[bluewater328]

Originally Posted by OnlyDriveGerman

I guess you didn't change you intake manifold gaskets? Guess you'll be pulling the entire manifold when you have an air leak to replace them… cutting corners does not, I repeat, does not, save time.

Eh, touché I suppose. I think that's debatable if it's a complete one-time use compression item.

[MPOWER5266]

Originally Posted by Now_Rudi

Sunday I applied Mothers CMX ceramic spray coating on the Lexus. I have to say I'm impressed with the results. I've used nano coatings on rims before, but never on a cars body. Two days after applying, it rained, I can't believe how great this stuff works. I'll see how long this product holds up; expecting only a few months but we'll see. I'm expecting failure by spring will put an actual nano bonding ceramic coating on it then.

Edit: Started doing some digging to determine how long to expect this stuff to last and couldn't find anyone stating how long it lasted before the protection begins to fail. Aside from amazon reviews, which I don't trust, I couldn't find anyone with a clear answer.

From Mother's website:
How long does it last?
CMX Ceramic Spray Coating durability testing is still ongoing - currently it has outlasted all of our tests. For example, one of our test cars has been run through 100+ automatic drive-through brush car washes, as well as daily ocean salt air exposure. The panels show little to no degradation of the ceramic coating, still exhibiting superb shine and excellent hydrophobicity.

https://www.facebook.com/mothersusa/...1960840191274/

I have heard everything from it failing after 2 washes to it lasting months. I enjoy detailing as a hobby and I spend a lot of time researching and trying products. My current system for paint protection is Jescar powerlock sealant, two coats of Collinite 845 and I top it all with beadmaker as a drying aide. I can usually get 4-6 months before the Collinite starts to fail(I just add another coat as long as the paint is still fee of contamination) and about a year before strip washing and starting over with the sealant. I have used a few of those spray coatings and I have had poor results.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by MPOWER5266

I have heard everything from it failing after 2 washes to it lasting months. I enjoy detailing as a hobby and I spend a lot of time researching and trying products. My current system for paint protection is Jescar powerlock sealant, two coats of Collinite 845 and I top it all with beadmaker as a drying aide. I can usually get 4-6 months before the Collinite starts to fail(I just add another coat as long as the paint is still fee of contamination) and about a year before strip washing and starting over with the sealant. I have used a few of those spray coatings and I have had poor results.

Hoping for the best here, but not expecting more than just a few months. Glad to hear someone with some detailing experience give some feedback. I read a few of the amazon reviews, but as stated before, I don't put much faith into those reviews as a person doesn't know the background of the individual writing the review. Perhaps their knowledge is inadequate, maybe they did not properly execute their prep, etc. A project is only going to yield positive results based on the individuals background, knowledge and understanding of what they are working with and what they are working on, along with the quality of the product they are using and most importantly the amount of effort that is put into their prep-work.

I used to detail cars on the side. Nothing crazy exotic, but typically only dealt with higher-end (for this area - BMW's, Audi's, Infiniti's & Lexus' mostly) clientele. They always wanted a basic hand wash, wax & full interior detail. On a rare occasion, I would have someone who wanted something a little more resilient and time consuming. Those were the jobs I always enjoyed - trying new products and getting feedback from the customers on how they lasted. This is how I come to my love/hate relationship with Chemical Guys products. Always had good luck with Adams polishes. I had one customer that always wanted me to use Repel on his 135i. I had never heard of it before and tried to find it to post a link here. It was an odd little product. If I recall correctly, you put it on, let it bake in the sun and then let it set over night, then buff and polish. To me it seemed like a waste of his money and my time as I had to keep his car over night.

[MPOWER5266]

Originally Posted by Now_Rudi

Hoping for the best here, but not expecting more than just a few months. Glad to hear someone with some detailing experience give some feedback. I read a few of the amazon reviews, but as stated before, I don't put much faith into those reviews as a person doesn't know the background of the individual writing the review. Perhaps their knowledge is inadequate, maybe they did not properly execute their prep, etc. A project is only going to yield positive results based on the individuals background, knowledge and understanding of what they are working with and what they are working on, along with the quality of the product they are using and most importantly the amount of effort that is put into their prep-work.

