New CTS / Four Star /106FF

ScottB

ScottB

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My father decided on a gift for himself prior to retiring at the end of the year. He picked up a new Caddy CTS with all the toys minus a sunroof including the high performance package. The car is truly a step above all past GM offerings and even above my previous generation CTS.

With Hurricane Gustave in the gulf the weather has been rainy and cloudy here all weekend and left no time for great outside pics. (not to mention my wifes camera) Is was however an opportunity to detail a fresh ride.

Wash --- Optimum Car Wash
Clay --- Pinnacles Ultra Clay / DP Clay Lubricant
Polish --- Menzerna 106FF / White Pad / Flex Buffer
Protection --- One coat Four Star UPP / One coat Optiseal
Wheels --- Optiseal

CTS_003.jpg


CTS_007.jpg


I snapped one with the sun peaking out a bit before leaving his house this evening after family supper. The only bad part to this detail, I am now a member of the failed backing plate on the Flex. It just plain melted !

CTS_006.jpg
 
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and he picked the right color - black!!! Looks awesome, Scott! Try topping it off with Fuzion, you will be amazed by the crystal clear reflection it can produce!!!
 
I shall pimp slap pops for not ordering a new V, I taught him better then that
 
I dont plain on using a carnauba wax on it till he is retired. He works close to the ocean and gets salt spray on his cars from time to time so pure durability was the main requirement. I liked how much better they did with the lack of significant orange peel the way the Vette has.

Surfer said:
I shall pimp slap pops for not ordering a new V, I taught him better then that
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After driving this edition even with the DI motor and performance package, it put me in a position where I would have and likely will consider trading the Vette on a V series next year.
 
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nice car and black is the nicest color but maintenance intensive but if he's going to retire he'll have plenty of time to detail it lucky man lol
 
167Backing_Plate_001-med.jpg


my damaged backing plate, appears melted huh ??
 
dave_from_here said:
How did u do that ?
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I really dont know. I have religiously tightened the backing plate since new before each detail because of the past problems I have heard. About 3/4's the way thru the detail I smelled burning and small black plastic gasket type thing came out between head and backing plate. Thought nothing more until smelling the burning again and turned over to see the backing plate melted. It appears some type of felt or fabric o-ring is inside and contacted the plastic during high speed buffing.
 
CTS looks great. Backing plate not so good ???
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
I really dont know. I have religiously tightened the backing plate since new before each detail because of the past problems I have heard. About 3/4's the way thru the detail I smelled burning and small black plastic gasket type thing came out between head and backing plate. Thought nothing more until smelling the burning again and turned over to see the backing plate melted. It appears some type of felt or fabric o-ring is inside and contacted the plastic during high speed buffing.
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Did you oil the felt ring?
 
Nice car. Too bad you couldn't snap some better pics to show it off a little more. How was the factory paint? Did it need much correction?
 
Rsurfer said:
Did you oil the felt ring?
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nope ... I thought it was one of the newer units with backing plate update so did nothing more than tighten head as suggested before each use.

David Fermani said:
Nice car. Too bad you couldn't snap some better pics to show it off a little more. How was the factory paint? Did it need much correction?
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I totally agree as wanted some outside shots also. I think the paint is about the best offered on a GM car to date and really only needed a light polishing.
 
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Nice car Dad got Scott. I woulf have to agree if I no longer wanted a Vette the CTS-V would be a nice replacement.
 
The CTS-V is definitely a car on my dream list.

Nice work.:cheers:
 
Sorry to hear about your back plate, I also feel my Flex is one of the newer units. I have an Edge back plate and use that most of the time but don't know if should expect this to happen in the fututre with the Edge customized plate. At least I have the original plate (5 1/2 in.) to fall back on to I replace it. Has there been any updates on what Flex plans to do to take care of this problem? It's about time they steped up with a solution don't you think?
 
Sweet detail on your dads ride.
I am now worried about my flex backing plate. Were you able to at least finish the car before it failed?
I wish they would've included a few extra backing plates with the unit to compensate for this failing plate. I would hate to start a detail and have to stop because of a broken backing plate.
Anyway keep us filled in on the backing plate issue.
 
supercharged said:
I had a few pieces shedding off my plate too (while polishing)...wonder how it will look if I will take it apart.
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Very expensive DA to have this happen. I'll stick to my PC until it's fixed/updated. I've read about this happening from just about everyone that owns the Flex DA.
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
My father decided on a gift for himself prior to retiring at the end of the year. He picked up a new Caddy CTS with all the toys minus a sunroof including the high performance package. The car is truly a step above all past GM offerings and even above my previous generation CTS.

With Hurricane Gustave in the gulf the weather has been rainy and cloudy here all weekend and left no time for great outside pics. (not to mention my wifes camera) Is was however an opportunity to detail a fresh ride.

Wash --- Optimum Car Wash
Clay --- Pinnacles Ultra Clay / DP Clay Lubricant
Polish --- Menzerna 106FF / White Pad / Flex Buffer
Protection --- One coat Four Star UPP / One coat Optiseal
Wheels --- Optiseal

CTS_003.jpg


CTS_007.jpg


I snapped one with the sun peaking out a bit before leaving his house this evening after family supper. The only bad part to this detail, I am now a member of the failed backing plate on the Flex. It just plain melted !

CTS_006.jpg
Click to expand...

Congrats on the new CTS . I'm sure you and your dad will love the car . The V version will be in the dealers around November and it is truly awesome ....0 - 60 in 3.9 sec. Road & Track just did a comparison with the BMW M5 .
 
killrflake said:
Sorry to hear about your back plate, I also feel my Flex is one of the newer units. I have an Edge back plate and use that most of the time but don't know if should expect this to happen in the fututre with the Edge customized plate. At least I have the original plate (5 1/2 in.) to fall back on to I replace it. Has there been any updates on what Flex plans to do to take care of this problem? It's about time they steped up with a solution don't you think?
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I called Powerhouse yesterday and described in great detail the issue and asked for a call back and even suggested I was working with Autogeek for a cure. No call today , not a great start IMO especially when I offer and sell so many on multiple forums thru our packages.
 
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