My 2006 Deep Black 197

[Robert_197]

Looks good mate. I reckon if you black the tyres the wheels will be spot on.

 

[Jimmy]

Awesome shine on the Deep Black! They do look so good when they're spotless!

 

[Helpimonfire]

Awesome shine on the Deep Black! They do look so good when they're spotless!

Shame it lasts about 3.8 seconds!

Had lots of good comments at work today with regards to the black wheels and how shiny my paintwork was. I just need to man up now and take some cutting compound to the super dull paint on the drivers door...

Also unblocked my drain holes in the scuttle panel. I swear there was about 60 gallons of water in there Took the chance to clean the PCV valve too, it wasn't too bad to be fair, looks like it was replaced within the last couple of years. I guess I put it back together properly, the car still runs fine

 

[Helpimonfire]

The missus just sent me a message... My package has arrived. I got her to open it and send me pictures...




Totally being fitted tonight!

 

[Dystant]

Just read your thread mate, car looks really good and proper mean with the black alloys looks like you did an excellent job for some rattle cans!

Steering wheel looks ace! Is it alcantara? Bet you can't wait to get it fitted

If you don't mind me asking who did you get it trimmed by?

 

[Pav]

the wheel looks great..full alcantara??

 

[Helpimonfire]

Just read your thread mate, car looks really good and proper mean with the black alloys looks like you did an excellent job for some rattle cans!

Steering wheel looks ace! Is it alcantara? Bet you can't wait to get it fitted

If you don't mind me asking who did you get it trimmed by?

the wheel looks great..full alcantara??

Cheers guys. The wheel was trimmed by Royal Steering Wheels, I got lucky because this was one they trimmed as a display piece. It was slightly different to my specs so Jack kindly offered a discount on it.

Full black alcantara with black stitching and a red leather band at 12 o'Clock. It's transformed the look of the car. I want a retrimmed gear knob and gaiter now!

 

[Helpimonfire]

Used my new Karcher and Karcher foam lance today. Not too bad to be fair. Did my car and my missus car with it, produced a half decent foam but seemed to run off fairly quick. Cut through a decent amount of the dirt too.
Ended up using Karcher foam, Meguairs Ultimate Wash & Wax, Auto Smart pink polish (a bit past its best, I'll be replacing this I think!) Finished with Meguairs Quick Detailer on top.



Turns out, Laguna Silverstone alloys and 20mm spacers give you a bit of poke...

 

[Pav]

yeah a bit of a poke

 

[Christopher]

If they're for track, I'd remove those spacers beforehand! You'll beast your arches.

 

[Helpimonfire]

If they're for track, I'd remove those spacers beforehand! You'll beast your arches.

It was more to see just how daft it would be. I think they may JUST fit if I got some 215/45/17s on instead of the 225s but it would be tight.

The Laguna wheels will eventually become my daily wheels when I get some shorter bolts and get the tyres swapped over, then the standard alloys will get a decent refurb and a decent coat of paint before some fast road/track tyres get put on. At the moment they're battered to hell. The Laguna alloys on the other hand only have a few minor marks, the old boy I got them from was annoyed that the tyre fitter took a chunk out of the rim haha.

 

[Christopher]

It was more to see just how daft it would be. I think they may JUST fit if I got some 215/45/17s on instead of the 225s but it would be tight.

The Laguna wheels will eventually become my daily wheels when I get some shorter bolts and get the tyres swapped over, then the standard alloys will get a decent refurb and a decent coat of paint before some fast road/track tyres get put on. At the moment they're battered to hell. The Laguna alloys on the other hand only have a few minor marks, the old boy I got them from was annoyed that the tyre fitter took a chunk out of the rim haha.

Yeah, decent plan. Do you have the option Speedlines? I was surprised how light they were for an OEM 17"!

 

[Antti O]

I recommend mjjc foam lance from aliexpress, it is under 20£ delivered. It makes lot thicker foam compared to kärcher own foamer.
Another option is PA-lance from elitecarcare.co.uk. More expensive but really good quality. I have had it 4 years and i wash once/week. Never had any problems.

 

[Helpimonfire]

Yeah, decent plan. Do you have the option Speedlines? I was surprised how light they were for an OEM 17"!

I wish! Just standard 197 alloys sadly!

I recommend mjjc foam lance from aliexpress, it is under 20£ delivered. It makes lot thicker foam compared to kärcher own foamer.
Another option is PA-lance from elitecarcare.co.uk. More expensive but really good quality. I have had it 4 years and i wash once/week. Never had any problems.

The Karcher one was included in the bundle so I thought I'd give it a go. First go with a foam lance, seemed like a good thing so can't complain. What foam do you use?

 

[Antti O]

I use Bilt-hamber auto-foam.
Pa-lance in max setting:

 

[Helpimonfire]

Went for a short jaunt out tonight to get a picture for the POTM thread...





Nothing else been done really, after using my foam lance for the first time I've not touched the outside of the car and the water is still beading off it nicely. I have swapped out the lumpy and out of date AutoSmart Pink Polish for some Auto Glym Super Resin Polish, I may get some polish from work too, it's supposed to be pretty good. A guy at work uses it on his black Audi A5 and it still beads up lovely even though he last polished it a month ago!

 

[///M]

Cracking photos mate! She's looking proper gorgeous there. Seeing it in silhouette like that really highlights what a perfect hot hatch shape the Clio 3 is.

 

[Helpimonfire]

For those that may be interested, photos were taken with a Canon 40D with a Sigma 50mm f1.4 lens, saturation tweaked a little in Imgur. I thought about just using my phone but I haven't touched my camera for a long time so I thought I'd blow the cobwebs off it

 

[sevenfourate]

Second pic above suits my eye a treat.

CRACKING !!!

 

[Chris]

Can't be bad having two awesome photos to enter into a competition, tough descision!