2003 Cobra - Sonic Blue - My First Machine Correction!!

dpscoupe

dpscoupe

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First off, this has been done for months now. Finally getting around to actually posting up; 14 month old daughter & wife 7mos pregnant doesn't leave a whole lot of free time!

Many apologies as I suck at remembering to take pictures. Next to no before & no 50/50. :nomore: I promise I will get better!

The victim is my 2003 Mustang Cobra in the beautiful Sonic Blue. With 136k+ on the odometer, there are paint sins to say the least. Even from a distance you can see how swirled the paint is. This is the day after I picked her up a year ago.


Jmac Cobra2 by dd6980, on Flickr

The condition of this car is what led me to autogeek, & ultimately a new obsession! I read, watched, & absorbed as much as I could & started emptying the wallet on supplies.

First step was a thorough bath. The wash team consisted of:
Two bucket method with grit guards
Separate wheel & well bucket
Meguiars Gold Class
Zep Citrus
Micro-chenille wash mitts
Guzzler waffle weave
Daytona Brushes
Inline hose filter (really helps with the spots)

DSC_0146 by dd6980, on Flickr

Once clean, I did the baggie test & it felt horrible! I clayed using Meguiars Smooth Surface clay kit.

After clay, taped up & ready for correction!

DSC_0150 by dd6980, on Flickr

Here is my poor attempt at a close up pic of the roof.

DSC_0138 by dd6980, on Flickr

The hardware consisted of a PC7424XP, Lake Country CCS orange, white, & gray 5.5" pads, & orange, white, & gray 4" pads.

DSC_0223 by dd6980, on Flickr

The software group:
-Paint
Meguiars Ultimate Compound & Polish
Chemical Guys Blacklight, V7, & Petes 53

-Glass
Pinnacle Crystal Clear Glass Trio (this stuff is AMAZING)

-Trim
Zep Citrus diluted 10:1
Auto Tech Trim Re-Nu

-Wheels/Tires
Wolfgang Uber Wheel Cleaner & Black Diamond Tire Gel
Westleys Bleche White

-Interior
Croftgate Rinsless Wash Concentrate
Zep Citrus diluted 10:1
Mequiars Natural Shine Interior Protectant & Gold Class Leather Cleaner/Conditioner

DSC_0227 by dd6980, on Flickr

After working with a test spot, I landed on an orange pad & ultimate compound for correction work. Followed that with ultimate polish on a white pad. Then went a round with blacklight on a gray pad. After curing, I topped with Petes 53 by hand & final wipe with V7.

It took two solid days to complete, & I feel I achieved 75-80% correction. It was a metric butt-ton of work, but soooo worth it! Here are the after shots:

DSC_0160 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0162 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0171 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0168 by dd6980, on Flickr

Same spot as the before roof picture. I love Yancy's reflection sheet!

DSC_0158 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0164 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0197 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0190 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0188 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0184 by dd6980, on Flickr

Yes, she really does have that many miles!

DSC_0187 by dd6980, on Flickr

& yes, liquid assets were depleted during this correction!

DSC_0229 by dd6980, on Flickr



Thanks for taking the time to view!
 
Nice job. Why are the wheels different though. Was the first photo from a different date?
 
WAXOFF said:
Nice job. Why are the wheels different though. Was the first photo from a different date?
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Yes, the correction wasn't done until late 2012. The first pic was taken in march 2012. She had some hideous wheels on when I got her, so I borrowed those of another car until I could find a nice set of stockers.
 
SB always looks amazing. Nice Cobra.

WAXOFF said:
Nice job. Why are the wheels different though. Was the first photo from a different date?
Click to expand...

Looks like he added 10th Anniversary Rims to his Cobra.
 
nice detail man ! where did you get the poster !
 
Immaculate. Interesting use of the ZEP citrus...may have to borrow that idea.
 
The one with the reflection of the AG eye test
 
JSou said:
Immaculate. Interesting use of the ZEP citrus...may have to borrow that idea.
Click to expand...

Much appreciated! I read it somewhere here on the forum myself.

Lim3 said:
The one with the reflection of the AG eye test
Click to expand...

Oh, I gotcha. Here - Attention all Autogeek's - Test and Post Your Reflection Results

edit - chris beat me to it!!

smack said:
Very nice work.

Stick with it and your skills will improve.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words & encouragement!

Chris's FX4 said:
I really need to get a Terminator.:drool:

Awesome work man. She looks great..:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks Chris! They sure are a lot of fun.........
 
Nice work. Did you use the ZEP on the engine compartment as well?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AG Online
 
vet said:
Car looks great!
Click to expand...

Thank you sir!

MikeN said:
Nice work. Did you use the ZEP on the engine compartment as well?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AG Online
Click to expand...

Yes I did. 4:1 dilution, short dwell, agitate with daytona brush, & rinse. I used some spray wax on the painted areas & interior protectant on the rubber/plastic. Not the best, I'm sure, but it's what I had!
 
Job well done! Love that color

Sent from my SGH-T889 using AG Online
 
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