[Kazuki Nik]

Is it possible to buy retouching paint for a 2006 Grand Vitara (Colour Code: ZJ3) in the 'Pen' format?
Being black (blue/black according to Suzuki) paint chips show up like coconut grains on my old Mum's lamingtons! - little white spots.

The pen solution seems the easiest way to treat a gazillion white spots, mostly on the front of my sleek, black 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara V6.

While I have the attention of the Suzuki guru's, I have had to remove the weather shields due to them being cracked / broken (deadly sharp edges). They've left thick gluey strips of rubber material which I have mostly removed, however there is a thick residue left on both door frames. Is there a paint-safe solvent that teamed with a plastic scraper that will help remove this stuff?

AS usual, thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[2013GV]

Believe it or not, butter works, spread it on the residue in the shade, leave about 30 mins, then rub off, may take several applications but removes the glue and once washed with soapy dish wash no marks and no paint damage.

Yes you can get pens, go see your local panel beater or try some of the automotive paint suppliers, just quite the suzuki paint code. Bear in mind yours will be faded and may be lighter than what's supplied. My ZUG code looks terrible wet but perfect dry.

 

[Kazuki Nik]

Butter? What the heck 2013GV, you have been spot-n correct about everything else so far - I'll try!
My loyal spouse suggested Tea Tree Oil. The car smells harmonious now and, guess what? It got a fair bit off (expensive though). Butter, who would have thought?
I didn't realise Panel Beaters could supply the pens, thanks for that advice. Whilst I realise it is only a TOUCH UP, may as well get it looking as sharp as possible. Tomorrow, tides and holiday crowds allowing, we are taking it on its first beach run. We have 12klm of drivable beach here. I used to own a Sierra, if it's as good as that, I'll be very happy. The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 is a nice car!
Again, 2013GV, thanks for your always valuable advice! Dunno where you are in Oz but I'd be pleased to buy you a beer one day!

 

[Chrissybabe88!]

I do suppose that you look at the posters picture, then his/her user name, then the flag ? Admittedly the flag is a bit small, so I often don't bother, but it is still possible to see the difference between an Australian and a New Zealand flag. 2013GV happens to be a Kiwi. .

 

[Kazuki Nik]

I looked at the posters, picture, name, and flag.
Call me docile but the image of a dog, and the name 2013GV didn't scream 'New Zealand' at me.
Should have, but didn't!
You are right again, about the flag! I missed the missing star.
In my hurry to thank 2013GV for his (wait, her? it? oh God what have I done?) I may have caused an international incident and torn forum rules asunder! My bad.
2013GV, I'm deeply sorry for any pain I have caused you - forget the beer offer. It won't happen again.
ChrissyBabe88, keep contributing those wise, useful tips and suggestions!
I guess that's what forums are all about!

Anyway, suitably chastened and shamed for any politically incorrectness, AND corrected in flag-lore, I'm off to buy some butter!

 

[Chrissybabe88!]

No problem. I wish they made the flags a little larger though. My eyesight is not the best.

 

[2013GV]

I looked at the posters, picture, name, and flag.
Call me docile but the image of a dog, and the name 2013GV didn't scream 'New Zealand' at me.
Should have, but didn't!
You are right again, about the flag! I missed the missing star.
In my hurry to thank 2013GV for his (wait, her? it? oh God what have I done?) I may have caused an international incident and torn forum rules asunder! My bad.
2013GV, I'm deeply sorry for any pain I have caused you - forget the beer offer. It won't happen again.
ChrissyBabe88, keep contributing those wise, useful tips and suggestions!
I guess that's what forums are all about!

Anyway, suitably chastened and shamed for any politically incorrectness, AND corrected in flag-lore, I'm off to buy some butter!

He, Kiwi, and unlike the ockers we colonised our country voluntarily ( now thats got to start an international incident hahaha) at least we can spell beer on our cans, unlike Aussie that just puts XXXX on theirs.
No offence, the flags are useful but can be hard to decipher at times. As always, Aussies and Kiwis will throw insults at each other, because its what we do. That's why we get on so well.

Butter dissolves most adhesives found in the double sided tapes. But it takes time. The best thing is it won't damage the paint. I use warm water and dish soap to wash everything down afterwards. Tea tree oil works, so does eucalyptus but the smell of either can be a bit overpowering

The name came from the 3 door shorty I bought new in 2013 to replace my aging SJ that did a corolla on me and melted in the rain to a brown puddle. The dog is my current co driver, 4 and a bit year old American Bulldog, the pic was when she was small and cute.

 

[Kazuki Nik]

It's no kind of problem. I was going to send a few Kiwi jokes but was unsure how they'd be taken in the forum, people are so sensitive!
In no way am I criticizing your flag, just because you have a star missing! Still and all, you had a proper flag to copy from
I'm a bit of a dog fan, and I thought she might have been an American Bulldog, the angle is deceptive. I like the patch over her eye! They make great co-drivers!
My Vitara is in the garage looking like a huge slice of black burned toast with butter dripping off it! Will report results.

 

[2013GV]

It's no kind of problem. I was going to send a few Kiwi jokes but was unsure how they'd be taken in the forum, people are so sensitive!
In no way am I criticizing your flag, just because you have a star missing! Still and all, you had a proper flag to copy from
I'm a bit of a dog fan, and I thought she might have been an American Bulldog, the angle is deceptive. I like the patch over her eye! They make great co-drivers!
My Vitara is in the garage looking like a huge slice of black burned toast with butter dripping off it! Will report results.

I also sent you a conversation

She does get in your face occasionally

 

[Kazuki Nik]

I think mainly Queenslanders drink XXXX, I heard it was called that so that all the Kiwi's at Bondi knew what to ask for at the bottle NYE.

