My New Dream Car

[JRdetailerwoman]

I`ve always wanted a Mustang convertible, so I couldn`t pass this up when I came across it at the local church rummage sale:



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0771resize.JPG



It`s missing a wheel cover, does anyone know where I might pick one up?



There were some pretty good swirls on the hood:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0768resize.JPG



And the interior was pretty dirty:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0775resize.JPG



Some dirt around the spoiler:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0772resize.JPG



Tires were pretty shiny, probably some greasy kid stuff from the dealer:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0773resize.JPG



Underbody was clean, though:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0776resize.JPG







Before I did anything else, I wanted to do some de-badging.



Before:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0769resize.JPG



After:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0774resize.JPG



While I was cleaning the interior I found this, I guess from the previous owner:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0770resize.JPG



I hosed her down, notice the beading is better on the windshield than the rest of the car; I suspect Rain-X or Aquapel:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0779resize.JPG



Then it was time for some serious cleaning. Used the foam gun with GC:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0780resize.JPG

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0781resize.JPG

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0782resize.JPG

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0783resize.JPG



Then I started to wash with my new grout sponge (I understand Excel Detail will be carrying these soon, not sure if they will be the same size)

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0785resize.JPG

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0786resize.JPG

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0787resize.JPG

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0788resize.JPG



Interior got some cleaning, too:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0789resize.JPG



I dried with a terry towel since I wasn`t too concerned with marring because polishing was coming next:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0790resize.JPG



Because of the special finish on this model, I decided that Meguiar`s PlastX would be an appropriate polish:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0791resize.JPG



I guess I really should have taped off some of the seams, because I got some polish residue in there:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0792resize.JPG

It was ok, though, it wiped out. Some of the swirls were really deep, and since it was cold and windy, I didn`t keep going until I got them all out.



Next step was sealing with Meguiar`s MPPP (I was hoping to get a little filling of the swirls):

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0793resize.JPG



And buffing the residue off:

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0794resize.JPG



Afters:



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0797resize.JPG

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0796resize.JPG

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0795resize.JPG

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0799resize.JPG

http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/IMG_0798resize.JPG



My thanks to my friend Setec for helping me with this detail and the photos.



All in all, I`m pretty pleased with my purchase; what do you think? :hifive:

[Old Pirate]

One of the best looking pink mustang`s around! Now the value has gone up 200% Great job!:up

[countrysquire]

Nice work, but you might wanna dress the wheel wells.

[BigAl3]

did that bucket have a grit guard, and also where`s the other bucket for the rinse... :D

[BlackElantraGT]

Thanks for the laugh, LOL. This cracked me up almost as much as the High End Jacket Detailing thread. I especially loved the grout sponge and wash bucket along with the "debadging". HAHAHA

[JRdetailerwoman]

did that bucket have a grit guard, and also where`s the other bucket for the rinse... :D



That WAS the rinse bucket, I was using a foam gun...but I couldn`t find a grit guard for that size bucket!

[BigAl3]

That WAS the rinse bucket, I was using a foam gun...but I couldn`t find a grit guard for that size bucket!



http://smiliesftw.com/x/fairenough.gif

[imported_bigfoot]

i think the transformation was great! Looks like the previous owner didn`t took good care of that baby! Great job!

[imported_weekendwarrior]

It appears as though you used the same sponge to wash the body panels and the tires. I would recommend using a seperate, dedicated sponge for the tires in order to reduce future swirling to your Pepto Bismolmobile.

[JRdetailerwoman]

It appears as though you used the same sponge to wash the body panels and the tires...



Even though they look the same, they were actually different grout sponges, one dedicated just for wheels and tires. One grout sponge can be cut up into many economically sized ones for this vehicle ;)

[imported_Dave1]

Cute.....:lol

[03TLS]

Great post. very creative

[imported_SHICKS]

An old fly swatter cut to size would work.



Steve




That WAS the rinse bucket, I was using a foam gun...but I couldn`t find a grit guard for that size bucket!

[imported_hooked]

Classic! And the finishing touch was the blacking out of the license plate!!! :D

[Pats300zx]

One of the best Click and Brags eva......:goodjob