The Wheels Off / Seats Out Multi-Day Detail Has Begun

[All American 6]

The Wheels Off / Seats Out Multi-Day Detail Has Begun

Accomplished March 6th:
1. Installed stubby
2. Removed sun visors - took off air bag sticker
3. Took off 2 x wheels and clean & wax
4. Paint 2 x wheel hubs
5. Cleaned 2 x wheel wells
6. De-badge

Accomplished March 7th:
1. Finish wheels, hubs, wells
2. Take out seats
3. buff glass (there are a few light scratches)
4. Wash car with Dawn dishwashing liquid (already have a few times)

Accomplished March 8th:
1. Cleaned air filter
2. Vacuumed & Shampooed Carpets
3. Cleaned interior hard surfaces
4. Leatherique Rejuvenator Oil the seats and all interior leather
5. Z18 clay the paint

Accomplished March 9th:
1. Clean all leather with Leatherique Prestine Clean
2. Re-install sun visors
3. Re-applied Rejuvenator Oil to the seats

Accomplished March 10th:
1. Let the seats continue to soak in the Rejuvenator (I did nothing today!) That Leatherique is good stuff.

Accomplished March 11th:
1. Another lazy day - Let the seats continue to soak in the Rejuvenator
2. Did a little homework on how to repair dye leather with Leatherique

Accomplished March 12th:
1. Let the Rejuvinator remain on the seats
2. Ordered leather dye from Leatherique
3. Ordered new wheel
4. Washed car with Z7 car wash soap
5. ZPC polish paint
6. Wiped down with Z6

Accomplished March 13th:
1. Mix ZFX with Z5
2. Z5 polish paint
3. Wipe down with Z6
4. Second coat of Z5 polish paint
5. Wipe down with Z6
6. Third coat of Z5 polish paint (leave on over night)
7. Applied third coat of Rejuvinator to the door panels.

Accomplished March 14th:
1. Removed Z5
2. Wipe down with Z6
3. The Leatherique dye and other products I ordered on 12th arrived today.


Accomplished March 15th:
1. Mix ZFX with Z2
2. Z2 polish paint
3. Cleaned all leather with Prestine Clean
4. Sent wife out to buy synthetic acrylic brush and appropriate grits sandpaper for upcoming dye job

Accomplished March 16th:
1. Wipe down with Z6
2. Second Z2 polish paint
3. Installed passenger seat
4. Prepped worn leather spot with Leatherique Prepping Agent - allow to dry
5. Wipe down with Z6
6. Third Z2 polish paint

Accomplished March 17th:
1. Applied 2 coats of Leather Dye on driver's seat worn spot - now it must dry 48 hours
2. Wipe down with Z6
3. Fourth Z2 polish paint

Accomplished March 18th:
1. Removed the last Z2 coat

Accomplished March 19th:
1. Buff drivers seat dyed area
2. Re-install driver seat; connect battery
3. Install new mats


Subsequent Tasks:
1. Replace cracked wheel with new wheel (Wheel is in; I'll pick it up Thursday)
2. Wipe down with Z8


It’s nice to have a month off!

This site gave me the info for the visor, stubby, Leatherique, and claying. I've heard of Zaino before but decided to try it based off of what I've read here on ZPost.

Updates to follow,
AA6

[antennahead]

Any damage to the vinyl from the goof off? I've been thinking of doing this myself, but was hesitant that it might be too harsh for the vinyl.

John

[drew935]

Nice. What are going to use to buff the glass?
I painted and primered 2 wheels and grills today. Tomorrow, the other two with the same treatment.

[ZStig]

Originally Posted by antennahead

Any damage to the vinyl from the goof off? I've been thinking of doing this myself, but was hesitant that it might be too harsh for the vinyl.

John

I think his are leather. but don't worry, you'll be fine either way

[All American 6]

Originally Posted by antennahead

Any damage to the vinyl from the goof off? I've been thinking of doing this myself, but was hesitant that it might be too harsh for the vinyl. John

I put several drops of the goof off on the sticker. I then rubbed it with my index finger keeping the goof off on the sticker and not letting it run off onto the leather. The sticker immediately started to dissolve. I wiped it clean with a paper towel and applied a second coat. It all came off on the second coat. Each coat was only on the visor for 30 seconds. No damage. I plan to Leatherique these shortly.

Originally Posted by drew935

Nice. What are going to use to buff the glass?

I'm going to try Zaino Z-12 Clear View Glass Polish applied with a machine and wool buffing pad.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

AA6

[MDZK]

Definitely post some progress shots! This kind of FULL detail is always on my back burner, somehow I never manage to set aside the time to get it done.

[Starscream]

an insanely cheap sun gun will help you out with the polishing lol

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=654637

[All American 6]

Didn't get as much done today as planned.

1. Finish wheels, hubs, wells
2. buff glass
3. Took out seats
4. Wash car with Dawn dishwashing liquid


I found a crack in one wheel. All other wheels had the factory weights. This one had been balanced by someone (too lazy to remove the old weights glue residue). Probably had a flat and used the run flats.

Will this crack be an issue?



Glass polishing didn't go well. I used a machine and by hand. Z-12 doesn't work. I cannot feel my scratches with my finger nail. I can detect the scratch with a sharp sheet metal screw. I didn't have much expectation anyway.

