after 15 years time for a change

[rat1]

so after nearly 15 years of having my mk1 laguna 3liter v6 as my daily driver,it was time for a update.so out with the old and in with the new a laguna coupe 205 gt

[Matt Cole]

Wow. Love them. :agree: that's two we have in the club and a rare car too.:cool:

[B18ftMOJO5]

Out of curiousty the old v6. How was ownerships any issues ive been looking and they are going very cheap at the minute.

[Lowiepete]

Now I don't feel as lonely :) :niceone:

http://s5.postimg.cc/t7gmqu9fb/r14063coupe.jpg

Regards,
Steve

[rat1]

Out of curiousty the old v6. How was ownerships any issues ive been looking and they are going very cheap at the minute.

in the 15 years i had the v6 the only problems i had was 2 starter motors go on me, 1 of them was a cheap after market job.and a misfire which tuned out to be a coil pack.it was a fantastic car,such a strong engine pulled hard in any gear no matter what.even after 15 years and 112.000ml it was still on the original clutch.this is why i had it for so long but it was time for a change, i will miss it.

[rat1]

Now I don't feel as lonely :) :niceone:

hi Steve yes there's always safety in numbers lol
yours is an amazing looking car, i'll have to get you to clean mine one day.
i see what you mean about the wheels.
Ray

[turbo ted]

Nice motor Raymond will there be tow bar fitted to that car for pod weekends:burnrubber:

[rat1]

thanks Rob as churchill would say oh yes, i've all ready had one fitted but i paid the extra for a detachable tow ball so you can't see it.

[Lowiepete]

I paid the extra for a detachable tow ball so you can't see it.
Sounds good that! :niceone:

What tyres have you got? If it's still on Bridgestones, then get rid as soon as. They really
spoil the riding characteristics of the car, and their thrumming in the cabin nearly drove
me mad! I've got Falkens all round and they have transformed the car into the proper
Grand Tourer that it's meant to be. I just couldn't believe the difference!

The cam belt is every 6 years, and recommend you change the water pump at same time.
With that and the accessories kit bought from the Dealer, I changed all filters except the
K&N air, oil, coolant, brake fluid and plugs. Done at a local indy Renault specialist for £700.
That included him hard-wiring a dash cam too.

Car drives like new now. :niceone:

As for the wheels. They're done in shadow chrome, but with more of a black emphasis.
The guys at Aerocoat did a fantastic job. No-one remarked about them before I had them
powder-coated. Now, after apologising for their badge-snobbery, that's the first remark
I get. Then come the jealous glances...

The one thing I stipulated was cream leather for the interior. It seems that very few cars
at all were fitted with other than black. Such a shame because it didn't cost extra :(

Ta for the compliments. I paid out a fair bit for the car to be damp-sanded. That was to deal
with the pretty bad orange-peel. The guy who did it reckoned there was a possibility that,
being a bespoke car, it was sprayed by a bloke rather than by robots. The best bit is that
I could have another wet-sanding four goes and the clarity will only improve each time.
I might have it done again on the car's 10th birthday.

It now wears a very expensive glass coating which will withstand up to 9H pencil and not
show washing swirls for up to 2 years. It virtually washes itself. My "detailing" practice
has to be on other people's cars, like the Megane Coupe next door.

It's good to see another car that's gone to an appreciative owner! :burnrubber:

Regards,
Steve

[rat1]

the tyres are kumho ? but there's very little noise and plenty of grip and there not very old so thay can stay for now.

the car was serviced just before i picked it up, oil filter etc. its only got 29.500 miles on the clock so may have get the cam belt changed due to age.

unfortunately it has the black leather interior, not looking forward to getting in it on a hot sunny day.

was lucky its got the bose sound system and not the sat nav,and a proper spear wheel not just that inflater kit thay come with.

the paint is oyster grey, orange peal isn't to bad but i'll see how i get on with it.

Ray

[Lowiepete]

unfortunately it has the black leather interior, not looking forward to getting in it on a hot sunny day.
Beware! It won't just be the seats you melt into. The gear knob has potential to burn too.
If you place your hand flat over it, it cools down quick enough though.

