XK nose cone paint cracks

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

My partner and I are proud owners of a 2007 XK X150 4.2 which we have owned for one year; recorded mileage when purchased in April 2016 was just 6664, a real find. The XK lives in a secure garage within which we have installed a drive-in Carcoon; if she goes in sparkling, she comes out the same.  

We have made two applications of Carnauba wax, the most recent just this week. Needless to say, the paintwork is "out of the box" but this week we noticed, in a particular light, what appeared to be a few light scratches left of the grille but inboard of the light unit.  Judicious application of light resin restorer and even a light "go" with a 3000 grade sanding applicator made no difference whatever.   

It was suggested that some damage had been repaired at some point; a call to the service department of the South Wales Jaguar dealer from whom we purchased the XK resulted in a helpful breakdown of the service and repair record (the XK had been supplied new and always serviced there).  This showed that in September 2010 there had been a "local repair to the front nose cone".  As a consequence, what there is is a slight breakdown of the repair tissue beneath the lacquer and paint.

Really, the marks are scarcely noticeable and hard to see from most angles and in most lights, but we know that they are there!  **Has anybody else had a similar experience and, if so, what is generally deemed to be the best way to completely rectify? ** 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi and Welcome

Looks very nice

Cheers

Joe

[BigM]

Hi Carole,

As Joe said, your car sure looks good, I also like your front door😆. I know what you mean when you say "you know it's there" really anoying isn't it. In my opinion, the only way to completely rectify the damage/repair on a bumper/nose cone,  is to replace the damaged item with a new one, repaint and bolt it on, anything else will last a few years as the first repair has until it statrs to show through again.

Cheers

Mark

[Leo]

Hi Carole, and welcome to the club!

I feel exactly the same about my XK, which is also pretty much showroom after only 32,000 miles.

I have had it three years now, and have found that it is best to accept that there will always be a few marks that only the person polishing the car will notice. Otherwise I would have to visit the coachworks about four times a year, which I don't think would be good for either the car or my wallet...

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Brilliant.....good to know there are others about who are as particular (dare I say "anoraky") as we are.  

Big M - we have pretty much come to the same conclusion as yourself.....leave well alone and if it becomes completely unacceptable, a new cone it would have to be.  Can't stand the thought of messing about with repair work every few years!  On the subject of "our front door".......we wish!  Actually, it is the entrance door to Coughton Court in Warwickshire (National Trust) but we can always dream!  Our other front door could be that depicted in the attached photo, but actually it is Powys Castle in Wales, but the XK looks good sat there!   

Leo - again, you think as we do. Although there are absolutely no other marks on the XK, other than the almost invisible ones mentioned at the start of this thread, we are not nieve enough to think that that will always be the case. Judicious application of Carnauba and very careful cleaning nevertheless keeps us on our toes.  We have increased the mileage from 6664 to 8345 in the year during which we have owned the XK, so she is getting used more than in her first 9 years.

Happy Growling

[BigM]

Hi Carole,

Out of interest which wax did you choose and how is it performing ? 

Mark

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Good morning Mark

First job on the XK was a going over with a Mequairs Smooth Surface clay pad (with the spray liquid cleaner). Took a while but well worthwhile as some film was lifted off....just as well we didn't go for the Superguard which the Jaguar garage was intent on selling us, as the light film which we removed might have got sealed in!

Second, one or two light marks were removed with Mequairs Ultimate Compound; they disappeared completely.

Third, an application of Mequairs Gold Class Carnauba Plus Paste; easy to apply and made quite a difference on first application.  Needless to say, applied in the shade on a non-damp day.  The shine on the paintwork was noticeably deeper and, on the occasions it was necessary to wash the XK, the water just gathered in blobs and ran off.  On the one occasion we got caught in the rain (on returning from MOT), again the water gathered and, on 1st braking, a veritable waterfall went off the nose!

The first application was done in May 2016, just after we purchased the XK, and we have just done a second application. This has deepened the shine even more, and it is like a veritable mirror.     Needless to say, anywhere where compound is used to remove a small mark, the carnauba is re-applied to the particular area.  In the period between applications, we haven't noticed any deterioration, but of course each application gives further protection.       Sometimes a small amount of wax may get caught around the edge of the parking sensors, but thisis easily removed with a soft cotton bud. (I did say we could be classed as a bit "anoraky"!)

