2001 Ford Explorer Sport

[P1et]

Ladies & Gents,

I will make this my thread as I explore the wonderful world of detailing. I have the PC 7424 Poorboys Kit on order, but couldn't wait to sit around all weekend long waiting for it!

So, I used what I had to at least get started before the good stuff arrived.

1) Megs Gold Class
2) Zaino Z-16
3) Zaino Z1
4) Zaino Z5 Pro

This is after I washed it with Megs Gold Class:

 

[P1et]

This was scary: after claying it with Z16...

How about those marks and waterspots? I was getting nervous...

 

[P1et]

Looking better after a layer of Z1 followed by Z5 Pro. Still nothing to write home about... I'm going to let it sit for a while before I apply Z2 Pro.

 

[wytstang]

Thats quit the improvement, that paints does need some TLC and you're in the right path to give it just that.

 

[texasdan]

paint

Is this the factory paint, or has the hood been repainted at some time?

 

[texasdan]

The reason that I ask is that if it has been repainted, the paint / clear coat is probably very thick and you could use a very aggressive polish without worry.

 

[P1et]

My wife got it new before we were married, and it's never been repainted. Although the strange thing is that the paint is pretty decent all over the car... apart from the hood. It's noticably worse! But then again, I've seen other 2001 Ford Explorer Sports that have similar defects on the hood.

And yes, I was just testing what I could do with what I had learned here on the board and what I have.

I will be using SSR 2.5 on it once I get everything next week.

 

[texasdan]

Sounds like a good choice.

 

[ScottB]

I doubt in Zainos Fusion would knock a hole in that finish (its light kinda like a finishing polish to me) and using just Z1 and Z5Pro is not going to make a huge difference as it has very light filling ability. (it looks great as an LSP) I would seriously get into some heavy polishing, then some lighter polishing, and a jeweling. Then revisit Zaino as wanted, but true perfection will come from all the prep prior to a paint sealant or wax alone.

 

[P1et]

Alright everyone, I just finished the hood on the explorer:

1) Meguiar's Gold Class
2) Zaino Z16 Clay
3) Poorboys SSR2.5
4) Poorboys SSR1
5) Poorboys EX-P

Is it perfect? No. But did it make a difference? HUGE! Scroll above to see the befores and compare with the below... I love this PC, cannot wait to finish the whole Explorer...

I wonder if the Natty's Blue will make a difference?

 

[FloridaNative]

Wow! It looks much much better.

 

[wytstang]

Definatly(sp?) a big improvment good job

 

[P1et]

I've been trying to find this is the Secret Decoder Ring, but what is an LSP?

 

[Surfer]

LSP = Last Step Product

Sold my 03' Mountaineer but still have my 00' 5.0 (same as 4dr Explorer), good trucks. Hard on both and just turned 92K on the 00' and it still runs like new (bought new). Never been in for any work except for normal maintenance. Have a few goodies on it, gotta love that 5.0

 

[FloridaNative]

I've been trying to find this is the Secret Decoder Ring, but what is an LSP?

It's at the bottom of the cereal box. hehehehehehe too cute!

 

[P1et]

Thanks Surfer and FloridaNative! That explains it... So I guess that Natty's Blue would be an LSP?

Surfer - I love that Explorer. My wife got it back in '01 and that thing just turned 48K yesterday. We haven't had any problems with it (knock on wood) apart from some minor things that were fixed under warranty. All in all, cannot complain a bit!