Pneumatic oil extractors are awesome. I had a manual pump mityvac I used for years but had to replace the pump several times.Mityvac 7201 Manual Fluid Evacuator Plus with 2.3 Gallon Reservoir; Evacuates or Dispenses Fluids with Push Button; Evacuate Through The Dipstick Tube https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SR7TC?tag=atomicindus08-20 The last one I bought was vevor branded off Amazon and uses air from my compressor. VEVOR Transmission Fluid Pump 2 Way Manual ATF Refill System Dispenser, Oil and Liquid Extractor 10 Liter Large Capacity, Automatic Transmission Fluid Pump Tool Set with 14 Pieces ATF Filler Adapters https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099N7KHLQ?tag=atomicindus08-20 Can also pump fluids by reversing. Its ok, I like the hoses having a quick connect fitting, but it just feels cheaply made and leaks from the quarter turn shut off valve. There are probably better options out there, but the Vevor unit has been well used over the last 2 years by me and hasnt broken yet.
Above 1200 Sq/FT DFB's Garage
- Thread starter D.F.B
- Start date
Wokspaces above 1200 squarefeet.
I have easy access to compressed air in the garage, so I'm probably looking at pneumatic powered.
I know dealers use these now, in fact you can see one sitting in the background of the pictures I posted of both the Mustang and Falcon, but what is the consensus on potentially leaving too much oil behind? I have seen for and against for this. Keep in mind, these cars do very few miles, the oil is changed yearly as recommended, so it's not like the oil coming out is black and gloopy!
ajohno
Well-known member
Haven’t used the other 2 Adam car wash yet just the Adam’s car shampoo. I also use and love the Hyper Dressing.All three of the Adam's soaps are excellent choices. Of the three, I prefer Mega Foam, it's not quite as thick as the blue and purple versions and foams better.
Like any brand, Meguiar's has some excellent products, and some forgettable ones too. At the moment, I have Hyper Wash, Hyper Dressing, Hybrid Ceramic Detailer, M39 (now discontinued) and Last Touch in rotation. I also like the retail version of Quick Interior Detailer, the gallon format smells weird.
I have used a variety of other Megs products but moved on to other things. I do in particular HATE their Leather Cleaner and Conditioner that is sold in the Detailer gallon format. That stuff neither cleans or provides the sort of leather "condition" that I find desirable, all it does is slather the surface in a gloopy liquid that smells terrible and leaves a greasy, slippery and glossy finish. I bought it when I started doing more customer cars as a side gig but hated it so much that I ended up throwing it all away.
Never used the Quick Interior detailer.
For the interior I use the Meguiars Synthetic Xpress wax.
ajohno
Well-known member
I’m lucky I have a great mechanic who’s takes pride in all his customer cars. My cars never go back to a dealership unless for a recall. My sons is a mechanic for Ford and takes pride but they always get rushed and things happen from time to time.Service day for the Mustang....................
With only 10,559 km on the clock, it was given the 120,000 km / 96-month service...............again. With greasy fingerprints all over the car, and $540 later, it's good for another 12 months of sitting in the garage.
They did have the car on display in the service reception, which was a nice touch, nor did they wash it!But, I had to go back in to have the book stamped because the service tech apparently couldn't find it.
I have a habit of removing the service book from the glovebox and leaving it on the passenger seat...............you know, so they don't forget. I do this for Mustang especially as the service books are hidden in a special compartment of the glovebox, which considering this is a country dealer, they mostly service Ranger's and could be forgiven not knowing where to look.
The service tech told me that he couldn't find it, that he "looked everywhere" for it. I then pointed to the books in their black Ford branded cover sitting on the passenger seat and mentioned that I put them there because they are usually hidden in the above compartment. Let's just hope that's the only thing he didn't pay attention to.
Other than the page long list of "checks" that they carry out, the only physical thing they did was change the oil and oil filter, install a new pollen filter and road test. I'm at the point where I'm now seriously considering doing my own oil changes, I just don't like the prospect of laying on my back. Even though I would still need to get under the car to change the filter, are pneumatic oil extractors effective?
Tactile
Well-known member
That looks like the place where a knuckle dragger mechanic put a dent in the bootlid of my near-new Honda Accord Euro a decade or so ago that I bought off them...
A little mid week re-stock, along with some new products to try.
The Rag's to Riches is a restock. I had intentions of trying something new, but after looking into it, consensus seems to be that R2R is the clear leader.
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...e-towel-detergent?_pos=1&_sid=94454414c&_ss=r
The additional foam cannon cannister (with matching cap) is so I can store Bilt Hamber Touchless, meaning all I have to do is connect the foam cannon and off I go.
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...oam-cannon-bottle?_pos=7&_sid=99451f891&_ss=r
Gyeon Quick Detailer was bought out of curiosity, those who have used it speak highly of it. Not that I was looking for a new quick detailer, I still love P&S Paint Gloss.
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/gyeon-q2m-quick-detailer?_pos=1&_sid=605fc3b72&_ss=r
3D Bead It Up is a polymer spray sealant, basically 3D's take on Bead Maker. From what I have seen, Bead It Up lasts longer and is easier to deal with. Bead Maker smells nicer though.
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/3d-bead-it-up-474ml-3-78l?_pos=3&_sid=2097c2f85&_ss=r
The newest product here is The Rag Company's new Ultra Wool Mitt, primarily designed for wheel cleaning. Compared to their microfiber Ultra Wheel Mitt, the Wool Mitt is much smaller, ideal for intricate wheels. I also like the trimmed cuff, which makes it easier to find the opening after floating in the bucket.
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...wheel-mitt-2-pack?_pos=3&_sid=ada0bfcd2&_ss=r
The Rag's to Riches is a restock. I had intentions of trying something new, but after looking into it, consensus seems to be that R2R is the clear leader.
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...e-towel-detergent?_pos=1&_sid=94454414c&_ss=r
The additional foam cannon cannister (with matching cap) is so I can store Bilt Hamber Touchless, meaning all I have to do is connect the foam cannon and off I go.
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...oam-cannon-bottle?_pos=7&_sid=99451f891&_ss=r
Gyeon Quick Detailer was bought out of curiosity, those who have used it speak highly of it. Not that I was looking for a new quick detailer, I still love P&S Paint Gloss.
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/gyeon-q2m-quick-detailer?_pos=1&_sid=605fc3b72&_ss=r
3D Bead It Up is a polymer spray sealant, basically 3D's take on Bead Maker. From what I have seen, Bead It Up lasts longer and is easier to deal with. Bead Maker smells nicer though.
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/3d-bead-it-up-474ml-3-78l?_pos=3&_sid=2097c2f85&_ss=r
The newest product here is The Rag Company's new Ultra Wool Mitt, primarily designed for wheel cleaning. Compared to their microfiber Ultra Wheel Mitt, the Wool Mitt is much smaller, ideal for intricate wheels. I also like the trimmed cuff, which makes it easier to find the opening after floating in the bucket.
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...wheel-mitt-2-pack?_pos=3&_sid=ada0bfcd2&_ss=r
Ha, seems I'm in good company then.
Over the last 20 years -
- Vehicle backed into an engine sitting on a pallet, scraped bumper. Repaired on site.
- Damaged a set of wheels, blamed me for it. Was never resolved.
- Scraped front bumper. Repaired on site.
- Vehicle returned covered in a greasy film all over the vehicle. Angry phone call followed, fixed myself.
- Vehicle returned with oil dripping from the subframe, caused when the oil filter was removed. Fixed myself.
- Vehicle off the road for nearly two months after Ford instructed them to replace engines on a certain batch of Ranger's. Took that long because they didn't order all of the required parts.
- Advised me I needed replacement wiper blades, then quoted $240 parts and labor to do so. Ordered the parts online for $60 and did it myself.
Probably more, those are the ones I can remember.
To be fair to this outfit, most dealers are the same. The local Nissan/Kia/Holden dealer in particular is renowned for trying to scam money out of female customers. A colleague had them tell her that she needed new tires, despite them being only a few months old.
Tactile
Well-known member
I had the Bendigo VW dealer tell me I needed to replace the rear brake pads in my Golf at about 30000k mark. I never went back to them after that. I serviced it between every factory service on my brothers hoist and knew they were talking ****. I sold that car at 90000 and it still had those original pads in it.
Well, winter is here early this year. The cold morning made it very difficult to hoist myself out of bed on my day off, to the point where I overslept and got up feeling like death. But, I had the Mustang to wash, an excellent reason to get motived.
As always, wheels and tyres first. In this case, after an initial rinse, I applied NV Purge to the wheel, then used Shine Supply Wise Guy to scrub the tyres. I then foamed Carpro Reset over the top of Purge for the contact wash. Rinsed, I applied another layer of Hydr02 and some Hydes's to the rotors.
This was my first try of the new TRC Ultra Wool Mitt, specifically designed for ergonomic cleaning of wheels. Compared to the FlexiPad wool mitts I have used in the past, the sewn boarder around the cuff makes finding the opening much easier (insert rude remark here).
detailingshed.com.au
Drying the car, I used another new-to-me product, Gyeon Quick Detailer.
detailingshed.com.au
My initial impressions were of it being a bit streaky and needed more towel work to level than other quick detailers, almost like it had wax in it. Researching it just now, it does in fact have wax within the formulation..............
"The Carnauba-based detailer is completely safe on coatings as well as on traditional waxes. Simply spray on and wipe."
So, my instincts were correct. Trying so many products, you notice patterns after a while. Such as all bug removers smelling the same, leading me to believe they all share a similar chemistry. Or how a surfactant-based rinse-less wash feels "stickier" (for lack of a better term) than a polymer-based rinse-less. And in this case, how a carnauba spray wax behaves during the wipe off. That doesn't mean I hate Gyeon Quick Detailer, like any product with wax in it, the gloss and slickness left behind is unmistakable.
It's at this point I discovered a distraction, and not of the good kind.............................................
