Radar Detector power cord trashes stack

OpenRoad

OpenRoad

New member
My CTS-V has only slightly over 8,000 miles on it, and despite my careful handling/detailing, the super-shiny center stack continues to be marred by the coiled power cord from my radar detector. The ultra-shiny black finish on the stack and console is notorious for scuffing/marking, which very obviously suggests a very poor finish from Cadillac, inside these cars.

I have not yet used a swirl remover, as I am fearful of making even more "scratches" in the soft finish. Have only used soft microfiber, and BlackFire Interior Protectant.

I love my corded/pricey Escort Detector, but have not yet found a solution for eliminating and/or protecting against "rubs" on the center stack. Rest of cockpit looks perfect, so far. Just have the rubs from the cord.

Any solutions, anyone? Dump ze hot car? Slow down?
 
put a permanent/semi-permanent coating on the stack to protect it after polishing out the current blemishes or get/make some sort of soft velvet like sleeve for the cord to minimize the friction and rubbing.
 
I personally hate any coiled anything...
Where is your Radar Detector mounted?
Mine is up next to the RearView Mirror, just below the film there that is supposed to help stop sun blinding...
I got a flat, black, RJ-11 telephone cord and stuck it under the headliner and ran it all the way down the A pillar inside, and then down through the glovebox and over to the power source..
The Ideal way is to hardwire it to the switch for the moonroof or something there that is easily accessible and will look more natural..
Someday when I get to that priority level, I will hardwire my Valentine-One in correctly.
Good luck with this -
Dan F
 
Thanks, all.

Hardwiring the Radar D is likely my best route. Hard wiring would also make Mr. Escort less obtrusive. But, I can't stand the idea of having "other wires" exposed within the sleek interior.

My detector is mounted immediately below the rear view mirror, and "upper-windshield tinting", as I personally like that position for best "capture" of radar, and "high-pointed" laser beams. So far, in several vehicles, this has worked out very well for me in many states (No doubt,...hmmm...this statement just jinxed me?).

I don't want to infringe upon the headliner, or other panels, so have looked into Escort's rear-view window mount. Unfortunately, this also requires hard wiring. Being a tried and true DIY'er, I don't know how "botched" this approach may look if I do it myself. I can make a car look good, but I am not much into re-wiring stuff. I have looked at Escort's rear view window mount, but do not know anyone who has done this (How tacky, does it look?).

A permanent/semi-permanent coating on the stack does make a lot of sense, Custom Care. I surfed into 3M Scotchprint Wrap Film, but don't know if it works. How would Ya hold up a soft velvet sleeve? Duct tape? O.K....tacky string? Sky hooks?

Can I loop the expanding cord over the top of the fancy-dancy seats?

Help.......

Thanks....!
 
Stokdgs said:
I personally hate any coiled anything...
I got a flat, black, RJ-11 telephone cord and stuck it under the headliner and ran it all the way down the A pillar inside, and then down through the glovebox and over to the power source..
Click to expand...


This is exactly how I did mine. So I can remove it without any problems. And since you can tuck these thin / flat cords you don't even know its there.

 
I have a bulk roll of the 3M ScotchCal Paint Protection Film. I've used in on smooth interior pieces before.

PM me with an address and how long of a piece you need, and I'll send it to you.
 
Thanks again, for the further input. Forrest, thanks for your generosity. I am still hoping to solve the annoying marring situation by 1. CORRECTING the rub marks, and then, 2., finding a "topcoat" or sealer that may not be a "physical add-on"..such as a film/some other kinda Stickum-up thingy (make any sense?). I will go the stickum-up way, if I have to though.

I have not used Opti-Coat, Jsmooth and Wendell. I have used, and have on hand, Opti-Bond Tire Gel though. Any chance I can "sub"? The Opti-Bond Tire Gel is also listed for "dash and interior trims", but I have been spooky to try different applications. Will this approach completely cover the "rub lines" that I already have present on the stack?

Could I gently use Megs Mirror Glaze 205 to polish out the rubs? Also have on hand Megs 105 ultra-cut compound, but these are "mars", not scratches. I went from Glossy, to Mat. I am assuming that the use of a polishing compound would be the WRONG approach to a soft (totally-Shytty) finish that has a "matt track" down the stack from the radar cord?? I might have ALLLL Mat, if I use a polishing compound?

