Pamper your ride - The Star 29.07.2007
By Jane Fernandez
PREVENTION is better than cure, believes Violet Yong, referring to the paintwork on her car.
"A lot of people think you only need to worry about that when your car is old, but they fail to realise that care must begin when your car is new."
Yong was one of the first to subscribe to the specialised services offered by Carnauba Autospa, located in Glenmarie, Shah Alam. One of her real estate clients recommended the car-care centre and she's now a faithful follower of the autospa mantra. She religiously drives her Mazda6 in for a weekly wash and a quarterly detailing service.
"I find that their products are very good, and so far the service has been great," she enthuses. A regular customer for more than two years, she educates, "Did you know that even the direction in which you wipe the car down is important to maintain its lustre?"
Well, admittedly the majority of women do now pay similar attention to their cars, but Yong is one of a rare - but growing - breed who are quite into their cars.
After years of car-park washes and quick under-the-shady-tree extortions to maintain my car's lustre, it was a pleasant surprise to drive into the autospa.
As soon as I arrived, my car was whisked away. I now had couple of hours, and I had a choice of where to spend them. On the ground floor, in a glass-walled waiting area, I lounged with a coffee while sifting through the day's newspapers.
When I did glance over at my car, it was being meticulously worked on by several earnest employees.
If you think watching your car being scoured is like watching paint dry, then, like me, you must head to the lounge upstairs to relax and indulge your senses.
An expensive hi-fi in the sound-proof music room and a movie room is perfect to while away a couple of hours. But do bring your own CDs and DVDs as the choices are limited and a tad dated.
And, if you really can't get away from work or free yourself from your Internet addiction, this place is WiFi-friendly.
Then the coup: a chinese masseuse. Renowned for her skill in reflexology and traditional massage, she applies potent force, emanating from her strong hands to unclog every wayward muscle in your worn-with-work body.
"I really enjoy the hour-and-a-half massage, though I hardly use the movie or audio room - unlike my daughter," says Yong.
Carnauba Autospa has been in operation for almost three years, and first began when a group of friends who were into luxury cars could not find the services they demanded for their cars - and themselves.
This autospa offers the ultimate in car detailing and appearance enhancing services, at two outlets (with more to come), using the highest grade of waxes and polishes, made from a combination of natural plants extractions.
The Autospa also proffers services such as dent removal, spray painting and knocking, headlamp restoration, windshield repair and interior restoration, should your car need it.
With my car in such good hands, my time was my own. It took almost six hours for the vehicle to be put through a premium autospa detailing process. To be fair, after three years it needed the tender loving care.
Once done, it looked as good as new. The ubiquitous scratches were gone.
The windscreen and windows gleamed as they caught the sun on the drive back, and the interior sparkled with scrubbed cleanliness.
I thought the experience well worth the time and money, as my car had never looked or felt better.
I too felt renewed after my massage. If only they had had the supply of juices or soft drinks as promised (and up-to-date women's magazines), the day would have been perfect.
Prices for the Autospa Premium One-Off Care Detailing process starts from RM325 (as it did for mine). The rates for a Subscriber Detailing Package, consisting of three prepaid Autospa Prestige detailing sessions, without an expiry date, begin from RM1,450, with extras such as the massage thrown in as a subscribers' reward.
For more information, contact Carnauba Autospa at 03-5569 9888 or check out www.autospa.com.my
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