As always, wheels and tyres first. In this case, after an initial rinse, I applied NV Purge to the wheel, then used Shine Supply Wise Guy to scrub the tyres. I then foamed Carpro Reset over the top of Purge for the contact wash. Rinsed, I applied another layer of Hydr02 and some Hydes's to the rotors.
This was my first try of the new TRC Ultra Wool Mitt, specifically designed for ergonomic cleaning of wheels. Compared to the FlexiPad wool mitts I have used in the past, the sewn boarder around the cuff makes finding the opening much easier (insert rude remark here).
The Rag Company Ultra Wool Wheel Mitt (2 Pack)
The Rag Company ULTRA Wool Wheel Mitt Maneuverability, ease of use, softness, and comfort are some of the ways to describe the ULTRA Wool Wheel Mitt. Offered exclusively from The Rag Company, this easy-to-use wheel mitt fits comfortably over your fingers so you can scrub between wheel spokes...
detailingshed.com.au
Drying the car, I used another new-to-me product, Gyeon Quick Detailer.
Gyeon Q2M Quick Detailer (400ml/1L)
Enhance gloss & add slickness with Gyeon Q2M Quick Detailer. Safely use on coatings & waxes. Effortlessly enhance vehicle's painted surfaces. Shop now!
detailingshed.com.au
My initial impressions were of it being a bit streaky and needed more towel work to level than other quick detailers, almost like it had wax in it. Researching it just now, it does in fact have wax within the formulation..............
"The Carnauba-based detailer is completely safe on coatings as well as on traditional waxes. Simply spray on and wipe."
So, my instincts were correct. Trying so many products, you notice patterns after a while. Such as all bug removers smelling the same, leading me to believe they all share a similar chemistry. Or how a surfactant-based rinse-less wash feels "stickier" (for lack of a better term) than a polymer-based rinse-less. And in this case, how a carnauba spray wax behaves during the wipe off. That doesn't mean I hate Gyeon Quick Detailer, like any product with wax in it, the gloss and slickness left behind is unmistakable.
It's at this point I discovered a distraction, and not of the good kind.............................................
Last week I had the Mustang serviced at my Ford dealer. You may remember me having a moan about them forgetting to stamp the service book and the collection of greasy fingerprints all over the hood, doors, fenders and interior..............................
After seeing a couple of posts on the matter, after wiping down the engine bay I decided to check the battery, which is hidden under a plastic trim panel (example shown below).
What I found was not pretty................................
This is apparently common on Mustang's, I have seen them worse than above. And because the battery is hidden, it's not picked up on even though I have the hood open after each wash. But..............................
The invoice for the service states "Inspected Battery Condition”. The fancy report they sent me after the service has a specific section labeled “Battery Condition, Performance & Terminals”, had the battery cover been removed, it would not have passed that section with a green tick. All to the tune of $540. But good news, I did get another useless satchel detergent added to the windscreen washer reservoir.
I have emailed the dealer with a please explain, along with images of the battery and the invoice/service report stating that they had inspected the battery. To be clear, I would have happily paid for them to repair/replace what was needed here. I'm annoyed that I pay a premium to continue servicing cars within the Ford dealer network, I expect better.
I have since cleaned off the corrosion and applied some Vasoline to the terminal. I have ordered a new negative terminal as the original looks nasty, which I'll have swapped out with a new battery when I have more time next week. (The battery is the 2016 factory original, so its time.) I'll also have to get some terminal protector.
So, public service announcement - if you have a S550 Mustang, be sure to take a peek under the battery cover every now and then.
After seeing a couple of posts on the matter, after wiping down the engine bay I decided to check the battery, which is hidden under a plastic trim panel (example shown below).
What I found was not pretty................................
This is apparently common on Mustang's, I have seen them worse than above. And because the battery is hidden, it's not picked up on even though I have the hood open after each wash. But..............................
The invoice for the service states "Inspected Battery Condition”. The fancy report they sent me after the service has a specific section labeled “Battery Condition, Performance & Terminals”, had the battery cover been removed, it would not have passed that section with a green tick. All to the tune of $540. But good news, I did get another useless satchel detergent added to the windscreen washer reservoir.
I have emailed the dealer with a please explain, along with images of the battery and the invoice/service report stating that they had inspected the battery. To be clear, I would have happily paid for them to repair/replace what was needed here. I'm annoyed that I pay a premium to continue servicing cars within the Ford dealer network, I expect better.
I have since cleaned off the corrosion and applied some Vasoline to the terminal. I have ordered a new negative terminal as the original looks nasty, which I'll have swapped out with a new battery when I have more time next week. (The battery is the 2016 factory original, so its time.) I'll also have to get some terminal protector.
So, public service announcement - if you have a S550 Mustang, be sure to take a peek under the battery cover every now and then.
Battery Update -
Ok, let me state that my email to the dealer yesterday was pointed, but polite. I did not want to raise hell with them, there are a few within the service department that have been there long enough now that I value their friendliness and candor.
I was contacted by the head service advisor this afternoon; she knows me, how particular I am and how many vehicles I put through their dealership each year. Actually, that's the first thing she said. She couldn't have been more apologetic, I actually apologized myself, stressing I didn't want to get anyone in trouble. She then explained that they would rather the feedback so that they can improve and educate. Apparently, the Tech was spoken to, in particular that you just can't tick boxes and not actually make those checks.
A couple of things to note, the battery is the 2016 original. It had been cranking slower, especially now that winter is here. That could also have been because of the buildup of sulfation. I also note after some research, this is a common occurrence on Mustang's. It was due for a new battery anyway, and this has forced my hand.
I mention that because the dealer has offered to replace the battery and the destroyed terminal free of charge. I did not expect this and considering that a new battery and terminal would see little change from $300, this is a generous peacemaker. I'm just waiting for her to contact me on availability of an OEM battery, but she said she would have it done for me ASAP.
As I said, this was not the outcome I was expecting. I had the battery terminal on order from the parts department and was going to have my normal battery guy change it all out for me. I also know as a business owner, they have now not made any money on that service, but I guess that rests in the hands of the Tech not me.
Ok, let me state that my email to the dealer yesterday was pointed, but polite. I did not want to raise hell with them, there are a few within the service department that have been there long enough now that I value their friendliness and candor.
I was contacted by the head service advisor this afternoon; she knows me, how particular I am and how many vehicles I put through their dealership each year. Actually, that's the first thing she said. She couldn't have been more apologetic, I actually apologized myself, stressing I didn't want to get anyone in trouble. She then explained that they would rather the feedback so that they can improve and educate. Apparently, the Tech was spoken to, in particular that you just can't tick boxes and not actually make those checks.
A couple of things to note, the battery is the 2016 original. It had been cranking slower, especially now that winter is here. That could also have been because of the buildup of sulfation. I also note after some research, this is a common occurrence on Mustang's. It was due for a new battery anyway, and this has forced my hand.
I mention that because the dealer has offered to replace the battery and the destroyed terminal free of charge. I did not expect this and considering that a new battery and terminal would see little change from $300, this is a generous peacemaker. I'm just waiting for her to contact me on availability of an OEM battery, but she said she would have it done for me ASAP.
As I said, this was not the outcome I was expecting. I had the battery terminal on order from the parts department and was going to have my normal battery guy change it all out for me. I also know as a business owner, they have now not made any money on that service, but I guess that rests in the hands of the Tech not me.
cccoltsicehockey
Well-known member
You were fully in your right to complain about things being checked off and not actually checked. I know it is a minor item in the grand scheme of things but it raises questions for you as to what more serious things also might have been skipped over. This is why I have gone to doing my own services with meticulous records for any vehicle I own that actually has a warranty. Not that I don't keep records on everytihng anyways but I even save each receipt vs just documenting the cost for those cars.
The fact you take all your cars there to me means this is exactly the type of resolution they should be providing you. You have spent more than enough money there for them to cover the cost of what they are comping you in return. I forget if you usually trade your cars in or not but if so then its only to their benefit anyways to have the battery replaced in the long run.
Glad to hear a dealership take care of something promptly when they were in the wrong no matter how small vs try and brush it off as an ooops like so many times I hear about in the states.
The fact you take all your cars there to me means this is exactly the type of resolution they should be providing you. You have spent more than enough money there for them to cover the cost of what they are comping you in return. I forget if you usually trade your cars in or not but if so then its only to their benefit anyways to have the battery replaced in the long run.
Glad to hear a dealership take care of something promptly when they were in the wrong no matter how small vs try and brush it off as an ooops like so many times I hear about in the states.
Sweet 16..........................
Although I didn't take delivery until early June, the XR6 turned 16-years-old today. I would ask where those 16-years went, but it certainly feels like a lifetime ago now. Being an extremely early build, I was one of the first to have an FG Falcon on the road. I was 21-years old at the time, a brand-new Falcon at that age was quite the feat. My only regret? Not getting the Turbo, but I was stretching myself as it was even paying the extra $1000 for the optional 18-inch wheels!
Despite it being so long ago now, I still remember so many little snippets from that time.
- Ordering. I bought this car at Bink's Ford when they were still in Footscray. (This dealership was straight out of the 1970's, think plastic colored streamers and fake wood everywhere.) The salesman we had dealt with when buying my sisters Focus, he was a bit of a character and we sort of clicked. This would be my first drive of an FG, a Silhouette Black XR6 with the 5-speed auto and the red cloth trim. I remember being a bit sad that my chosen spec wasn't within their system, so the car had to be factory ordered. I would go on to call them back in hour to add those 18-inch wheels, I just did not want those hideous 17-inch things.
- The Ming Mole! That day would my first encounter with this creature, and she did a great job trying to guilt me into buying paint protection. I had my father with me that day, his assessment was as dry witted as always, "you don't need that ****". I didn't get the paint protection.
- I remember being phoned to say that there was a minor blemish on the rear bumper and that Ford had instructed them to hold the car back. Ford were on a bit of a quality control blitz for the FG, and quite rightly so. They ended up fixing it at the dealer pre-delivery.
