Detailed 1998 Mustang Cobra

Discussion in 'Show and Shine' started by D&D Auto Detailing, Jul 27, 2008.

  1. D&D Auto Detailing

    D&D Auto Detailing DB Forum Supporter

    Unfortunately, the paint on this Cobra has definitely seen better days. Simply put, the paint on this car was pretty beat from a lot of high way driving, water etching, and acid rain. The paint also had a lot of scratches, chips, and touch ups which we had to be careful of. The owner really likes the car and tries to keep it up as best he can. He washes it pretty frequently and has used a PC on it. However, it appeared that when he used the PC on it, something got on the pad and scratched up the paint pretty good. There were buffer marks scattered around the car. The plan for this car was to level out the paint and remove the marks from the PC and the washing induced swirl marks. So Asphalt Rocket and I split the car in half and got to work!

    This first set of pictures shows the condition the paint was in upon arrival.

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    The Polishing Process
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    After a thorough wash and claying, we inspected the paint and decided it definitely needed a 3 step polishing process. I took the spoiler off and decided to take some before, during, and after pictures of the process which we did on the entire car. All of these pictures were taken using manual focus in order to focus on the paint and not the reflection.

    Before
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    Step 1: Defect Removal. For this step we decided to use 105 and a wool pad on the rotary.
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    Step 2: Gloss Enhancement. For this step we decided to use SIP on a light cut foam pad.
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    Step 3: Final Jeweling/ Burnishing. For this step we decided to use 3M UF on a finishing pad. Here is a 50/50 shot of the final result.
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    During the polishing process, the car was rewashed twice. Once after compounding was completed. Then again after the entire process was completed. The CR Spotless system was used during the last wash to insure a spot free finish.

    The car was then pulled out into the sun for inspection. There is no LSP on the car at this time. I tried to take a picture of every single panel with the sun shinning directly on it. All of these pictures were taken using manual focus in order to focus on the paint and not the reflection.

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    And here is the final result after applying the LSP which was Glanz Wax. The tires and wheel wells were dressed after taking these pictures.

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  2. JLs Detailing

    JLs Detailing DB Pro Supporter

    Paint looks 1000x better and you guys did a bang up job on it. Was this just an exterior job or did you have to do the whole thing?
     
  3. Asphalt Rocket

    Asphalt Rocket Nuba Guru

    Just exterior,I just wish the paint wasnt so badly etched otherwise it would have really been awesome. It did come out real nice other than the etching. Thanks JL.
     
  4. Cooter

    Cooter Guest

    Reminds me of my 96GT I had back a few years ago. I miss that car sometimes. It was a good car. I went through a few alternators.

    You sure did alot of work on that car, but from the looks of it, it needed it. Swirls, etching, and crows feet!! Looks like you had your work cut out for you!!! Awesome recovery!!! A fellow Mustang owner thanks you for making that car look kick ass again!!
     
  5. D&D Auto Detailing

    D&D Auto Detailing DB Forum Supporter

    Thanks JL. The paint could of used a chemical wash, but not everyone is willing to pay for that.

    Thanks man. We were pretty pleased with the results and the owner was amazed.
     
  6. Nica

    Nica Banned

    Well done vehicle looks great :druling:

    Question, what lens were you using? How hard was the clear coat? Just wondering that's all :peace:
     
  7. D&D Auto Detailing

    D&D Auto Detailing DB Forum Supporter

    Thanks Nica. Im using a Canon 10- 22. Ford clear is generally about medium.
     
  8. timpryor

    timpryor Birth of a Detailer

    wow, saw this on SVTP this morning, thought the picture style looked familiar.

    looks great, as allways
     
  9. Deep Gloss Auto Salon

    Deep Gloss Auto Salon DB Pro Supporter

    Fantastic work... no doubt about it you guys showed that CC who is boss.. top notch!
     
  10. sumdetailer

    sumdetailer Birth of a Detailer

    D&D - What do you mean a chemical wash? What kind of wash did it get?

    Great turnaround though!!!
     
  11. D&D Auto Detailing

    D&D Auto Detailing DB Forum Supporter

    Yep, I posted it on there too. Thanks man.

    Thanks Jason!

    Im talking about the valugard 3 step wash.
     
  12. Crossroaddetail

    Crossroaddetail Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    haha, I just read this detail on SVTPerformance! So once again, great work .
     
  13. Asphalt Rocket

    Asphalt Rocket Nuba Guru

    Thanks for all the compliments.
     
  14. sal329

    sal329 Nuba Guru

    Great job guys the car looks amazing. Nothing nicer then a black freshly detailed mustang
     
  15. supercharged

    supercharged DB Forum Supporter

    Brilliant job on the mustang! I bet the owner was happy!!!
     
  16. detaildoc

    detaildoc Guest

    Great job man!
     
  17. 911Fanatic

    911Fanatic DB Pro Supporter

    Awesome job! How long did it take to pull off that resurrection?
     
  18. D&D Auto Detailing

    D&D Auto Detailing DB Forum Supporter

    Thank you. We put about 15 hours into the car, maybe a little more.
     

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