Clay bar ROCKS!

I had an old Zaino bar (unused) that I tried and it takes every bit of those spots right off. This is going to take some time, though. 30 mins to do 1 foot, top to bottom.

Is there a "speed" clay bar?

Chris

 

Also, should I be using an entire bar per foot of truck? At that rate I'll need $200 worth of bar (Zaino brand)...

Chris

 

No, buy yourself a good clay kit...mothers, maguires etc. Keep the clay wet. I had my entire truck done in one hour.

Glad it's working for you, when using proper kit it will go a lot faster.

 

I agree - a single clay kit and about an hour. Keep folding the clay over onto itself and if it is dropped on the ground then discard. Glad it is working!

 

I use a 1x1x1" chunk of clay at a time and it should be good to do the whole truck. I keep the clay in a ziploc bag and it stays good pretty much forever. I haven't had to buy new clay in about 10 years and I clay at least one vehicle a year sometimes up to 4.

 

I purchased an old paint shops inventory last summer. It included lots of Automagic detailing supplies. The liquid clay stuff used with a buffer is truly like magic. When my case of it runs out, i might even buy more. Never again with a clay bar by hand for me...

 

Good assessment, I've had/have (2) Yukon Denali XLs, '07 and 2011 both bought new for the wife, its the family bus and a nice one. But as you mentioned when you need an SD you just may need an Ex, I just sold my '08 Sierra HD to buy an Ex as I as found myself needing a large SUV and a tow vehicle. I miss the Allison tranny but I really like the Ex and it's fitting the bill.

 

Chrison;

Nice Ex!

Regarding your power drain....
Check that aftermarket VCR - it might be power-up all the time
and draining your battery(s).
Or try pulling the fuse and see what happens after a day or two.

 

Figured out the electrical gremlin. The driver's side 12v hot lead was loose. Took it apart, cleaned it up, voila!

Clay work is done. IMO Meguiar's clay bar stinks compared to Zaino's. I got impatient and caused a few light scratches (I think. When the wake behind the clay is brown, you've got some serious contamination.). Followed with a round of Zymol Cleaner+Wax. I was going to do the roof too, but three days of sitting in the garage and there was too much dust/grime up there. After the next wash I'll hit the roof.

The dealer said they changed the oil, but I noticed the drain plug leaking, so I rummaged around and found a leftover Ford drain plug washer I still had from the old X. Pulled the drain plug out and held the oil in with a finger. The washer coming off must have been the original. Useless. The oil was marginally clean. For a change with virtually zero miles, I'm not sure about the change. I realize that diesel oil can pickup color quickly though. It's a Valvoline filter. I think I'll change the oil again and do the tranny oil purge too.

This thing needs a serious undercarriage cleaning. Anyone in the Austin area with a lead on a shop with a heated, solvent/detergent equipped pressure washer?

Later,

Chris

 

Congrats on your new Ex. Ive had mine for about 8 mouths now and dont how I functioned with out it. 2002 7.3 4x4, I was a little worried when I first purchased it. Bought it sight unseen off ebay. Its a Texas Vehicle, have been very happy with it. Once again welcome back.

 

The diesel motors hold quite a bit of old oil when and oil change is done. So even after just doing an oil change you can start up the motor, let it run for a few seconds shut it off and check the oil and it will be near black already.


Was the washer you used for the drain plug nylon or something else? They say the nylon one should be changed every oil change. My dad never changed his on the 94 so it was totally squished, cracked, nearly torn in half. I replaced it two oil changes ago with a copper washer. The old washer as expected always leaked a tiny bit, new copper washer doesn't even let a drop by and should last longer then the nylon.

 

The one I took off was copper as was the one I installed (factory). The one coming off was obviously used many times. Completely worn out.

Chris

 

Hello all. I just got an 01 X and love it so far. I traded in my 99 Dodge Ram for it. The wife and I needed a bigger vehicle for our growing family.

Snowseeker, I am interested in the switch install. Does it wire into the starter so that if you flip the switch it will not start? Please give me the details on that. Thanks.

 

Most people wire the toggle in to the wiring for the fuel pump relay. Not the fuel pump power side of the relay but the switched 12V+ wire going into the relay. That way with the toggle off the vehicle will crank but not start. Causing a few things to happen, 1 they won't get away, 2 the noise will draw attention to them (everyone looks at someone cranking on a vehicle and its not starting), 3 they will think either they are doing something wrong with their attempted theft or the vehicle has problems and won't start making them move on.

 

Ok, after I got to thinking about it I figured that was the way it was done. Is the fuel pump wiring under the dash or in the engine bay? Would you know off the top of your head where to look?