First time detailing my car
#1
First time detailing my car
So it’s not an Acura or even a late model anything, but I’m here seeking the advice and wisdom from the Acurazine brain trust to detail the paint on my 1967 Mustang. The paint is probably close to 20 years old now. It’s a two part paint, base coat clear coat, and it still has a decent shine to it.
I call the paint job a 5 footer, as in from 5 feet away it looks good but on closer inspection it has its share of scratches and swirls. I’m going to polish the paint with the intention of removing the imperfections to make the red paint really pop.
Take a look at some of these close ups of the paint and you can see the swirling:
Front drivers side fender
Front of passenger side hood
Passenger side fender
Passenger side door (I need to get rid of all of that caked on wax as well! It's everywhere)
Water spots on the roof
Scratches on deck lid
Scratches on passenger side quarter panel
I’ve been following the Wash and Wax forum for a long time now, commenting on and admiring the results of other members here. I’ve also researched other posts and have a good idea of what I need to do. Don’t worry, I won’t be over complicating what I need to purchase and I will be calling our vendors, Phil at Detailers Domain and Nick at Auto Geek
I’ve polished in the past (we called it buffing) but I used wool pads, 3M compounds, and a big single action Milwaukee Tool buffer. I’ve retired this monster and will be modernizing my detailing arsenal with a Porter Cable 7424XP (from my research on this forum, this is the popular choice).
In addition to the Mustang, I’ll also use my new gear to detail the paint on my metallic grey 2010 Infiniti G37 and white Silverado.
This is what I am purchasing this week. If I get everything in time and the weather is good I will be working on the car this upcoming Sunday June 8th.
Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash
Meguiar’s clay bar
Porter Cable 7424XP
2 - Lake Country Orange 6.5” light cutting pad
2 - Lake Country White 6.5” polishing pad
Meguiar’s 105
Mequiar’s 205
Meguiar’s #21 Synthetic Sealant
You will notice I’m using all Meguiar’s products. I feel they have a good product line with reasonable prices.
Let me know your thoughts on what I am purchasing or just follow along. I’ll be taking before and after pictures and I will be posting updates and final results!
I can’t wait, this is going to be fun!!!
I call the paint job a 5 footer, as in from 5 feet away it looks good but on closer inspection it has its share of scratches and swirls. I’m going to polish the paint with the intention of removing the imperfections to make the red paint really pop.
Take a look at some of these close ups of the paint and you can see the swirling:
Front drivers side fender
Front of passenger side hood
Passenger side fender
Passenger side door (I need to get rid of all of that caked on wax as well! It's everywhere)
Water spots on the roof
Scratches on deck lid
Scratches on passenger side quarter panel
I’ve been following the Wash and Wax forum for a long time now, commenting on and admiring the results of other members here. I’ve also researched other posts and have a good idea of what I need to do. Don’t worry, I won’t be over complicating what I need to purchase and I will be calling our vendors, Phil at Detailers Domain and Nick at Auto Geek
I’ve polished in the past (we called it buffing) but I used wool pads, 3M compounds, and a big single action Milwaukee Tool buffer. I’ve retired this monster and will be modernizing my detailing arsenal with a Porter Cable 7424XP (from my research on this forum, this is the popular choice).
In addition to the Mustang, I’ll also use my new gear to detail the paint on my metallic grey 2010 Infiniti G37 and white Silverado.
This is what I am purchasing this week. If I get everything in time and the weather is good I will be working on the car this upcoming Sunday June 8th.
Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash
Meguiar’s clay bar
Porter Cable 7424XP
2 - Lake Country Orange 6.5” light cutting pad
2 - Lake Country White 6.5” polishing pad
Meguiar’s 105
Mequiar’s 205
Meguiar’s #21 Synthetic Sealant
You will notice I’m using all Meguiar’s products. I feel they have a good product line with reasonable prices.
Let me know your thoughts on what I am purchasing or just follow along. I’ll be taking before and after pictures and I will be posting updates and final results!
I can’t wait, this is going to be fun!!!
#2
Suzuka Master
The 6.5" pads are too big. Get a 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads . The white pads wont do much for you .. Get 4 orange ones . On the polish .. Tho they are good I gave up on the a long time ago. Too much dust and short working time. I switched to Optimum polishes a long time ago.