 

[Chrissybabe88!]

First up you would have to try pretty hard to insult me. Second I take nothing personal unless anybody tells me I am wrong as I think it only happens about twice a year. Let me think...maybe that is only once a year.
But I feel I should point out that your statement - "Still and all, you had a proper flag to copy from " is actually incorrect !
Australias flag was incorporated February 11, 1903 BUT NZs flag was incorporated March 24, 1902 so your statement is round the wrong way. I do have to admit that 'your' version isn't too bad for a copy.
Lots of these things -

 

[2013GV]

15 - 0 Nik's serve

 

[Kazuki Nik]

Can't type properly, got butter all over my fingers!
But yeah, you still have a cute flag, must say, never noticed it before
Note: Not trying to insult anyone, apparently succeeding.

2013GV, tips for removing butter from keyboard?

 

[2013GV]

2013GV, tips for removing butter from keyboard?

Wash hands first. Now, go apply deep heat to hands then go to the bathroom.

 

[Kazuki Nik]

Nik here again mate.
I realise questions should be asked in the forum, but this one has already been asked, and I'm just looking for confirmation.

I believe the trick is to undo the 6 screws that secure the rear of the centre console, lift it up and there is an easy to see / reach adjuster nut.

Can you confirm? Are there any pitfalls? If I stuff up is the engine likely to fall out?

BTW, your butter idea to remove the weather shield glue worked a treat. On one door it's completely gone, the other there's a faint 'matt' texture left (try car polish?), but being a black car, it's pretty much invisible - again, your advice much appreciated!

 

[Kazuki Nik]

First up you would have to try pretty hard to insult me. Second I take nothing personal unless anybody tells me I am wrong as I think it only happens about twice a year. Let me think...maybe that is only once a year.
But I feel I should point out that your statement - "Still and all, you had a proper flag to copy from " is actually incorrect !
Australias flag was incorporated February 11, 1903 BUT NZs flag was incorporated March 24, 1902 so your statement is round the wrong way. I do have to admit that 'your' version isn't too bad for a copy.
Lots of these things -

I certainly didn't intend to insult you

 

[2013GV]

Nik here again mate.
I realise questions should be asked in the forum, but this one has already been asked, and I'm just looking for confirmation.

I believe the trick is to undo the 6 screws that secure the rear of the centre console, lift it up and there is an easy to see / reach adjuster nut.

Can you confirm? Are there any pitfalls? If I stuff up is the engine likely to fall out?

BTW, your butter idea to remove the weather shield glue worked a treat. On one door it's completely gone, the other there's a faint 'matt' texture left (try car polish?), but being a black car, it's pretty much invisible - again, your advice much appreciated!

You talking about the hand brake cable adjustment? Only adjust it here once the auto adjustment has done its bit. I let mine off about 3 turns each, pull handbrake on several times until it stops adjusting then tighten cables to give 5 to 7 clicks at the lever with 40 kg of force. Then forget it, its done, haven't touched mine in 5 years. People tend to do the cables up too tight and there's not enough slack when you let the handbrake off for the adjusters to click over the next stop on the ring on the adjuster. Then the handbrake gets worse, so people tighten the cable which compounds the issue. If you're needing to adjust it here, because the handbrake is crap and not holding, then let the cables off, maybe several turns so the adjusters can do their bit then reset the cables to the correct adjustment
Set at 6 clicks, they gradually go out to about 8 to 9 then next time you apply the brake one day its back at 5 or 6.


Glad the butter trick worked, who would have thought.......dumb kiwis huh?

And yep, try gentle car polish, turtle wax or similar but expect to end up doing the who,e car.

 

[Kazuki Nik]

Mate you are anything but a dumb Kiwi! Well, you ARE a Kiwi, but that's not your fault. (jk)
This is the thing, my driveway has a slope (talk about Kiwi's) and if I park there, apply the handbrake as far as it pulls up (I'm no panty waist), the car will literally groan slowly forward (unless in Park of course).
My way (rightly or wrongly), has been, apply handbrake, ensure it's holding the car - THEN engage Park. So I know it isn't 'Park' that's holding the car.
I have heard rear brakes self adjust but the hand brake, as is, pulls up to its limit!
So .. your recommendations?

 

[2013GV]

Mate you are anything but a dumb Kiwi! Well, you ARE a Kiwi, but that's not your fault. (jk)
This is the thing, my driveway has a slope (talk about Kiwi's) and if I park there, apply the handbrake as far as it pulls up (I'm no panty waist), the car will literally groan slowly forward (unless in Park of course).
My way (rightly or wrongly), has been, apply handbrake, ensure it's holding the car - THEN engage Park. So I know it isn't 'Park' that's holding the car.
I have heard rear brakes self adjust but the hand brake, as is, pulls up to its limit!
So .. your recommendations?

Loosen the handbrake cables
If you're pulling on any more than 6 or 8 clicks then irs not adjusting by itself.

Other method is up on stands, loosen the cables right off, remove the rubber bungs on the back of the plates and adjust shoes manually with a screwdriver, do them up till you feel them just scraping then back off 1 notch. Set cables to give 5 or 6 clicks and see what happens. Very unusual for them to do it, but you might want to take the rear discs off and check the shoes themselves especially if its done dome wet muddy or sandy off road, shoes could be worn.

 

[2013GV]

Mine holds fine on a 1 in 4 slope facing downhill. Remember these won't hold as well backwards as the design is such that you can apply the handbrake on a hill if you have a " fail to climb to the top" and then you can back it down under power so you have control over the vehicle. Try driving away forwards with the brake on compared to backwards. You will move backwards, but not forwards if the things set right.