I used to detail cars on the side. Nothing crazy exotic, but typically only dealt with higher-end (for this area - BMW's, Audi's, Infiniti's & Lexus' mostly) clientele. They always wanted a basic hand wash, wax & full interior detail. On a rare occasion, I would have someone who wanted something a little more resilient and time consuming. Those were the jobs I always enjoyed - trying new products and getting feedback from the customers on how they lasted. This is how I come to my love/hate relationship with Chemical Guys products. Always had good luck with Adams polishes. I had one customer that always wanted me to use Repel on his 135i. I had never heard of it before and tried to find it to post a link here. It was an odd little product. If I recall correctly, you put it on, let it bake in the sun and then let it set over night, then buff and polish. To me it seemed like a waste of his money and my time as I had to keep his car over night.

I used a lot of Adams stuff but I am starting to shy away from it. There are new products out there that work as well and cost less. Adams is also starting to use the Chemical guys marketing playbook and while their products are better, it kinda turns me off. I still love their car shampoo though.

I haven't heard of Repel but it sounds strange.

[dakine_surf]

Originally Posted by Now_Rudi

Sunday I applied Mothers CMX ceramic spray coating on the Lexus. I have to say I'm impressed with the results. I've used nano coatings on rims before, but never on a cars body. Two days after applying, it rained, I can't believe how great this stuff works. I'll see how long this product holds up; expecting only a few months but we'll see. I'm expecting failure by spring will put an actual nano bonding ceramic coating on it then.

Edit: Started doing some digging to determine how long to expect this stuff to last and couldn't find anyone stating how long it lasted before the protection begins to fail. Aside from amazon reviews, which I don't trust, I couldn't find anyone with a clear answer.

From Mother's website:
How long does it last?
CMX Ceramic Spray Coating durability testing is still ongoing - currently it has outlasted all of our tests. For example, one of our test cars has been run through 100+ automatic drive-through brush car washes, as well as daily ocean salt air exposure. The panels show little to no degradation of the ceramic coating, still exhibiting superb shine and excellent hydrophobicity.

https://www.facebook.com/mothersusa/...1960840191274/

Interesting... I saw this recently and figured I'd give it a go. I want to do a good ceramic coating but time has been my hindering factor. I just haven't had a chance to get any of my daily's pulled into the garage to do some decent paint correction, clay, anything... so this might be an option until I can devote 20-40 hrs into a full paint correction and then a ceramic coating like Cquartz.

[King Rudi]

Originally Posted by dakine_surf

Interesting... I saw this recently and figured I'd give it a go. I want to do a good ceramic coating but time has been my hindering factor. I just haven't had a chance to get any of my daily's pulled into the garage to do some decent paint correction, clay, anything... so this might be an option until I can devote 20-40 hrs into a full paint correction and then a ceramic coating like Cquartz.

This was my problem also. I typically wax mine about once a month. I figured this would buy me some time, until spring, so I could do a proper ceramic coating. Let me know what you think once you have it on and how long it takes before you start to see it fail.

[dakine_surf]

Originally Posted by Now_Rudi

This was my problem also. I typically wax mine about once a month. I figured this would buy me some time until spring so I could do a proper ceramic coating without having to wax so often in the meantime. Let me know what you think once you have it on and how long it takes before you start to see it fail.

I don't wax as often as you... maybe twice a year. So I wash every week, or just about... I don't reapply anything other than using ONR wash and wax in a quick detail solution as a drying aid after I use the Coin-Op.

When my wax is fresh, ONR does a great job at keeping the car looking good in-between washes. I love ONR as a clay bar lube and quick detailer... never really use it as directed as a 2 bucket wash soap since washing your car in your driveway is technically illegal in my town.

But I notice after a couple of months the wax begins to fail and the ONR looks great for a day or two after a wash but isn't keeping the car as hydophobic between washes as I would like.

I doubt I will have a chance to actually break out the polisher and do a full corrective on the car before winter... but a clay bar and this Mothers product seem feasible.

