after



Finished the boot!



Correction completed! Looking fabulous!



Then began the process of polishing the car. I don't have lot of pictures of the process as time was short and lot of panels to polish.



Start of Day 4 -

Wheels. Umm have I forgotten about the wheels? nope!

Day 2, they were taken off the car and cleaned again with a wheel cleaner to remove all contaminants picked up during the short drive.

Day 3, the wheels got 2 coats of Kamikaze Stance Rim Coat. As I had a lot of things on my plate, I forgot to click pictures.

Center caps were polished. Before and after polishing.



With Day 4, the wheels got a third coat of Stance Rim Coat



With the wheels done, lets get back to the paint.

Hood as left from Day 3 but with natural light added.



When most would settle for the amount of gloss reached - I wasn't. This car will get the BEST coatings on the marked and deserved to get the BEST paint treatment possible. The next step was to jewel the paint with an ultra fine polish and zero cut pad to get the best possible finish and the last few percentages of gloss from the paint.

Metallic Flecks shining thru post jewelling



Car post jewelling - The gloss level could not be captured well with just a photo!



An hour and half spent for the wipedown - ensure every surface to be coated was rid of any oils/chemicals that will interfere with coating bonding onto the paint.

First coat of Kamikaze Zipang goes on



After second coat with Miyabi



Third coat with Zipang goes on - and thats a wrap for Day 4!



We left the car to cure in the garage for two days and later collected it. What a sight it was!

[Ak007]

Hi Nikhil , your maintenance of the car is something like a referal book for me . Trying hard to maintain atleast 50% of your level ...
Looks lovely under the lights ...

[momsonlydriver]

If you sell that car in future, the next owner will be really lucky to have a showroom condition car like that. I'm sure you would never want to leave that beauty in someone else's hands. The car paint itself calls you to drive the car!

[NPV]

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

50k Update after Two and a half years.

Whoa, the way you've taken care of the car, 50k is just a (small) number, this car is a keeper!

All I will say is that the car looks absolutely incredible in the flesh.

I'm sure the quality and finish of the paint job is several notches above the OEM factory finish the car came with.

I'll just post a bunch of pictures for you to admire. Afterall, a picture speaks a thousand words, they say

Absolutely drool-worthy

[Nikhilb2008]

Originally Posted by NPV

Whoa, the way you've taken care of the car, 50k is just a (small) number, this car is a keeper!

I'm sure the quality and finish of the paint job is several notches above the OEM factory finish the car came with.


Absolutely drool-worthy

Thank you! I wouldnt say it's better than the factory finish. Factory finish, especially on paints is something else. Completely automated and robotic. It's so perfect, you dont need a human eye to check anything.

And yes, 50k is nothing for this car. It is surely a keeper.

Originally Posted by Ak007

Hi Nikhil , your maintenance of the car is something like a referal book for me . Trying hard to maintain atleast 50% of your level ...
Looks lovely under the lights ...

Thank you for your kind words.

Originally Posted by momsonlydriver

If you sell that car in future, the next owner will be really lucky to have a showroom condition car like that. I'm sure you would never want to leave that beauty in someone else's hands. The car paint itself calls you to drive the car!

Thank you for your kind words. Selling the car and thinking of a second owner seems like a far fetched thing right now. With the economy the way it is, I am just glad I dont have to purchase a new car right now! I am hoping this lasts me for another 5-6 years.

[ajmat]

I think its time for you to upgrade to an RS245 and for one of us to camp outside your place to buy this car!