My New Honda City in White - The Albus

[CRACING]

Hello friends,

Some good news from me, which I would like to share with you all.

My car front windshield had plenty of wipe scratches. Replacing windshield was not a easy task, expensive and end result won't be perfect. Later after researching, I found glass buffing job, the process of polishing the glass to sand out scratches, just like body paint polishing. Was trying to find such shops since one year in my city and today I could find it. A car detailing shop which they also do glass buffing. One of my brother friend suggested.

It was one hour of task and pretty hard. First they cleaned the glass, put some chemical (May be glass polishing compound), spread it and then polished with DA polisher.

Cost 1500/- with little negotiation.

End result was very good. There is one deep scratch which couldn't be polished but everything else is sanded out.

Now I can do night driving without any issues.

Thanks...
Best Regards

 

[quraish786]

Many people actually face this problem and night driving becomes difficult because of these micro scratches.

Windshield experts are another company which offer this kind of service

They also claim to repair cracks and small chip but when I took a vehicle to them to repair a small chip they were not able to provide a solution.

They even contacted Mumbai branch and after seeing the pics they too were not able to offer a solution.

BTW What was the name of the car detailer who did the job for you?

 

[CRACING]

Many people actually face this problem and night driving becomes difficult because of these micro scratches.

Windshield experts are another company which offer this kind of service

They also claim to repair cracks and small chip but when I took a vehicle to them to repair a small chip they were not able to provide a solution.

They even contacted Mumbai branch and after seeing the pics they too were not able to offer a solution.

BTW What was the name of the car detailer who did the job for you?

Yep, they already said that they cannot remove stone chip but my car windshield didn't had much store chips, only wipe scratches.

I did contacted windshield experts a month ago but their branches are present in major cities only.

The car detailing shop I went is called Pit Shop.

 

[Dr MUDHAN]

I sent the photos to the seller showing the gap in the morning.
He first insisted that everyone needs to put 2 way tape on both sides.
I told him if that was the case they should have put the tapes and sent it.
Also since he has listed it for the Honda City there should be no gaps.

Just received an email from him saying they went through their stock records and they have shipped another car antenna to me. He was willing to give a full refund without returning the product. I told him I want the antenna and not the money, so he's re-shipping me another antenna today. Another 30 day wait but hopefully this should fit better onto the roof.



It depends on which one you order. Most of the universal ones will have a slight gap as the curvatures on all car roofs are different.

Dr MUDHAN will be able to give better insight into the one he has ordered.

I have ordered This one because it was slightly better quality (but does cost significantly higher too) but the seller dispatched a wrong unit to me. He is re-shipping a new unit free of cost today.

Very nice blog Dr Mudhan. This morning, I was looking to mod a few things in my Honda City 2011 (White) and visited this site for the first time. Thanks to you I reached office 1:30 hours late today as couldn't stop myself reading the posts

I have a quick question, does this shark fin antenna hugs the roof perfectly or it will leave any gap in between ? I have this small doubt as the roof portion is not totally flat. Waiting to hear from you.

SHARK FIN ANTENNA​

Thanks quraish786 & koushh (Please don't be late to your office again )​

I am really satisfied accepting the micro gap, which would be inevitable and visible due to grey colored original 3m double side tape. You will notice when you really look so closer and it is there in original fitting of other cars too. I give here different shots of my shark fin antenna, and you judge yourself!

​

 

[Dr MUDHAN]

Dr Mudhan is an inspiration for car enthusiasts, especially with the amount of depth in the research done for every modification. Of course there are trials and errors but no one learns without mistakes do they? And to see someone go out of their way to share their experiences in such details so as to ensure that others do not have to go through the same mistakes is quite commendable.
So, I was looking up some LED replacement’s for my stock bulbs. Got lots of help going through the blog. It certainly is an encyclopedia for the topics covered.
Some links are listed below. Any suggestions whether I am going the correct route or are there better alternatives?.....
Will also share some of my experiences with my car. (I call her Mulberry )

Dear quraish786​

Bear with me for my belated response as I could not find time.

Regarding your bulb/lamp questions :

Parking / doom light - we have given enough information here in our thread, please go through and decide.

(http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-new-honda-city-white-albus-7.html#post339415)

(http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...new-honda-city-white-albus-11.html#post355059)

Brake Light / Reverse lights, I haven’t tried yet, CRACING may be helpful to you as he has replaced those - CRACING.Please!

Fog lamp, I too have the same now what CRACING has. They are not bad but don’t expect too much of illumination.

The next one would be a better choice at present.(2PCS/Lot 5730 33SMD H11 LED Fog Lights, H11 Head Light Bulbs Car LED Daytime Lights DRL Light Super Bright White Free Shipping-in Light Source from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group)

​

MY FOG BULBS:

First I had this, which was good.
Read Here:
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...honda-city-white-albus-4.html#post334463bulbs.

