CMC Detailing-SVT Cobra w/Heavy Waterspotting

mikenap

New member
Although I've never been much of a Mustang guy, the SVT Cobras have always appealed to me. They have a more stripped-down, all-business look to them compared to standard Mustangs and GTs. The subtle decklid spoiler replaces the gaudy rear wings of other, lesser 'Stangs. No hood scoops are found here, just the inverted vents. In my eyes it's a cleaner, classier look.



This car came to me to clean up some heavy waterspotting. In discussions with the owner, it seems the car is often washed with well water and had been rinsed without drying off several times. This resulted in many tiny above-surface spots which cleaned up easily along with some deeper etching that was challenging to remove. This car was initially scheduled for a one-step correction but ultimately that one step was performed multiple times on every panel. I guess it should be considered a multi-step detail, even though only one polish and pad type was used.:tongue2:



On another note, the owner is very particular about this car. It's the first car he ever bought, so he has a definite emotional attachment to it. He also doesn't like driving the car at night, so it had to be completed with enough daylight to get it back to where it's stored. So I had to hustle to have it ready in time and didn't have a chance for too many pics. In all, I had about 16-17 hours into it.



Process:



Foamed with CG CWC, then rinsed

ONR Washed

Clayed with CM Blue

Glass and underhood areas compounded with M105/orange

Paint polished with D300/ MF cutting pad.

Wheels polished with M105/orange and M205/white

Exhaust polished with Meguiar's NXT Metal polish

Wheels and exhaust coated with OPT Opti-Guard

Foamed again with CG CWC

Glass cleaned with Meguiar's D120

LSP was Wolfgang DGPS 3.0



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This was a cool pic from before the initial wash



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The factory wheels were off the car, so I cleaned and polished those first and coated them.



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Scratches before



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Scratches after



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Center caps before



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Center caps after



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Dull reflections on hood



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No reflection from trunk



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Trunk under fluorescent lights



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Roof before



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After several passes, some outlines of the deeper etching remained



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Foaming after polishing. Aftermarket wheels had bubbling under the chrome, so the factory wheels were going back on.



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In the end, some of the etching was too deep to fully remove this time, but the improvement in gloss and reflection was apparent. Thanks for looking, and any comments or criticisms are welcome!
 
I forwarded the link to this post to my friend who owns a twin of this Cobra. I hope he gets inspired to have it detailed. His needs it!



Nice work!!
 
someidiot said:
awesome, love those Cobras

Thanks man!



UBERKLEEN said:
Great Job! I love the paint color!



I love 03 Cobras... Maybe with a little KB action..

I've definitely become a fan. This one with the Borla exhaust sounded incredible.



Brad B. said:
I forwarded the link to this post to my friend who owns a twin of this Cobra. I hope he gets inspired to have it detailed. His needs it!



Nice work!!



Thanks Brad!



michakaveli said:
Great job Mike!



Thank you Chris. We need to get together on a car again soon!



tdekany said:
Looks very good Mike! Awesome work.



Thank you Thomas!



Scottwax said:
Paint has pretty amazing gloss in the afters!



Thanks Scott!



Woody Wax said:
Mike, Awesome work.



I'm a mustang guy :P



LOL, I'm slowly becoming one I think. Thanks Daniel.
 
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