Summer 2011 Issue 1
Letter from the Editor Cover: Audi TT S-Line Photograph by Simon Wakefield
WAXED Magazine Editor in chief Simon Wakefield Contributing Photographers Laura Horne Connor Lownds Simon Wakefield Editorial Enquiries waxed@exoticdetail.co.uk
Website www.exoticdetail.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @exotic_detail
As Editor in Chief I would like to personally welcome you to WAXED magazine, a celebration of everything car care. Don’t however; be led to believe this magazine is simply about cleaning products. We – among others – are simply car fans, addicted to the laughter, stories and friendships cars bring to our lives. The magazine will have four editions a year, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. We also have at least one special edition planned. Because of other projects we couldn’t get the first issue out in time for Spring, but this has allowed us more time to work on new content and ideas. The most enjoyable article I put together has to be our trip down to London, to watch the Gumball 3000 set off from Covent Garden. Sadly it rained constantly but that did little to dampen the incredible atmosphere and a wonderful day. We even managed to grab a chat with a famous Baller. We also consider the artistic merits of an Aston Martin, and if a clean car can increase your happiness. Simon Wakefield Editor In Chief
Contents 4-5 6
Automotive Contentment and Detailing Must Have Summer Products
7-9 10-11
Gumball 3000 Aston Art
WAXED PHILOSOPHY What page is the guide to machine polishing on? The simple answer is none of them. A quick search on google will reveal an abundance of ‘how to’ detailing guides, much more in-depth and entertaining than we can ever be. This isn’t to say we won’t include an article on machining or claying techniques, it just means that when we do it won’t be a traditional step by step, how to guide. If WAXED magazine was a copy and paste of Detailing World it wouldn’t deliver much value to the car cleaning community. Therefore we’re aiming to establish a new outlook on detailing, which we believe will be entertaining to all. This first issue is a definite example of that, as you’re about to find out once you turn to the next page. So that is our philosophy, our mission statement and our goal. We hope you enjoy WAXED magazine and return in the Autumn for part 2. If you have any questions or feedback please contact us at - waxed@exoticdetail.co.uk
Automotive Contentment and Detailing It’s a very humid June evening and I’m heading back from Cadwell Park after watching some friends enjoy a blast round the track. The sun is adding a strobe light effect as it flicks between the hedges lining the road, catching the swirl free paintwork every time it reappears. The road feels soft as the car sweeps left and right through several fast corners, picking its own apexes as if I’m not even here. As I enter into a tight left hander, several spots of rain appear on the windscreen and immediately bead skywards and disappear. The raindrops seem aware of the fact they are not welcome on the paint too, within seconds of landing they swiftly glide across the bonnet and abscond down the front wings. Welcome, to the world of car detailing.
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How then, does this relaxing drive home correlate car detailing and automotive contentment? The scientific answer has something to do with stimulating your hypothalamus, however I’m not a neurologist so don’t quote me on that. Like many others cars are a big part of my life, the sense of pride, achievement and satisfaction that is present after a long day detailing is still apparent 5 years on. Detailing can transform a car, both in terms of aesthetics and perception. And it’s this perception that is the key factor when it comes to automotive contentment. Contentment is relative however, there are no tick boxes or checklists. For many contentment comes from mechanical peace of mind or BHP figures. But for a select few, detailing is the way to happiness. Engine aside your cars paintwork is the most expensive part, and like an engine, paint needs to be serviced and maintained. So with all this nice weather it’s the perfect time to for a summer detail. A fresh coat of wax and some tyre dressing can do wonders for your happiness, so if you don’t mind I’m going to apply another layer.
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MUST HAVE
The summer is the season for detailing, but it’s not
Summer Products
without its challenges. We’ve selected several products that are essential this time of year.