​

Second I had this, which was poor in quality and performance. I bought this for just I liked the petal star illumination which was not as expected due to my ANHC (FACE LIFT 3RD GEN ) bulb casing design. Third photo is edited one to show the petals!

​

Third one what I have is better, I got it for a discounted price, but the illumination looks splitted in my fog casing design.

​

 

[Dr MUDHAN]

…..
Turn indicators (Any Suggestions?)
AliExpress - Cree with Projectors (750 – 800 lumens which I think is way too bright, any suggestions)
Pair T20 7440 21SMD 5630 5730 Amber/Yellow LED Bulbs For Front or Rear Turn Signal Lights-in Light Source from Automobiles & Motorcycles on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group (This one may also be too bright)

Parking Lights – Can’t Decide, should not be too bright though
(Plenty of options on ebay.in so might as well order them from here. Will get quicker delivery too)
Ceramic LED Parking Indicator Bulb T10 Socket White FOR CAR Bike 2 PCS | eBay
Ceramic LED Parking Indicator Bulb T10 Socket White FOR CAR Bike 2 PCS | eBay
2 X 9 SMD 5050 LED White T10 Socket ALL Type Bike CAR Parking Indicator Light | eBay
……. )

Turn indicators – these bulbs will not fit as length will be a problem.

Buy a wedge type like this, what I am using:
T10 9SMD Xenon White LED CAR Wedge Signal Light Lamp Bulb | eBay

Parking Lights - You can use the same one as wedge type
OR
Ceramic LED Parking Indicator Bulb T10 Socket White
or
http://www.ebay.in/itm/2-X-9-SMD-50..._Accessories_Parts&hash=item417eddaf22&_uhb=1
(But will be brighter)

 

[CRACING]

Brake Light / Reverse lights, I haven’t tried yet, CRACING may be helpful to you as he has replaced those - CRACING.Please!

Yes sir, I have already helped him to the best of my knowledge and experience.

 

[carrfanatic]

Hello Dr. Mudhan,

I have recently joined this forum and was going through your detailed ownership report. Only when i went through the report, I could able to decide upon the car and went ahead to book the ANHC last week.

As a hobby I like reading auto reviews available on different forum and a frequent visitor to different forums but when I visited this forum, could see the difference in terms of information shared which i believe cannot be compared with any other forum.

Thank you for sharing such a detailed information.

Regards,
Anuj Garg

 

[quraish786]

Bad Experience with Concept cars

After many follow up calls, ordered the Lip spoiler from them on 28th September and made the payment.
They said it is already being painted and will be dispatched with 2-3 days through Professional / Trackon courier.

Didn't ship it till the 4th of October and they put it in VRL cargo on TO-PAY basis.

8 days on and VRL has got the parcel 16Kms away from Pune and they want me to collect it from there. They are asking for Rs.500/- since it is TO-PAY

 

[Dr MUDHAN]

@ carrfanatic

Thank you very much for your appreciation and endearing words. Hearty welcome to our family.


@ quraish786

I understand your feeling. I did mention in my posting - MEET MY ALBUS WITH ‘DUCK TAIL SPOILER that it needed continuous follow up with Concept Cars, Calicut, Kerala.

They are not serious about individual sales but I would say it is worth the pain you have taken. Actually, nowadays, it is expensive in other places and Aliexpress as well for that quality.

I hope, it should never be a problem in paint matching. I always advise to go for the unpainted one as the same can be received without delay and we can match the paint at our end. Yes, If we insist for painting, they take their own time.

All the best and I look forward to see your Mulberry with a beautiful spoiler .​

 

[Dr MUDHAN]

PART: LVII :

MY ALBUS: GETS GPS NAVIGATOR


​

I was so desperate to find a suitable GPS software for my China ICE as all my contacts with various GPS Software products were failed.

SatGuide India, Garmin, Mapmyindia vendors simply told me that it would not be compatible with Chinese 2Din units. They said that they have some other software, costs Rs.4500/- which can be tried if I bring my car to their spot.

I downloaded some of the free navigator software like OpenStreetMap, Map factor which I felt very painful while browsing the contents and that even made me to feel whether my LCD resistive touch screen is bad.

