Local Vendor/Business Experiences and Recommendations

[grandmacpubah]

I know we have a sticky with performance shops with some of member experiences, but I think it would be cool to have something similar with other services, such as detailing, wheel/tire mounting etc...

[grandmacpubah]

Business: Seattle Wheel

Services Performed: Tire Mounting/Road Force Balancing

Price: $140

Recommended? No

Comments:

Found them through tire rack one of only two places around seattle that do road force balancing. They left tire mounting marks on my rims and were unable to install my TPMS sensors.

[grandmacpubah]

Business: Metropolitan Detail

Services Performed: Clear Bra/Paint Sealant

Price: $1200

Recommended? Yes and No

Comments

First they are great guys at Metropolitan Detail. I thought they did a terrific job on my Venture Clear Bra, although there were a couple bubbles in the first install, so the re-did the whole hood.

The paint sealant wasn't as good. They left a lot of buffing marks in the clear coat and had to redo that job as well. The second time around was better, but I've since found the paint sealant to be a waste of money and was misled about the benefits of it. Basically, the sale was I would never have to wax/polish the car again. Well after washing it for 6 months and developing swirl marks I called them to ask how I get those out...and you guessed it polish and wax...wtf...so that was a complete waste of money. Cost of education I guess.

I wouldn't hesitate to send someone to them for a clear bra, but I'm iffy on actual detail work. There is just no reason to leave buffing marks in the clear coat from a professional detail shop.

[grandmacpubah]

Business: NW Auto Salon

Services Performed: Car Wash

Price? $40

Recommended? Yes

Comments:

In my search for a new detail shop I came across NW Auto Salon. I thought I would start out with a wash to see if I liked the place and the people. I was very impressed. Really nice people to deal with had some unreal cars in their bay they were detailing. They are very anal about their work and I inspected some of the cars they were working on and they looked amazing under halogen lighting, which says a lot.

I gained enough confidence that I will be having them detail the car come spring.

[grandmacpubah]

Business: Advanced Sound & Tint

Services Performed: 20% Llumar Tint Intstalled

Price: $320

Recommended? Neutral

Comments:

This tint shop came recommended from metropolitan detail. The install job is average, it's not terrible, but I think for the price paid you could find better. I did have to have one back window re-done because when I would look through it to pass someone on the road they were distorted lol I gave it about 3 months to cure too, just to make sure and it never went away.

[08G8V8]

Business: Hoglund's Top Shop

Services Performed: Tint Intstalled and removed multiple times!

Price: FREE

Recommended? HELL NO

Comments:

I got FREE tint job from Revord when I bought my car. They sent it to Hoglund's. After the required waiting period, bubbles ALL over the place in all windows. Had them remove tint and re-do the job. Again, bubbles all over. Removed again and re-installed. This time they ruined my defroster strips, so I had them replace the rear window, and remove all of their tint.

Took the car down the road to Elite Window Tint and paid $300 to have the job done right. I probably could have had Revord pay for it, but I was sick of dealing with the crap.

[08G8V8]

Business: Elite Window Tint

Services Performed: Tint Intstalled

Price: $300

Recommended? Definitely

Comments:

Chris, the owner, is a great guy. Very good at what he does, and he's been doing this for years. A bunch of guys from work recommended him to me.

[r33pwrd]

Great Idea! I would love a + review of a good detail shop on the Eastside!

[grandmacpubah]

Great Idea! I would love a + review of a good detail shop on the Eastside!

I think you're going to be the one to do the review, I don't think any one else lives on the east side lol.

[r33pwrd]

I think you're going to be the one to do the review, I don't think any one else lives on the east side lol.

I think there is one other G8 on the eastside :) OK i know of 2 and one of the guys is on here... the other one is driven by a pretty hot 40 something lady.

[grandmacpubah]

Another plug for NW Auto Salon went and had my car washed again today and Blake the owner was there. Fantastic company and great service.

[christiancoach]

Business: Benchmark Motoring

Services Performed: Custom Stereo

Price: Fair price for the quality.

Recommended? Absolutely!

Comments: Benchmark Motoring does amazing work. The custom fabricate everything so that all mounting is done through existing factory bolt holes etc. All the work that they do is reversable, so if you ever want to remove your stereo it will be like it was never in the car. Their installers are highly trained professionals, no 18 years old Car Toys kids hacking your car up!
They do all kinds of customizing include Tires and Wheels, Radar detectors, in car video, etc. Ask for Derek and tell him Tony with the Holden sent you.

[dfine95]

What about tuning shops or mechanical places. Will be looking to do the VMS single turbo this summer sometime! Live about 1 hr east of portland, not much out here, but willing to travel a few hrs. Any ideas!!

[r33pwrd]

What about tuning shops or mechanical places. Will be looking to do the VMS single turbo this summer sometime! Live about 1 hr east of portland, not much out here, but willing to travel a few hrs. Any ideas!!

TJ wong is the man and in Vancouver WA! He is the man from what I have read.