- Delivery day. I remember having to be insistent on picking up the car on a Saturday, a day usually reserved purely for selling. When he was told that I would be waiting at the door before they even opened, he finally agreed. Again, Dad was with me, we drove to the train station in Seymour on the Friday night, then got the train into Melbourne, staying at the ritzy Radisson Hotel on Flagstaff Gardens for the night. I didn't sleep!
- As the salesman brought the car around into the delivery area, I think my Dad had a heart attack on my behalf. When he saw the car, he thought that they had got the colour wrong. There were three blues for the FG Falcon, Steel (a darkish blue), Nitro (electric blue) and Sensation (goldilocks, the perfect shade of Ford Corporate Blue). He thought it was supposed to be Steel. He came back down to earth as I assured him that it was indeed the correct colour, my smile said it all!
- Handover. The salesman made a point of telling me to NOT touch anything in the engine bay unless it was painted yellow! (ie the dipstick and windscreen washer fluid). I get the feeling his typical clientele were not mechanically minded.
- The drive home. I remember being so ****** nervous trying to navigate the car out of the concrete jungle of Melbourne. GET ME OUT OF HERE! This was also the first time I had driven the brilliance that is the ZF 6-speed, a revelation coming from the moonshot gearing of the old BTR 4-speed. And no diff whine!.............a common Falcon trait.
- I also remember turning heads as I drove out of the train station to drop my father off. That was first time I had experienced that sort of thing with a car, I guess driving a burgundy AU III Fairmont for 3 years would explain that.
- After taking my grandmother for a drive in it, from then on she called it "The Blue Rocket". So do I.
- Despite Ford's quality drive during the initial FG launch, there were a couple of niggles that appeared later on. The driver's door latch was poorly aligned and caused the door to rattle over bumps, and the A/C system needed to be re-gassed at the 3000 km inspection. I also ended up with a leaky timing cover, which was common for the first FG's as Ford used the wrong bolts or something to that effect. That appeared a couple of years down the track.
- Wedding car duty for my favorite cousin, can you spot the odd one out? I also got to drive that GT, which was on loan from the Ford dealer (my uncle was the spare parts manager). Those ****** ribbons ended up marring the hood.
While the XR6 doesn't do many km's now, I daily drove it for two years before getting a workhorse Ranger. I've driven it far and wide though, the trips to Merimbula via the Snowy Mountains Highway (think Tail of the Dragon) was always fun, the car at home soaking up highway kms, then traversing the winding mountain roads with ease. It's even been to Bathurst.
Back at its birthplace, Broadmeadows Assembly Plant (now demolished) circa 2011.....................
I also have a verification letter from Ford and the screenshot of the build page, both no longer available it would seem.
Note the build sheet states I had 17-inch wheels, I wonder if the wheels were dealer fit or this was a typo in the system. Also note the dealer location being Deere Park, Bink's Ford had moved to a brand-new facility in about 2011, the old Footscray facility became service only.
Notice how Ford referred to the ZF gearbox as "Steptronic", not a term used by Ford officially for that gearbox, I assume this is carry over terminology from BMW. I also note that the 18-inch Y-Spoke wheels are called "style 3".
So, what does the future hold for this vehicle? Having spent some money on it last year, refreshing a few things and upgrading the brakes, I'm content to leave the car how it sits. I have said this many times, I don't "need" this car, haven't done for a long time now. But I "need" to keep it, I just can't bring myself to sell it. Had it been a Turbo, I would be sitting on a goldmine with the condition and low km's. But that's not the point. The above is only a snapshot of my ownership experience with this car. Here's to another 16.................
Although I didn't take delivery until early June, the XR6 turned 16-years-old today. I would ask where those 16-years went, but it certainly feels like a lifetime ago now. Being an extremely early build, I was one of the first to have an FG Falcon on the road. I was 21-years old at the time, a brand-new Falcon at that age was quite the feat. My only regret? Not getting the Turbo, but I was stretching myself as it was even paying the extra $1000 for the optional 18-inch wheels!
Despite it being so long ago now, I still remember so many little snippets from that time.
- Ordering. I bought this car at Bink's Ford when they were still in Footscray. (This dealership was straight out of the 1970's, think plastic colored streamers and fake wood everywhere.) The salesman we had dealt with when buying my sisters Focus, he was a bit of a character and we sort of clicked. This would be my first drive of an FG, a Silhouette Black XR6 with the 5-speed auto and the red cloth trim. I remember being a bit sad that my chosen spec wasn't within their system, so the car had to be factory ordered. I would go on to call them back in hour to add those 18-inch wheels, I just did not want those hideous 17-inch things.
- The Ming Mole! That day would my first encounter with this creature, and she did a great job trying to guilt me into buying paint protection. I had my father with me that day, his assessment was as dry witted as always, "you don't need that ****". I didn't get the paint protection.
- I remember being phoned to say that there was a minor blemish on the rear bumper and that Ford had instructed them to hold the car back. Ford were on a bit of a quality control blitz for the FG, and quite rightly so. They ended up fixing it at the dealer pre-delivery.
- Delivery day. I remember having to be insistent on picking up the car on a Saturday, a day usually reserved purely for selling. When he was told that I would be waiting at the door before they even opened, he finally agreed. Again, Dad was with me, we drove to the train station in Seymour on the Friday night, then got the train into Melbourne, staying at the ritzy Radisson Hotel on Flagstaff Gardens for the night. I didn't sleep!
- As the salesman brought the car around into the delivery area, I think my Dad had a heart attack on my behalf. When he saw the car, he thought that they had got the colour wrong. There were three blues for the FG Falcon, Steel (a darkish blue), Nitro (electric blue) and Sensation (goldilocks, the perfect shade of Ford Corporate Blue). He thought it was supposed to be Steel. He came back down to earth as I assured him that it was indeed the correct colour, my smile said it all!
- Handover. The salesman made a point of telling me to NOT touch anything in the engine bay unless it was painted yellow! (ie the dipstick and windscreen washer fluid). I get the feeling his typical clientele were not mechanically minded.
- The drive home. I remember being so ****** nervous trying to navigate the car out of the concrete jungle of Melbourne. GET ME OUT OF HERE! This was also the first time I had driven the brilliance that is the ZF 6-speed, a revelation coming from the moonshot gearing of the old BTR 4-speed. And no diff whine!.............a common Falcon trait.
- I also remember turning heads as I drove out of the train station to drop my father off. That was first time I had experienced that sort of thing with a car, I guess driving a burgundy AU III Fairmont for 3 years would explain that.
- After taking my grandmother for a drive in it, from then on she called it "The Blue Rocket". So do I.
- Despite Ford's quality drive during the initial FG launch, there were a couple of niggles that appeared later on. The driver's door latch was poorly aligned and caused the door to rattle over bumps, and the A/C system needed to be re-gassed at the 3000 km inspection. I also ended up with a leaky timing cover, which was common for the first FG's as Ford used the wrong bolts or something to that effect. That appeared a couple of years down the track.
- Wedding car duty for my favorite cousin, can you spot the odd one out? I also got to drive that GT, which was on loan from the Ford dealer (my uncle was the spare parts manager). Those ****** ribbons ended up marring the hood.
While the XR6 doesn't do many km's now, I daily drove it for two years before getting a workhorse Ranger. I've driven it far and wide though, the trips to Merimbula via the Snowy Mountains Highway (think Tail of the Dragon) was always fun, the car at home soaking up highway kms, then traversing the winding mountain roads with ease. It's even been to Bathurst.
Back at its birthplace, Broadmeadows Assembly Plant (now demolished) circa 2011.....................
I also have a verification letter from Ford and the screenshot of the build page, both no longer available it would seem.
Note the build sheet states I had 17-inch wheels, I wonder if the wheels were dealer fit or this was a typo in the system. Also note the dealer location being Deere Park, Bink's Ford had moved to a brand-new facility in about 2011, the old Footscray facility became service only.
Notice how Ford referred to the ZF gearbox as "Steptronic", not a term used by Ford officially for that gearbox, I assume this is carry over terminology from BMW. I also note that the 18-inch Y-Spoke wheels are called "style 3".
So, what does the future hold for this vehicle? Having spent some money on it last year, refreshing a few things and upgrading the brakes, I'm content to leave the car how it sits. I have said this many times, I don't "need" this car, haven't done for a long time now. But I "need" to keep it, I just can't bring myself to sell it. Had it been a Turbo, I would be sitting on a goldmine with the condition and low km's. But that's not the point. The above is only a snapshot of my ownership experience with this car. Here's to another 16.................
ajohno
Well-known member
Good out come. You would think if it is a know issue they would check. Hopefully you don’t get greasy fingerprints all over your car again.
Tactile
Well-known member
I can recommend that Wurth make a good battery protector spray. Good outcome from Twitts too...are they still the dealer there?
After a long hiatus, I can proudly say today was a Miami Monday!
Extracted from under its cover and fired up for some errand running, it certainly didn't need a wash afterwards...........................so I went for a rinse-less wash instead.
Why ONR? I don't know, I just grabbed it off the shelf and went with it. Before starting, I gave the wheels and tires a spray off with the pressure washer to blow off any brake dust, then moved it inside the garage. I could have gotten away without a pre-spray, but I did anyway. It was very cold today, so I did the whole car in one hit, then dried using TRC Gauntlet's and P&S Paint Gloss.
For the wheels, I wiped the faces using TRC Eaglet's soaked with the same ONR mix, blew them dry and wiped any remaining drips with a wheel towel and ECH20. Same for the exhaust tips. The tires got another light swipe with OG Tire Dressing.
The glass got a quick pass with P&S True Vue. The good thing about this glass cleaner is the ability to alter the dilution to suit the season. For summer, you can lean it out to 10:1, for winter you can use a richer 4:1. I have mine diluted at 5:1, the richer mix helping it to evaporate better in cooler temperatures. On that note, it didn't even breach 13 degrees today. At that 5:1 ratio, a gallon of True Vue will make up about 45 500 ml bottles! (P&S also make a pre-diluted version in 473 ml bottles.)
detailingshed.com.au
psdetailproducts.com
"Clean" again, the XR8 was connected to the CTEK and put back to bed.
