What did you do to your Blackwing today?

[mfcentex]

I recently (last week) finished a full paint correction and polish. I had trouble getting any good "before" pictures, but here are the "after" photos. My car was unfortunately "pre-swirled" somewhere between the factory and when I took delivery from the dealer. When I bought the car, it had quite a few swirls, and the doors looked like someone had wiped them down with a Brillo pad, lol. It took a LOT of work and patience (this is the hardest paint I've ever come across), but I got about 95% of the damage out and it looks absolutely fabulous! As good as it looks in the pictures, they don't come anywhere close to doing it justice. Next step is to do a track day and introduce some 140 mph bug splats...

I had the same issues with the paint. It looked like someone took a broom brush to remove dirt and/or snow. I used the the white polishing pads with very mild paint cleaner. I got the Bauer orbital polisher (Porter Cable clone). I had to go over the black spoiler a second time, but I'd say it's about 95% as well.

 

[Z51L9889]

I wish I could have gotten the correction I wanted just with white pads and a polish. I tried that first and it did absolutely nothing to remove the damage. I ended up using a heavy compound with microfiber pads, and it still took two attempts in most areas to get decent results. I did a thorough prep process before starting (strip wash, iron remover, clay mitt) and the car had never been coated previously, so I was surprised at how aggressive I had to go to get any correction.

 

[Deneed4spd]

My first one which sat over winter had so many scratches. Looked like broom went over to remove snow. My 2nd one made in March had barely any scratches. I think if your car was made over winter and sat, u would be doing more correction.

 

[mfcentex]

I had the dealer do the first oil change this morning. I haven't had anyone else change the oil in my vehicles for over 12 years. I decided to look under the car when I got home and there was oil on the ground in my garage. I jacked up the car on the driver's side and cleaned the cross member of any dripping oil and wiped down the oil filter. I don't think it's actually leaking oil. I think the old oil filter spilled on the cross member and it didn't get completely cleaned off. I will check it again later this evening.

This did give me a chance to put one of the ZL1 jack pucks on the driver's side.

 

[sonny200]

I had the dealer do the first oil change this morning. I haven't had anyone else change the oil in my vehicles for over 12 years. I decided to look under the car when I got home and there was oil on the ground in my garage. I jacked up the car on the driver's side and cleaned the cross member of any dripping oil and wiped down the oil filter. I don't think it's actually leaking oil. I think the old oil filter spilled on the cross member and it didn't get completely cleaned off. I will check it again later this evening.

This did give me a chance to put one of the ZL1 jack pucks on the driver's side.

Hope the filter seal from the prior filter isn't still left on. They sometimes stick & if not noticed, the new filter gets placed over it & it will leak. Also, as you did not make mention, is the oil level still to spec on the dipstick?

 

[mfcentex]

Hope the filter seal from the prior filter isn't still left on. They sometimes stick & if not noticed, the new filter gets placed over it & it will leak. Also, as you did not make mention, is the oil level still to spec on the dipstick?

I don't think they left it on. It was only a couple of drops on the floor. Nothing on the cross member or floor this morning. I checked the dipstick as well this morning.

If the seal is left on, it is a big noticeable mess right away. I know from experience. I acquired a used truck years ago with a cheap Fram filter on it. After I changed the oil and started it up, it dumped at least a quart of oil out immediately. I checked the old filter and realized the seal was missing. I had never seen it happen before, but I don't use Fram filters. I haven't seen it happen since, but I still double check the seal each time.

 

[jrhammer]

Finally found an SD card compatible with the surround vision recorder. Installed it in the trunk and confirmed recording.

Attached is the SD card manual for 2023 BW.

Regarding "What I did" — Unplugged the onstar module in the trunk to prevent any sort of data communication.

 

[mfcentex]

Attached is the SD card manual for 2023 BW.

Regarding "What I did" — Unplugged the onstar module in the trunk to prevent any sort of data communication.

Do they still track information? MyCadillac app still thinks my car has 4 miles on it.

 

[RDATLTE]

Do they still track information? MyCadillac app still thinks my car has 4 miles on it.

Recently, when scheduling an appointment over the phone, my Service Advisor asked me for the last so many digits of my VIN and then immediately stated what my current mileage was.

 

[LongGrayLine16]

Swapped out my base seats for the Carbon Backed Set!

 

[KatyTxCT5V]

@LongGrayLine16 Edit- I reread that you swapped out the set or entire seat. They look sweet. How hard was it to install and how long did it take?

 

[LongGrayLine16]

@LongGrayLine16 are those carbon backs from TapOut? They look sweet. How hard was it to install and how long did it take?

They are on my list of carbon to add, been waiting on someone to be the first to provide some honest feedback.

These are the actual Carbon Backed Semi-Aniline Seats. Took me about 2.5 hours being slow and methodical. If I did it again, it would probably be done in 1.5 hours.

As far as the TapOut shells, I cannot speak to their quality. I doubt they have the ghosted in "V" badge in the top of the carbon, like the OEM have. But, I do believe that it's true they are pretty straight forward to replace from the instructions I have seen.

All in, I secured and shipped the entire replacement seats (front and back) for about 10% more than the cost of the TapOut backers. Not that it isn't a premium product from them, but I think a lot of their pricing is comparing it to the cost of the option ($8k). But that option uses a completely different leather, not just different seat back.