1998 Cobra Detail

[HeavenlyV6]

My neighbor just picked up a 1998 Cobra Vert, and since I am a fellow Mustang owner we have been hanging out alot. He asked me if I could do a full detail on his cause he noticed how clean mine is and liked my results. My question is, he has alot of small swirls/scratches that are only visible in the sun. I have only used my PC on my car and still have not mastered it like I want to. Whats a safe method you guys would suggest for me to get these scratches and swirls removed without damaging the paint as far as micro-marring. The products I have include:
PB SSR 1
PB SSR 2.5
PB Polish
Have clay bar
Natty's Blue

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Jngrbrdman]

Micro marring is just part of the job. If you can't avoid them, then the best thing to do is deal with them by stepping down your polishes. If the swirls require that you use SSR2.5 to remove them, then you'll likely have to use SSR1 to remove the haze.

I would also suggest changing pads when you use the SSR1. A lot of the haze I've seen is caused by the pad. Use a cutting pad with 2.5 and then use a softer polishing pad for the 1. I use the Edge 2000 pads and I like using the yellow or orange pad for cutting and then the blue pad with lighter polishes for sorting out the haze. It works out well. Don't be surprised if you get haze when you are using a cutting pad with a light duty polish like SSR1. They call it a 'cutting' pad for a reason.

What color is the car? Based on what you said about the minor swirls that are only visible in the sun, I would imagine that a softer polishing pad and SSR1 should be able to handle the swirls without leaving haze.

 

[HeavenlyV6]

I meant to say alot of scratches in certain areas. Overall the car is in pretty great condition. I have watched all of the PC videos and they were helpful, just seeing if I can obtain more useful knowledge from experienced detailers.

 

[Beemerboy]

My neighbor just picked up a 1998 Cobra Vert, and since I am a fellow Mustang owner we have been hanging out alot. He asked me if I could do a full detail on his cause he noticed how clean mine is and liked my results. My question is, he has alot of small swirls/scratches that are only visible in the sun. I have only used my PC on my car and still have not mastered it like I want to. Whats a safe method you guys would suggest for me to get these scratches and swirls removed without damaging the paint as far as micro-marring. The
products I have include:
PB SSR 1
PB SSR 2.5
PB Polish
Have clay bar
Natty's Blue

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Not knowing the color that helps but this is what I would do to about any color

After the wash use the clay to clean it up...next with a light to med cutting pad moving slow over the finish I would use the SSR1....do a panel and see how that looks in natural light to see if you are picking up the swirls...if not then head for the SSR 2.5 same pad cleaned up...next with a polishing pad use either the SSR1 or PB Polish and that will bring back the luster...remember to move slow over the finish and make sure that you going over the area, four times in different patterns like this ---///|||\\\ this will help to break down the product and get the results that you are looking for.


I'd finish with the Nattys and you should have a good finish!

 

[HeavenlyV6]

The car is red. So you are saying if I use the SSR 2.5, follow it up with SSR 1 to help with the haze. Then I would continue with the Polish to help bring back the shine/gloss followed with a nice wax?

 

[HeavenlyV6]

Not knowing the color that helps but this is what I would do to about any color

After the wash use the clay to clean it up...next with a light to med cutting pad moving slow over the finish I would use the SSR1....do a panel and see how that looks in natural light to see if you are picking up the swirls...if not then head for the SSR 2.5 same pad cleaned up...next with a polishing pad use either the SSR1 or PB Polish and that will bring back the luster...remember to move slow over the finish and make sure that you going over the area, four times in different patterns like this ---///|||\\\ this will help to break down the product and get the results that you are looking for.


I'd finish with the Nattys and you should have a good finish!

OK. I think I just replied that same method in my previous post. Just curious though, how long does it take you guys to do a full detail along with removing these paint imperfections. I am a perfectionist and when I clean my car it is a all day affair. I wanted to know if I am just slow or if I have OCD. haha Maybe a combo of both.

 

[Jngrbrdman]

On just swirl removal it usually takes me about two hours on a car the size of a Mustang. It just depends on how bad the swirls are and if the car has had any body work that makes the work harder. My full details have been averaging around 3 hours on cars that size lately. I feel pretty comfortable that I am getting the job done right going that speed. Of course, I spent 4 hours polishing an '05 Corvette last night and I never was totally satisfied with it. I think it had swirls under the clear or something. Nothing I used even touched some of them.

 

[Beemerboy]

OK. I think I just replied that same method in my previous post. Just curious though, how long does it take you guys to do a full detail along with removing these paint imperfections. I am a perfectionist and when I clean my car it is a all day affair. I wanted to know if I am just slow or if I have OCD. haha Maybe a combo of both.

Start with the SSR2.5 to see how that cuts...do the hood and have a look at it...if you are happy with that then finish the car...then next use the SSR1 or the polish I find that SSR1 is mild polish and in most case I go straight to LSP...if you can find a glaze I would apply that right after the polish by hand..helps to create a deeper finish as well as mask some of the swirls that are still left...makes a real set shine then apply the wax over the top of that

Most all cars take me about 5 hours and most of the time is spent on the outside...about 3 hours for that car would be my guess outside only

 

[HeavenlyV6]

On just swirl removal it usually takes me about two hours on a car the size of a Mustang. It just depends on how bad the swirls are and if the car has had any body work that makes the work harder. My full details have been averaging around 3 hours on cars that size lately. I feel pretty comfortable that I am getting the job done right going that speed. Of course, I spent 4 hours polishing an '05 Corvette last night and I never was totally satisfied with it. I think it had swirls under the clear or something. Nothing I used even touched some of them.