Extracted from under its cover and fired up for some errand running, it certainly didn't need a wash afterwards...........................so I went for a rinse-less wash instead.
Why ONR? I don't know, I just grabbed it off the shelf and went with it. Before starting, I gave the wheels and tires a spray off with the pressure washer to blow off any brake dust, then moved it inside the garage. I could have gotten away without a pre-spray, but I did anyway. It was very cold today, so I did the whole car in one hit, then dried using TRC Gauntlet's and P&S Paint Gloss.
For the wheels, I wiped the faces using TRC Eaglet's soaked with the same ONR mix, blew them dry and wiped any remaining drips with a wheel towel and ECH20. Same for the exhaust tips. The tires got another light swipe with OG Tire Dressing.
The glass got a quick pass with P&S True Vue. The good thing about this glass cleaner is the ability to alter the dilution to suit the season. For summer, you can lean it out to 10:1, for winter you can use a richer 4:1. I have mine diluted at 5:1, the richer mix helping it to evaporate better in cooler temperatures. On that note, it didn't even breach 13 degrees today. At that 5:1 ratio, a gallon of True Vue will make up about 45 500 ml bottles! (P&S also make a pre-diluted version in 473 ml bottles.)
P&S True Vue Glass Cleaner Tint Safe Professional
Get streak-free, tint-safe glass cleaning with True Vue Glass Cleaner. Removes road film, smoke, and dirt for crystal-clear windows. Shop now!
detailingshed.com.au
Tru Vue Concentrated Glass Cleaner
True Vue Concentrated Glass Cleaner is an excellent and effective water based glass cleaner that removes road film, smoke and dirt. True Vue Glass Cleaner may be diluted anywhere from 4:1 up to 10:1 depending upon desired performance. True Vue is perfect for both hot and cold weather...
psdetailproducts.com
"Clean" again, the XR8 was connected to the CTEK and put back to bed.
Another day, another burgundy sedan. And like yesterday, another bitterly cold day, the temp barely cracking 11 degrees.
Providing the suds today, Shine Supply Shift. I love this soap, it super slick and smells divine. Drying aid today the equally excellent Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Detailer, and despite the cold conditions, HCD wiped and flashed away with minimal toweling.
The Ranger also got a wash today, on which I used up the last of a bottle of Meguiar's D143 and Adam's Ultra Foam, both won't be replaced despite them being good products.
Providing the suds today, Shine Supply Shift. I love this soap, it super slick and smells divine. Drying aid today the equally excellent Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Detailer, and despite the cold conditions, HCD wiped and flashed away with minimal toweling.
The Ranger also got a wash today, on which I used up the last of a bottle of Meguiar's D143 and Adam's Ultra Foam, both won't be replaced despite them being good products.
A small order containing two brand new products from Gyeon.
I needed another tyre dressing like a hole in the head, but I needed something to make the shipping. Pneu represents my first Swissvax product.
But onto the Gyeon products, of which Eco Wash interests me the most. This is Gyeon's first attempt at a rinse-less and water-less wash. Like all rinse-less wash products, this is used at a 256:1 dilution, while it can be used at 15:1 for waterless wash, or 20:1 for a drying aid/quick detailer. Sounds very familiar to Carpro ECH20. And like ECH20, Eco Wash smells amazing. From what I have heard, this is a benchmark product in terms of slickness and user experience.
Next, Total Remover. This is an interesting proposition, a product that can remove old waxes, sealants and even ceramic coatings in a simple spray and wipe action. It would appear this product is considerably more capable than an IPA type product such as Gyeon's own Prep or Carpro Eraser, and is said to be safe on paint, glass and plastic.
A quick sniff test had me wondering what was at play here. Certainly not an IPA type aroma, or that pungency of a high alkaline product. No, my instinct said acid......................................
Bingo!
In fact, it smelt very similar to Gyeon's water-spot remover, which had me wondering.......................
So, Total Remover is a strong acidic product, measurably more so than the water-spot remover. Both products would be a use with caution type of deal.
I needed another tyre dressing like a hole in the head, but I needed something to make the shipping. Pneu represents my first Swissvax product.
But onto the Gyeon products, of which Eco Wash interests me the most. This is Gyeon's first attempt at a rinse-less and water-less wash. Like all rinse-less wash products, this is used at a 256:1 dilution, while it can be used at 15:1 for waterless wash, or 20:1 for a drying aid/quick detailer. Sounds very familiar to Carpro ECH20. And like ECH20, Eco Wash smells amazing. From what I have heard, this is a benchmark product in terms of slickness and user experience.
Next, Total Remover. This is an interesting proposition, a product that can remove old waxes, sealants and even ceramic coatings in a simple spray and wipe action. It would appear this product is considerably more capable than an IPA type product such as Gyeon's own Prep or Carpro Eraser, and is said to be safe on paint, glass and plastic.
A quick sniff test had me wondering what was at play here. Certainly not an IPA type aroma, or that pungency of a high alkaline product. No, my instinct said acid......................................
Bingo!
In fact, it smelt very similar to Gyeon's water-spot remover, which had me wondering.......................
So, Total Remover is a strong acidic product, measurably more so than the water-spot remover. Both products would be a use with caution type of deal.
What a chaotic day!
600 trees arrived at 7am this morning, they then needed to be all labeled, orders pulled and then all buried in sand for the winter season. Team that with another sizable delivery of potted plants, guiding a new staff member and coordinating between everyone else, plus one of those mind splitting headaches that resisted the usual drugs......................yes, a full-on day.
But......................................some good news kept me going!
600 trees arrived at 7am this morning, they then needed to be all labeled, orders pulled and then all buried in sand for the winter season. Team that with another sizable delivery of potted plants, guiding a new staff member and coordinating between everyone else, plus one of those mind splitting headaches that resisted the usual drugs......................yes, a full-on day.
But......................................some good news kept me going!
...............Last night, I emailed and asked for a screenshot of the statis report for my new Mustang................................
After nearly two years, the car I pre-ordered in September 2022 now finally exists!
The next step from here is "Gate Release", then its the long wait for shipping. The projected ETA of October 3rd is very likely to blow out further than that, but I can now rest a bit easier knowing the car has been made.
And on Wednesday, I finally struck up the courage to inform the boss that I intend on taking extended leave once the car arrives. I hate asking for leave, let alone long service leave, as I know the burden it creates on a small business. In fact, I doubt this company has ever had to deal with this situation in the 40+ years they have been in business, I've been there for half of that!
This in itself has been a large part of my frustration with the order of this car, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to cash in some long service leave and try and live life for a little while with no time constraints. Put it this way, I was mentally ready for long service leave a year ago, and as this has pushed out, the frustration has built and built.
I'm burnt out, but now there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I just need to get through the winter and early spring workload, then I'm disappearing in a blaze of V8 noise for a few months.
No doubt the shipping wait will annoy me as well as the tension builds, but today was a win!
After nearly two years, the car I pre-ordered in September 2022 now finally exists!
The next step from here is "Gate Release", then its the long wait for shipping. The projected ETA of October 3rd is very likely to blow out further than that, but I can now rest a bit easier knowing the car has been made.
And on Wednesday, I finally struck up the courage to inform the boss that I intend on taking extended leave once the car arrives. I hate asking for leave, let alone long service leave, as I know the burden it creates on a small business. In fact, I doubt this company has ever had to deal with this situation in the 40+ years they have been in business, I've been there for half of that!
This in itself has been a large part of my frustration with the order of this car, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to cash in some long service leave and try and live life for a little while with no time constraints. Put it this way, I was mentally ready for long service leave a year ago, and as this has pushed out, the frustration has built and built.
I'm burnt out, but now there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I just need to get through the winter and early spring workload, then I'm disappearing in a blaze of V8 noise for a few months.
No doubt the shipping wait will annoy me as well as the tension builds, but today was a win!
goldtang
Well-known member
While taking leave is a burden on the business whether small or large , just remember we work to live not live to work, take Time of and enjoy 
took me a long time to have this train of thought
took me a long time to have this train of thoughtWe had a new employee start on trial this past Friday and Saturday. I struggle meeting new people, so I was somewhat on edge.
The new girl got thrown in the deep end owing to a shipment of 600 bare rooted trees to process, label and put into stock on the Friday, then a relatively busy Saturday shift. It was fantastic having another set of hands on deck, both dealing with customers in the shop, but also helping to get through a massive workload. On both counts, she proved very capable despite limited experience.
The Friday workload meant that the two deliveries of potted stock that also arrived ended up sitting out back while we prioritized the bare rooted plants. Normally, Saturday is all about selling rather than restocking, however Saturday mornings in winter are usually pretty slow customer wise, so it wasn't really an issue on this occasion.
I'm actually a bit **** about stock placement, mainly because I've been corrected just enough over the years to know what is expected (it's funny how negative feedback is always remembered). I'm a very literal type of person, so if I'm corrected on something, it should apply to EVERYONE. I therefore despise laziness when it comes to putting stock out, I would rather the time be taken to get it right from the beginning, rather than just dumping it with no thought and then me having to go back and fix it. If the stock looks good and is displayed nicely, then it makes it easy for customers to shop and buy, which in turn, keeps everyone employed.
Unexpectedly, the new girl was paired up with me to help put the stock out, in theory for me to set the bar for how I/we like things done. I always think it's crucial to not only explain how to do something, but why. It's all too easy to just say do this or do that, but explaining why we do things gives much greater context and purpose to the task.
After a general how and why word-up, I set her up with a blank canvas and 40 plants to arrange/display and left her to it while I worked close by. Pleasingly, the end result was absolutely fantastic, to the point where I didn't feel the need to tweak or critique the display. What I liked most was that when the display wasn't working, she rearranged the plants until the display was perfect. Exactly what I wanted, an eye for detail and the ability to self-assess.
