I am biting my tongue KC, ...if this wasn't a family site, I'd be very bold...

 

lol do tell ?!

I'd probably never have pulled the trigger on paint until I got back to hand washing it myself. It looked great @ about 8-10 feet but upon detailing I'd notice all the clear coat failure,hail dings & some previous paint work that wasn't as good as I'd like.

 

British cars only.

The 1999 white XJ-8 and 1985 TVR Tasmin 280i are my cars.

 

Paint completed, I present to you Jaggy-O : The Pollinated Edition lol. I'll snap some glamour shots once I get the pollen etc. cleaned up but I am well pleased, almost to the point of being ecstatic especially for what I paid w/ the detail & execution I received.

 

Oh yes! Looks fantastic!

 

Thanks & that's the pollinated version too, can't wait for the weather to break so I can get it ready for some glamour shots lol.

 

I have been waiting with baited breath for this moment KC, ...as CK states, she looks fantastic. What polish and wax do you have lined up?

 

Going to seal it w/ Renny Doyle Double Black Bead Maker Paint Protectant, top that w/ Collinite 845 wax.

Bead Maker
https://psdetailproducts.com/i-23875...rotectant.html

Collinite 845
https://www.collinite.com/automotive-wax/insulator-wax/

Also had all the light bulbs replaced w/ highest rated halogen/incandescent bulbs & housings cleaned etc.

Really excited as I haven't even seen it in it's finest state yet. Pollen & rain sprinkles stifled my introduction after her procedure lol.

 

Have you considered a proper ceramic coating for the paint, instead of just wax? It is significantly more expensive, but lasts far longer (up to 5 years I believe?)
Seems like there are some local options too, eg https://www.ceramicprocarolinas.com/services.html

:edit: looks like they have a lifetime option too, which would be ideal for keeping that fresh paint looking clean and shiny for years to come. No idea on price though, but I feel like it would definitely be worth it

 

Past:



Present:



Future:

 

That ceramic coating is a bit of snake oil media campaigning IMO w/ much research. Collinite 845 lasts 4-6 months w/ UV protection etc. Plus having to sand the ceramic coating off when it's time to renew is just opening the door for a mishap that can be avoided lol.

 

Interesting. I have a friend in the industry who runs his own detailing and coatings shop, and his experiences are very much different. He has some very high end and repeat customers as well. (He was personally invited to detail the only Aston Martin Vulcan in New Zealand)

There are a lot of different products around, with varying lifespans. If you were interested in talking over options I'm sure he'd be happy to help, and give some (hopefully) impartial advice, given that he wouldn't be doing the work himself

 

I'm going to keep the paint virgin/no top coat for 2 more weeks(it has 2 weeks already cured/off gassed) so who knows I may have a change of heart lol.

But I had a Maserati a couple years ago that came w/ the lifetime ceramic guarantee deal & it was such a pain to have renewed, they had to extensively sand etc. & truthfully I didn't notice anything extra ordinary from a good wax. I'm a firm believer that sanding is a risky venture unless you know the person doing it is qualified & I'd rather avoid that unneeded question mark w/ fresh paint lol.

Edit :
grandell,
I like the tint & dark wheels combo, very cohesive w/ the black window trim sir !

 

Hey grandell, love the smoked rim idea...wouldn't mind seeing that on the asteroids. Maybe I'll get a set and do that to them? ...thing is I have chrome trim.

 

That was how I bought them. I quite like it too, especially if I go a little further and remove the pin-striping and the plastic bits down the side of the car as well. If you like the look, one easy way to try it is with Plasti-dip. Then if you don't like it, you can just peel it off!

 

I expressed this already directly to you, but like to do it here as well; that car looks absolutely amazing KC!
Still remember how you threatened to trash her, not even that long ago ...😀

 

 

You know, this is actually my 3rd X308 I'm always drawn to them due to my favorite deceased uncle being a X308 zealot. He was always so carefree & suave sporting his XJ8s despite the stressful career. I've finally become aware of all the "hot spots" & their cures w/ the aid of this fine forum & decided to stick with this one. The green really resonates w/ me(the previous were black XJR,white onyx LWB). I've had high end Maserati,Benz,Lexus,Infiniti & so forth but none hold the road like a properly sorted X308 & surely none have the classic lines.

In short, yes this one's a keeper lol.

 

this is the layout

 

Interesting, the old diehards would probably scoff at it, but the hot rodder would give it accolades.