The #21 is great... Key is apply it very thin . You should be able to do that car with less than an ounce. With sealants less is better.
The #21 is great... Key is apply it very thin . You should be able to do that car with less than an ounce. With sealants less is better.
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65 Fury Convert (06-02-2014)
#3
Good advice on getting the 5.5" pads versus the 6.5". These old cars have a lot of sharp body lines. The 5.5" will give me more control
#4
BTW interesting that you mention the Meguiar's created a lot of dust for you. That reminded me of my old 3M products which would do the same thing. I'll compare the prices between Meguiar' s and Optimum. Again, thanks for your input.
#5
Burning Brakes
iTrader: (1)
Before talking about anything else you mentioned it has a two part paint. Has the car ever been repainted? If that is factory paint it is going to be single stage. To check just use your cutting compound on a MF cutting pad and see if there is any paint transfer.
Can't really tell if it is clear coat or not.
Can't really tell if it is clear coat or not.
#6
Your Friendly Canadian
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Before talking about anything else you mentioned it has a two part paint. Has the car ever been repainted? If that is factory paint it is going to be single stage. To check just use your cutting compound on a MF cutting pad and see if there is any paint transfer.
Can't really tell if it is clear coat or not.
Can't really tell if it is clear coat or not.
#7
Before talking about anything else you mentioned it has a two part paint. Has the car ever been repainted? If that is factory paint it is going to be single stage. To check just use your cutting compound on a MF cutting pad and see if there is any paint transfer.
Can't really tell if it is clear coat or not.
Can't really tell if it is clear coat or not.
Last edited by 65 Fury Convert; 06-02-2014 at 06:16 PM.
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65 Fury Convert (06-03-2014)
#11
Needs more Lemon Pledge
In for the finished product!
Sounds like you are well on your way regarding tools/products. Everyone has their personal preferences so don't sway from yours unless there is a compelling reason (like the dusting, or ease of use, result, etc)...
Sounds like you are well on your way regarding tools/products. Everyone has their personal preferences so don't sway from yours unless there is a compelling reason (like the dusting, or ease of use, result, etc)...
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65 Fury Convert (06-03-2014)
#12
Just purchased:
1 LC-43-125DA - Lake Country 5 Inch D.A. Hook & Loop Flexible Backingplate
3 LC-78-22550 - Lake Country 5.5 Inch CCS Orange Foam Pad
2 LC-78-72550- Lake Country 5.5 Inch CCS Gray Smart Pad
1 M-10508 - 8 oz. Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut
1 M-20508 - 8 oz. Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finish
1 M-2116 - 16 oz. Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #21 Synthetic
And I didn't get the Porter Cable, instead I bought a DA polisher from Harbor Freight:
It was less than $60 including shipping with a coupon code I grabbed online. The reviews were pretty good so I think it'll do fine.
http://m.harborfreight.com/power-too...her-69924.html
1 LC-43-125DA - Lake Country 5 Inch D.A. Hook & Loop Flexible Backingplate
3 LC-78-22550 - Lake Country 5.5 Inch CCS Orange Foam Pad
2 LC-78-72550- Lake Country 5.5 Inch CCS Gray Smart Pad
1 M-10508 - 8 oz. Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut
1 M-20508 - 8 oz. Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finish
1 M-2116 - 16 oz. Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #21 Synthetic
And I didn't get the Porter Cable, instead I bought a DA polisher from Harbor Freight:
It was less than $60 including shipping with a coupon code I grabbed online. The reviews were pretty good so I think it'll do fine.
http://m.harborfreight.com/power-too...her-69924.html
Last edited by 65 Fury Convert; 06-03-2014 at 03:52 PM.
#13
Forgot to order the clay bar Will have to buy some at the local auto parts store
#14
Works pretty well.
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65 Fury Convert (06-03-2014)
#15
Burning Brakes
iTrader: (1)
Yeah it works surprisingly well.
#16
No deliveries yet so no detailing this weekend. Instead I decided to change out the fluids.
Really looking forward to detailing the paint!
Really looking forward to detailing the paint!
#17
Sounds like you are headed the right direction. There is a method that has been out for a few years called "the Kevin Brown Method" using Maguire's 105, works really well on cars in need of TLC. Suggest proceding with caution using it on a 20 year old paint job.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...explained.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...explained.html
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