It's been a very long time since I have had to train someone new, but its very rewarding to see the end result of your tutelage producing a high-quality result. This might come across as selfish, but I hope this new staff member stays on, it might just give me a new purpose in my own role.
The new girl got thrown in the deep end owing to a shipment of 600 bare rooted trees to process, label and put into stock on the Friday, then a relatively busy Saturday shift. It was fantastic having another set of hands on deck, both dealing with customers in the shop, but also helping to get through a massive workload. On both counts, she proved very capable despite limited experience.
The Friday workload meant that the two deliveries of potted stock that also arrived ended up sitting out back while we prioritized the bare rooted plants. Normally, Saturday is all about selling rather than restocking, however Saturday mornings in winter are usually pretty slow customer wise, so it wasn't really an issue on this occasion.
I'm actually a bit **** about stock placement, mainly because I've been corrected just enough over the years to know what is expected (it's funny how negative feedback is always remembered). I'm a very literal type of person, so if I'm corrected on something, it should apply to EVERYONE. I therefore despise laziness when it comes to putting stock out, I would rather the time be taken to get it right from the beginning, rather than just dumping it with no thought and then me having to go back and fix it. If the stock looks good and is displayed nicely, then it makes it easy for customers to shop and buy, which in turn, keeps everyone employed.
Unexpectedly, the new girl was paired up with me to help put the stock out, in theory for me to set the bar for how I/we like things done. I always think it's crucial to not only explain how to do something, but why. It's all too easy to just say do this or do that, but explaining why we do things gives much greater context and purpose to the task.
After a general how and why word-up, I set her up with a blank canvas and 40 plants to arrange/display and left her to it while I worked close by. Pleasingly, the end result was absolutely fantastic, to the point where I didn't feel the need to tweak or critique the display. What I liked most was that when the display wasn't working, she rearranged the plants until the display was perfect. Exactly what I wanted, an eye for detail and the ability to self-assess.
It's been a very long time since I have had to train someone new, but its very rewarding to see the end result of your tutelage producing a high-quality result. This might come across as selfish, but I hope this new staff member stays on, it might just give me a new purpose in my own role.
Got a chance to try out one of Gyeon's latest arrivals today, Eco Wash.
Eco Wash is Gyeon's take on a rinse-less and water-less wash concentrate. Unlike most rinse-less wash products, Eco Wash joins Carpro ECH20 and Opti-Coat No Rinse in having Si02 in the formula to boost gloss and slickness. Eco Wash and Carpro ECH20 share a lot in common, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if they are the same base formula. The only thing I can't nail down is if Eco Wash is polymer or surfactant based, probably the former.
Like most rinse-less wash coventrates, the dilution ration can be changed to suit different roles. Unlike most, Gyeon don't suggest using Eco Wash as a clay lubricant, which is probably down to the Si02 it leaves behind.
Rinse-less washing - 150:1 to 256:1
Water-less washing - 10:1 to 15:1
Drying Aid - 20:1
Only needing a refresh, the perfect test subject was the Ranger. In this case, I used pre-soaked with the same 256:1 bucket solution, then used TRC Eagle Edgeless 500's. Sticking with the Gyeon theme, I grabbed Gyeon Ceramic Detailer for the drying aid. I also used the same dilution to wipe down the tray, engine bay and door jambs.
I found Eco Wash needed a little more towel work to fully dry than the ONR I used last week, which could have been the Ceramic Detailer, a product I have struggled with in the past. The chilly winter morning didn't help either. Apart from that, Eco Wash is very pleasant to use, with a lovely scent and a slick, gloss finish.
In recent times, I have been using these XL brushes from Detail Factory and Maxshine to apply tyre dressings. The synthetic bristle versions are superb for larger profile tyres, usually above a 40 series. The boars hair version ideal for lower profile tyres. What I have found with the synthetic version is that the bristles finish the dressing down so well that you really don't need to knock the dressing down afterwards, saving time and towels.
In this case, the DF synthetic version was starting to get a bit grotty. Because I favor water-based tyre dressings, cleaning the brush with a little APC or tyre cleaner easily brings them back to life.
The Mustang goes in for the replacement battery and terminal tomorrow, wish me luck! I've taken the time to remove the battery cover before it goes in to avoid them loosing those horrible scrivets into the depths of the engine bay. I also discovered that the CTEK whip line has fused to the battery terminal, so I'll have to replace that as well.
Eco Wash is Gyeon's take on a rinse-less and water-less wash concentrate. Unlike most rinse-less wash products, Eco Wash joins Carpro ECH20 and Opti-Coat No Rinse in having Si02 in the formula to boost gloss and slickness. Eco Wash and Carpro ECH20 share a lot in common, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if they are the same base formula. The only thing I can't nail down is if Eco Wash is polymer or surfactant based, probably the former.
Like most rinse-less wash coventrates, the dilution ration can be changed to suit different roles. Unlike most, Gyeon don't suggest using Eco Wash as a clay lubricant, which is probably down to the Si02 it leaves behind.
Rinse-less washing - 150:1 to 256:1
Water-less washing - 10:1 to 15:1
Drying Aid - 20:1
Only needing a refresh, the perfect test subject was the Ranger. In this case, I used pre-soaked with the same 256:1 bucket solution, then used TRC Eagle Edgeless 500's. Sticking with the Gyeon theme, I grabbed Gyeon Ceramic Detailer for the drying aid. I also used the same dilution to wipe down the tray, engine bay and door jambs.
I found Eco Wash needed a little more towel work to fully dry than the ONR I used last week, which could have been the Ceramic Detailer, a product I have struggled with in the past. The chilly winter morning didn't help either. Apart from that, Eco Wash is very pleasant to use, with a lovely scent and a slick, gloss finish.
In recent times, I have been using these XL brushes from Detail Factory and Maxshine to apply tyre dressings. The synthetic bristle versions are superb for larger profile tyres, usually above a 40 series. The boars hair version ideal for lower profile tyres. What I have found with the synthetic version is that the bristles finish the dressing down so well that you really don't need to knock the dressing down afterwards, saving time and towels.
In this case, the DF synthetic version was starting to get a bit grotty. Because I favor water-based tyre dressings, cleaning the brush with a little APC or tyre cleaner easily brings them back to life.
The Mustang goes in for the replacement battery and terminal tomorrow, wish me luck! I've taken the time to remove the battery cover before it goes in to avoid them loosing those horrible scrivets into the depths of the engine bay. I also discovered that the CTEK whip line has fused to the battery terminal, so I'll have to replace that as well.
Of course, it had to rain today! I know, I know. Cars are to be driven, but we all have our preferences. I do my best to not drive the "special" cars in the rain, but needs must, I wanted that battery thing dealt with!
The service manager said they would cover the cost of a replacement battery and battery terminal clamp. However, I had already ordered the terminal clamp and decided I would pick it up and pay for it. Because there were two similar part numbers, I wanted to know it was the correct item rather than the possibility of delaying the process if the part was incorrect. See, this is what I go through every time I have someone work on one of my cars!
For those wondering, the part number for the negative terminal clamp of a 2015 - 2017 S550 Mustang is the following -
Ford Part Number - GU5Z 14450 A
Price - $42.57
I also noticed when I removed the battery cover yesterday before taking the car in, the CTEK whip line would not survive the replacement process. Thankfully, Repco had a replacement in stock, so I left the new one in the cup holder with the terminal in the hope they would get the hint. Thankfully, they installed the new one for me.
https://www.repco.com.au/globes-bat...e-terminals-56-260/p/A9337381?kwSearch=eyelet
I'm guessing the removal of the old terminal nuts would have posed a few challenges as they were heavily corroded. I'd say they would have had to hammer a smaller socket onto it. If they were smart, all they had to do was release the nut holding the negative lead to the terminal clamp, then junked the old clamp along with the battery.
New 625cca Motorcraft battery installed.
Once home, I decided to thoroughly wash the engine bay. No pictures here, it was still raining and I had my head down, bum up. I approached this like any other engine bay detail, starting with a rinse using the pressure washer, applied KCx Green Star APC to the whole engine bay, lightly scrubbed with a flagged tipped wheel brush, rinsed again then liberally applied Megs Hyper Dressing. I then followed with the blower to remove excess water and distribute the Hyper Dressing. The hood is then lowered and the rest of the car washed. Always do this BEFORE washing the rest of the car so that you can deal with any overspray.
In this case, I washed the wheels and paint with Opti-Coat M-Wash, a strong favorite of mine. By then the rain had stopped, so I blew the car down in the driveway (garage was full so no room to fling water around onto already clean/dry cars), then moved in for the final dry using Megs Last Touch (a blast from the past that I find does well in damp conditions). After dealing with the rest of the car, the hood went up again for a final wipe over to mop up any remaining water/Hyper Dressing.
From now on, all cars will have this applied to them.......................
With the battery cover re-fitted, without losing one of those dam scrivets , I put the Mustang back to bed under its cover.
As mentioned in a previous post, I didn't bring this issue up with the dealer in an attempt to get a new battery for free. I was all set to go and replace the battery before I was phoned, hence ordering the terminal clamp. It was about pointing out an issue relating to a procedure that is included in the service schedule. A procedure that clearly was not done. Hopefully the Tech responsible learnt a lesson here rather than seeing it as a nuisance customer causing trouble. So, kudos to the service manager for putting things right.
What's next for the Mustang? I want to give the car a final polish in my care, which is a twofold thing. Firstly, it gives me a chance to try out the new Rupes HLR-15 polisher. Secondly, it will mark the beginning of me saying goodby.
The service manager said they would cover the cost of a replacement battery and battery terminal clamp. However, I had already ordered the terminal clamp and decided I would pick it up and pay for it. Because there were two similar part numbers, I wanted to know it was the correct item rather than the possibility of delaying the process if the part was incorrect. See, this is what I go through every time I have someone work on one of my cars!
