...and I can revive my '07 FX2 from it's salty winter mess. I did:

Thorough wash with dish soap (using the 2 bucket method) to strip off what might have been left of the last NXT coat from last November. I was not disappointed in the NXT. My truck was delivered to the dealer in late March of '07 and sat until I bought it in early Oct. '07. I gave it one coat of wax (after a clay) and it still was beading some now after a long salty winter.

Using a 50/50 mix of Simple Green and water in a small garden sprayer I soaked down the entire undercarriage and thouroughly rinsed everything out.

Used the same 50/50 mix on the tires, wheelwells, and engine and also used SOS pads on the tires white letters. Even got up under and cleaned the backsides of the wheels to get all the barke dust off. Yeah, I'm picky.

Used up an entire clay bar (had some tar on the truck) and got it slick and smooth.

Washed again with dish soap

Applied a coat of Meguires NXT liquid

Put on a fresh coat of Rain-X to all the windows

Used regualar old cheapo tire shine on the tires, undercarriage, and wheelwells. Why buy expensive stuff?

Tried out my new bunch of microfiber towels to dry with and wipe off the wax and I am impressed. Very easy to use and I love the fact that they are so gentle on the paint.

Heres some pics (don't mind our boxer, she is photogenic):






Waiting on my big jug of Hyperdressing to arrive to try for the first time this season. I'm sure I'll be happy with it judging by all I have read. I'll throw on a coat of caranuba when the weather allows again for a deeper shine. Supposed to get cold again this weekend.

 

Couple more:

 

Looks good. How long did you let the SG soak on the undercarriage?

 

I just started in the front and soaked it down to the back and when I was done I started rinsing from the front right away. I think it's important to flush out the underneath of the truck several times a year to get all the dirt and salt out that can trap moisture and cause rust.

 

Looks great.

I definitely hear ya on the nice day. I'm a teacher so I'm on spring break. Mine didn't need wax but did a full inside and out clean up on the truck and the 98 Escort. Even managed to break a sweat this afternoon.

 

Looks good, now next time polish it !!

 

Lol...I'll consider that.

 

Nice day and a nice lookin truck... what more could you ask for?

Were you on RF before you got this truck?

 

Funny you should mention that....my dad just gave us a '97 Mercury Tracer (same as your Escort) that they bought new. Has 165,000 miles on it but looks like brand new and has been extremely well maintained since new. He's been using it for a drive to work car and now that my mom got a new car he gave us that one. It'll come in handy for general running around when we need to save some gas. A/C, cruise, etc. still work like new...it's a great little car for a spare vehicle!

 

RF = Ranger Forums, right? If so then yes...here is my '03 Ranger that I had before:



Unfortunately it is stripped down to nearly stock and is still sitting on the Ford dealer lot unsold since I bought the F150 in October.

 

Yup, thought I saw you over there too

 

Now you just have to strip those FX2 stickers off and get some black FORD overlays for the front and back. Looks good though, I've always liked that color!!

 

lol...I'll keep those FX2 stickers, kinda like them. This guy at work always makes fun of vehicles that say "sport" on them and asks what makes them so sporty. Ulike the guy with ragged out '93 Ranger Xl Sport with the 2.3L and the "sport" stickers, I just let my 5.4 rumble through the Magnaflow exhaust and that shuts him up.

I would like to have some color matched (redfire) overlays for the emblems but I'm not sure if I can lay them on right. Anybody wants to do it for me would be well appreciated...hint!

 

Yeah, my little ZX2 is a little beat up cosmeticly but it's mechcanicly in good shape for 137,000 miles. got it to drive to/from work. 30 mpg plus saving miles on the truck is great. Picked it up last summer for $1,200 cash.
Wish fuel prices it'll pay for itself in one year.

 

This one was totalled in a deer accident last year but dad bough it back and got it fixed using used parts and we did all the work (minus the paint) and got it back to normal, almost perfect shape.

It was hurt:



Thats's why he gave it to us...because I helped him with the work and he can't get anything on trade in because of the salvage/rebuilt title and because it is so...well, basicly an old Escort. But, has always had the oil changed regularly, tune ups, has a fresh timing belt, fuel filter, PCV valve, new rear springs (they broke and that is common), plugs, wires, radiator (cause of the crash), coolant, water pump, trans fluid/filter, cleaned and waxed, new tires, alignment, struts, etc. and runs like brand new....pretty much all new stuff. Can't beat it for a freebie.