I'm @ just over 30K and I had Bose instead of the SatNav. It plays crappy MP3s pretty well,
but if you want the full Pink Floyd experience, burn some proper CD copies. I just love how
you can play for hours directing the sound around the car. The only bug-bear being that the
power suddenly cuts you off in your prime as you're putting another brick in the wall - LOL

Regards,
Steve

[scratcher]

Ah, you got it :) these are such good looking cars!

Thanks again for the Cup sicker :) I really want one on my car but it seems like such a waste.

[rat1]

Beware! It won't just be the seats you melt into. The gear knob has potential to burn too.
If you place your hand flat over it, it cools down quick enough though.

i've already had it on a very cold morning,its like changing gear with an lump of ice,but it warms up quick .

yes already been playing a bit of Pink Floyd.

Ray

[rat1]

Ah, you got it :) these are such good looking cars!

Thanks again for the Cup sicker :) I really want one on my car but it seems like such a waste.

no problem. unfortunately the stickers aren't wether proof but the one on the back of my caravan is holding up.

[Lowiepete]

Hello Folks,

Here's Ray's car after a trip to Lowestoft for a detail. The day started wet
and we were always working close to the dew-point. At some points it
was quite a task getting surfaces to dry when buffing. Thankfully, we were
using some products totally new to the UK that were far more forgiving
than would normally be the case, so we were able to complete the task.

First up, the car was given a wash and claycloth treatment; both tasks
aided by a fantastic new waterless / rinseless wash potion from Singapore.
I should explain that I get sent ArtDeShine potions and bits for testing
and reviews, mostly to help them with writing directions.

It's no understatement that Ray was quite startled by the ArtDeShine
No-Rinse potion, even though he'd already been introduced to the
American equivalent, Optimum No Rinse (ONR). The difference twixt the
two being that the ANR helped the wiper across the paint as if it were on
rails! As for lubricating the claycloth, there is no comparison!

The first protective potion we applied was some ADS Blue Lotion. That
potion is a kind of all-in-one product that helps clean and smooth the
surface as well as bringing out the flake-pop in the paint. These first
photos show the rear of the car after the Blue Lotion had been applied.

http://s5.postimg.cc/4wq9rxagn/adsuni001.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/5q7gya5vb/adsuni002.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/mli0jjm7r/adsuni003.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/jilvtwwmv/adsuni004.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/4qh62kqpj/adsuni005.jpg

Before we turned the car round, we applied a third brand new potion,
some ADS Gel Coat. There are no pictures of this directly after application,
with the weather fighting us, it was time to turn the car round and tackle
the front. Same process, wash, claycloth and Blue Lotion.

http://s5.postimg.cc/vn15aw9iv/adsuni006.jpg

The flake-pop that's showing in these photos is just stunning :niceone:

http://s5.postimg.cc/vpl0xqd6f/adsuni007.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/mbai077lj/adsuni008.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/nlcwszqrb/adsuni009.jpg

Ignore the dirty front wheel. The only drawback to working in my garage is the
muddy access track to and from...

http://s5.postimg.cc/ym81y0j07/adsuni010.jpg

Meanwhile, the fine rain was landing on the gel-coated rear...

http://s5.postimg.cc/rka4btfef/adsuni011.jpg

The next two pictures show the demarcation twixt wet and dry parts...

http://s5.postimg.cc/5mdni10dz/adsuni012.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/y0j31wnxz/adsuni013.jpg

Now four pictures of the fiddly cleaning and protection applied to and around
the shark-mouth...

http://s5.postimg.cc/gonbu7juf/adsuni014.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/p9gnldu0n/adsuni015.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/4bahnau5z/adsuni016.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/hj9vg8rp3/adsuni017.jpg

So, we come to applying the ADS Gel Coat to the front...

http://s5.postimg.cc/twmpn5hdj/adsuni018.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/hcw6d5ik7/adsuni019.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/4ge8wz1h3/adsuni020.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/44wsk7l13/adsuni021.jpg

The flake is now reflecting back so well, you get a double-reflection which
almost look like flaws in the paint.

http://s5.postimg.cc/rkeppk4s7/adsuni022.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/71jtkhquv/adsuni023.jpg

