ucf_bronco’s Progress Thread (Updated September 2015)
02-22-2014, 08:41 PM
#161
02-23-2014, 04:29 PM
#166
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Nothing wrong with those pictures, Bronco.
02-24-2014, 08:36 AM
#168
04-29-2014, 04:32 PM
#171
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Well I just hit the 50k miles mark last week. I can't believe I've put 41k miles on her in @ 2 1/2 years! I guess my 50 mile round trip to and from work adds up.
On another note, I'm getting my house painted and I came home on Saturday to see the paint guy there. I didn't think much of it and opened the garage and backed in as usual. When I got out of my car I noticed some drips on my wife's Pilot. I figured when he sprayed the stucco conditioner on the garage it went through the cracks. I was frustrated but relieved that at least it wasn't on my car.
At that moment I realized it was dripping from the garage door onto both of our cars!! I immediately shut it but not before it had practically covered my hood with drops and gotten many more on hers. I grabbed a bucket of water and dumped it on my hood but it didn't really do anything. I rubbed one of the drops lightly with my finger and it didn't budge...it had already adhered to the paint.
*pics don't really show how bad it looked in person
I was fucking livid at this point and not sure what it would take to remove it. I did what I never do and took a wet towel to my dirty hood but again...nothing. I dried it off and figured maybe some polish would remove it (I know, I don't know shit). Well of course that did nothing.
I managed to calm myself down and forget about it for the rest of the day since it was late and I was exhausted, figuring I'd call detailers the next day to get some advice (hoping some would be open on a Sunday). I woke up that night and could not stop thinking about it. The stress I'd put off for the day was catching up to me.
Fortunately the first guy I called (decided to look into paint correction specialists instead of detailers) answered and talked to me for a solid 15 minutes offering advice. He said to try denatured alcohol and if I didn't have that I could try isopropyl. Fortunately I had the latter and tried it on my wife's Pilot first (haha)...worked like a charm! Don't get me wrong, it still took a lot of elbow grease but it came off! I spent probably 4 hours total in removing it from hers, then washing it afterwards.
Since there was much less on the Pilot than the TL, and the guy offered to help me remove it from mine when he got back in town...I decided to have him help with my car the next day. I was also interested to pick his brain on some paint care techniques.
It took about 3 hours total to remove it and he charged me next to nothing (I even threw him a little extra because I felt bad). I then drove home and washed it and waxed the affected areas (since we'd used alcohol and stripped the wax). It was a great feeling though in the end, knowing no long-term damage was done and my baby was back to normal.
This guy is one of those people that I'll probably always remember...he helped me out of a stressful situation and didn't do it for the money. There's not many people out there like that. The crazy thing is he's well established in the industry as well so 'word of mouth' advertising wasn't his MO either.
He suggested I keep a bottle of denatured alcohol at home to use in the future (also works great in removing tree sap, among other things) as well as a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl and water. He recommended the latter as a step after polishing and before waxing. He also suggested I look into a nanoskin mit as it's much easier and quicker than a clay bar.
Cliff notes:
1. Hit 50k miles mark
2. Stucco conditioner got all over mine and wife's cars
3. Stressed like crazy after attempts to remove failed
4. Got in touch with paint correction specialist who advised me to use denatured or isopropyl alcohol...worked like a charm
5. Crisis averted and whips are back to normal
Thanks for reading
On another note, I'm getting my house painted and I came home on Saturday to see the paint guy there. I didn't think much of it and opened the garage and backed in as usual. When I got out of my car I noticed some drips on my wife's Pilot. I figured when he sprayed the stucco conditioner on the garage it went through the cracks. I was frustrated but relieved that at least it wasn't on my car.
At that moment I realized it was dripping from the garage door onto both of our cars!! I immediately shut it but not before it had practically covered my hood with drops and gotten many more on hers. I grabbed a bucket of water and dumped it on my hood but it didn't really do anything. I rubbed one of the drops lightly with my finger and it didn't budge...it had already adhered to the paint.
*pics don't really show how bad it looked in person
I was fucking livid at this point and not sure what it would take to remove it. I did what I never do and took a wet towel to my dirty hood but again...nothing. I dried it off and figured maybe some polish would remove it (I know, I don't know shit). Well of course that did nothing.
I managed to calm myself down and forget about it for the rest of the day since it was late and I was exhausted, figuring I'd call detailers the next day to get some advice (hoping some would be open on a Sunday). I woke up that night and could not stop thinking about it. The stress I'd put off for the day was catching up to me.