Yeah, I am doing the engine, interior, and then the paint. I just know people stress the importance with the PC on using it slowly and really working the product in. Do you use the masking tape to mark off the areas you are working on? I plan on taking pics for the site so you guys can see my work if I can get a hold of a camera.

 

[HeavenlyV6]

Start with the SSR2.5 to see how that cuts...do the hood and have a look at it...if you are happy with that then finish the car...then next use the SSR1 or the polish I find that SSR1 is mild polish and in most case I go straight to LSP...if you can find a glaze I would apply that right after the polish by hand..helps to create a deeper finish as well as mask some of the swirls that are still left...makes a real set shine then apply the wax over the top of that

Most all cars take me about 5 hours and most of the time is spent on the outside...about 3 hours for that car would be my guess outside only

Thats fisable. I plan on spending easily that much on it. Plus its a vert which helps cause thats one less painted surface. Thanks for the tips. I appreciate it!

 

[Beemerboy]

Yeah, I am doing the engine, interior, and then the paint. I just know people stress the importance with the PC on using it slowly and really working the product in. Do you use the masking tape to mark off the areas you are working on? I plan on taking pics for the site so you guys can see my work if I can get a hold of a camera.

Using painter tape I would tape off areas that you might get product into like trim and the likes of that...with all that you are going to do...about 7 hours based on what you said it takes you with your own car

 

[Beemerboy]

Thats fisable. I plan on spending easily that much on it. Plus its a vert which helps cause thats one less painted surface. Thanks for the tips. I appreciate it!

Is the top vinyl or material? you can get this later for him but Ragg Topp for both types is about as good as it gets and will help to make the paint work look even better, while protecting that valuable rag

 

[HeavenlyV6]

Actually, i did buy ragg topp. Both the cleaner and the protectant. We both have vinyl verts so it will work out great. I need to purchase the material ragg topp eventually for my dad's car. I spent a decent amount of money today on autogeek getting stocked up on things i was low on. Have you ever used PB's wheel cleaner? I purchased some of that and also got some more Sprayless wash to. I love that stuff cause i think it does a nice job keeping door jams and trunks looking nice. As well as the painted surfaces under the hood.

 

[Poorboy]

Micro marring is just part of the job. If you can't avoid them, then the best thing to do is deal with them by stepping down your polishes. If the swirls require that you use SSR2.5 to remove them, then you'll likely have to use SSR1 to remove the haze.

I would also suggest changing pads when you use the SSR1. A lot of the haze I've seen is caused by the pad. Use a cutting pad with 2.5 and then use a softer polishing pad for the 1. I use the Edge 2000 pads and I like using the yellow or orange pad for cutting and then the blue pad with lighter polishes for sorting out the haze. It works out well. Don't be surprised if you get haze when you are using a cutting pad with a light duty polish like SSR1. They call it a 'cutting' pad for a reason.

What color is the car? Based on what you said about the minor swirls that are only visible in the sun, I would imagine that a softer polishing pad and SSR1 should be able to handle the swirls without leaving haze.

Good advice :bigups Use the SSR2.5 with a polishing pad first and see what you have, if need be switch to the light cutting pad and then follow with the SSR1 with a polishing pad.

Which Polish do you have? Polish w/ carnauba? Professional Polish? ???

I meant to say alot of scratches in certain areas. Overall the car is in pretty great condition. I have watched all of the PC videos and they were helpful, just seeing if I can obtain more useful knowledge from experienced detailers.

Videos are good for learning but every car is different experience and practice will teach you a lot more

Not knowing the color that helps but this is what I would do to about any color

After the wash use the clay to clean it up...next with a light to med cutting pad moving slow over the finish I would use the SSR1....do a panel and see how that looks in natural light to see if you are picking up the swirls...if not then head for the SSR 2.5 same pad cleaned up...next with a polishing pad use either the SSR1 or PB Polish and that will bring back the luster...remember to move slow over the finish and make sure that you going over the area, four times in different patterns like this ---///|||\\\ this will help to break down the product and get the results that you are looking for.


I'd finish with the Nattys and you should have a good finish!

more good advice:rockon now that we know it's red, you might want to try SSR1 on a finishing pad on speed 6 as your final polish

The car is red. So you are saying if I use the SSR 2.5, follow it up with SSR 1 to help with the haze. Then I would continue with the Polish to help bring back the shine/gloss followed with a nice wax?

as stated above

Yeah, I am doing the engine, interior, and then the paint. I just know people stress the importance with the PC on using it slowly and really working the product in. Do you use the masking tape to mark off the areas you are working on? I plan on taking pics for the site so you guys can see my work if I can get a hold of a camera.

I would cover the roof and pre-treat the trim with a dressing if you dont want to tape :notme:

 

[HeavenlyV6]

Great info. thanks alot!