Poorboys Bug Squash Undoubtedly the number 1 must have product every summer. Bug Squash has an effortless ability to remove even the most baked on bugs. “The intensive cleaners soften and break down bug splatter, road grime and tar. It works quickly to minimize etching”. It might not challenge Tardis for top spot in the tar removal competition, but it does have its place as the king of bug removal. It can be diluted up to 3:1 making it great value for money. Available from: www.exoticdetail.co.uk
Price: £9.95
Dri U Kwik Plush Microfibre Dri U Kwik are on another level when it comes to microfibers. They have utilised their background in the cosmetics sector to produce some outstanding detailing cloths, the Plush is no exception! Without doubt it is the softest fibre on the market making it perfect for final buffing. One side is a conventional construction with the flip side having a longer weave designed for product removal. Available from: www.exoticdetail.co.uk
Price: £4.99
Auto Finesse Soul The Auto Finesse guys are new on the product scene, but have done themselves proud with a solid line up. Soul is their entry level wax, in a range of products with some of the best packaging we’ve seen in a long time. Containing “pure grade 1 carnauba (36% by volume)” Soul has a fruity smell that makes it perfect for summer night applications. Like the rest of the AF range, the packaging is almost as good as the shine. Available from: www.exoticdetail.co.uk
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Price: £39.95
Gumball 3000
It’s 10.30am and we’re in the middle of Covent Garden for the start of the 2011 Gumball 3000. The place is surrounded by a collection of the most exotic cars the world has to offer. “Ferrari, Ferrari, Lambo, Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley” the list is endless!
“The Ultima is broken so we’ll all squeeze into the GT-R and pick the Lambo up in Paris”
There isn’t much time to take snaps before The Hoff drops the flag and the ‘ballers’ start their journey towards Istanbul. The midweek starting date has done little to deter people, and already there is a crowd gathered around the start line. Pritchard and Dainton – Stars of MTV’s Dirty Sanchez – have already got the party started, as we just make it in time for a quick group photo. It’s hard to tell if everyone is here for the cars or the celebrity participants. I’d like to say we are here for the cars, but there is one baller I really would like to talk to, Jon Olsson. You may have seen his antics on the interweb, a freestyle skier arguably more famous for drifting his Lamborghini up ski slopes than any of his 9 XGames medals. Despite his success in the skiing world, Jon is most defiantly a car nut. So much so that he has completely rebuilt an Ultima GTR with custom made carbon fibre body panels. His plan was to use it for this year’s Gumball, but just hours before they are due to leave for London there are still issues with the clutch. “The Ultima is broken so we’ll all squeeze into the GT-R and pick the Lambo up in Paris” He’s dead serious too. His LP670-4 SV - now wrapped red to match the GT-R - is currently being driven from Stockholm to Paris, where - all being well – Jon and the rest of Team Betsafe will join it in several hours time. Not lacking commitment these guys! After our chat with Jon we struggle to find a decent spot near the start line, instead we are forced to venture further round the corner. As soon as the flag drops the rain starts. The heavy precipitation does little to dilute the atmosphere, as the crowd’s shouts and cheers are muffled by exhausts and spinning tyres. Maximillion Cooper – Gumball Founder – cruises past with singer Eve as a co-driver, followed by a Ferrari 599 with a flare stuck to the boot. It really is a fantastic opportunity to see and hear some of the world’s most desirable cars. V10’s and V12’s reverberating around central London, an operatic start to a 3000 mile adventure. Next year however the Gumball party will be heading to the US, for more fun and excitement as the convoy heads from New York to LA. We better book our flights.
ASTON MARTIN
“Can a car be art?” It’s a question that has long plagued the philosophically minded and bemused the automotive community. Form follows Function is a principle that has long been problematic for architects, as often the divide between ‘Form’ and ‘function’ can be blurred. From a design perspective a car cannot be art if its body work has been sculpted by wind tunnel data, even if the end result is aesthetically pleasing. This is complicated further by cars like the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic which wasn’t designed as a work of art, yet is now widely recognised as being one of the most beautiful pieces of automotive sculpture ever created.
A work of art? We think so. The V8 Vantage has some fantastic design elements, including the metallic flake.
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