2003 Mach 1 -- Bigfoot Sighting!!

mjlinane

mjlinane

My name is Mike
A coworker's brother's car - a red 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Arrived pretty rough but, girded with my Rupes, I was unafraid.

Note - my buddy, Jason (new member MugelloM) took part in the festivities.

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First step was wheels (PBW S&R followed by CG Sticky Gel Citrus - they were pretty bad). Tires and wheel wells got Zep Orange (1:1). Then my standard decon (foam with OPC + CG CW, rinseless (this time with ONR) and "claying" with Nanoskin Autoscrub pad + Nanoskin Glide. Jason was stuck with Megs clay.

This is what the paint really looked like:
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Another one step with the Rupes + LC CCS Orange + Menzerna PO203S - me with the 21 and Jason with the 15.

Here is a 50-50:
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Less than 2 hours later & topped with WG Deep Gloss Liquid Seal, the paint was fabulous:
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Thought the headlights came out exceptionally good. GG6 + 4" Surbuf + Megs D300 (2 passes).
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Other products used:
Polish removal - GG Prewax
Post polish wash - UWW+
Tires - CG Natural Shine
Matte Surfaces - CG Meticulous Matte
Jambs - Eco Touch Waterless
Glass - Megs D120 & Fast Glass (thanks Ben)
Interior wipedown - Megs QID

Jason and I were a bit dumbfounded. This was probably our most dramatic transformation and, by 3PM, we were done! It was almost easy.

Andrew - my prediction: you will be calling Kevin next week. ;)
 
Awesome job! My Jaw is on the floor reading 2 hours... So 2 ppl, 4 man hours... You got those results thats insane. If I spend 2500$ loading the shop up with 2 of each rupes everything I'm gonna blame you Mike! Yes YOU@!@!@ I already have like 3k in polishers of some sort laying around between 2 shops lol. Car came out great!:bow
 
I probably need to clarify: 2 hours of polishing. Entire thing was around 5.5 hours but I spent an hour on the wheels and we were not rushing.
 
Wow, it turned out amazing Mike. The paint didn't look bad in the outside shots, 50/50 proved me wrong. The headlights look very nice after hit with the 300.

First the Honda with M100 and now the Mustang with PO203S both with one steps. The bigfoot can't come soon enough. Great results on both.


Did your friend have any experience with polishers? Thoughts on the Rupes?
 
Wors said:
Did your friend have any experience with polishers? Thoughts on the Rupes?
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Guess that's a great opportunity for a first post! ;) I've helped Mike on many of these detailing jobs, but usually just lurk behind the scenes. Figured it was time to finally create an account and chip in every now and again. Regarding your question on the Rupes - it's a pretty darn incredible machine! I only spent time with the 15 today, but I'd say it's hands down the best polisher I've ever used (I currently own an Hitachi SP18VA rotary, Griots DA, and Porter Cable 7424). I'd heard some of the hype, and did a bit of reading up on it after Mike had told me he was interested, but was skeptical it could deliver upon all of the lofty expectations. It really is everything that is promised! Silky smooth action, great cutting power (usually the first pass is acceptable for most jobs), and overall just a pleasure to use. Mike and I were both wishing the Mach 1 had more painted surfaces around 2:30! That rarely happens on transformations such as this one (the before pics are probably a bit more forgiving than the actual condition of the car upon arrival). Safe to say, I'm definitely in the market for a Rupes 15 after today...
 
Thanks everybody.

Ronkh said:
what ya do on the spoiler and decals?
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CG Meticulous Matte. Also on the plastics on the trunk lid and the shaker scoop.

It did cause discussions about the wiper scuttle, mirrors and tires. Based on condition, the first two looked like they were originally glossy so went with WG to restore some sheen (but not over-the-top gloss). And the tires, Jason and I decided on a natural look. Guess that one boils down to aesthetics.

