Wax-oiling at Emblem

[markp4200]

Well I've kind of put this off, but have my car in with Emblem now for a few days having the underside treated fully with wax-oil and a general tidy-up. It's something that I have to do and it's worth doing as this is a long-termer for me. In other ways the car is being perfect and who better to entrust it to than the guys at Emblem?
As always they will be sure to give it first class care.
Also having a couple of 'kerbed' alloys attended to as I have seem to have a desire for up-close contact with pavements!

A couple of months ago it was with them for the 31K service + MOT etc.
I mentioned the grill being a bit 'tired' and the car came out looking like a new car, and the grill had ben re-painted too within the cost. Thats' the sort of treatment we can usually only dream about.

 

[conaero]

Mark not used Emblem myself as they are just that little bit too far for me but I always hear great things about them so well done.

The 3200's are a little prone to rust in a couple of areas, inner lower rear wheel arches, below the rear lights and the boot lip.

How's your car fairing in these areas?

The boot lip goes due to when the boot is slammed shut, it chips and wears the edge over time. The inner rear arches are down to grit and stones eroding the paint and the rear lights down to a water trap.

All these things are preventative if you keep on top of them by regularly treating the prone areas with a little rust remedy and some touch up paint.

Whilst your at it you may as well check/treat the other area, bottom of doors, leading bonnet edge etc and make sure all drain holes are clear.

 

[chippiepilot]

Hi Mark, Good plan, I had the sae idea and Ive plumped for this,

http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/5293-Winter-Preparations

 

[markp4200]

Thanks chaps and for the treatment tips CP.
Conaero, I think everything is still sound - I look carefully with every wash or polish, I also rinse of any dirt around those vulnerable wheelarches constantly.
However I am still vigilant as the car was over 5 years old when I bought it, so no use in taking chances. I want the bits one can't see to be better than the bits one can!
Do you think the shape of the beautiful 3200 rear lights may be any reason for corrosion? Can't see why but you never know.

The wheel arch of all marques has been a problem since cars have had them; so why-oh-why have no designers come up with a solution to the lip of the arch (and I don't mean plastic Street Rover plastic covers).
Plenty of though given to the latest corporate face but not enough to the minutae.

I don't see corrosion being a problem that Maserati owners seem to have faced ...am I right about that?

 

[2b1ask1]

Mine has a couple of areas of bubbling under the paint I'm assuming is red rot... just inboard of the two bonnet catch mechanisms on the radiator mount section, I've not spotted any other except the brake disks!

 

[markp4200]

Don't start me on the brake discs.
Myles at Emblem nags me constantly about not using them enough.
Trouble is I don't drive many miles and have become used to driving using the gearbox (and on a CC, it's a dream to do), so the brakes get very little use. I do try and give them a good use sometimes but clearly not enough!
Having learned to drive so many years ago, driving on the gearbox was one thing keen drivers were encouraged to do.

 

[SpyderNick]

Hi Mark,
What kind of price are Emblem charging for the wax oil treatment ?

 

[markp4200]

Nick,
expecting around £700 + VAT.
To me that's money well spent.
Of course you could get it done by any reputable body shop and maybe pay less but would you really want a Maserati treated by anyone who doesn't know the cars intimately - I wouldn't. Darren at Emblem will be doing mine and he knows the car inside out so am very happy for them to do it.

 

[SpyderNick]

Nick,
expecting around £700 + VAT.
To me that's money well spent.
Of course you could get it done by any reputable body shop and maybe pay less but would you really want a Maserati treated by anyone who doesn't know the cars intimately - I wouldn't. Darren at Emblem will be doing mine and he knows the car inside out so am very happy for them to do it.

Thanks Mark,
Yes I fully rate Emblem and i'm sure that you will get the best job done by them.
I need to decide how long I am going to keep mine for and then decide what work fits the time span.

 

[markp4200]

I had my car back from Emblem yesterday and it's fabulous.
Just knowing that underneath is now cared-for, is a lovely feeling. They also carried out their winter check and had it professionally valeted again.Three wheels had been 'kerbed', so had them attended to. It really is as good as having a new car with all the new car smells, especially when stopped with the wax-oil burning off hot surfaces.
Darren, who usually works on my car, is so enthusiastic, and I think I have everything done now (except two broken Trident logos on two wheels to be done at the next service). Lifting the bonnet is superb – it looks beautiful, shining and correctly oiled.
Have been out over the Purbeck Hills for a run and just enjoyed a quiet potter around, me and a burbling V8.

Before I bought the car, I worried about owning a Maserati and how it would be cared-for.
Now I don't!

 

[Parisien]

Lovely to hear Mark....do post up a few pics......


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