I could not get a compatible & a delightful, genuine demo version or a fully working paid one except IGO PRIMO2.
I got to know that IGO is good and I wanted to try, my stressful browsing internet at last helped me to get the latest version IGO PRIMO 2 with India maps. My further study of the anatomy of the software helped me to fine tune the contents to my taste and need. I made changes like my own loading wallpaper, suitable 3D car and size, changing the script in sys.txt file etc.,

I give here to my forum friends the real time experience (Part I) , which I hope you all like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUmUfDUDdeY​

I have fixed / solved many of the issues / cons of my China ICE unit now ... like custom Back ground image , reverse cam display, time synchronization etc., which I have indicated @ my first week of buying experience here –

MY ALBUS GETS A NEW ICE- In Car Entertainment!

I will share soon the secrets that how could I resolve them.

.

 

[quraish786]

They are not serious about individual sales but I would say it is worth the pain you have taken. Actually, nowadays, it is expensive in other places and Aliexpress as well for that quality.

I hope, it should never be a problem in paint matching. I always advise to go for the unpainted one as the same can be received without delay and we can match the paint at our end. Yes, If we insist for painting, they take their own time.

All the best and I look forward to see your Mulberry with a beautiful spoiler .

Good Evening

I didn't insist on Painting actually, they offered to do it themselves so I went for it.

Collected the Spoiler from VRL last evening. Received undamaged
Paid 450/- though since they sent it on a To-Pay basis. Their argument was that if I purchased it from the showroom I would have to pay close to 5-6K for the same spoiler. No point in arguing so I just went and got it.

Painting seems decent (Not the best). Thankfully they got the colour combination right.

However, when I place it on my car, the length of the spoiler seems to be an inch short. There is a slight gap at the extreme ends. It does not sit flush with the ends of the Boot. I would have preferred it to be just that little bit longer.

Going to fix it tomorrow. In a bit of a dilemma. How do I avoid the 3M tape from being seen on the outside.

If I put it at the extreme edges then the couple of mm of thickness will be visible.

If I put it a couple of mm inside then that leaves just that little more place for water and dirt to get in and eventually dislodge the spoiler, not to mention spoil the looks also.

 

[Dr MUDHAN]

@quraish786

Paid 450/- though since they sent it on a To-Pay basis. Their argument was that if I purchased it from the showroom I would have to pay close to 5-6K for the same spoiler. No point in arguing so I just went and got it.

I too paid courier charges of Rs.297/-, of course Kerala is near to my place compared to Pune.

However, when I place it on my car, the length of the spoiler seems to be an inch short. There is a slight gap at the extreme ends. It does not sit flush with the ends of the Boot. I would have preferred it to be just that little bit longer.

It is there even in the one sold by the dealer.

Going to fix it tomorrow. In a bit of a dilemma. How do I avoid the 3M tape from being seen on the outside? If I put it at the extreme edges then the couple of mm of thickness will be visible. If I put it a couple of mm inside then that leaves just that little more place for water and dirt to get in and eventually dislodge the spoiler, not to mention spoil the looks also.

I placed the tape inside, thin gap in outer side is there for me too. You can block with transparent / black wax or leave it, it is not an issue, Jopasu car duster helps to clean. First place and mark with crayon and understand how it sits over dickey, fill the gap/spaces with double side tape. Place it, get satisfied and then peel of the tape; fix in correct position carefully in the marked area, give little pressure and leave it. (If you paste black double side tape in the periphery, there may be a gap inside curves while sitting.)

 

[HaruH]

Good Evening

I didn't insist on Painting actually, they offered to do it themselves so I went for it.


If I put it at the extreme edges then the couple of mm of thickness will be visible.

If I put it a couple of mm inside then that leaves just that little more place for water and dirt to get in and eventually dislodge the spoiler, not to mention spoil the looks also.

If you can post some more pics then it'll be grateful to other members also and they can give some inputs also.

 

[quraish786]

If you can post some more pics then it'll be grateful to other members also and they can give some inputs also.

Well I chose to use a few different techniques for installation.

Firstly I have the advantage of a very dark colour. So i thought that the grey colour of the 3M tape would camouflage with the colour of the Spoiler. I tested it on a portion and it was barely visible so I decided to use it more towards the edges. This way there wouldn't be any tiny gap for dirt to get lodged in.

Secondly was the installation of the 'H' Logo.
Got myself an Accord Logo (Since it is slightly bigger). Original ABS material, cost me 500/-
Then I measured the pins and drilled a couple of 3mm holes in the spoiler.
Even without 3M tape, the logo fit in perfect and tight.
Nevertheless I removed it again and put 3M towards the middle and the edges.
Then I put a couple of drop of Industrial Fevikwik on the pins and stuck it in. Fit perfectly (Nearly impossible to remove) which is required because you see so many cars these days with missing Emblems and I would just hate it if my Logo was stolen.

I took Dr. Mudhans's advice and stuck the 3M tape for it to set properly on the spoiler. I will now follow his advice of marking the position out and installing it tomorrow morning.

I shall then post pictures of the installed spoiler.