Fortunately the first guy I called (decided to look into paint correction specialists instead of detailers) answered and talked to me for a solid 15 minutes offering advice. He said to try denatured alcohol and if I didn't have that I could try isopropyl. Fortunately I had the latter and tried it on my wife's Pilot first (haha)...worked like a charm! Don't get me wrong, it still took a lot of elbow grease but it came off! I spent probably 4 hours total in removing it from hers, then washing it afterwards.
Since there was much less on the Pilot than the TL, and the guy offered to help me remove it from mine when he got back in town...I decided to have him help with my car the next day. I was also interested to pick his brain on some paint care techniques.
It took about 3 hours total to remove it and he charged me next to nothing (I even threw him a little extra because I felt bad). I then drove home and washed it and waxed the affected areas (since we'd used alcohol and stripped the wax). It was a great feeling though in the end, knowing no long-term damage was done and my baby was back to normal.
This guy is one of those people that I'll probably always remember...he helped me out of a stressful situation and didn't do it for the money. There's not many people out there like that. The crazy thing is he's well established in the industry as well so 'word of mouth' advertising wasn't his MO either.
He suggested I keep a bottle of denatured alcohol at home to use in the future (also works great in removing tree sap, among other things) as well as a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl and water. He recommended the latter as a step after polishing and before waxing. He also suggested I look into a nanoskin mit as it's much easier and quicker than a clay bar.
Cliff notes:
1. Hit 50k miles mark
2. Stucco conditioner got all over mine and wife's cars
3. Stressed like crazy after attempts to remove failed
4. Got in touch with paint correction specialist who advised me to use denatured or isopropyl alcohol...worked like a charm
5. Crisis averted and whips are back to normal
Thanks for reading
Last edited by ucf_bronco; 04-29-2014 at 04:38 PM.
04-30-2014, 08:04 AM
#175
04-30-2014, 03:42 PM
#177
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
^^^ Fortunately I'm covered until 62k miles or Nov 2015 since I bought CPO. I'm sure I'll hit the mileage limit first.
I've already started my list of things to get taken care of before then. Nothing on it is major so I figured it can wait.
I've already started my list of things to get taken care of before then. Nothing on it is major so I figured it can wait.
04-30-2014, 07:35 PM
#178
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Glad everything is OK, brother.
05-01-2014, 08:18 AM
#179
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Thanks Steven! I know it's only a car but when there's something wrong it stresses me out...no matter how much I try to put it in perspective.
In the end I learned from the situation, didn't have to come out of pocket much, and met a new car related contact so it ended well.
In the end I learned from the situation, didn't have to come out of pocket much, and met a new car related contact so it ended well.
05-10-2014, 10:45 PM
#180
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^^^ Yep, I know it's "just a car", but they're our babies. I love both of mine-I know exactly what you mean.
05-12-2014, 08:30 AM
#181
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
So unfortunately I have yet another chapter in my car drama! I got new tires last week and when I picked up my car I gave it the once over. Unfortunately the wheels were so dirty (both from needing to be washed and from the techs dirty / greasy hands) I couldn't really get a good look.
I got up early Saturday and gave her a good wash only to find small scratches and dents in the lips of all of my wheels (and the face of one of them)! Now, I'm not talking major damage but they are not in the condition that they were when I dropped my car off. I've had my wheels for two years and other than the initial installation no one has laid a hand on them other than me. The only imperfection was a small rock chip on the face of one of them.
I called Firestone that morning and talked to the manager I know. He said to bring it in today while his GM is there and they'll figure out how to move forward. I'm honestly not sure what to do since it's not major damage. Fortunately the lips on XO wheels can be replaced but that requires a trip to Ft. Lauderdale (or shipping them) and it runs $125-150 a piece.
We'll see what they say. At a minimum I want a couple hundred dollars for the drop in value, at a max I want all the lips and one wheel replaced. Since I know the guy there and since they gave me a great deal on the tires I won't pull for the max...but we'll see what happens.
Updates to follow.
05-12-2014, 09:53 AM
#183
Burning Brakes
Feels like it never ends, does it? I know the feeling. Hope it all works out for you.
05-12-2014, 11:54 AM
#184
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Thanks fellas!
I just met with the guys at Firestone and they were cool about it. They asked what I wanted...a partial refund, a credit for future services, etc. I told them I just wanted the wheels in the same condition as they were before the new tires.