We use Autoglym Glass on the windows, applied directly via a microfibre cloth rather than sprayed; we use Mequairs tyre gel as this doesn't "flick".  When washing, we have three buckets each with their own sponge or mitten - 2 for the paintwork and 1 strictly and specifically for the wheels & tyres.

As we have said in our other post titled "Spoilt for choice", as the XK lives in a drive in Carcoon, however she goes into the Carcoon, she comes out exactly the same.

Cheers Mark, enjoy the S as do we with ours (that is when the XK is safely cossetted!)

[BigM]

Hi Carole,

Sounds as though you like and are getting on well with Meguire products. They certainly seem to last you a fair while for sure. I've never used them, tend to buy British detailing products if I can 😜 ha. My problem is buying too many products, I've got a cloth, bottle, tin or tube for every conceivable application! (and some cotton buds..... ). My car is kept outside all year and its a never ending battle to keep it looking shiny!!!! . I was using Bilt Hamber double speed wax over the winter and I'm just about to strip it off and apply Bouncer's Check the Fleck for the Summer months. It doesn't last as long as the BH but it makes metallic paint really pop.

Keep smiling whilst driving 😊

Cheers

Mark

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi

when you decide to get your bumper sorted if the paint gets worse

I would not replace the front bumper, Just get it re painted at a descent body shop

there's nothing wrong with the bumper, it just the paint, if the paint not applied correct, it will give a cracked effect, but its in the paint and any good body shop can sort it

sometimes if the base coat it not allowed to dry enough, flash off time, allows the solvents to dry off, then the laquer is applied, the base coat stays slightly soft, when the base coat eventually dries, it shrinks slightly, causing the laquer to crack, which looks like hair line cracks

cheers

Joe

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Hi Mark & Joe

 

Mark, must admit we have not heard of the products which you mention....where might you have bought them from?  We understand your battle to keep your S on top....although our XK lives in the Carcoon, we have the same problem as yourself with our S as we don't have the space to garage it as well as the XK.   As the paintwork is Seafrost, it doesn't show light dust/dirt like a dark colour, but we are both fusspots so it does seem like a never ending battle.  We are known as the most accurate weather forecast in our area.....if our S is valeted and sparkles, then it will surely rain!

Joe, many thanks for that and what you say certainly makes sense. At the moment the slight cracks are almost invisible but should this escalate, you have given us another option to investigate.  Although we are based in the South Staffs area, the XK is going off to an Indie Jag place in Derby tomorrow for its annual service, so we shall point the issue out to them and see what they have to say, also.

Happy growling

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Further to all of the above, reference the XK nose-cone cracks (very hairline), we today visited our new-found Indie Jaguar Specialist at Derby.  Prime reason for the visit was the annual service, but we mentioned the hair-line cracks in the nose cone.  A very affable gentleman determined that there had been a local repair at some point and that, as suggested, a complete strip-back, prepare, repaint and relacquer should solve the problem.  A reasonable price was quoted, to include removal of the cone and all attached parts (therefore, no masking).  We have decided to monitor the cracks and, if they become noticeably worse, then we shall book in for the autumn.

Apparently, the comments made on the thread are pretty much the case as it is, so thanks to all concerned.

Happy growling, as always

[BigM]

Hi Carole,

I'm in Derby and use MGA Jaguar, only used them a couple of times and I've got no complaints, other than they wouldn't replace old bushes in suspension parts with new ones id bought. Perhaps I will try Elite next time. As for the wax products I mentioned, they can be bought here , here on eBay and at loads of other online car detailing sites, just Google car wax. Bouncer's Done and Dusted quick detailer is also very good and won a test amongst very good company, see part 1 and part 2 (he goes on a bit but loves quick detailers👍). Good to hear you feel happier ref your nose cone issues, but I will stand by buy new to "completely rectify" 😆 Can I be cheeky and ask how much you were quoted? No worries if you don't want to.

Cheers

Mark 

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

 

Hi Mark

Well, we were quoted £250 + VAT to remove nose cone, strip any parts fitted such as grille, foglights etc, strip and refinish, replace stripped parts and refit cone.