Technically the paint on my front bumper is actually starting to fail, so I need a respray anyway. I'm actually super bummed about it... there was nothing there 6 months ago, and now it's starting to chip off and there was never any damage done, the paint has just started to fail and the car was always garaged and has only seen the rain a handful of times since I drive my truck when it gets wet outside.

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by Now_Rudi

I honestly bought it on a whim. I was out of wax and thought I would try something different this time. Due to my work schedule and the weather, I hadn't been able to apply it until this past weekend. I did clay and IPA the entire car before applying. Weather permitting, I will most likely stack it this weekend with another coat, as I barely used any of the contents of the spray bottle. Stupid easy to apply. Highly recommend this stuff!

I haven't washed my car in about a month since i applied it, weather is all over the place and i don't hav time sometimes, but it held up great

[SyCoREAPER]

Installed SRI and am borderline regretting it.

[Sgop335]

Not today but recently, new 17" rims 17x8 and 17x9. Heavy weight came w 18x8 et20 and 18x9 et 32 took a chance. Suckers weigh 16-17 lbs

[evo213f10]

Did the Euro split armrest. Best interior mod to date. Absolutely loving it. To those who are still undecided.......do it! I know the color I a bit off, but the seller did say it was grey leather. I doubt anyone would care....because I don't. Color is somewhat close enough.

[6ixSpd]

That looks extremely different than your grey interior. It's Palladium Silver from the E9X M interiors.

That said, it is definitely a worthy mod.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

That looks extremely different than your grey interior. It's Palladium Silver from the E9X M interiors.

That said, it is definitely a worthy mod.

Would have been better off with a black sprit arm rest, than this grey.

This colour definitely does not compliment his grey in any way. I personally would not use it if i was in his shoes regardless of how worthy the mod is.

Silver accents, wood grain brown trim, carbon fiber shifter trim, black hand brake handle....just too much going on already and now this too.

[WatchWolf34]

Got the M Sport front bumper painted and installed. I've been wanting this look since I first started researching these
cars for purchase a few years back and I've finally got it. Very happy with the quality of paint and install and happy that
my shop was able to make the PDC work.

Finished it off with a shmexy Seibon AK style carbon fiber lip. I love the subtle aggressiveness. It's definitely not a
ground-breaking modification but it's tried and true. You can see the before shot in my signature and I feel that there's
just no comparison.

Just a crappy iphone picture - I'll add better stuff later but needed to snap this after the wash last night.

[vilord]

I stopped looking for an e91 tailgate because i was being cheap.

Today, I resumed that search.

[MPOWER5266]

Originally Posted by vilord

I stopped looking for an e91 tailgate because i was being cheap.

Today, I resumed that search.

Damn!!! I did see this the other day on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-2010-2...0AAOSwb8Vbu1OP

[nsjames]

ooof.

note to self, take care of tail gate.
looks like it's gonna get a shit ton o cavity wax errrrrrrywhere.

[tlow98]

yikes, wonder if us west coasters will suffer this fate!? it's every gen wagon it seems - so strange

[evo213f10]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

That looks extremely different than your grey interior. It's Palladium Silver from the E9X M interiors.

That said, it is definitely a worthy mod.

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

That looks extremely different than your grey interior. It's Palladium Silver from the E9X M interiors.

That said, it is definitely a worthy mod.

I thought E9X only had one shade of the grey interior. Had no idea e9x m also had a silver leather interior. It doesn't bother me like I said. The extra armrest is definitely sweet for the driver.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

New steering wheel trim + buttons from another car.

[vilord]

Originally Posted by nsjames

ooof.

note to self, take care of tail gate.
looks like it's gonna get a shit ton o cavity wax errrrrrrywhere.

Pull off the plastic trim on the edges of the tailgate next to/under the glass. that's where the rust forms; that stupid plastic thing holds dirty damp salty goo against the metal, then it is just a matter of time. I'm not going to put the cover back on once i find a good one.

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by vilord

I stopped looking for an e91 tailgate because i was being cheap.

Today, I resumed that search.

Wow