1974 Mercury Cougar

**Dtrick.22** · 05-23-2010, 08:31 PM

I have a friend bringing me an old Mercury Cougar. If I recall correctly it is a 1974. I haven`t had a chance to see it but does anyone know off the top of your head if I will be dealing with Single Stage or Clear-coat? Doesn`t really matter to me but I`d rather know ahead of time.
Thanks

**Poorboy** · 05-23-2010, 08:37 PM

definitely single stage, probably an enamel .. if there is paint you have a great chance of making it new again ... have a bunch of pads and rags

**Beemerboy** · 05-23-2010, 08:49 PM

Single stage enamel paint, had a 74 challenger, know the paint well, do what Steve said

**Tex Star Detail** · 05-23-2010, 09:17 PM

Yes, PLENTY of pads.......

**Dtrick.22** · 05-23-2010, 09:44 PM

Ok cool, this will be the first time doing correction work on single stage. I`ve done a few waxes but no correction with it...Any tips to make it a little easier, or does it polish out similar to Clear?

**Gus-Gus** · 05-24-2010, 06:52 AM

IMHO i would stay away from heavy duty cutting products.. maybe try some PWS..

**tuscarora dave** · 05-24-2010, 07:22 AM

I would be thinking Pro Polish all the way, adjusting the cut by pad selection.

**JaredPointer** · 05-24-2010, 07:35 AM

Has it been repainted?

**Beemerboy** · 05-24-2010, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by JaredPointer

Has it been repainted?

That was a question that came up for me as well, after I started thing about it...Most likely its been redone

**Mr. Clean** · 05-24-2010, 11:36 AM

Ahhh...memories

Had a `75 Cougar. Red on red with red from `75-`82. Was a completely different car from my `69 (also red but with black interior). As I recall you`ll have a lot of real estate on the hood, but a short rear deck. As noted unless the vehicle has been very well kept, I would guess a repaint would be likely.

**Dtrick.22** · 05-24-2010, 05:07 PM

Original Paint, its like a tan/ bronze color

**Mr. Clean** · 05-24-2010, 05:37 PM

So it is 36 y/o paint. What condition is it in? Are they looking for a correction or polish/protect?

**Dtrick.22** · 05-24-2010, 08:28 PM

Yes, very old paint...I got it today, VERY DULL....I got half the car done tonight. I clayed it, SSR2 with yellow pad on the rotary at about 1300rpm`s. Worked it in pretty good. I then followed with ProPolish on a white pad by PC and the car cleaned up pretty good. I will hopefully have pictures tomorrow for you guys to see. It`s here for correction, just not full correction. Mostly oxidation removal. I`ll be getting $120-$150 for it so I`m just knocking out the oxidation and getting it as close to new as I can without going crazy with labor cost.

**Beemerboy** · 05-24-2010, 08:42 PM

Do you have a wool pad? That`s what I`ve used on older car like that, makes short order of the work, and really brings back the finish

**Dtrick.22** · 05-24-2010, 09:29 PM

I`ve got tons of wool, maybe I`ll give that a shot tomorrow but if it`s not any quicker I`ll just go back to the yellow pad since I`m getting decent results