Here's a review from the Zaino website:
My girlfriend drives an 06 Corolla and recently had a metal sprinkler head fly up from a dump truck in front of her and hit the side of her window. This left a big scratch in it, a scratch that you could feel as well as see from far away. I figured I would give Z12 a shot, thinking it would just hide it a little bit. Z12 removed the scratch 100%, not even leaving a trace of it behind. I tried to find the scratch afterwards, but cannot find it to save my life. If I knew this stuff was going to work as well as it was going to, I would have taken a before and after picture. I just want to thank you for such an awesome product.

What a crock.


More tomorrow.

[kklin]

Originally Posted by All American 6

8. Wash car with Dawn dishwashing liquid (already have a few times)

Years ago I remember dishwashing soap was bad for car washing as it may contain some bleach (to get your dishes clean) so always use car wash soap. Is there something special about Dawn?

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by kklin

Years ago I remember dishwashing soap was bad for car washing as it may contain some bleach (to get your dishes clean) so always use car wash soap. Is there something special about Dawn?

Zaino recommends Dawn to remove all grease that may be present before applying Zaino.

I would recommend taking that wheel to the Wheel Wizard in Chamblee(since you live in Atlanta as I do). I think that is a pretty significant crack. They should be able to repair it. I have had them fix curb rash and been very happy with the results.

[Finnegan]

Wow! Nice progress so far, that's a really nice job you're doing.

How much seat time do you think this is going to buy you? (Hopefully some nice weekend drives!)

Looking good! BTW, agree with chickdr, that crack needs to be fixed.

[All American 6]

Here are my brother's thoughts on the wheel:

Yes, it will not hold up, I am not sure how it is holding air. The crack will spread. The bead section where it is cracked is under the most stress. Looks like the edge is beat up from weights being placed on it incorrectly. probably got cracked mounting a tire.

I've emailed Wheel Wizzard. We'll see what they say.

I imagine those wheels are pretty easy to come by used (looks like most on Zpost change their wheels).

[dubsesd]

good work on cleaning up the hubs and rotors. makes the car looks fresh and "new". i do it to all my cars every spring.

[All American 6]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

How much seat time do you think this is going to buy you? (Hopefully some nice weekend drives!)

I do like the car. I could see myself in one. (///MC of course!). It's about as cool as it gets in the $25,000 - $30,000 range.

I've still yet to see another coupe. I look whenever I drive. (although, lately I've been up north)

AA6

[drew935]

Originally Posted by kklin

Years ago I remember dishwashing soap was bad for car washing as it may contain some bleach (to get your dishes clean) so always use car wash soap. Is there something special about Dawn?

It is bad if you're washing it everything single time with dawn.
You can mix an oz or two with your car soap to strip your lsp if needed.

Ouch with the crack

[mhughett]

AA6--Just curious if you removed your battery cable before taking out the seats. If not, when you plug them back in and start the car you will likely get an airbag light come on that will not go out by itself. Fortunately, I have the Bavarian Technic tool that allowed me to reset it. Otherwise, it would have been a trip to the dealer.

[All American 6]

Originally Posted by mhughett

AA6--Just curious if you removed your battery cable before taking out the seats. If not, when you plug them back in and start the car you will likely get an airbag light come on that will not go out by itself. Fortunately, I have the Bavarian Technic tool that allowed me to reset it. Otherwise, it would have been a trip to the dealer.

I did unplug the battery based off of what I've read here on ZPost. I referenced how to unplug the wires here too.

Since we're talking airbags, for some reason the passenger airbag is turned off at a switch on the passenger side of the dash visible when the door is open.

I guess I should wait until the battery is hooked up prior to switching the passenger airbag to on.

[ruscoupe]

I admire the passion, but I can't share that kind of devotion anymore. The last time I put even 10% of that kind of effort into cleaning my car, a half dozen grasshoppers had committed suicide in my grill and windshield by the time I got 1/2 mile from my house, and then to top it off, someone's sprinkler system had been left on all night and there was essentially a small brook running across the road that couldn't be avoided.

Now as long as I don't have dead bugs on the windshield I'm a happy camper.

Rus

[mousitch]

Want was your process in cleaning and painting the hubs? Paint used/color? Thanks

[All American 6]

Originally Posted by mousitch

Want was your process in cleaning and painting the hubs? Paint used/color? Thanks

1. Cleaned the calipers with spray brake cleaner

2. Steel wool on the rotors / hubs to remove rust

3. Painted with Rust-Oleum High Performance Wheel paint from Auto Zone. The color is a little lighter silver than my wheels. The amount of metallic matches fairly close. I applied 3 generous coats. The paint claims it stops rust. One can was more than enough.

[mousitch]

Originally Posted by All American 6

1. Cleaned the calipers with spray brake cleaner

2. Steel wool on the rotors / hubs to remove rust

3. Painted with Rust-Oleum High Performance Wheel paint from Auto Zone. The color is a little lighter silver than my wheels. The amount of metallic matches fairly close. I applied 3 generous coats. The paint claims it stops rust. One can was more than enough.

Thanks. I'm having a problem with the wheels reacting to the hubs and sticking. Tried a little grease. No help. Maybe this help. When you say rotors, what part did you paint?

[All American 6]

Originally Posted by mousitch

Thanks. I'm having a problem with the wheels reacting to the hubs and sticking. Tried a little grease. No help. Maybe this help. When you say rotors, what part did you paint?

Just the part the wheels bolt to and what can be seen with the wheel on. I did get some paint on the rotors. I used a razor blade to remove that.