For those wondering, the part number for the negative terminal clamp of a 2015 - 2017 S550 Mustang is the following -
Ford Part Number - GU5Z 14450 A
Price - $42.57
I also noticed when I removed the battery cover yesterday before taking the car in, the CTEK whip line would not survive the replacement process. Thankfully, Repco had a replacement in stock, so I left the new one in the cup holder with the terminal in the hope they would get the hint. Thankfully, they installed the new one for me.
https://www.repco.com.au/globes-bat...e-terminals-56-260/p/A9337381?kwSearch=eyelet
I'm guessing the removal of the old terminal nuts would have posed a few challenges as they were heavily corroded. I'd say they would have had to hammer a smaller socket onto it. If they were smart, all they had to do was release the nut holding the negative lead to the terminal clamp, then junked the old clamp along with the battery.
New 625cca Motorcraft battery installed.
Once home, I decided to thoroughly wash the engine bay. No pictures here, it was still raining and I had my head down, bum up. I approached this like any other engine bay detail, starting with a rinse using the pressure washer, applied KCx Green Star APC to the whole engine bay, lightly scrubbed with a flagged tipped wheel brush, rinsed again then liberally applied Megs Hyper Dressing. I then followed with the blower to remove excess water and distribute the Hyper Dressing. The hood is then lowered and the rest of the car washed. Always do this BEFORE washing the rest of the car so that you can deal with any overspray.
In this case, I washed the wheels and paint with Opti-Coat M-Wash, a strong favorite of mine. By then the rain had stopped, so I blew the car down in the driveway (garage was full so no room to fling water around onto already clean/dry cars), then moved in for the final dry using Megs Last Touch (a blast from the past that I find does well in damp conditions). After dealing with the rest of the car, the hood went up again for a final wipe over to mop up any remaining water/Hyper Dressing.
From now on, all cars will have this applied to them.......................
With the battery cover re-fitted, without losing one of those dam scrivets
, I put the Mustang back to bed under its cover.As mentioned in a previous post, I didn't bring this issue up with the dealer in an attempt to get a new battery for free. I was all set to go and replace the battery before I was phoned, hence ordering the terminal clamp. It was about pointing out an issue relating to a procedure that is included in the service schedule. A procedure that clearly was not done. Hopefully the Tech responsible learnt a lesson here rather than seeing it as a nuisance customer causing trouble. So, kudos to the service manager for putting things right.
What's next for the Mustang? I want to give the car a final polish in my care, which is a twofold thing. Firstly, it gives me a chance to try out the new Rupes HLR-15 polisher. Secondly, it will mark the beginning of me saying goodby.
At work today, I washed both delivery vans. Just quietly, it was hardly “work”!
In terms of products and equipment, I naturally didn’t have full access to my usual arsenal. I’ve had my Kranzle K1152 at work for a few weeks now, using it to clean down paths and shade cloth while customer flow has been quiet. So having that on hand made progress relatively easy. In addition to that, from home I brought a foam cannon, wash bucket, a wheel brush, and tire brush. Towels, a couple of multipurpose TRC Car Wash Towels, a large waffle weave drying towel, and an old Meguiar’s microfiber wash pad.
Chemical wise, I decided this would be a great opportunity to use up some less than stellar products from my collection. For example, Mirch Ceramic Detailer, Mirch Obsidian Tire Dressing, Meguiar’s Quick Interior Detailer (the gallon format with the strange vinegar-like scent), and a bottle of P&S Radiance (more on that shortly).
For the wheels and tires, I used Shine Supply Wise Guy, which easily dealt with the usual euro brake dust on this duo, a VW Crafter and Renault Traffic. For the paint, I went in for the kill with Bilt Hamber Touch-less as a pre-wash, THIS is what this product was designed for!
For the contact wash, I used the P&S Radiance Wash and Wax. I was sent this product in error after ordering the “new” version called Inspiration Radiance. I don’t normally use wash-n-wax type soaps, but in this case, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to use this soap up on two vehicles that don’t warrant extensive effort being put into their appearance. Surprisingly, this soap is very nice to use, cleans well and leaves behind a layer of gloss and water beading that was not there to begin with.
However…………………….
When Inspiration Radiance was unveiled at SEMA late last year, P&S said that this was a newly reformulated version of the earlier Radiance Wash and Wax, updated to deliver a deeper clean and used as a coating maintenance wash. Having used Inspiration Radiance a bit now, I appreciate that little something it adds to the paint during the wash.
After using the “old” version today, I would say they are the same product! They smell the same, they “feel” the same, the have the same consistency, the same colour, the same gloss and water beading boost. I think the only “reformulation” that went down was the new bottle and new label. Does this matter, probably not, I actually liked using the “old” version today. But I don’t think the “new” version is as new as they would have you believe.
Finishing the detail, I removed the bulk of standing water with our EGO blower (with no stubby nozzle, this one is actually used for leaves), I then went over the paint using the large waffle weave and Mirch Ceramic Detailer. The interior’s got a vacuum, a wipe down with Megs QID, the glass attended to with some glass cleaner and paper towel from the shop. I then dressed the tires with Mirch Obsidian.
No photos today, I was on the clock and each van is covered in our company logo’s ect. Both came up great though! Two things that stood out, Bilt Hamber Touch-less is amazing for cutting through road grime and mud, and P&S Radiance made both vans look like they had been freshly waxed.
In terms of products and equipment, I naturally didn’t have full access to my usual arsenal. I’ve had my Kranzle K1152 at work for a few weeks now, using it to clean down paths and shade cloth while customer flow has been quiet. So having that on hand made progress relatively easy. In addition to that, from home I brought a foam cannon, wash bucket, a wheel brush, and tire brush. Towels, a couple of multipurpose TRC Car Wash Towels, a large waffle weave drying towel, and an old Meguiar’s microfiber wash pad.
Chemical wise, I decided this would be a great opportunity to use up some less than stellar products from my collection. For example, Mirch Ceramic Detailer, Mirch Obsidian Tire Dressing, Meguiar’s Quick Interior Detailer (the gallon format with the strange vinegar-like scent), and a bottle of P&S Radiance (more on that shortly).
For the wheels and tires, I used Shine Supply Wise Guy, which easily dealt with the usual euro brake dust on this duo, a VW Crafter and Renault Traffic. For the paint, I went in for the kill with Bilt Hamber Touch-less as a pre-wash, THIS is what this product was designed for!
For the contact wash, I used the P&S Radiance Wash and Wax. I was sent this product in error after ordering the “new” version called Inspiration Radiance. I don’t normally use wash-n-wax type soaps, but in this case, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to use this soap up on two vehicles that don’t warrant extensive effort being put into their appearance. Surprisingly, this soap is very nice to use, cleans well and leaves behind a layer of gloss and water beading that was not there to begin with.
However…………………….
When Inspiration Radiance was unveiled at SEMA late last year, P&S said that this was a newly reformulated version of the earlier Radiance Wash and Wax, updated to deliver a deeper clean and used as a coating maintenance wash. Having used Inspiration Radiance a bit now, I appreciate that little something it adds to the paint during the wash.
After using the “old” version today, I would say they are the same product! They smell the same, they “feel” the same, the have the same consistency, the same colour, the same gloss and water beading boost. I think the only “reformulation” that went down was the new bottle and new label. Does this matter, probably not, I actually liked using the “old” version today. But I don’t think the “new” version is as new as they would have you believe.
Finishing the detail, I removed the bulk of standing water with our EGO blower (with no stubby nozzle, this one is actually used for leaves), I then went over the paint using the large waffle weave and Mirch Ceramic Detailer. The interior’s got a vacuum, a wipe down with Megs QID, the glass attended to with some glass cleaner and paper towel from the shop. I then dressed the tires with Mirch Obsidian.
No photos today, I was on the clock and each van is covered in our company logo’s ect. Both came up great though! Two things that stood out, Bilt Hamber Touch-less is amazing for cutting through road grime and mud, and P&S Radiance made both vans look like they had been freshly waxed.
MadeByMiller
Well-known member
Your thread continues to be one of my favorites on the site!
I had a thought (and don't confuse this as me trying to tell you what to do) that it would be very interesting and useful if there was a spot where you would track your current favorite products. For example, maybe your current favorite touchless wash is the Bilt Hamber, your favorite contact wash is the Opti-Coat M-Wash, etc. Your knowledge and experience is so valuable, but your constant testing of new products makes it hard to keep track of your most preferred chemicals. <<That somehow came out sounding a bit harsh, I mean this as a compliment.
If I may suggest, a living index of your favorite supplies either on post #1 of this thread, or perhaps a thread of it's own? Maybe this request is unrealistic, I understand that your favorite product is sometimes dependent on the specific case you're dealing with.
Thank you for all that you share!
P.S. I tried my EGO blower with stubby nozzle the other day after rinsing my truck. It was good, but immediately I realized how much better it would be if the paint was waxed. The water was very resistant to being blown off of the vehicle, even in turbo mode.
I had a thought (and don't confuse this as me trying to tell you what to do) that it would be very interesting and useful if there was a spot where you would track your current favorite products. For example, maybe your current favorite touchless wash is the Bilt Hamber, your favorite contact wash is the Opti-Coat M-Wash, etc. Your knowledge and experience is so valuable, but your constant testing of new products makes it hard to keep track of your most preferred chemicals. <<That somehow came out sounding a bit harsh, I mean this as a compliment.
If I may suggest, a living index of your favorite supplies either on post #1 of this thread, or perhaps a thread of it's own? Maybe this request is unrealistic, I understand that your favorite product is sometimes dependent on the specific case you're dealing with.
Thank you for all that you share!
P.S. I tried my EGO blower with stubby nozzle the other day after rinsing my truck. It was good, but immediately I realized how much better it would be if the paint was waxed. The water was very resistant to being blown off of the vehicle, even in turbo mode.
ajohno
Well-known member
Great news about your car. Hopefully the price hasn’t changed to much from when you ordered it................Last night, I emailed and asked for a screenshot of the statis report for my new Mustang................................
