GearHead_1
Long Time Member
I'll try to not make this story any longer than it is. My daughter bought a new to her 2011 Ford Fusion, 3 years ago. She has taken wonderful care of her car and only put about 15,000 miles on it during the past 3 years. I had told her since the day she bought it that she wouldn't like paying for a top notch set of "V" speed rated 18" tires when the time arrived. That thought has been in the back of her mind.
About 2 months ago she called me and asked for help with a flat tire. I went to help her and when I looked at the tire told her that she only had about 4/32" left on the tire. The tires had about 40,000 total miles on them. Screw was dead center in the tire and easily repaired, the tire was perfectly legal and would have gotten her through the winter. I mentioned that if she was considering new tires, now would be a good time and make the car a bit safer as the winter drew near. She decided she wanted to get new tires. We went shopping for tires primarily with Michelin in mind. When she was quoted the prices at 3 different stores and the price exceeded $800 she said I'm not putting new tires on this I'm buying a new car, we fixed the flat. What could I say? Hers was paid for, in great shape and had low miles on it.
We went to the dealer and she ordered a loaded 2016 Titanium Escape with Platinum White paint. Fast forward to yesterday, the car arrived at the dealership and we brought it home still in the plastic and untouched by the dealer. I had told her that I would help her detail the car to get it started off on the right foot. Unfortuanately I had shoulder reconstruction surgery a week to the day prior. Just can't do a proper detail with only one arm, it was also cold outside. We made a plan to get some protection on it until I could use this arm. I only need a month or two.
This plan gave me a chance to try a new product, that being CarPro HydroFoam. We also wanted to decontaminate the car before putting anything on it. The finish had very little that needed attention (we noted these for the day I could polish it). I don't like the idea of using IronX on my epoxy floors so we opted to go to a wand wash and take supplies with us. I wand washed the car, we went over it with wash mitts and traditional shampoo, rinsed the vehicle and then did an IronX wash and rinsed the vehicle again, clayed and rinsed again. We then did a HydroFoam wash using a Kwazzar foamer to apply the HydroFoam at an 1:8 mix, washed with separate wash mitts and used the wand wash to rinse (shock) the HydroFoam. It was 44 degrees outside so we dried the vehicle in a hurry and drove it back to the garage.
We finished the detail using my usual routine and products. The results were great. It's very slick and the finish is beautiful. If I can get 2 months out of this I'll be very happy. I'm very proud of the way my daughter has taken care her car. Now, if only I could get my son to do the same.
Side note: She bought the new Escape from the same dealer that she purchased her Fusion from. He gave her top dollar on her trade in. He sold the Fusion within 18 hours of trade in to one of his employee's neighbors. It really was in great shape.
2nd side note: the new Escape came with 18" V-speed rated Michelins. I wonder where we'll be in 3 years?
Here are a few pics:
Goofy approved.
About 2 months ago she called me and asked for help with a flat tire. I went to help her and when I looked at the tire told her that she only had about 4/32" left on the tire. The tires had about 40,000 total miles on them. Screw was dead center in the tire and easily repaired, the tire was perfectly legal and would have gotten her through the winter. I mentioned that if she was considering new tires, now would be a good time and make the car a bit safer as the winter drew near. She decided she wanted to get new tires. We went shopping for tires primarily with Michelin in mind. When she was quoted the prices at 3 different stores and the price exceeded $800 she said I'm not putting new tires on this I'm buying a new car, we fixed the flat. What could I say? Hers was paid for, in great shape and had low miles on it.
We went to the dealer and she ordered a loaded 2016 Titanium Escape with Platinum White paint. Fast forward to yesterday, the car arrived at the dealership and we brought it home still in the plastic and untouched by the dealer. I had told her that I would help her detail the car to get it started off on the right foot. Unfortuanately I had shoulder reconstruction surgery a week to the day prior. Just can't do a proper detail with only one arm, it was also cold outside. We made a plan to get some protection on it until I could use this arm. I only need a month or two.
This plan gave me a chance to try a new product, that being CarPro HydroFoam. We also wanted to decontaminate the car before putting anything on it. The finish had very little that needed attention (we noted these for the day I could polish it). I don't like the idea of using IronX on my epoxy floors so we opted to go to a wand wash and take supplies with us. I wand washed the car, we went over it with wash mitts and traditional shampoo, rinsed the vehicle and then did an IronX wash and rinsed the vehicle again, clayed and rinsed again. We then did a HydroFoam wash using a Kwazzar foamer to apply the HydroFoam at an 1:8 mix, washed with separate wash mitts and used the wand wash to rinse (shock) the HydroFoam. It was 44 degrees outside so we dried the vehicle in a hurry and drove it back to the garage.
We finished the detail using my usual routine and products. The results were great. It's very slick and the finish is beautiful. If I can get 2 months out of this I'll be very happy. I'm very proud of the way my daughter has taken care her car. Now, if only I could get my son to do the same.
Side note: She bought the new Escape from the same dealer that she purchased her Fusion from. He gave her top dollar on her trade in. He sold the Fusion within 18 hours of trade in to one of his employee's neighbors. It really was in great shape.
2nd side note: the new Escape came with 18" V-speed rated Michelins. I wonder where we'll be in 3 years?
Here are a few pics:
Goofy approved.
( We need to catch up! Hope your healing well)