Major Detailing: Iswara

The Iswara had been back home from Seremban for two weeks as my sister is having a semester break now. That car was totally neglected and not washed for 5 months. Bits and pieces of cut grass are sticking on the paintwork, water doesn't bead at all and thick black dirt film coats all over the car. Before it goes back to Seremban again next week, I decided to give it a major detailing and hence I'm on leave today.

Job scope:

- Wash and Dry (Meguiar's Shampoo Plus)
- Wheel and Wheel Well Cleaning (Meguiar's Safe Degreaser)
- Clay (Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Mild clay)
- Tar Removing (Mercury M6000)
- Paint Cleaning/Polishing (Meguiar's M80 Speed Glaze)
- Waxing (2 layers of Meguiar's M16 , 6 hours apart)
- Trim Dressing (Meguiar's Gold Class Trim Detailer)
- Tyre Dressing (Meguiar's Endurance Gel)

Duration: 7 hours

If it's going to rain tomorrow, I will enjoy looking at the water beading on the paintwork!

My Bag Collections

[Updated on 14/3/2009] Sometimes I just can't understand why am I so in love with bags. Whenever I open up my cupboard, I can't believe how many bags I've bought. Here's the latest list...

For laptop
- Crumpler, The King Single
- Dicota backpack

For cycling
- Deuter Superbike L

For hiking
- Berghaus 45L rucksack

For casual
- Timbuk2 Classic Messenger Bag (Small)
- Eastpak shoulder bag

For camera
- Lowepro Flipside 200
- Lowepro Flipside 400AW

- Lowepro Fastpack 250
- Lowepro Deluxe Waistbelt & Shoulder Harness
- Lowepro Lens Case (LC1, LC1S, LC2, LC2S, LC4)
- Lowepro Sliplock Pouch (10, 20)
- Lowepro Utility Case
- Domke F5XB

- Lowepro Apex 120AW

- Lowepro Apex 140AW
- ThinkTank Urban Disguise 20

- ThinkTank Urban Disguise 30
- Crumpler, The Bundle

The camera bags I've used and sold...
- Tamrac Adventure 7
- Lowepro MiniTrekker AW

- Lowepro Vertex 100AW

- Lowepro Vertex 200AW

- Lowepro Toploader 65AW

- Lowepro Toploader 75AW
- Lowepro Stealth Reporter 100AW
- Lowepro Stealth Reporter 200AW
- Lowepro Stealth Reporter 400AW
- Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Home
- Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home

- KATA H-12

- Lowepro LC4S

That's all...8-)

Meguiar's International Calendar Submission (Updated)

Three months ago, I took 3 shot of photos with Meguiar's end users posing with their cars. These photos are submitted to the 2009 Meguiar's International Calendar set for selection. I'm very impressed with the work from France, Holland, Germany and UK. Their photos do have good composition and lighting. This triggers me to get the 3rd flash...

Update (23/8/2008): Hypercoat just informed me that one of the photos (Toyota Wish) was selected to be part of the official 2009 Meguiar's International Calendar! This really excites me as it's the first time my work get published internationally.

Long Time No Buff

Last month, I promised myself to give my Vios a good buff after my exam. I'm done with another paper today, so I'm extremely happy and in good mood. Back from work earlier today and started to detail in the evening. I haven't been polishing the Vios for almost 2.5 years, since the first day of ownership. Here goes the job scope:

- Wash
- Clay (Bonnet/Roof/Boot)
- Dry
- M82/W8006/RB (Bonnet/Roof/Boot)
- M16/Hand

Duration: 5 hours

Though there wasn't much cutting being done, but the before-and-after effect is obvious enough, at least for me. Majority of the 'pimples' are removed, left behind those deeper etchings. Those "pimples" will come back again probably in next few months time, due to paintwork problem. This phenomena is not seen on both the Accord and Myvi paintwork. Alright, the rest of the panels will be done probably after next exam. There're some road tars on the lower door panels to be cleared...

Total Satisfaction

My business trip down to JB had been extended from 7 days to freaking long 12 days. Being away from home means I can't have a 'usual' lifestyle. During the weekdays I worked for long hours at customer site and over the weekends I spent my time at Singapore and sleeping/studying in the hotel.

Now I'm back to KL, and since I have to return to JB on coming Wednesday for another week, I have to finish up all my chores before I leave. And guess what? I washed both the Accord and Myvi! Total time takes less than 3 hours and it's a total satisfaction. I don't usually do that except for unusual case such as mosquito oil fogging...

Time for shower and revision...Ciao!