A luggage compartment light drained my battery completely. I removed it from the car and need to know if I can leave it discharged until I am ready to use the car....a few weeks to month. When I am going to use it, I will charge it and put it back in. AND..... Any advice on a good wax to use for swirls and scratches. My 360 is red. Your advice and opinion is appreciated. ANTHONY
As above, your battery will be an expensive paperweight if you don't charge it up now and maintain it. In fact, the life of it may already be shortened since it has been completely discharged. As for the swirls, you need more than just a wax job. A random orbital polisher with swirl remover is needed. For the price of hiring someone to do it, you can buy everything you need and do it yourself. Lots of detailing sites on the net where you can buy the stuff and learn about how to do it. Car Care, Detail Supplies, Garage Organization, Car Accessories - Griot's Garage 800-345-5789 Adam's Premium Car Care - Cleaners, Waxes and Polishes Made in the USA
+1; lead acid batteries must be kept charged, and run through cycling like a trickle charger. I recommend the CTEK 3300 or 4.3. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/395948-diy-battery-tender-installation-f430-360-ctek-4-3-a.html +1; Paint scratches & swirls. Best handled by a professional, but also agree you can buy the equipment to do-it-yourself (for the same or maybe less money than paying a professional). Practice on the wife's Mercedes first http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/394190-diy-light-paint-correction-f430-spider.html
Just went through this, glove box light on for a week, pulled the battery out and it read 2.6 volts ! Decided I did not want to take any chances with getting stuck somewhere, sprung for a Sears Diehard AGM for $170, safer for passenger in case of accident and perfect fit. Less chance of leaks also..... I could of changed it up, but it was over 2 years old, and prior owner discharged it once. I also added a Battery tender connected to the battery buss behind the driver seat. These cars are power hogs and can run a battery down in a few weeks with no tender.
With the battery issues I simply avoid it all by getting a new battery every three years and always keep it on a tender. And cross my fingers!!!
Here was my attempt and findings doing a detail to get scratches and swirls out... http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/detailing-showroom-sponsored-esoteric-auto-detail/395102-first-full-detail.html
Is there a sticker with the date on the battery? If it is more than 4 years old, I'd probably can it and then buy a new Interstate when you are ready to drive the car in a few months. It's not exactly east to get to and change the battery
I recommend a trickle charger for the battery and contacting Jason of Xcaliber to handle the swirl marks. A novice with an orbital buffer is destine for a paint job.
Have you personally run into problems? I'd be curious to hear what happened. In my experience (which is limited to a few cars) I've been comfortable making careful steps with a dual action unit - and not sure why specifically to caution folks to leave it only to pros. It takes a lot of time, attention to the little details, and no one formula is going to work right off the bat.
I have found that the Random Orbital buffer from Griots Garage works great. It's VERY easy to use, and if you follow directions, and use a little care, it should be nearly impossible to ruin the paint. I've used it several times with their #3 (fine) and #4 (super fine) polish, and it works wonders. Always make sure you clay it first. I think they have nice videos on using it either on their site, or on youtube. The polishers that you definitely want to avoid, are the direct drive rotary polishers. You will destroy your paint in seconds if you don't know what you are doing.
Don't know about that. Watch these videos if you have time. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XAqpOe9Zt4]How Safe is the PC-7424XP? - Part 1 - YouTube[/ame] [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7A5BCCb7Gg]How Safe is the PC-7424XP? - Part 2 - YouTube[/ame]
This is also my practice. A new battery is not that expensive and getting one a little early beats the heck out of dealing with dead ones.