We shall have a look at the products you have mentioned.  Sadly, it's buckets etc tomorrow as we managed to get caught in a "wintry shower" whilst returning from Kedleston Hall, which we visited after leaving Elite. Perhaps we should have gone straight back to the carcoon?!

Back to the nose cone, should there be any deterioration, we shall make the decision at the time......repair or replace.  Depends on the kitty (no pun intended).

Meanwhile, we are planning on attending the Breakfast Meet at Gaydon first Saturday in June.......should be some interesting comparisons there, not to mention (yet another) wander around the Jaguar Collection.

What is it about some BMW drivers, that they seem to suffer from red mist as soon as they come up behind, or alongside, the XK?!  We just let them get on with it, content in the knowledge of how many come a cropper when they venture onto the Nurburgring Track days!  (We wouldn't go anywhere near, eventhough my partner used to race Rover SD1 V8 at such as Thruxton, Brands, Oulton Park etc).   Brake lights on half-way round a wet, smooth tarmac curve? Nah!

As always, happy growling

 

[BigM]

Hi Carole,

Well that quote seems very good, I was thinking it would be a lot more. As for BMW drivers, dont get me started ...ha.

Out of interest what do you do when you want to cocoon the jag when it has been out all day and when you return home it's raining  and the car is dirty? 

Cheers 

Mark

[Carole Simpson-Hadley]

Hi Mark

Yes, we thought that quote was entirely reasonable.  Everything at Elite is "in-house" and they seem to be perfectionists in what they do. We know that a new cone is the perfect solution,but at some expense. We believe that the cone alone is around £650 so final tab would be the wrong side of £1K. We shall see what the kitty will stand at the time, should the(almost invisible) cracks worsen.

Love the cartoon; is it the case that BMW have allowed Audi to use the patent?! As you say, let's not get started! One does have to be wary of pigeon-holing, tarring with same brush etc., but, really, some of the tricks that are pulled. Hmm.

With regard to the Carcoon, we arrived at the decision to purchase a drive-in Carcoon after determining that just having the XK sat in the garage unprotected was not a good plan....condensation, dust etc.  We did purchase a "premium" breathable car cover but were somewhat disappointed when, on first removal after one week, the XK was sopping wet with condensation; also the issue that a car cover makes contact with the car so eventually fine scratches would be a distinct possibilty. (We did get a refund).

Some years ago (when I could still crawl around under a car!), I had several Gilbern cars - a GT, an Invader, a Mk2 Genie, an Invader estate and a Mk3, and used the original type of carcoon, which lay over the car, zipped up, and inflated, so you still had to be careful, particularly if the car wasn't clean when put away. The drive-in Carcoon is basically a clip together tubular frame built up within the carcoon, so that once it's up, it is simply a case of driving in (no contact with the car), zipping up and switching on the fans, deciding whether to leave the vent open (for drying) or closed (no drying required).

If we return home and the jag is wet (still raining) we can drive her straight in, zip up, leave the vent open, and within a couple of hours the car is completely dry. If dirty, and not raining, we sometimes do the bucket business and Autoglym towel her off before putting her away, all ready for the next trip. Alternatively, put her away knowing at the earliest opportunity we need to do a wash off.  Either way, the XK comes out of the Carcoon in exactly the same condition as when she went in.   So if it's raining, drive in and she will be dry, ready for next "unzipping" to carry out the wash off.

There is an outside version of the Carcoon (of which we have no experience) but don't know if that is available as a drive-in.

In the day, my partner had a S2 XJ6 which sat outside for a few years pending work and this did not do it any favours, particularly as it was discovered that the rear window seal was leaking and much water found its way down into the rear seat well, corroding away happily...ugh!  He also had a 1950 Wolseley 6/80 which was in pristine order but, like you, had a never ending battle to keep it tip-top. And as for the Alvis Grey Lady, that was never going to do any good sat outside!  Drive in Carcoon would have been ideal back then!

Happy growling (and that different type of growl when it rains on the newly detailed motor!)

 

[BigM]

Hi Carole, 

Mmmm bit expensive that new nose cone..fingers crossed it doesn't get any worse any time soon. Must admit your carcoon sounds like a very useful piece of kit, and yep, keeping cars outside is certainly a challenge but I do enjoy fussing over my cars.