Finally, by about 3pm, the weather decides to clear up a bit, so we're able
to take the car round the front to do the wheels and other outstanding
jobs, like the door-shuts and windscreen. These final pictures are of
the finished car. It's not bad for a vehicle that stands out in all weathers,
is it?

http://s5.postimg.cc/itca91auv/adsuni024.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/au7xdyvqv/adsuni025.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/uq3wtics7/adsuni026.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/gq1v1db1z/adsuni027.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/sgfsir3uf/adsuni028.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/ikepj3y2f/adsuni029.jpg

http://s5.postimg.cc/qr6paoo53/adsuni030.jpg

Regards,
Steve

[rat1]

thanks again Steve,i had a great day. it was a shame about the battle with the weather but it was worth it and the 270 mile round trip.the pictures speak for them selves.the gel coat is amazing on the drive home of 130 miles on damp to wet roads i thought the car was going to be a mess but it looked all most as good as when i left.
can't wait for that ANR to come out.

regards Ray

[scratcher]

Great job guys, that's come out lovely and glossy :cool:
I still haven't got around to trying and ADS products, they look like they've done you proud here.

[Lowiepete]

Ray,

It'll be good to see some beading pictures, when the time comes...

Regards,
Steve

[rat1]

i'll see what i can do ( not that i wont it to rain )
:agree:
Ray

[Lowiepete]

Hello Ray,

So, 3 months down the line, how's the ADS protection holding up?

Regards,
Steve

[rat1]

hello Steve,
sorry hadn't realised how long it's been since i last looked at this thread.and as for the pictures of the beading i dont know what happened there,i'll see if i can find them again.i'm not good with computers lol.
back to the ADS protection, it's lasting very well,even after spending 2 weeks in cornwall on a campsite over the new year etc in storms and covered in mud,(and i mean thick mud) when i got back i power washed it and the mud just fell off. up till now i've just been cleaning it with ONR and it looks grate every time.how ever the coating i think has lost some of it edge now as the shine and flake-pop are not as deep as before and the beading not as defied,but this is only minimal.i'm thinking it may be time to give it a wax coating or something what do you think.
regards Ray

[Matt Cole]

Im hoping to get round to doing something with my new Renault turbo. As you can see, the colour is something special!:D

[rat1]

i must agree that is a special colour i really like it,it looks so good on the clio and megane but i dont know if it suit a laguna.:sad:

[Matt Cole]

i must agree that is a special colour i really like it,it looks so good on the clio and megan but i dont know if it suit a laguna.:sad:

Cheers Ray. Yes I agree I think to carry off a lairy colour the car needs to be small. A Laguna might stand out a bit!:D

[rat1]

i can't believe i've owed my laguna coupé for a year now,doesn't time fly. so on friday i took it for it's MOT,passed with absolutely no problems.but its where thay spent ages walking around it saying things like i really like the shape and i've never seen one of these before and the bit that made me laugh was as he was checking underneath and suddenly went wow and its got 4 wheel steering and got their apprentice to show him how it worked,much to the annoyance of people waiting their turn.i've had this reaction a number of times now but it still catches me out and wonder why there's not more laguna coupés about as every one seams to like them.
regards Ray

[Lowiepete]

Hi Ray,

Well, 5 months over a fairly wet winter isn't bad :niceone:

i'm thinking it may be time to give it a wax coating or something
what do you think.

Two very thin coats of ADS Obsidian Wax (http://obsidiandetailing.com/product/obsidian-wax/) will give you 4 months. The small tin will last you about 5 years if
you use it 3 times a year. If you want to know how thin to apply it, there's a guide here (http://www.rtoc.org/boards/showthread.php?p=402791#post402791).

Regards,
Steve

[Matt Cole]

Hi Ray,

Well, 5 months over a fairly wet winter isn't bad :niceone:


Two very thin coats of ADS Obsidian Wax (http://obsidiandetailing.com/product/obsidian-wax/) will give you 4 months. The small tin will last you about 5 years if
you use it 3 times a year. If you want to know how thin to apply it, there's a guide here (http://www.rtoc.org/boards/showthread.php?p=402791#post402791).

