First time using a two bucket wash...

dpscoupe

dpscoupe

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...and I can't believe its taken me this long to come to the light.

Washed up the 93 as I've been using her as a DD since the Cobra is down for repair. Since discovering this forum & the autogeek store, I've been collecting a few new toys & products & was finally able to try out a few! I'm mildly embarrassed about these before pics:


DSC_0024 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0027 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0023 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0025 by dd6980, on Flickr

Starting with the wheels, I used Zep Citrus diluted 4:1 to clean the tires & wheel wells. On two wheels I tried out the new WG Uber wheel cleaner & the other two got Zep. I could not tell an appreciable difference between them, but they weren't too terribly bad off. Just to see some color change action, I rolled out one of my race wheels & it turned completely pink!! (sorry, no pics, got in a hurry & forgot) :-(

Once the wheels were clean, I used two 5 gallon buckets (each with a grit guard), a micro-chenille wash mitt, & Meguiars Gold Class wash soap.

After a healthy rinse & a thorough wash (followed by another healthy rinse), I blew off remaining water with my air compressor & finished off with my new guzzler towels. Not sure how I survived without the guzzler until now!

While I was happy to see a clean car again, I was more impressed by what I didn't find.....SWIRLS! There were none! At least, not any new ones. Up until this point I thought I had been doing a good job as a car guy, luckily I was led to the water & am learning the error of my ways.


DSC_0029 by dd6980, on Flickr

After a short break, I put down a coat of Megs gold class carnuba paste. While that was drying, the glass was cleaned with Stoners Invisible Glass, The wheels received a coat of WG Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0, & the tires were treated with WG Black Diamond Tire gel. The wheels are a satin black, but the 3.0 gave them a killer matte finish that I like alot.

Finally, the after shots!! A couple of reflections:


DSC_0053 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0055 by dd6980, on Flickr

Overall in front of the office:


DSC_0049 by dd6980, on Flickr

and a couple of artsy fartsy shots:


DSC_0054 by dd6980, on Flickr


DSC_0058 by dd6980, on Flickr

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to share their detailing knowledge & experience on this forum! In my lurking I was able to sponge up quite a bit & come to the humble realization that, while I was mechanically inclined, I knew jack sheet about maintaining paint! I think I have a new addiction.......
 
I think you're headed in the right direction for sure and I like your car!! :props:
 
Glad that you finally saw the light. That's some nice Mustangs you have there! What 4.6 did you put in the fox body? Also, it that an actual 2000 Cobra R?
 
Great job! I'm really curious, have you ever used a polisher before for swirl removal? If not, you gotta share your secret as to how there are no swirls on your car :laughing:
 
Love the 2001 Cobra R in the reflection shot. car is looking good. Is LRS going to start getting a bit into detailing?
 
Divine Details said:
That's a nice lookin ride I like the orange one in the reflection too
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Thanks man, much appreciated!

BobbyG said:
I think you're headed in the right direction for sure and I like your car!! :props:
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I sure hope so Bobby, & thanks!

jjkacz said:
Glad that you finally saw the light. That's some nice Mustangs you have there! What 4.6 did you put in the fox body? Also, it that an actual 2000 Cobra R?
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Thanks man! She has an 01 Cobra 4V. Yessir, original 00 Cobra R. I can't remember what # right off the top of my head. She belongs to the boss man.

ARizzle said:
Great job! I'm really curious, have you ever used a polisher before for swirl removal? If not, you gotta share your secret as to how there are no swirls on your car :laughing:
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Thanks! I have yet to use a polisher myself. I just picked up a 7424XP & will be cutting my teeth on my 03 Cobra. She needs a bunch of help....Y'all will be hearing quite a bit of questions from me on this one!

The 93 was painted in 2003 & is the epitome of a garage queen. There are swirls, just few & far between. The only time she comes out is for a car show, when needed at work for marketing purposes, or twice a year for HPDEs. One of my co-workers who is quite skilled with a machine took some paint measurements & did some color sanding & buffing to everything above the body molding in 2005. I've been maintaining that finish by hand since & boy am I tired!! Once I get comfortable with the PC, I'll get the 93 to full on mirror (hopefully). According to the before/after paint measurements my co-worker took, I apparently have a quite a bit of clear. I have the #s written down somewhere, just don't ask me to find them!! The guy who painted her said he "hammered on" the clear so there would be plenty of material to work with. I'm pretty sure its PPG Deltron.

flamed03vert said:
Love the 2001 Cobra R in the reflection shot. car is looking good. Is LRS going to start getting a bit into detailing?
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Thanks man! Nah, this is a personal new obsession for me. With companies like autogeek already knocking it out of the park, we'll keep on with what we know best.....parts!
 
I remember the first time I used grit guards. The rinse bucket was black lol.

Are those wheels miro 111? They look good.
 
KillaCam said:
I remember the first time I used grit guards. The rinse bucket was black lol.

Are those wheels miro 111? They look good.
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Yep I was pretty shocked at the amount of dirt collected in the bottom of the rinse bucket. cant believe i actually used one bucket all these years.

The wheels are our SVE Drifts, but are based on the same design as the 111s.
 
As good as grit guards are, they do not remove all the dirt from your wash media. So if you are shocked by the amount of dirt they remove, imagine the amount they don't. Think about it.

The only way to truly wash a car with guaranteed clean wash media is with the Gary dean wash method. I'm totally convinced he's onto something. You are always working with fresh, pre-treated wash media. I'm a believer after using his method.
 
silverfox said:
As good as grit guards are, they do not remove all the dirt from your wash media. So if you are shocked by the amount of dirt they remove, imagine the amount they don't. Think about it.

The only way to truly wash a car with guaranteed clean wash media is with the Gary dean wash method. I'm totally convinced he's onto something. You are always working with fresh, pre-treated wash media. I'm a believer after using his method.
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I seriously appreciate you bringing up this wash method! I found the youtube vid & I have to say that it makes perfect sense if striving to maintain a flawless finish. I'll definitely give it a try the next go-round.
 
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