Bigtatuk

Mike B, I am researching buying some new brakes - pads and discs - I see you enquired about Buypartsby. I take it you are commenting about IS200 brakes overall as being rubbish and not just the parts you got from the above company?

Sorry, lots of questions: 1. What products are safe to use with a random orbit polisher, such as my fantastic new PC7424? I've used Clearkote Machine glaze but have other products in the garage such as Meguiars 3 step. 2. Does anyone apply carnauba wax with an orbital polisher, or is this best by hand? 3. What's best: Klasse sealant glaze over a layer of carnauba or the other way around? 4. Anyone cleaned their engine and bay? Any good tips for the IS200?

27 (now) - owned my IS200 SE for almost two years! I get the train to work so she just sits in the car park! 24 - Peugeot 106 Quiksliver - peddle box too small and a bit slow, but great car otherwise (and it had gas struts under the bonnet as standard). 18 - Mk2 Astra 1.6 L - work horse for six years. I smashed her up (into the back of VWs and Audis mainly)so much and she still kept going. Understand she has now visited the great yard in the sky after the head gasket blew on the guy I sold her to. 17 - Mini Mayfair 998cc - bouncy, flat steering wheel, handled like a go-kart, bags-o-rust and spray paint, and a crumple zone from the front bumper to the rear. Brilliant. Left her in the drive way for six months after getting the Astra. Tried starting. First time, plumes of smoke and off she went like a mini rocket! Sold (gave) her to a guy who raced her on circuits until he stacked into a wall of tyres. Ahh... the memories...

I paid about £140 in the end, including both the pad set and the postage. It took under a week to arrive. I can vouch for Jon, but I can't for the e-bay ad. Jon also added some free samples of various products. It's up to you, but suggest you contact with questions to check reliability and delivery.

Boys and Girls, Polished my pride and joy using a PC7424 last weekend. Black = swirls so used Prima Swirl and then a glaze over the top before the carnauba treatment. Found it a lot quicker to do the whole car, although it still needed some elbow grease to remove the excess once the applications had dried. Perhaps a polishing bonnet is required? Excellent results, although, after reading other posts, I think I may need to put on a couple more layers of carnauba for it to last. For everybody's reference I got the PC through JonW440 who often posts on the LOC. He has his own company now called Deco Car Care and was very helpful - apologies for not thanking you sooner Jon, apart from time constraints due to the 3 month old child we have a hosepipe ban and, almost, a drought order here thanks to Thames Water loosing a third of their water supply each day through leaks (that's 894 million litres every day!). This makes washing the car a VERY economical task. My only complaint - a potential RSI injury from the PC vibrations, otherwise an awesome tool for the avid detailer, especially one with no spare time.

Question: Is Mr Miracle Man using a sponge to apply the PH neutral car wash in the video? Wouldn't a lamb's wool mit be a more appropriate tool? Secondly, is he using a non-random orbital polisher? Obviously it is working for him, but I've always been guided away fom these. Anybody got a list of 'non-acidic' washes/cleaners that can be used on the car?

Normal 'Ford' lights ordered from Ford? Or elsewhere? Does this include the housing unit? No idea about the wiring, but there are some very clever people on here that should be able to help.

Try this site... Ultra Leds I've considered this myself for the front footwells. High up on the sidewall (front wheel well) would be a good location to cast a nice downlight and be accesible to the door open/close switch. Let me know how you get on. It's too cold to do this at the moment. Summer job me thinks.

Next time tell the policeman that the car isn't as dirty as his wife. I believe that the police are then much more forgiving and even offer to drive you around in the back of their car. But a dirty Lexus... shame... shame on you.

I will have to find someone with them fitted and assess for myself, before forking out the cash. I undertand that you can melt snow queens in Narnia with the light from HIDs.

Thanks for this. I can't quite justify the HID upgrade price to the overmaster so was going for a cheaper, albeit not as good, alternative. Time to get some GT150s then. Plus I can bore my mates talking about automotive bulbs and compliance with the European Regulation 37 (ECE37). Excellent!

Yeah, cold ones !! :D ← Very good.

Yesterday I excitedly fitted my new Phillips Premium Xenon headlight bulbs and free Ultra Blue sidelights delivered from Autobulbs (who provided very quick and efficient service). But as darkness descended, so did my mood as I realised that the difference in light between old and new was not that different. In fact, after doing one side only and trying them out, my other half walked away chuckling to herself as I stood there querying my purchase. Although the sidelights are white now, if a little less bright. Perhaps I should have gone for the blue headlight bulbs to notice a real difference? I was worried, however, that these would look like the cars who drive towards me and I think they are the old bill. Anyone had similar disappointment or am I being very short sighted? Matt

My rear window also takes ages to clear, with or without snow/ice. Is this a problem on only certain IS?

Ordered mine from Lexus Guildford. £30.06 plus VAT. They reckon it will be ready next Tuesday. I was asked if I phoned yesterday so it seems lots of people are checking this out. Thank you to those who posted the info in the first place. I'm getting me a shiny new grill. :D