Swapped the Signum for a Jag.

**SCOTTEX** · 27th September 2006, 10:00

Well only for the day. This guy had massive paint contamination from a industrial paint spraying company, so I agreed to help him as he was talking telephone numbers from a bodyshop whom he approached about it. I thought it was a challenge and a chance to improve my detailing skills.

I picked it up, a 3 year old S-Type 3.0 V6 Sport, big 18" BBS wheels.
Initial thoughts:
1: Very sharp throttle response.
2. Cramped interior & driving position.
3. Smooth box & engine.

Got it back to my detailing area. Ooooh dear.

I think it had been cleaned by a Kosovan car cleaner with a brillo pad. The paint was very rough & sticky to the touch, your finger wouldn't slide along the paint it was that rough.

I set to work, with the following proceedure.
1. Power wash with TFR foam.
2. Hand wash with the two buckets and a strong shampoo.
3. Megs bodyshop agressive clay

This photo, shows how much cr8p, the clay pulled off by 3 passes on a small 10cm x 10cm patch. I went through nearly a full bar on the car ( @ £ 17.99 a bar). The claying took 1.5 hours !!!!!!!!!!!! but it removed all the contamination and underlying dirt in the paint.
4. Second full hand wash to remove the clay residue.
After this the paint was looking a lot better.
5. Initial polish using Autobrite Mirror Glaze.
6. Secondary polish & sealant using Autobrite Extra wax top coat polish.
7. Final wax with Nattys.
8. Alloys done with Autobrite Alloy extra cleaner and tyres dressed in Chemical Guys silkshine.
9. Glass cleaned with Autobrite Glass polish.
10. Engine bay plastics done with Chemical Guys silkshine.

The paint was lovely and super smooth.
Took the car back.
Would I have a S-Type Jaguar ?
The answer would have to be no, due to the poor cramped interior and poor boot space. Getting back into the Signum from the Jaguar, the interior felt massive. The road noise from both cars are low. The Jags 250bhp is a bit better than my 150bhp, but didn't feel massively different. Certainly not £20K more.

By the way, was the customer happy ???
His receptionist said he was busy and just drop the keys off, all that work ( 6 hours) and he didn't even bother to look at it or say thank you...................

Still, you shouldn't expect too much 'cause its not a dissapointment when you don't get anything.

**Gsi3.2** · 27th September 2006, 10:20

Just hacks you off when folks haven't got common good manners doesn't it..

**Elite2.2DTi** · 27th September 2006, 10:20

looks like you done a top job there mate. well done! Ashame the customer didnt even take a look at your hard work thou.

**AndrewTi** · 27th September 2006, 10:32

Well, I think it looks a stunning job for what it's worth. Well done bud.

Now come round here and do mine at once!!!!

**Duncan** · 27th September 2006, 10:35

Top job there!! - and as for the customer, well Mark said it. A bit of common courtesy wouldn't have gone amiss. Hope you charge him extra now!!

**ion** · 27th September 2006, 10:39

Wow, a stunning job mate.

**blr123** · 27th September 2006, 15:27

Top job Scott

If the client didn't come out to have a look I think it is probably his loss........as you probably would have given him a few pointers as to how to keep it like that.........chances are it'll be back as bad as ever fairly soon due to poor method and poor choice of products

Bryan

**SCOTTEX** · 27th September 2006, 20:56

Thanks for the comments guys.

I've always liked Jags and was looking forward to this S-Type. I came away slightly dissapointed ( and a bad back) in the cramped interior & driving position of the S-Type. I'm 6' 2" and not exactly weight watchers material and the seat wouldn't go back far enough or the steering wheel raise high enough.

I love the new XJ's though and hope to get a turn in one soon as they are supposed to be fantastic to drive. The paint took a lot of stick but came through in the end, so I have to give thumbs up to the Jaguar paint. Those 18" BBS wheels are a nightmere and wouldn't spend my money on them. They were falling apart and I certainly wouldn't trust them on the road. Three years old and they were knackered.

Gotta keep buffing...............

**S888 SRB** · 27th September 2006, 21:41

The paint sprayer at work has got an S Type 3.0 Sport Manual, sitting on 20" chrome Zinic wheels from the US. It goes well and its very, how should i put it, "Gangster" but yes it is cramped on the inside.

Good detailing work there mate, shame it wasn't commented on but what can you do...

**simac** · 27th September 2006, 22:02

Looks great after your hard work !
My dad has an X type 3.0 V6 sport 4x4 jag and I have to say it feels small on the inside too, but it goes like stink - absolutely no wheel spin it just flies off the mark and nothing has come anywhere near it - yet !!!