Hey all, I tried to look up past threads on the subject, but weren't able to find good sources. My newly aquired 1994 348 Spider is in a great condition both mechanically and cosmetically. However, it is my desire to make the car as perfect as possible, and thus I have some questions. 1) The car has several very small nicks (from flying pebbles) on the front hood and headlight areas. (I guess you can't avoid these since the car is so low!) The nicks are "white" and it stand out upon a close examination. Is there some product or compound (wax or anything) that I can appy to get rid off these nicks or hid it nicely? instead of a touch up paint? I think touch up paint would only make it look worst IMO. Some filler in red color may also work as well. 1.5) What about very small pebble nick on the windshield? Any filler solution? 2) Again, upon a closer examination, there are "dust" scratches and swirls on the body. Not very noticable, but it is visible under a strong sun light or inside the garage light at night. (especially with my 20/12 vision) Is there anything that I can do to get rid off these dust scratches? I heard something about "clay" buffing that take off the top layer and thus get rid off all the dust scratches, but the word "clay" scares me. What do you think about this? 3) Other than the above, the car's finish is superb and it is very silky to touch. The previous owner used Zymol Ital wax, which he gave it to me. I applied it and tried to use my soft 100 cotton t-shirt to take the wax off and it was difficult. I found that microfiber clothes are easier to take the wax off. But, microfiber is polyester and I am concern that it may cause that "dust" scratch alike effect. (although the clothes is very soft) What do you think about this? 4) Finally, is there anyway (I am sure there is), but an easy way to disconnect the running seatbelts. I would like to make it stationary and manually buckle the seatbelt. Thank you and greatly appreciate with any advice. Have a great day 348 brothers (and sisters if there are any) TJ
I can't help you with "cosmetic" questions, but to disable the seat belt mouses you need to unplug the modules, which are under/behind the radio. It only takes a few minutes to remove the switch panel on the console, then reach in there and "do the deed". I did the same on my own 348. Needless to say, if you disable the mouses, you are responsible for buckling up on your own, but Ferrari provides the brackets to do this.
Miltonian is right about disabling the seat belt motors, but for your 348 Spider, there is an even easier way than snaking your hand down into the center console for the two large seat belt ECUs... ...and the easier method is to pull the plastic electrical connectors on the seatbelt motors themselves, which in the 348 Spider are exposed when you remove the giant carpeted ECU cover behind the seats.
This is the best stuff I have found for D.I.Y. windshield repairs. I have found it at Home Depot for about $10. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Get touch-up paint for the chips. If you apply it right it will look the best. There is a kit at Griot's garage that you can get to apply the touch up paint. Trying to find a color wax filler isn't the best solution. Never use any cleaning products on the center console. Products will make the black plastic goopy when exposed to the sun. You may want to bring the car to a pro detailer and ask him to get the swirl marks out. You'll have to use some compound products, and I think that is best left to a professional.
1 - Get touch up paint from Paintscratch.com and 'blob' remover from langka.com Total cost around $100 and will be enough for about 500 stone chip touch ups. The Langka product is a selective thinner that removes to paint blob so that the surface of the paint is flush after the touch up. You do not use the clear coat on the red Ferrari (it is a single coat paint). 1.5 - Don't know - I would try the Home Depot product mentioned. If that does not work, a mobile windshield repair company may have a solution. 2&3 - Get the Zaino brothers polish kit (z-8, Z-5, Z-2, FX accellerant, clay bars, and polish applicators (about $85). It will take you about a full day to do the entire process, but the finish will absolutely look show car quality. I have done it on my 348 and can't believe how the swirls go away. Check out this thread from sunny (JaguarXJ6) doing a detail job on a 550: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70645&highlight=polish Good luck with the final touches! BT
Exterior pics after the Zaino detailing found in post #37 of this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85124&page=2 BT
I did some researches on Zaino products and now I fully understand it. I will try the product. Thank you for the great advice. Thank you rest of you all as well.
