Aircon filter replacement

It been more than a year since my car aircon filter is been replaced. I did not overlooked but I have been trying to find a filter that is not so expensive but the brand should not be those lousy ones.

I found a few online and the prices are quite cheap, mostly less than $20 but the brands are those I never heard of... So today I decided to go Autobacs to check if they have.

I went to the Ubi branch as I have not been there for a few months. I search around the accessories parts but did not found my car model ones, so I approach one of the staff for assistance. He say should have and went to the car service bay to check it out. I was puzzled but in less than 5 minutes, he is back with a aircon filter and it is Cairefresh brand. Oh no, I told myself, this brand sure will be very expensive. I check the price and it is $40! Well , I told myself, might as well go for it since aircon filter is important in filtering the cabin air.

The original Cairefresh box.

The product specification, my old filter only came with a plastic bag.

This indicate the Jazz model, but the guy told me this is compatible with City as well

So we went down to my car and he begin to replace my aircon filter. Wow, the way he remove my glove compartment is very fast and in less than a minute, he show me the dirty filter.

This is the dirty filter. Can imagine all these dirts get into the aircon if without the filter.

After installation, the guy told me that for all aircon filter purchased from Autobacs, they provide free blowing of the filter after using for 5000km. But can only do at Ubi branch. I think should be alright for me since I go to Autobacs stores frequently. I must say this guy is very friendly and Autobacs service have improved. Then he told me to write the date of purchase on the sticker provided to keep track and remind myself when to replace. See, Cairefresh product not bad, unlike my old one which I have no idea what brand it is and the quality looks lousy. This Cairefresh came with a wiremesh to maintain the shape of the filter.

This is the sticker to write the date of purchase.

So my next replacement should be another 6 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first, as indicated on the box. Think cannot use it like the old one which had been in use for more than a year!

Okay, I am going to the web to search for Cairefresh and know more about their products.



 

Car Polish @ Amazing Shine

Today is my appointment for car polish @ Amazing Shine, so this afternoon I made my way for my very first car polish after 3.5 years. I had made appointment with them before, about a few months back. As this promotion is through Groupon, the response is overwhelming and I could only get a slot after CNY.
I bought this promotion through Groupon @ $67, usual price is $138. Package include car wash, claying, polish, sealant, rims & tyres shine, interior leather polish and vacuum. Quite a good deal.

This is the groupon deal:

My appointment is 4pm, when I reach there, the staffs are sitting there, nothing to do, wow, looks like they are not so busy on a Sat afternoon.

This is the shop front view:

When I produce my groupon voucher, they quickly start to work and at the same time ask me if I want to top up another $38 for an interior detox using Dettol product. This is to kill the interior germs. I was thinking maybe next time as they told me the whole polish session already need 3 hours. So if add to this service, it will take even longer time.

So they start to wash my car and they told me to wait upstairs, where there is a customer lounge. Wow, not bad. So i go 2nd level and I have the whole room to myself. With TV, magazines, and drinks!

This is the customer waiting area:

So while waiting, I played with my ipad. Once I while I would glance to see the whole process...

A view from the customer waiting room:

After about 1 hour, I was bored, so I go downstair to take a look. And they are almost done, saw them already doing up the interior area. So actually they only took 1.5 hour. While waiting, I chit chat with one of the staff and he told me they used to provide mobile grooming. As business is not very good, so they decided to open a shop.
Then upon further discussion, he offered me to buy another package at same price. He told me only left with 2, with no expiry date. I told him I would considered first, he is fine with that and gave me a complimentary car wash worth $5 and the car park ticket as well. Hmm, good service!

Time is 5.45pm, and they are almost done. But I recalled I had forgotten to ask if they can wash my engine bay area as well. They say can be done and should have said earlier as the washing may dirty the paintwork again. But they say can be done and offered me to pay just $10. Of course I quickly say YES!
The boss started to spray some chemical wash to the engine area and with a brush, I see all the stains starts to repels off the surface. Then he use a jet wash spray to wash out the dirt. After that, he use the air gun to dry the area. Finally, he applied a layer of shine and the whole engine look so clean! I am very pleased with their service and paid him $10.

He told me to recommend more customers and I say I will. Bid them goodbye and I feel I am like driving a new car again.

Below are the end result after polish, see the difference:

Before polish:                                                                                                                After polish:

   

The boss told me to wash my car using water will do.
Should not use car shampoo as it will wash off the sealant. I noted on that and he told me this sealant effect should last 3 to 6 months. I touch on the surface and it is smooth and slippery. So water or rain water will not stay on the surface and it will roll off. This will not leave watermark on the surface.

This is my engine bay area after wash:

This is the shine on my rims and tyres:

I will monitor and see how the shine will last. If it is good, I might return to their shop again.

This is the address of Amazing Shine:
First East Centre
10 Kaki Bukit Road 2,
#03-20
Singapore 417868