I learned that the spare is VERY easy to take off and re-mount with one suggestion. Someone else was concerned here a while back about it so I'm mentioning it.

One tip that makes it very easy is, remove the top nut completely but leave the bottom 2 tight. Insert the pin that holds the tire (it's in your kit with the jack). This does not fit easily if you try to start the thread!! Someone else had the same issue. To solve that, use the screwdriver end of the tire iron and just start turning. It's counter-intuitive to start turning a screw before it's threaded at least a little but it does work.

The complaint was that the pin should be smaller. It is a very tight fit but it needs to be to ensure that the wheel does not get scratched in the next step.

After the pin is threaded, remove the bottom 2 nuts and the tire will slide off.

To replace, slide it back on the pin, insert and mostly tighten the bottom 2 nuts. Remove the top pin and install the top not.

Torque all 3 and it's done.

My spare (wheel only not tire) is coated and I'll never have water spots again.

 

@4Corsa or @Ehloo - one of you two need to start a thread on how you wash and detail your Defenders! Pics, products and links. Mine is way under loved and I, for one, am interested in upping my game. I typically pay someone else/something else to do the deed, but think I may have to start learning new tricks. I’ll admit that I typically do the same thing that I did on my 1982 VW almost 40 years ago. I’m sure I’m not up with the times!

 

And arguably the most important part.

 

@_Allegedly - That is GENIUS. Love your tire removal tips. Will try to remember that if I'm ever taking it off because I actually want to USE it as a spare (other than in my shop, rotating tires, whatever).

 

After 1 week. Driven in light rain, parked outside one night, and parked under a bunch of oak trees at their pollen-dropping-worst. Bird droppings and bugs fall off with a few shots from a spray bottle.

Very happy with the UK 3.0. Giving it a wash today and adding the finish layer of CQuartz SiC.

This is before a wash.




Also just ordered CarPro Blackout tire and rubber (trim around the windows) coating and NV Nova glass treatment for next weekend.

 

When you think your glass is clean because you used a pressure washer, soap, glass cleaner, straight alcohol...

But the clay bar tells a different story and that dirt is only from the rear hatch window!



NV Nova time.

 

Dude, you are seriously a Clean Car rockstar!

I used to do this kind of stuff on my sportscars -- had all the Griots stuff back in the 90s/2000s, including hard-water filtering for the hose, clay, chemicals, two-bucket wash, etc. But the damn thing just kept getting dirty again. I eventually became that guy who washes his Porsche 4-ish times a year, and the Defender maybe once a month.

 

That's the thing, I hate washing because it's so damn hot in Florida but I like it to look clean. I can't even describe how slick the paint is now. It's smoother than a cell phone screen. Nothing sticks.

Nova glass is a new one for me. It's much easier than RainX but it's supposed to work better and last 2 years. I'll be delighted if I get 6 months. It took about 20 minutes to do the whole truck.

 

@_Allegedly when he tells me about ceramic coating....I get it. I like it. I'd like him to do it to my Defender. Regretfully, I don't treat mine as well as he does. I finally found a name for my Defender: Oscar.

 

It's true. Owning 3 businesses, most of my life is complete chaos. I need my clean car.