I let them know that the lips can be replaced on my wheels but that I would look into a rim repair place first. I don't know how they could repair scratches and dents on chrome but I hope it's possible. If not then I have to:
1. Take my wheels / tires off and drive to Firestone (30 mins away from home) to get the tires taken off the wheels.
2. Take wheels down to Ft. Lauderdale to get the lips replaced (fortunately I'm planning a trip down there on May 31st).
3. Take wheels back to Firestone to have the tires re-mounted and balanced...hoping they don't damage them again!
Time will tell how it plays out. I'm not looking forward to it!
I just met with the guys at Firestone and they were cool about it. They asked what I wanted...a partial refund, a credit for future services, etc. I told them I just wanted the wheels in the same condition as they were before the new tires.
I let them know that the lips can be replaced on my wheels but that I would look into a rim repair place first. I don't know how they could repair scratches and dents on chrome but I hope it's possible. If not then I have to:
1. Take my wheels / tires off and drive to Firestone (30 mins away from home) to get the tires taken off the wheels.
2. Take wheels down to Ft. Lauderdale to get the lips replaced (fortunately I'm planning a trip down there on May 31st).
3. Take wheels back to Firestone to have the tires re-mounted and balanced...hoping they don't damage them again!
Time will tell how it plays out. I'm not looking forward to it!
05-12-2014, 12:30 PM
#185
rock the block
Thanks fellas!
I just met with the guys at Firestone and they were cool about it. They asked what I wanted...a partial refund, a credit for future services, etc. I told them I just wanted the wheels in the same condition as they were before the new tires.
I let them know that the lips can be replaced on my wheels but that I would look into a rim repair place first. I don't know how they could repair scratches and dents on chrome but I hope it's possible. If not then I have to:
1. Take my wheels / tires off and drive to Firestone (30 mins away from home) to get the tires taken off the wheels.
2. Take wheels down to Ft. Lauderdale to get the lips replaced (fortunately I'm planning a trip down there on May 31st).
3. Take wheels back to Firestone to have the tires re-mounted and balanced...hoping they don't damage them again!
Time will tell how it plays out. I'm not looking forward to it!
I just met with the guys at Firestone and they were cool about it. They asked what I wanted...a partial refund, a credit for future services, etc. I told them I just wanted the wheels in the same condition as they were before the new tires.
I let them know that the lips can be replaced on my wheels but that I would look into a rim repair place first. I don't know how they could repair scratches and dents on chrome but I hope it's possible. If not then I have to:
1. Take my wheels / tires off and drive to Firestone (30 mins away from home) to get the tires taken off the wheels.
2. Take wheels down to Ft. Lauderdale to get the lips replaced (fortunately I'm planning a trip down there on May 31st).
3. Take wheels back to Firestone to have the tires re-mounted and balanced...hoping they don't damage them again!
Time will tell how it plays out. I'm not looking forward to it!
05-12-2014, 02:56 PM
#186
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Hopefully, though I'm not holding my breath...they can just be repaired and look like new again. I really don't feel like dealing with all that other BS.
05-13-2014, 07:53 AM
#187
rock the block
I thought about that but I'm not going to pay even more $$$ to have someone else mount and balance them. I plan to stay at the shop and watch while they re-install them and ensure they are extremely careful.
Hopefully, though I'm not holding my breath...they can just be repaired and look like new again. I really don't feel like dealing with all that other BS.
Hopefully, though I'm not holding my breath...they can just be repaired and look like new again. I really don't feel like dealing with all that other BS.
05-13-2014, 03:33 PM
#188
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
UPDATE:
Fortunately the GM at Firestone is proving to be very cooperative and is going to pay for the replacement of all four lips (can't be repaired because they are chrome). I have to drive down to Ft. Lauderdale to the company that makes my wheels but they are going to do all the work (including remounting the tires and balancing). I will be out of pocket for the gas and tolls (as well as most of my Saturday) but I have no issues with that. I'll just be glad when this is over with!
05-13-2014, 07:59 PM
#189
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A small price to pay, Bronco.
05-14-2014, 07:57 AM
#190
rock the block
Glad to hear they are playing ball on this - I'm sure it will be a big relief to see the new lips on there. Well worth the trip!
Be sure to spend some time people watching down there while you wait....seniors in Ft. Lauderdale are always entertaining
Be sure to spend some time people watching down there while you wait....seniors in Ft. Lauderdale are always entertaining
05-14-2014, 08:36 AM
#191
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
I couldn't agree more Steven!
Definitely worth the trip! I actually am in Ft. Lauderdale at least once or twice a year as that is where my wife's family lives (the place I'm going is less than 3 miles from my father-in-law's house). We always take my wife's Pilot though so I'm looking a little more forward to the drive.
