What are your X-Type winter plans?

[James_L.Spa]

Hello all,
I’m new to JEC, and I thought the x-type part of the forum felt quiet. Here comes my topic starter!

What are your plans for your X-Type over winter?
Any maintenance planned? Modifications? Replacing or fixing anything? Drive as usual? Tuck away for the winter? What will you be doing?

The plan with mine has always been:
Put away end of October, and get out in April.
I MOT it around then, with a major service and tax it for 6months.
Whilst in hibernation this year, I want to get the underside looked at.
Whether it be preventative measures, or the underside cleaned, or the underside to have a make over. Whatever it takes, I just want it looking and being fresh underneath, before moving on to the body work (which maybe another year) I’m also planning on an extensive 3 day detail this year but depending on what my guy says at the body shop I might hold off until a later date.


What will you be doing?

[Astromorg]

I think you're a lucky owner whose X type is not the daily driver for the family. My wife and I had a new X type in 2005 that lasted 14 years before an unfortunate event wrote it off. Another one lasted another 5 years before a careless teenage stranger managed to reverse into it causing just enough damage to send it the same way as the other one . But both of these cars had to earn their keep providing classy carriage even on runs to the local dump, never mind Sainsburys, but it was always a pleasure to be in a Jaguar and not a little hatch back.

I generally had to plan all work required so that I could complete it in not much more than a couple of days, otherwise the XK8 had to stand in below its status!

I hope you have a great time with what's a great car, especially as it sounds like you've got a good one. Take good care of it and I for one will enjoy hearing what you do to it and how it behaves for you. Always happy to try and help if you get into any difficulties. I've got quite an extensive technical X type library and links to many helpful online sites.

Best of luck

[Dave Eynon]

Hi James,
What an excellent topic as it fits in so well with my thread in the club magazine. The X-type are all of an age that they need that extra care and attention if they are to survive and remain in good condition. As you have the opportunity to take your time over any planned work, I would start with a thorough clean and examination of the underbody, followed by any repairs. Then a thorough rust proofing to the internal surfaces of all the box sections and a black wax coating to the underbody. Following that the suspension components. Annual service. Depending on the model this might include rear axle, transfer box and auto/manual gearbox level or oil changes.
Finally if you have time take photos and if you would like to share your work / experience with other X-type owners through the magazine please contact me on xtype@jecmodels.org.uk where I would be delighted to reproduce it.
Dave

[Dave Eynon]

James
What X-type do you have?
In answer to what I will be doing. Mine is a 2006 2.5 SE Estate. It does get used all year round but fortunately it lives indoors. I do try and avoid the worst of the weather and road dirt but if this happens it will be hosed off so there are no accumulations of mud to harbour moisture and salt.
The waist seals bubble up and the only cure is replacement. Prices have increased recently so I am going to extend the life of the ones I have before they become too bad by removing, applying rust proofing wax (Waxoyl or similar) and refitting.
Its also looking like 2 new tyres are going to be required very soon.
The car frequently makes the journey from Gwynedd to Kent so I can expect it to do battle on the motorways in awful weather before the year is out. Currently the underbody has fresh protection which was done after the X-type weekend away in September.

[James_L.Spa]

I think you're a lucky owner whose X type is not the daily driver for the family. My wife and I had a new X type in 2005 that lasted 14 years before an unfortunate event wrote it off. Another one lasted another 5 years before a careless teenage stranger managed to reverse into it causing just enough damage to send it the same way as the other one . But both of these cars had to earn their keep providing classy carriage even on runs to the local dump, never mind Sainsburys, but it was always a pleasure to be in a Jaguar and not a little hatch back.

I generally had to plan all work required so that I could complete it in not much more than a couple of days, otherwise the XK8 had to stand in below its status!

I hope you have a great time with what's a great car, especially as it sounds like you've got a good one. Take good care of it and I for one will enjoy hearing what you do to it and how it behaves for you. Always happy to try and help if you get into any difficulties. I've got quite an extensive technical X type library and links to many helpful online sites.

Best of luck

Thank you for your response, nice words and support!
Sounds like you’ve been through the mill a little bit with yours, but learnt a lot along the way…

If you wanted to know more about the car and it’s history Dave has published an article about the car in this months magazine (page 127/129)

[James_L.Spa]

Hi James,
What an excellent topic as it fits in so well with my thread in the club magazine. The X-type are all of an age that they need that extra care and attention if they are to survive and remain in good condition. As you have the opportunity to take your time over any planned work, I would start with a thorough clean and examination of the underbody, followed by any repairs. Then a thorough rust proofing to the internal surfaces of all the box sections and a black wax coating to the underbody. Following that the suspension components. Annual service. Depending on the model this might include rear axle, transfer box and auto/manual gearbox level or oil changes.
Finally if you have time take photos and if you would like to share your work / experience with other X-type owners through the magazine please contact me on xtype@jecmodels.org.uk where I would be delighted to reproduce it.
Dave

Hi Dave

All sound advice..
I took your thoughts and comments and memory banked them for a conversation with my guy at the body shop.

The plan is, in January it’s being transported to him for an inspection.. and we will focus on the underside first with outcome being any repairs that need to made completed, with some sort of roof proofing done.
I’m in a fortunate position where the chap completing the works only has one standard, so I’m confident of the outcome as I’ll be very much in his hands.

