What did you do to your Cherokee today?
07-22-2018, 11:12 PM
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
07-23-2018, 04:13 AM
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 7,413
Likes: 0
Received 1,557 Likes
on
1,197 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
I detail a fair amount of cars on the weekends, did a full paint correction on 2 vehicles this month
I HIGHLY recommend the Harbor Freight DA polisher. Cheap and powerful for the money! My Porter Cable doesn't even have as much power (good for advanced correction, maybe need to be a bit more careful if you are inexperienced).
Add $25 for a clalybar kit, $40 worth of pads (2 Microfiber fast cutting, and 2 white foam finishing pads), and $30 for some Megs Ultimate Compound and Polish. Griots BOSS system is excellent and easier to use, couple of bucks more.
8 hours and you could have a $300 level detail, but with the benefit of being able to do multiple cars. The key is keeping the paint cool and not cutting too much on one pass.
Applying wax should be easy by hand IMO. Removing wax does not work well with a buffer, you will leave micro scratches behind even with with a microfiber cloth. No detailer (professional or hobbyist) that I know removes wax with a machine.
I highly recommend Collinite 845 Liquid Insulator Wax. Works FANTASTIC and the bottle will last you 10 years (it is very shelf stable as long as it is kept away from light and don't let it freeze in the winter). Applies really easily, and removes extremely easily.
Not a cleaner wax, purely a sealant. Lasts about 4-6 months in most cases (or longer depending on how much you drive).
Another excellent wax that can be found locally is the Griots Best of Show wax that can be found at Autozone. I find paste waxes hard to apply (Megs ultimate, looking at you...). Avoid Turtle Wax and Black Magic products like the plague.
I HIGHLY recommend the Harbor Freight DA polisher. Cheap and powerful for the money! My Porter Cable doesn't even have as much power (good for advanced correction, maybe need to be a bit more careful if you are inexperienced).
Add $25 for a clalybar kit, $40 worth of pads (2 Microfiber fast cutting, and 2 white foam finishing pads), and $30 for some Megs Ultimate Compound and Polish. Griots BOSS system is excellent and easier to use, couple of bucks more.
8 hours and you could have a $300 level detail, but with the benefit of being able to do multiple cars. The key is keeping the paint cool and not cutting too much on one pass.
Applying wax should be easy by hand IMO. Removing wax does not work well with a buffer, you will leave micro scratches behind even with with a microfiber cloth. No detailer (professional or hobbyist) that I know removes wax with a machine.
I highly recommend Collinite 845 Liquid Insulator Wax. Works FANTASTIC and the bottle will last you 10 years (it is very shelf stable as long as it is kept away from light and don't let it freeze in the winter). Applies really easily, and removes extremely easily.
Not a cleaner wax, purely a sealant. Lasts about 4-6 months in most cases (or longer depending on how much you drive).
Another excellent wax that can be found locally is the Griots Best of Show wax that can be found at Autozone. I find paste waxes hard to apply (Megs ultimate, looking at you...). Avoid Turtle Wax and Black Magic products like the plague.
I do have a question about the Collinate. This is not the first time I have seen it recommended by somebody. You say it is a sealant. So having a vague understanding of the difference between polish and wax. When do you use the Collinate?
07-23-2018, 06:25 AM
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Tarpon Springs, FL / Denver, CO
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
7 Posts
Year: '98
Engine: 4.0 I6
1. Wash and decontaminate
2. Claybar
3. Compound
4. Polish
5. Isopropyl Wipe-down the paint
6. Wax/Sealant
07-23-2018, 06:32 AM
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2015
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
Lol, the part$ thing is usually everybody's first thought. She's 18 years old, they made TONS of these cars, they last FOREVER, and they've got a serious fanbase. (sound familiar?) Parts are plentiful, and barely pricier than XJ parts. Example, the window regulator was $95 with new motor.
In the time ive had her, ive done the following;
Window tint
Tune up
Full length stainless header
Sealed cold air intake
VC gasket
Idler pullies
Window regulator
KYB shocks/struts
LCA bushings
'09 17" wheels
New tires
PCV system
Blower resistor
Including buying the car, my total investment is well under $4K. And i wouldnt hesitate to jump in and drive her clear across the country.
07-23-2018, 09:09 AM
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Arizona
Posts: 4,481
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
14 Posts
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks brother, i really like it.
Lol, the part$ thing is usually everybody's first thought. She's 18 years old, they made TONS of these cars, they last FOREVER, and they've got a serious fanbase. (sound familiar?) Parts are plentiful, and barely pricier than XJ parts. Example, the window regulator was $95 with new motor.
In the time ive had her, ive done the following;
Window tint
Tune up
Full length stainless header
Sealed cold air intake
VC gasket
Idler pullies
Window regulator
KYB shocks/struts
LCA bushings
'09 17" wheels
New tires
PCV system
Blower resistor
Including buying the car, my total investment is well under $4K. And i wouldnt hesitate to jump in and drive her clear across the country.