The seniors are definitely entertaining! You have to be a very defensive driver though.
The seniors are definitely entertaining! You have to be a very defensive driver though.
05-23-2014, 09:37 AM
#192
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Well, after getting the wheels taken care of last weekend I splurged on Amazon and am looking forward to giving my baby some TLC this weekend.
Time for a wash, clay (nanoskin), polish, and sealant!
Time for a wash, clay (nanoskin), polish, and sealant!
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rockstar143 (06-02-2014)
05-24-2014, 01:36 PM
#195
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Early Christmas gift to yourself, I see!
06-01-2014, 07:32 PM
#197
9th Gear
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Hey bronco, your thread is the reason I'm getting new wheels. I've wanted to do this for a while but was hesitant because this is my DD. Still on stock 18". I lowered a civic back in the day and it was a disaster. I'm older and wiser now I guess.
Your car looks great without lowering which is what I would like to accomplish.
I really want these http://nicheroadwheels.com/lucerne-m142-w-12116.htm
9"wide with +35 offset. Yours fit pretty much flush with outer edge of the fender. Can you please comment on how a 9" wide wheel would fit. I'll be going with 245/35 which is a slight difference from you 255/35.
From your experience with 8.5" wide wheel, would a 9" be a problem with 245/35.
Your car looks great without lowering which is what I would like to accomplish.
I really want these http://nicheroadwheels.com/lucerne-m142-w-12116.htm
9"wide with +35 offset. Yours fit pretty much flush with outer edge of the fender. Can you please comment on how a 9" wide wheel would fit. I'll be going with 245/35 which is a slight difference from you 255/35.
From your experience with 8.5" wide wheel, would a 9" be a problem with 245/35.
06-02-2014, 07:53 AM
#198
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Hey bronco, your thread is the reason I'm getting new wheels. I've wanted to do this for a while but was hesitant because this is my DD. Still on stock 18". I lowered a civic back in the day and it was a disaster. I'm older and wiser now I guess.
Your car looks great without lowering which is what I would like to accomplish.
I really want these http://nicheroadwheels.com/lucerne-m142-w-12116.htm
9"wide with +35 offset. Yours fit pretty much flush with outer edge of the fender. Can you please comment on how a 9" wide wheel would fit. I'll be going with 245/35 which is a slight difference from you 255/35.
From your experience with 8.5" wide wheel, would a 9" be a problem with 245/35.
Your car looks great without lowering which is what I would like to accomplish.
I really want these http://nicheroadwheels.com/lucerne-m142-w-12116.htm
9"wide with +35 offset. Yours fit pretty much flush with outer edge of the fender. Can you please comment on how a 9" wide wheel would fit. I'll be going with 245/35 which is a slight difference from you 255/35.
From your experience with 8.5" wide wheel, would a 9" be a problem with 245/35.
There are others on here that are better suited to comment on those specs. You also may be able to find someone with a similar setup.
Good luck and thanks for the comment! Those wheels should look dope!
06-02-2014, 10:30 AM
#199
9th Gear
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Thanks bronco, your setup is pretty close.
I know your tires are slightly beyond the outer edge of the fender as I have seen pics in another thread where you showed a level next to the fender and tire.
how close to the fender is the actual Wheel? and would the extra 0.5" going from an 8.5" to 9" wide wheel put the wheel beyond the fender?
I really want those Niche wheels but the lowest available width is 9".
I know your tires are slightly beyond the outer edge of the fender as I have seen pics in another thread where you showed a level next to the fender and tire.
how close to the fender is the actual Wheel? and would the extra 0.5" going from an 8.5" to 9" wide wheel put the wheel beyond the fender?
I really want those Niche wheels but the lowest available width is 9".
06-02-2014, 10:40 AM
#200
Drifting
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Thanks bronco, your setup is pretty close.
I know your tires are slightly beyond the outer edge of the fender as I have seen pics in another thread where you showed a level next to the fender and tire.
how close to the fender is the actual Wheel? and would the extra 0.5" going from an 8.5" to 9" wide wheel put the wheel beyond the fender?
I really want those Niche wheels but the lowest available width is 9".
I know your tires are slightly beyond the outer edge of the fender as I have seen pics in another thread where you showed a level next to the fender and tire.
how close to the fender is the actual Wheel? and would the extra 0.5" going from an 8.5" to 9" wide wheel put the wheel beyond the fender?
I really want those Niche wheels but the lowest available width is 9".
