ghostrider,

This being a luxury car looks best when its lustrous and immaculate.

I will NOT buy a car that was detailed by the monkeys at the dealership, for they do more damage than good. Most of the swirls were probably put by them while buffing and the previous times the car was washed at that dealership, another huge source of scratches/swirls.

Unfortunately the clearcoat on our cars is very soft. This is the reason BMW uses hard as nails clearcoat.

Emotionally commit to spending $500-$1000 on a professional detailer who will bring your car back to the condition it left the showroom. Think of it this way, you are only $500 or so away from that new car feeling.

Once he has done that we will show you how to keep it that way for years to come.

Send me a pm if you want me to call my friend who distributes ceramic coatings and find the name of a detailer in your town that is recommended (for detailing- the ceramic coating you can apply yourself).

 

What happens if bugs and other things start to damage the clear bra, wouldn't that look worse than having someone touch up the paint/wax/ceramic job occasionally for dings rocks and other debris cause on the highway/road? Getting a plastic coating off the front end make me a bit nervous if anything needed repainting.

 

Nothing can damage the clear vinyl film, its pretty forgiving.
If your headlights are in good shape, which I suspect they are, doing them is more important. They are a grand a piece. They can paint the front end for half that.

The thing to do is not follow any trailers and big vehicles too closely (they create a vacuum that picks up debris)
Bugs dont damage paint, leaving them on does. Put dont scrub them off, let them soak for a bit and then try to wash them off.

Treat it like a pair of good shoes or just go for it and worry about reconditioning later.

 

Bug tar remover or nano mitt over the bugs after you wash and then re-wash is pretty easy. If the clear bra is waxed, the bugs should wash off easily.

 

I use el cheapo turtle wax...$3.98. Yeah I know its the not the best but the green bottle matches my paint so that's good enough for me

 

Turtle Wax cute. I agree with you. I have several different waxes. The XK Coupe takes me about 30 minutes to wash and wax. Love your ride

 

I notice some numbers after XKR in some forums... what is an XKR x100, etc.? I can't find any specific info on types of XKRs.

Thank you,
GR

 

In the USA, the X100 is an XK8 or XKR built between 1997 and 2006, the X150, XK or XKR started in 2007 and ended when the last XK rolled off the line. In Europe, the X100 ran only into 2005 and the X150 began in 2006. In either case, the X100 is a steel bodied car and the X150 is aluminum alloy. (American spelling)

 

Ditto, just different model designations to differentiate the different generations and models. Our cars share a lot of parts with the 'S' type.

 

Hi all,

I just got my battery tender in the mail and before opening was just curious how you actually use on and keep the hood closed? Snake it bottom up? Yes, I'm about as mechanical as a spoon.

I was thinking about day to day use and during winter storage with the car covered with a car cover.

Thanks!

 

If you use the search function you will find different methods on how to hook the smart charger up. The connection points are in the rear of the car. Open the hatch (trunk for converts) and look at the left inside and you will see a plastic grill. Remove the grill and under the rubber boot is the POSITIVE remote terminal. You can attach the charger alligator clip there. Next remove the spare tire cover . Look to your lower left and there is a STUD where you attach the NEGATIVE wire from the charger. You should be able to run the wire out of the hatch/trunk and also close it as the weather seal has enough give to close the hatch.

 

Thank you. I'll give it a peek today and come back with some stupid questions.

 

Hi all,

I tried to search what car covers people here prefer and had no luck other than this own thread of mine but no one mentioned a car cover brand for the XKR, 2014 or so.

Any recommendations? Almost time for her to go nighty night until next year.

Thank you,
GR

 

Depends on the storage conditions and what you are comfortable with. Nothing really exotic needed, just make sure the car and cover are clean before mating them try to keep the critters off the cover.

 

If you're storing it in a garage, all you need is a basic cover. See my post #5: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-covers-82423/



I've had this Budge Size 3 cover since 2012 and have been pleased with it. Although the elastic is stretched out now, it still gets the job done. A real bargain for $22.96. Why spend more?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Budge-Lit...tom-Fit/883175

 

Two car garage, under. Nothing fancy. Warmer than outside.
Was thinking of also driving it up onto some garden leaf paper bags, which I usually put my motorcycle up on to get the tires off the cement. Better idea that's just as cheap?
And do you guys put extra air in the tires when putting her to bed for the winter? Stable of some kind in the gas tank? Fill her up at the very least?

Just looking for a cover that will fit and not fall apart in 3 years indoors. Doesn't need a JAG or XKR logo

Thanks,
GR

 

Well my moto next to it may make it jealous, as my wife got me a nice felt like one for it about 5 years ago, that feels like it belongs on my bed as a comforter, but I"m with ya.

 

Hi all,

How much stable do you put into the engine when putting her to bed for the winter months? I've only have to do this for my motorcycle in the past. Thanks!

I think it's 6.44 ounces but just want to make sure.
16.1 gal tank?
1 ounce of stable for every 2.5 gallons of capacity?

 

STA-BILŽ Fuel Stabilizer???

 

I use Seafoam instead and it's 12 oz for the full tank.