I would imagine I’ll see it transported, see the works being carried out and have it transported back when it’s complete. I shall document as much as I can, and share

Many thanks

James

[James_L.Spa]

James
What X-type do you have?
In answer to what I will be doing. Mine is a 2006 2.5 SE Estate. It does get used all year round but fortunately it lives indoors. I do try and avoid the worst of the weather and road dirt but if this happens it will be hosed off so there are no accumulations of mud to harbour moisture and salt.
The waist seals bubble up and the only cure is replacement. Prices have increased recently so I am going to extend the life of the ones I have before they become too bad by removing, applying rust proofing wax (Waxoyl or similar) and refitting.
Its also looking like 2 new tyres are going to be required very soon.
The car frequently makes the journey from Gwynedd to Kent so I can expect it to do battle on the motorways in awful weather before the year is out. Currently the underbody has fresh protection which was done after the X-type weekend away in September.

What did you treat the underside with?
Were you happy with the results?

[ptjs1]

James,

Like many owners, I've used a number of products over the years. The ones from the big players still seem to be the best in terms of protection and ease of use. And of course, it depends which areas you're doing - outer surfaces, inner box sections etc; and also what type of visible look - clear, brown or harder black coating. And the key is to check it every 6 months and top up where necessary. So, lots of decisions.

Have a look at the range of products from

- Bilt Hamber
- Dinitrol (Good range of different types of product)
- Lanoguard / Lanoshield (my current favourite for a "runny" product, easily applied with a clear finish)
- Waxoyl (still pretty easy to apply for box sections)

Also consider using a rust converter first such Dinitrol's RC900 aerosol, or Aquasteel (which can be brushed or sprayed).

Good luck

Paul

[JimMann]

I have just had my Range Rover Sport given a Lanoguard underbody treatment and it looks very good. Had the local independent garage undertake the actual spray coating, but a couple of points to note;

1. It would appear that the Lanoguard creates a fine mist when sprayed around the underbody components, so you will find there is a coating on the upper paintwork as a consequence. Not a problem as it easily comes off with detailer and glass cleaner spray - not sure if it would have washed off as the car was already clean and the detailer was more than adequate.

2. The garage had the tail gate and windows open whilst the car was up on the ramp and, 2 weeks on, there remains a smell of Lanoguard inside the car, which is not unpleasant but not sure how long its going to take to dissipate.

3. The Lanoguard is very light and will continue to drip off the components for quite some time after treatment. In my case, the garage kept the car on the ramp overnight, with protective sheeting on the floor below and delivered me the car back the following morning. No drips have appeared on my own garage floor since return, so the overnight stay was sufficient.

The RRS is obviously a winter car and whilst there is no sign of surface corrosion underneath at this time, my previous one (another RRS) definitely showed underbody surface corrosion at 5 years old, so this is a precautionary treatment.

Jim Mann

[James_L.Spa]

Some very good sound advice there… I’m thinking I will take the advise of the guy from my body shop…

If I was going to make a choice based on colour, I think I’d choose black.

I struggle to see the brown as a good choice (visually)

Although, I wouldn’t mind clear if it’s clean enough underneath…

That said, if I’m informed of something about one product over the other it could even be pink!

James,

Like many owners, I've used a number of products over the years. The ones from the big players still seem to be the best in terms of protection and ease of use. And of course, it depends which areas you're doing - outer surfaces, inner box sections etc; and also what type of visible look - clear, brown or harder black coating. And the key is to check it every 6 months and top up where necessary. So, lots of decisions.

Have a look at the range of products from

- Bilt Hamber
- Dinitrol (Good range of different types of product)
- Lanoguard / Lanoshield (my current favourite for a "runny" product, easily applied with a clear finish)
- Waxoyl (still pretty easy to apply for box sections)

Also consider using a rust converter first such Dinitrol's RC900 aerosol, or Aquasteel (which can be brushed or sprayed).

Good luck

Paul

[James_L.Spa]

All good to know…

Was it an oversight oh there part leaving the boot/windows open? Or would that be part of the process?

Do you happen to have any before or after images? I should imagine it looks very tidy

I have just had my Range Rover Sport given a Lanoguard underbody treatment and it looks very good. Had the local independent garage undertake the actual spray coating, but a couple of points to note;

1. It would appear that the Lanoguard creates a fine mist when sprayed around the underbody components, so you will find there is a coating on the upper paintwork as a consequence. Not a problem as it easily comes off with detailer and glass cleaner spray - not sure if it would have washed off as the car was already clean and the detailer was more than adequate.

2. The garage had the tail gate and windows open whilst the car was up on the ramp and, 2 weeks on, there remains a smell of Lanoguard inside the car, which is not unpleasant but not sure how long its going to take to dissipate.

3. The Lanoguard is very light and will continue to drip off the components for quite some time after treatment. In my case, the garage kept the car on the ramp overnight, with protective sheeting on the floor below and delivered me the car back the following morning. No drips have appeared on my own garage floor since return, so the overnight stay was sufficient.

The RRS is obviously a winter car and whilst there is no sign of surface corrosion underneath at this time, my previous one (another RRS) definitely showed underbody surface corrosion at 5 years old, so this is a precautionary treatment.

Jim Mann

[JimMann]

Hi James, unfortunately I don't have any photos of the work - wasn't thinking properly that day, but I can report that the smell inside has largely disappeared over the weekend.

When viewed underneath whilst the car was still dripping and on the ramp, there was not a lot of visible surface corrosion in any event, but good peace of mind to have this completed before we get the salted roads in Aberdeenshire. Having my wife's Mini given the same treatment this coming week, so will be asking the garage to keep the doors and windows closed this time, unless there is a reason why they should be open.

Incidentally, I was able to purchase the Lanoguard direct from the supplier and free-issue to the garage to complete the work. The medium sized kit was purchased for around £75, including a 10% first order discount and even on the RRS, only about half of the product was consumed, meaning plenty to allow for another car to be treated and to allow future touch-up if necessary.

Jim Mann