Wors said:
Wow, it turned out amazing Mike. The paint didn't look bad in the outside shots, 50/50 proved me wrong. The headlights look very nice after hit with the 300.

First the Honda with M100 and now the Mustang with PO203S both with one steps. The bigfoot can't come soon enough. Great results on both.

Did your friend have any experience with polishers? Thoughts on the Rupes?
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As usual, it is difficult to capture with the camera. The befores aren't as bad and the afters aren't as good as in real life.

Still new to the Rupes universe and determining if more pad/less aggressive polish or the alternative is the way to go. Based on the two cars, I am leaning to the former.

As Jason mentioned, we have done many cars together (if I mention two people in the showcase, he is the second). It was Jason who reintroduced me to mechanical polishing. too. I had sworn off of them based on my early experience as a teen with rotaries, wool pads and "rocks in a bottle."

MugelloM said:
Guess that's a great opportunity for a first post! ;).
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Welcome to AutopiaForums, Jason!! See - it wasn't that bad. ;)
 

Mike, simply Awsome.



I will say there is so much talk and display of how great the Rupes is I am really wanting to get them both.

 
Amazing work Mike. I can't believe the transformation in that amount of time. It just look like the Rupes system just "works" ...
 
Great job Mike and Jason! 5.5 hours is crazy fast for those results!


Mike, I know that Flex is now just taking up space now that the Rupes is big boy in your garage. Why don't you let me take care of it? Shipping's on me ;) hahah
 
Welcome Jason!
Mike those are very impressive times. Your making me want to pull the wife's car in and check times with the 15. I can't wait to put this tool to use other than a few tests. All the toys are at rest for winter and I'm knee deep in restoration work:(
Still fantastic work both of you!

Did you have Kevin cut an exact fit plate yet? With basic testing love it.
 
Yep, that pretty much does it for me. I'll be ordering the 21 this week. The G110v2 just isn't going to cut it for me as far as correction goes so I might as well go ahead and pull the trigger. I've got my first "paid" job this weekend and I wonder if I can get it in time. I've got a ton of D300 and D301 left so I was thinking about starting off with the MF pads and then picking up a bottle of M100 or M101 and with some LC foams. Any recommendation between surbuff and the megs pads? Also any other products that can be used as 1 step that you would recommend?
 
Thanks Troy, Pat, boostedmoose, Roshan, John and Custom Care.

Concours.John said:
Did you have Kevin cut an exact fit plate yet?
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Not yet, The products work so much more efficiently that I am not missing that bit extra something. I'll get there.

Custom Care said:
Yep, that pretty much does it for me. I'll be ordering the 21 this week. The G110v2 just isn't going to cut it for me as far as correction goes so I might as well go ahead and pull the trigger. I've got my first "paid" job this weekend and I wonder if I can get it in time. I've got a ton of D300 and D301 left so I was thinking about starting off with the MF pads and then picking up a bottle of M100 or M101 and with some LC foams. Any recommendation between surbuff and the megs pads? Also any other products that can be used as 1 step that you would recommend?
Click to expand...

Here are some pad observations so far:
1) May be a bit much for constant pressure pads. They work but you will be changing them out more frequently. You can feel the wobble when it is time.
2) As noted, especially with the washer mod, the machine is extremely efficient. Start much, much less aggressive than normal.
3) Surbuf is more aggressive than MF. Saw pics where Todd Cooperider used Rupes + Surbuf to get similar results to Todd H with the Carpro Orange Peel pads.
4) Megs MF and compounds are going to be really aggressive still. Test spots and starting least aggressive is much more important with the Rupes.
5) LC Orange almost seems like a sweet spot. Used with a good polish (especially a DAT), you can get a finish I've not achieved before even with finishing pads and super fine polishes.

Note - I am rocking the washer mod and am only running 4.5-5. Also don't use much pressure. Slow and steady does it. Instead of edging to remove a RIDS, slow down even more,

I loved PO203S on this Mustang. Would guess that BF SRC would be the next notch up.
 
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