After nearly two years, the car I pre-ordered in September 2022 now finally exists!
The next step from here is "Gate Release", then its the long wait for shipping. The projected ETA of October 3rd is very likely to blow out further than that, but I can now rest a bit easier knowing the car has been made.
And on Wednesday, I finally struck up the courage to inform the boss that I intend on taking extended leave once the car arrives. I hate asking for leave, let alone long service leave, as I know the burden it creates on a small business. In fact, I doubt this company has ever had to deal with this situation in the 40+ years they have been in business, I've been there for half of that!
This in itself has been a large part of my frustration with the order of this car, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to cash in some long service leave and try and live life for a little while with no time constraints. Put it this way, I was mentally ready for long service leave a year ago, and as this has pushed out, the frustration has built and built.
I'm burnt out, but now there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I just need to get through the winter and early spring workload, then I'm disappearing in a blaze of V8 noise for a few months.
No doubt the shipping wait will annoy me as well as the tension builds, but today was a win!
It looks like you ordered the Black pack.
If anything, with the raised threshold of the luxury car tax, it should be slightly less expensive. Having said that, Ford and their dealers know the have everyone on the hook. Meanwhile, I wouldn't call a mass-produced Ford a "luxury car". Do they put a luxury tax on watches, clothing.................or basically any high-end consumer good? I guess we have Medicare to be thankful for.
My S650 is almost a fully optioned -
- GT Hardtop
- 10-speed Auto
- Race Red (non-metallic)
- Black Pack (black badges, black bezel headlights, black wing mirrors, black wheels (I could take or leave those) and a black painted roof)
- Magneride dampers (which includes red painted Brembo calipers, my main reason for choosing this option)
I almost went with the Recaro seats but was told they were nice for the first few days of ownership, then an annoyance going forward. Other than that, metallic paint was the only other "available" option. I say "available" because some options can't be had in tandem. For example, you can't order both the Appearance Pack (spoiler, stripes) and Black Pack, it's one or the other. And Australia does not have access to the multitude of wheel options, caliper color choice, interior color choice (tan, red or ceramic, I want red but we only get black), spoilers, the Bronze Appearance Pack.................................. Still, at least we have access to Mustang at all, it would be very easy for Ford to only sell Ranger/Everest in Australia.
I would have loved to have the red interior................................
Not at all out of line or unrealistic. Actually, I have had this request multiple times across multiple forums, to the point where I created a dedicated thread that lists my go-to products and tools across all detailing categories, which are updated as needed when things change -
Australian Ford Forums
Australian Ford Discussion site covering Ford's Australian cars. Ford technical information TSB's DIY's.
For this forum, I'm not sure where I would locate a thread like this. Perhaps in the "General Tool Discussion" section, or perhaps a separate thread in this section, something like DFB's Detailing Cabinet? More than happy to do this, so any input on where to put it would be welcomed.
ajohno
Well-known member
Thanks for the pictures. Why did you go automatic this time? Do you plan on keeping this car for a while.If anything, with the raised threshold of the luxury car tax, it should be slightly less expensive. Having said that, Ford and their dealers know the have everyone on the hook. Meanwhile, I wouldn't call a mass-produced Ford a "luxury car". Do they put a luxury tax on watches, clothing.................or basically any high-end consumer good? I guess we have Medicare to be thankful for.
My S650 is almost a fully optioned -
- GT Hardtop
- 10-speed Auto
- Race Red (non-metallic)
- Black Pack (black badges, black bezel headlights, black wing mirrors, black wheels (I could take or leave those) and a black painted roof)
- Magneride dampers (which includes red painted Brembo calipers, my main reason for choosing this option)
I almost went with the Recaro seats but was told they were nice for the first few days of ownership, then an annoyance going forward. Other than that, metallic paint was the only other "available" option. I say "available" because some options can't be had in tandem. For example, you can't order both the Appearance Pack (spoiler, stripes) and Black Pack, it's one or the other. And Australia does not have access to the multitude of wheel options, caliper color choice, interior color choice (tan, red or ceramic, I want red but we only get black), spoilers, the Bronze Appearance Pack.................................. Still, at least we have access to Mustang at all, it would be very easy for Ford to only sell Ranger/Everest in Australia.
I would have loved to have the red interior................................
My S550 is a manual, my first manual performance car. A V8 engine and manual transmission is one of those combo's that ticks a lot of boxes. But, I wanted a change............................which I fully understand that I have gone and ordered another red Mustang.
If the GT was available with the Tremec and not the MT-82, I may have gone manual again. On my S550, being an early model, the MT-82 had short gearing to keep the engine on the boil. For the 2018+ update (and S650), the MT-82 was lumped with excessively tall gearing, which is exaggerated by the higher rev limit. And its the gearbox ratios and not the diff ratio that causes that tall gearing. For such a rev happy engine, the tall gearing doesn't compute. The Tremec on the other hand is much better geared but only available on the Darkhorse.
And so, the short gearing of the 10-speed is more to my liking, even though it's a bit "busy" snapping off shifts.
(Old model, but you get the idea)
MadeByMiller
Well-known member
This is exactly what I had in mind - thank you! Honestly I don't see the need in burdening you with copying the list elsewhere, I think a link to that thread in your signature would be great.Not at all out of line or unrealistic. Actually, I have had this request multiple times across multiple forums, to the point where I created a dedicated thread that lists my go-to products and tools across all detailing categories, which are updated as needed when things change -
Australian Ford Forums
Australian Ford Discussion site covering Ford's Australian cars. Ford technical information TSB's DIY's.www.fordforums.com.au
For this forum, I'm not sure where I would locate a thread like this. Perhaps in the "General Tool Discussion" section, or perhaps a separate thread in this section, something like DFB's Detailing Cabinet? More than happy to do this, so any input on where to put it would be welcomed.
Just posted the below thread -
A little re-org of two cabinets today.
Starting with my tool cabinet, I wanted to free up space by getting some of the Milwaukee collection hung on the cabinet walls. After a trip to the dreaded green shed for a selection of brackets, I attached these to the cabinet walls to create a more organized layout.
About a month ago, I ordered this Rupes Systainer case for my new polisher.
This purchase was a bit too good to be true actually. When searching for the case, I found one vendor selling it $30 - 40 cheaper than most of the others, so naturally, I ordered it from them. A month later it arrived, or to be precise, I had to pick it up from the post office (that in itself another annoyance). Despite being an Australian retailer, they are clearly drop-shipping products rather than warehousing them here. So, while I saved money, it took 35 days to arrive, which may or may not be an annoyance for you.
These Systainer cases are modular and stackable in a similar concept to Milwaukee Pack Out, just without the huge accessory catalog. I already had one of these which came with my iBrid Nano, which is cleverly designed with a two-layer foam insert to hold the machine, batteries, backing plates, tools and accessories.
I actually thought that Rupes was sending out the new HLR kits with a Systainer, clearly not. The one I bought for the HLR-15 is an empty shell, so I cut up a section of foam trap mat to provide a bed for the polisher and batteries.
www.discounttrader.com.au
Next, the bulk chemical storage cabinet. These cabinets require the right-hand door to be open in order to open the left side. The way I originally set this cabinet up had the stuff I used most on the left side, so opening two doors to gain access to one each time was getting old. So, I decided to swap sides.
The blue recycling bin above was completely filled with carboard boxes stored in both cabinets. Please explain to me the logic behind keeping the box the tool came in, you know, just in case? I'm pretty sure I inherited that from my Grandfather. :doh Throwing away all those boxes freed up soooo much space! Don't keep your boxes people.
After too much time messing about, I then got the tools out and washed the Ranger.
Wheels, tyres and wheel arches were cleaned with Brake Buster from my foam cannon. The rest of the car cleaned with the excellent Adam's Mega Foam (the best of their three maintenance soaps), drying aid was P&S Clean Maker (90 % Bead Maker mixed with 10% Dream Maker). The tray and door jambs wiped with ECH20, tyres with OG Tire Dressing, interior wiped down with Auto Finesse Spritz.
Starting with my tool cabinet, I wanted to free up space by getting some of the Milwaukee collection hung on the cabinet walls. After a trip to the dreaded green shed for a selection of brackets, I attached these to the cabinet walls to create a more organized layout.
About a month ago, I ordered this Rupes Systainer case for my new polisher.
This purchase was a bit too good to be true actually. When searching for the case, I found one vendor selling it $30 - 40 cheaper than most of the others, so naturally, I ordered it from them. A month later it arrived, or to be precise, I had to pick it up from the post office (that in itself another annoyance). Despite being an Australian retailer, they are clearly drop-shipping products rather than warehousing them here. So, while I saved money, it took 35 days to arrive, which may or may not be an annoyance for you.
These Systainer cases are modular and stackable in a similar concept to Milwaukee Pack Out, just without the huge accessory catalog. I already had one of these which came with my iBrid Nano, which is cleverly designed with a two-layer foam insert to hold the machine, batteries, backing plates, tools and accessories.
I actually thought that Rupes was sending out the new HLR kits with a Systainer, clearly not. The one I bought for the HLR-15 is an empty shell, so I cut up a section of foam trap mat to provide a bed for the polisher and batteries.
GEARWRENCH 83370 4 Piece Universal Trap Mat - Tool Storage Drawer Liners - Accessories, GEARWRENCH Catalogue, New Products, Racks & Trays, Storage Racks & Trays, Tool Boxes & Storage, Tool Cases - Discount Trader
FFeatures: Universal pattern holds most tool shapes Low profile, fits in most tool drawers 2” and above Standard 40cm (16″) x 55cm (22”) can be segmented easy into smaller dimensions Solvent resistant foam material resists tearing Strong enough to stop tools from shifting Quiet mobility for...
www.discounttrader.com.au
Next, the bulk chemical storage cabinet. These cabinets require the right-hand door to be open in order to open the left side. The way I originally set this cabinet up had the stuff I used most on the left side, so opening two doors to gain access to one each time was getting old. So, I decided to swap sides.
