[allachie9]

I picked up my 335i GT Luxury last month and it has just been to our local detailers for full Gtechniq Crystal Serum Black protection and detailing.
I collected it this morning and the boys at AMDetails have done an absolutely superb job.
Thanks guys.

BMW 335i GT Detailed_1 by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr

BMW 335i GT Detailed_2 by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr

BMW 335i GT Detailed_3 by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr

BMW 335i GT Detailed_4 by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr

[rapid64k]

Superb job allachie9. Looks fantastic.

What about some interior shots?

How much did that set you back?

[pardus]

Great shots.

[CHCCubs]

Looks great

[allachie9]

OK Rapid, a couple of interior shots, as requested.
I must say that I can never seem to take shots of the interior as well as the exterior, but here they are -

BMW 335i GT_Int_2 by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr

BMW 335i GT_Int_1 by Alan Butterfield, on Flickr

Total cost was around £600.
But it included a full Single Stage Detail, followed by Gtechniq CS Black, which involves a coat of Crystal Serum followed by 2 coats of ultra hydrophobic Gtechniq EXO (7 year guarantee).
Gtechniq C5 Wheels off package.
Wheels removed, decontaminated, degreased then coated with C5 Wheel Armour.
Gtechniq G1 - Clear vision Smart Glass package.
All glass and mirrors cleaned with G4 then coated with G1.

[rapid64k]

Amazing job looks mint.

[DanITman]

Mind sharing what it cost?

[rapid64k]

Total cost was around £600.<<<<<<<<

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by DanITman

Mind sharing what it cost?

Hi Dan, See post#5 above.
Cost around £600 (GBP).
No idea how that would compare with costs over there.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by allachie9

Hi Dan, See post#5 above.
Cost around £600 (GBP).
No idea how that would compare with costs over there.

About a hundred bucks, that being the cost of the materials, with the labor provided by your own hands. Of course if you've got a lot more money than you do time you might want to hire the job out. I rather like pampering my 'baby' myself, rather than handing it off to a nanny.

[allachie9]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

About a hundred bucks, that being the cost of the materials, with the labor provided by your own hands. Of course if you've got a lot more money than you do time you might want to hire the job out. I rather like pampering my 'baby' myself, rather than handing it off to a nanny.

I also like to do as much as I can to my car myself. The problem here is that you just cannot buy Gtechniq Crystal Serum, it has to be professionally applied.

Why Gtechniq Crystal Serum?
Crystal Serum is the market-leading ceramic composite coating – the best paint protection available.
Because of the strong chemical bond the coating forms with a car’s paintwork, Crystal Serum can only be applied by a trained detailing professional in the Gtechniq accredited detailer network.

Should Crystal Serum be applied incorrectly a car will need flat sanding to remove the coating.

Hence the 7 year guarantee.

Your hundred bucks would get you an inferior product I suspect.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by allachie9

Because of the strong chemical bond the coating forms with a car’s paintwork, Crystal Serum can only be applied by a trained detailing professional in the Gtechniq accredited detailer network.

That's the official line. Many tints are only available through installers as well. The tints are no different than those you can buy outright and install yourself. They just won't sell them retail, to give the impression that there's something different about them. Crystal Serum application isn't all that involved.

Your hundred bucks would get you an inferior product I suspect.

I use Menzerna products on the paint, Aquapel on the glass, and there's nothing the least bit inferior about either. The Menzerna sealant I use gives the same result as shown in the linked Crystal Serum video. A $24.95 bottle is enough to give the entire car four applications. I told my dealer about it and now he's using it, charging $100 for an application. Ka-ching.

[steerme]

What about for wheels?

[allachie9]

Bill, your Menzerna product sounds pretty good value, as I mentioned elsewhere, so overall you must be on a winner.


Happy Christmas to you and yours.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by steerme

What about for wheels?

I got some Armor All wheel cleaner and wheel protectant. I wasn't expecting much from the wheel protectant, because wheels get really hot and that tends to be tough on any coating, but the other day I gave them a wipe and all of the accumulated grime came off very easily with just a dry rag. I'm pretty much done with driving season, there's no golf in winter and I walk to do all my local errands, but come spring I'm going to do some comparisons with different products now that I know they're worth it.
BTW, BMW wheels do get dirty much faster than most cars. BMW uses a softer brake material, which creates a lot more brake dust. That's a good thing. The easily replaced pads wear out more quickly, but the rotors last longer before they need turning or replacement. Keep that in mind before thinking about using pads that are advertised as creating less dust.