As the finish is so ridiculously soft, #@*&%$!!, I am afraid to experiment. I plan to trade this car in someday, in near-pristine condition (I have had impeccable trade-ins that dealers love). Still throwing darts at Cadillac.

Appreciated the further comments. Thanks!
 
I have a ats with CUE - try having your coiled cord not only hit the piano black finish but activate all the touch buttons...suddenly my stereo is playing xm 20 at 100 volume!! - and the heated seats come on - lol I went with this - [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0091U0DPC/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]Amazon.com: Rogue Mount Your Bel & Escort Radar Detector. High Quality Custom Mirror Mount: Car Electronics[/ame]

then you can hard wire into your powered mirror check youtube there is a video on how to do that.
 
You can hard wire a 9500ix and it is arguably a better detector unless you love false alerts. Depends on where you live but the GPS, learning 9500ix, smart phone integration with smart cord and waaay easier updating process makes the scort a winner for me.
 
The further input on my original post is still very interesting. After accumulating another 2,000 miles on me car without any "mods", I tossed the Escort "coil lifeline" over the top of my rear view mirror. No rubs on any part of the stack. Looks like crap, but I haven't had to do any modifications, and I merely stash the detector in the Jockey Box when Car is parked for an afternoon, or evening. Call me Cave Man?

Unfortunately, despite the tacky hangy-dangy coiled cord+unit that border check points readily recognize, I am still left with the initial marring of the stack. I haven't gotten a ticket so far (I have signed my fate?), but I am bothered by the old "rubs" from the cord.

The Loop-de-Loop method over the mirror has not seemed to damage anything so far, but certainly can't be called "Stealth"?

Any more input, on removing/repairing the original rubs to the stack?
 
LOL that is EXACTLY how I ran my Escort before I got the rear view mirror mount. Looks like a clothes line but it works! Be careful though, the tension on mine would occasionally loosen the plug in and I never noticed the detector was off...Luckily most of my commute is full on traffic but once i saw that I made sure to double check every time!
 
Does anyone know of a good radar detector that flashes or has a visual alert instead of a noise? When I'm driving and I have my music turned up it's hard to hear it...
 
Reflectiveauto said:
Get a V1 and hardwire it.
Click to expand...

groebuck said:
You can hard wire a 9500ix and it is arguably a better detector unless you love false alerts. Depends on where you live but the GPS, learning 9500ix, smart phone integration with smart cord and waaay easier updating process makes the scort a winner for me.
Click to expand...

The V1, the Redline, and the 9500ix all use the same RJ11 telephone cord for the power supply. Escort's hardwired Smartcord would work well in this application. I would route the wire down the A-pillar for a stealthy installation. It seems like one has to disassemble half the car but its worth it.

For highway driving the Redline has the best range, followed by the V1. The 9500ix is quite a bit less sensitive. Too much danger of missing distant instant-on radar shots with the 9500ix IMHO. That is important out in the desert.

Dlux works very well on plastic surfaces. It has very high gloss and is very durable. I spilled some on my exterior window trim last fall and it is still there, not having lost any of its initial gloss.

GTO_04
 
Thanks, GTO-4, for suggesting Dlux for coating the marred stack. I have, now, read quite a bit about the product, on Autopia Forums. Sounds favorable, given all of the good reviews. Thanks, for the suggestion. I will likely bite.

Distant Instant-On radar bursts worry the heck outa me in our mostly-wide-open area. Got a ticket (whine) 6 years ago driving my Jag, climbing out of a steep dip in I-25. Officer zapped me at the top of the hill, from the opposite side of the freeway. My old Escort (Passport 8500) picked up the burst, but not with enough time to save me. Just two radar units talking to each other, in a nano-second.
 
I went with this to solve my problem

Rouge Mount - radar detector mount.
Rogue Radar Mount - Escort Radar Detector Mounts, V1 Radar Detector Mounts, Beltronics Radar Mount

They make them for different models but they are a breeze to install and it worked out great - mounts right under the rear view mirror and the cord hangs down and away from the cue and I never ever have to worry about the suction cup falling off lol..

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