Lol, the part$ thing is usually everybody's first thought. She's 18 years old, they made TONS of these cars, they last FOREVER, and they've got a serious fanbase. (sound familiar?) Parts are plentiful, and barely pricier than XJ parts. Example, the window regulator was $95 with new motor.
In the time ive had her, ive done the following;
Window tint
Tune up
Full length stainless header
Sealed cold air intake
VC gasket
Idler pullies
Window regulator
KYB shocks/struts
LCA bushings
'09 17" wheels
New tires
PCV system
Blower resistor
Including buying the car, my total investment is well under $4K. And i wouldnt hesitate to jump in and drive her clear across the country.
07-23-2018, 09:29 AM
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Lawrence ****ing Kansas
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yes, it felt surprising smooth and no play in anything at all. After my test drive I'm pretty confident it will hold up fine unless the welds break and the caps come flying off. I'll try to grab a spare from the JY before my trip, and I'll keep a 36mm socket and breaker bar with me in case I need to do the job on the road/trail.
07-23-2018, 09:46 AM
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Lawrence ****ing Kansas
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
In the past month alone, I have replaced:
- radiator
- alternator
- serpentine belt
- battery
- head gasket
- hydraulic lifters
- valve stem seals
- distributor cap, rotor
- spark plugs and wires
- water pump
- heater core hoses
- passenger-side front axle u-joint
- passenger-side unit bearing hub
- shocks
07-23-2018, 06:38 PM
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 0
Received 190 Likes
on
165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by mannydantyla
In the past month alone, I have replaced:
- radiator
- alternator
- serpentine belt
- battery
- head gasket
- hydraulic lifters
- valve stem seals
- distributor cap, rotor
- spark plugs and wires
- water pump
- heater core hoses
- passenger-side front axle u-joint
- passenger-side unit bearing hub
- shocks
-The cam
-The pistons
-The lifters
-The timing chain
-Added a main bearing cap brace
-The oil pan
-The head
-Head gasket
-Valve cover
-Valve cover gasket
-Ac compressor
-Belt
-Transmission
-Clutch
-Master/slave combo
-Throttle body
-Accelerator cable
-Intake
-Header
-Air filter
-Slip yoke
-Temperature switch for the fans
-And more I'm forgetting.
We both know it was totally worth it though!
07-23-2018, 08:28 PM
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: SoCal
Posts: 3,497
Received 395 Likes
on
311 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Guess it's not something I did today but it was something I noticed today. As some recall, I had to swap out a heater core a few weeks back. While doing that, I resealed everything and put new foam in places the factory didn't in order to help move air out the vents, not under ther dash like where it was going before. So happy I took the time to do it. It was around 106° out today and my ac froze me out on the #3 setting in about 5 min. My other Jeep doesn't even get close to it in terms of low temps and volume of air. By far the best thing I have done to it so far.
07-23-2018, 08:35 PM
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 0
Received 190 Likes
on
165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by 5-Speed
Guess it's not something I did today but it was something I noticed today. As some recall, I had to swap out a heater core a few weeks back. While doing that, I resealed everything and put new foam in places the factory didn't in order to help move air out the vents, not under ther dash like where it was going before. So happy I took the time to do it. It was around 106° out today and my ac froze me out on the #3 setting in about 5 min. My other Jeep doesn't even get close to it in terms of low temps and volume of air. By far the best thing I have done to it so far.
07-23-2018, 08:41 PM
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: SoCal
Posts: 3,497
Received 395 Likes
on
311 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Was this that fancy ac machine that you were telling me you were going to use? Bad hose or machines fault?
07-23-2018, 09:05 PM
CF Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 0
Received 190 Likes
on
165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by 5-Speed
Was this that fancy ac machine that you were telling me you were going to use? Bad hose or machines fault?
07-24-2018, 02:43 PM
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Lawrence ****ing Kansas
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
7 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Got nothing on me. In the past month I've replaced:
-The cam
-The pistons
-The lifters
-The timing chain
-Added a main bearing cap brace
-The oil pan
-The head
-Head gasket
-Valve cover
-Valve cover gasket
-Ac compressor
-Belt
-Transmission
-Clutch
-Master/slave combo
-Throttle body
-Accelerator cable
-Intake
-Header
-Air filter
-Slip yoke
-Temperature switch for the fans
-And more I'm forgetting.
We both know it was totally worth it though!
-The cam
-The pistons
-The lifters
-The timing chain
-Added a main bearing cap brace
-The oil pan
-The head
-Head gasket
-Valve cover
-Valve cover gasket
-Ac compressor
-Belt
-Transmission
-Clutch
-Master/slave combo
-Throttle body
-Accelerator cable
-Intake
-Header
-Air filter
-Slip yoke
-Temperature switch for the fans
-And more I'm forgetting.
We both know it was totally worth it though!