The blue recycling bin above was completely filled with carboard boxes stored in both cabinets. Please explain to me the logic behind keeping the box the tool came in, you know, just in case? I'm pretty sure I inherited that from my Grandfather. :doh Throwing away all those boxes freed up soooo much space! Don't keep your boxes people.
After too much time messing about, I then got the tools out and washed the Ranger.
Wheels, tyres and wheel arches were cleaned with Brake Buster from my foam cannon. The rest of the car cleaned with the excellent Adam's Mega Foam (the best of their three maintenance soaps), drying aid was P&S Clean Maker (90 % Bead Maker mixed with 10% Dream Maker). The tray and door jambs wiped with ECH20, tyres with OG Tire Dressing, interior wiped down with Auto Finesse Spritz.
cccoltsicehockey
Well-known member
Always love catching up with your updates. I was honestly wondering the same thing @MadeByMiller was asking for the other day funny enough. Appreciate the link to the list on the other site and also the new thread.
Tactile
Well-known member
I keep boxes/packaging for a few months with a new product, if I dont like it it goes on eBay - people love original packaging. I do keep it all for my Apple stuff, turn it over 18-24 months or so. Defiantly commands a higher price when you do that.
SamYoung
Well-known member
I tend to keep them for a period on newer product for potential warranty returns. Some brands require it to service/replace them. Nikon won't repair/replace a lens for example unless you ship it in for service in the factory packaging. Buddy found that out and had to buy a replacement used box off ebay so he could get his one scratched lens replaced. I think they still gave him some flack because the lens and box serial number didn't match, but it's been a while and the details are hazy.
Taking the looong way home from the chemist, via my favorite road......................
After the XR8 consumed an absurd amount of fuel, it was time for the Ranger's weekly wash.
Soap of choice today was NV Snow. It's been a while since I washed with this soap, so it was nice to reacquaint myself with this excellent product. Because of the winter road grime on the car, I briefly considered using with Bilt Hamber Touchless as a pre-wash but decided to stick with Snow. Due to the higher pH level of Snow, it had no trouble dissolving the road film prior to the contact wash.
I tend to alternate between "protective" and "non-protective" drying aids, today was the latter. Silke is the only product that I liked from my sample of Stjarnagloss products, but then, it's pretty hard to screw up a basic quick detailer.
Speaking of the Stjarnagloss brand, it seems to have been ignored in Australia. The brand was brought into The Rag Company family a couple of years ago, basically replacing WoWo's when they went belly up. Given TRC's ability to build up brand awareness to the point of hype, its somewhat unusual for local retailers to pass on a TRC distributed brand. I suspect they were burnt by the WoWo's fallout, or that Car Care Products hold the distribution rights and not CarCareCo (the TRC distributor in Australia). Frankly, I don't think we are missing out on much, the products are pretty average and hardly worth the same or more than an equivalent Carpro, Gyeon or Koch Chemie.
After the XR8 consumed an absurd amount of fuel, it was time for the Ranger's weekly wash.
Soap of choice today was NV Snow. It's been a while since I washed with this soap, so it was nice to reacquaint myself with this excellent product. Because of the winter road grime on the car, I briefly considered using with Bilt Hamber Touchless as a pre-wash but decided to stick with Snow. Due to the higher pH level of Snow, it had no trouble dissolving the road film prior to the contact wash.
I tend to alternate between "protective" and "non-protective" drying aids, today was the latter. Silke is the only product that I liked from my sample of Stjarnagloss products, but then, it's pretty hard to screw up a basic quick detailer.
Speaking of the Stjarnagloss brand, it seems to have been ignored in Australia. The brand was brought into The Rag Company family a couple of years ago, basically replacing WoWo's when they went belly up. Given TRC's ability to build up brand awareness to the point of hype, its somewhat unusual for local retailers to pass on a TRC distributed brand. I suspect they were burnt by the WoWo's fallout, or that Car Care Products hold the distribution rights and not CarCareCo (the TRC distributor in Australia). Frankly, I don't think we are missing out on much, the products are pretty average and hardly worth the same or more than an equivalent Carpro, Gyeon or Koch Chemie.
It was the Wildtrak's turn this week.
Starting with the wheels, I used Brake Buster undiluted on the tyres, followed by foaming the wheel and wheel arch with more Brake Buster. Something I don't mention much, this vehicle has sidesteps finished in black plastic. I clean these between each wheel with my chosen tyre cleaner, used in tandem with the EZ-Detail Go brush.
After the wheels, the car was foamed with Bilt Hamber Touch-less, which was left to dwell while I cleaned the rubber floor mats and emptied my wheel bucket. After rinsing, I used Carpro Reset for the contact wash.
Drying aid today was 3D Bead it Up. This product seems to have more substance to it than something like Bead Maker, it having a slightly thicker consistency and stickier initial feel. Bead it Up contains Si02, which boosts longevity and gloss levels, while being compatible with waxes, sealants and ceramic coatings.
detailingshed.com.au
The first thing you notice with Bead it Up is the fruity aroma and its tendency to linger in the garage after use. When spreading the product, it has a grabby feel to it, almost like a spray wax. But after a pass with a secondary towel, the surface becomes ultra slick.
After wiping down the door jambs with DIY Waterless Wash, I moved onto the interior. I always start with a vacuum, attending to the carpets, seats, dashboard and door trims before starting with cleaning chemicals. I will follow that with a general wipe down using an interior cleaner or detailer. Today, I used P&S Xpress in a spray and wipe manner for the majority of the interior, for the leather seats, I teamed that with a soft leather brush. After cleaning the glass, I treated the leather with Geist Leather Conditioner. A spritz of Angelwax Bliss and the interior was done.
Returning to the exterior, I wiped the wheels down with NV Boost v2, dressed the tyres with Duragloss 253, the engine bay wiped down with ECH20.
Starting with the wheels, I used Brake Buster undiluted on the tyres, followed by foaming the wheel and wheel arch with more Brake Buster. Something I don't mention much, this vehicle has sidesteps finished in black plastic. I clean these between each wheel with my chosen tyre cleaner, used in tandem with the EZ-Detail Go brush.
After the wheels, the car was foamed with Bilt Hamber Touch-less, which was left to dwell while I cleaned the rubber floor mats and emptied my wheel bucket. After rinsing, I used Carpro Reset for the contact wash.
Drying aid today was 3D Bead it Up. This product seems to have more substance to it than something like Bead Maker, it having a slightly thicker consistency and stickier initial feel. Bead it Up contains Si02, which boosts longevity and gloss levels, while being compatible with waxes, sealants and ceramic coatings.
3D Bead It Up (473ml/3.78L)
3D Bead It Up 3D Bead It Up offers unparalleled protection for your paint, glass, trim and wheels, in the form of an easy to apply super hydrophobic polymer sealant. It adds a durable, slick layer of protection and can also be used as an enhancer for existing ceramic coatings. As an added bonus...
detailingshed.com.au
The first thing you notice with Bead it Up is the fruity aroma and its tendency to linger in the garage after use. When spreading the product, it has a grabby feel to it, almost like a spray wax. But after a pass with a secondary towel, the surface becomes ultra slick.
After wiping down the door jambs with DIY Waterless Wash, I moved onto the interior. I always start with a vacuum, attending to the carpets, seats, dashboard and door trims before starting with cleaning chemicals. I will follow that with a general wipe down using an interior cleaner or detailer. Today, I used P&S Xpress in a spray and wipe manner for the majority of the interior, for the leather seats, I teamed that with a soft leather brush. After cleaning the glass, I treated the leather with Geist Leather Conditioner. A spritz of Angelwax Bliss and the interior was done.
Returning to the exterior, I wiped the wheels down with NV Boost v2, dressed the tyres with Duragloss 253, the engine bay wiped down with ECH20.
Not in my "garage", rather at work...................
A couple of months ago, one our supplier reps left a display stand with the intention of showcasing in-season plants. The rep has then been supplying advanced potted specimens to give customers an idea of what they can expect each plant can do. This is all well and good, but my creative brain spotted the potential expand on the idea...................
This plant stand was made by a men's shed, presumably from reclaimed timber. Well, we have plenty of that on hand, with a stack of un-used pallets taking up space in the yard. Pulling them apart was going to be the challenge, so I bought a lever bar from eBay..................
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/355034833921
Before starting the project, I had measured up and drew out a layout plan mimicking the original, I then knew what amount of timber I was going to need.
It took me a bit to figure out the best way to use the lever bar without ruining the timber, but the tool made short work of stripping the pallets down. Following this, I removed all the nails and docked everything to length. Then the fun part of putting it together...............
Including the re-used timber, I also used up an assortment of odd-bod screws, so excluding the pry bar and my labour, I made something from nothing.
I plan to make more of these as time allows, which will be used around the nursery as needed. I was hoping to have a few of these made prior to the bare root roses arriving, they would display well in these.
A couple of months ago, one our supplier reps left a display stand with the intention of showcasing in-season plants. The rep has then been supplying advanced potted specimens to give customers an idea of what they can expect each plant can do. This is all well and good, but my creative brain spotted the potential expand on the idea...................
This plant stand was made by a men's shed, presumably from reclaimed timber. Well, we have plenty of that on hand, with a stack of un-used pallets taking up space in the yard. Pulling them apart was going to be the challenge, so I bought a lever bar from eBay..................
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/355034833921
Before starting the project, I had measured up and drew out a layout plan mimicking the original, I then knew what amount of timber I was going to need.
It took me a bit to figure out the best way to use the lever bar without ruining the timber, but the tool made short work of stripping the pallets down. Following this, I removed all the nails and docked everything to length. Then the fun part of putting it together...............
Including the re-used timber, I also used up an assortment of odd-bod screws, so excluding the pry bar and my labour, I made something from nothing.
I plan to make more of these as time allows, which will be used around the nursery as needed. I was hoping to have a few of these made prior to the bare root roses arriving, they would display well in these.