Regards,
Steve

Steve,

That's an excellent guide. Can you copy and paste here or put in our files section? I think a lot of members would benefit from it.;)

[Lowiepete]

Steve,

That's an excellent guide. Can you copy and paste here or put in our files section? I think a lot of members would benefit from it.;)
Thanks Matt. Who would have thought you'd need a guide for applying a car wax?

Now found in articles (http://www.rtoc.org/boards/showthread.php?t=40950) Matt :)

Regards,
Steve

[R5MJH]

done and the guide link changed in your reply to ray lol ill clean this up in a minute

ps did you want your username changed ???

[Lowiepete]

done and the guide link changed in your reply to ray lol ill clean this up in a minute

ps did you want your username changed ???
Many thanks Mick. If you create a "Detailing" section as a subforum of Bodywork,
I'll transfer a whole load of product reviews. I can also create an index page as a
sticky so that it doesn't end up as a morass...

No panic, it can wait until after the new site goes live. I can imagine you're busy
enough. As for name change, no ta. I'm Lowiepete as part of my on-line obfuscation :cooter:

Regards,
Steve

[R5MJH]

only admin can post in articles, you could create them in general chat then I can move them???

sub forum created steve:agree: http://www.rtoc.org/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=145

[rat1]

Hi Ray,

Well, 5 months over a fairly wet winter isn't bad :niceone:


Two very thin coats of ADS Obsidian Wax (http://obsidiandetailing.com/product/obsidian-wax/) will give you 4 months. The small tin will last you about 5 years if
you use it 3 times a year. If you want to know how thin to apply it, there's a guide here (http://www.rtoc.org/boards/showthread.php?p=402791#post402791).

Regards,
Steve

hi Steve
i have been resisting the temptation to wax it to see how the gel coating lasts. even now its protection is still good,i have noticed that it even seams to protect against bird sh** as i've had the car parked on next doors driveway for the last 2-3 weeks,a pigeon gets in the tree that overhangs it and got the car nearly every day,even at work the seagulls have been having a go.a quick spray of onr and it just wipes off leaving no mark no the paint. so if you wont to try any more potions out just give me a shout i'll be there.
regards Ray

[Lowiepete]

hi Steve
i have been resisting the temptation to wax it to see how the gel coating lasts. even now its protection is still good,i have noticed that it even seams to protect against bird sh** as i've had the car parked on next doors driveway for the last 2-3 weeks,a pigeon gets in the tree that overhangs it and got the car nearly every day,even at work the seagulls have been having a go.a quick spray of onr and it just wipes off leaving no mark no the paint. so if you wont to try any more potions out just give me a shout i'll be there.
regards Ray
The news that the gel coat is resisting bird lime is brilliant! I'll feed that back to
the guys in SG. When the weather decides to play ball, we could give the gel
coat a top-up. It'll be interesting to see whether the existing coating resists a
clay-cloth treatment like the ADK wax does.

Hopefully, I'll have the R5GTT back before you come.

I have a new screen treatment, but that ain't cheap - should last a fair while though.

Regards,
Steve

[Lowiepete]

Im hoping to get round to doing something with my new Renault turbo. As you can see, the colour is something special!:D
Matt, some ADS Gel Coat on that liquid yellow would make it just glow!

However, the only car I've seen in that colour wasn't that free of orange-peel,
and that would have a bearing on the outcome. I'm intending on showing
the Coupé at Fastlane again this year, so perhaps we can discuss options
there. I'm looking forward to that show, last year my car got some quite
unexpected attention :niceone:

Regards,
Steve

[rat1]

The news that the gel coat is resisting bird lime is brilliant! I'll feed that back to the guys in SG. When the weather decides to play ball, we could give the gel coat a top-up. It'll be interesting to see whether the existing coating resists a clay-cloth treatment like the ADK wax does. Hopefully, I'll have the R5GTT back before you come. I have a new screen treatment, but that ain't cheap - should last a fair while though. Regards, Steve i'm more than happy to be a guiana pig, i'll leave the gel coating as it is and not wax it or any thing so not to mask the results. regards Ray