2004 Mustang GT -- First PC Detail

E

Evenflow

New member
Hey folks.



I bought this 2004 Mustang GT just about a year ago now. It sat in my garage every week while I was away at school. Its got only 6,000 miles on the odo. Now that classes are over, I can finally show the paint some much needed TLC. Car came from the dealership with all the complimentary swirls, and marring. I usually washed my car every few months, and it hasn't had a coat of wax or protection on it in I would say over six months This is also my first time using the PC (7336)





Process..



Wash with QEW

Clay with ClayMagic using Meguiars GC QD as lube

Polish with Optimum Polish using a LC Orange pad via PC set at 5-6

Polish with Optimum Polish using a LC White pad via PC set at 5-6

Glaze with ClearKote RMG using a LC Black pad via PC set at 4-5

Waxed with ClearKote CMW via CleareKote Wax Applicator



Other..



Wheelwells dressed w/ ArmorAll Tire Foam

Tires/Wheels washed w/ Greased Lightning Blast Orange Powered

Tires dressed w/ Meguiars GC Endurance High Gloss

Glass cleaned with Stoners IG





Pictures..





ND5.jpg


ND7.jpg


ND8.jpg


ND9.jpg


ND10.jpg


ND11.jpg


ND12.jpg


NDB.jpg
 
NDF.jpg


ND15.jpg


ND16.jpg


ND17.jpg


ND13.jpg


ND14.jpg


ND4.jpg


ND2.jpg




I didn't really get the results I was looking for. I only got out about 40% of the swirls. The Optimum was VERY difficult to work worth. I couldnt get it out of the bottle, it was to chunky. Even after shaking it for well over a half hour it wouldn't budge. I managed to pour some into a Dawn bottle, that worked a little better. Halfway through the detail the velcro on my LC orange cutting pad tore off, I had to finish the rest of the polishing with my LC white polishing pad. Polishing was a nightmare, and I think I need something more aggressive than OP. Im thinking maybe SSR2.5? Otherwise, the RMG really wowed me, same goes for the CMW. I only have one coat of CMW on, if I throw one more on, will it look wetter?
 
Scott has some really good techniques with the optimum products. I am still learning how to use them but I get a little better very time. Car looks good though!!
 
Try 50/50 polish and compound, or use a drill to widen the hole in the cap of that polish botlle (I did it with mine and it works), I find the Optimum polish and compound some of the best I used (and ordered as I live in Belgium).

Even on a black car IN the sun with a hot hood, it stays liquid for a long time (I know, never polish in the sun...)
 
Thanks guys.



I can tell this is going to become a disease already. I need a few more pads now, maybe some SSR2.5 to bust the swirls I couldn't get, and some SSR1. A long with a new washmit, waffle weave's, and a few other things.



My friend saw my work on this car and wants me to do his vert M3, and Evo for him. Im gunna practice quite a few more times before I step up to that though.
 
GREAT job man.... I am also going to get some better pads and ssr2.5 later on.



Are those 4" tips on the stang.... You must have flows or something ;)
 
evenflow said:
I only have one coat of CMW on, if I throw one more on, will it look wetter?
Click to expand...



I dont think I would waste the product if I were you. I have no experience with any CK products, BUT...if you're not happy with the polishing job...I say have another go at it. I wouldnt apply multiple layers of LSP until youre happy with what's underneath it. Your car looks awesome! That first picture with the sun reflecting off the right front fender is just cool. That's what a stang is supposed to look like.
 
Thanks!



I was very dissapointed with the OP. What would everyone recommend next? I really want to keep my RMG, EX, and CMW. What polishes can I match with those? I was thinking for my next one..



SSR2.5 Orange LC cutting pad

SSR1 White LC polishing pad

RMG Black LC finishing pad

EX Black LC finishing pad

CMW by hand via CK Wax Applicator





Does that look like a good swirl free combo? Should I try a more aggressive pad with the SSR2.5? I really want to get the black wet looking, and depth. Do you guys think I got the wet/depth looking going on with this combo? How does the SSR2.5, and 1 leave the paint finish. LSP ready? The OP seemed to leave it shiny, which is one think I did like about it.
 
Optimum Compound would probably give you the results you want but if you'd rather switch brands for the deep polishing, I'd go with Meguiars DACP and follow with either Optimum Polish or Meguiars #80 Speed glaze, then the RMG/CMW.



Once you get the swirls out and a coat of CMW on the paint, next time you wash it, add a second coat to ensure complete coverage. Maintain with Quikshine. :)



The depth and wetness of your paint is beautiful! :woot2:
 
Optimum polish can be a little hard to get out of the bottle. I was reminded of how much I love Optimum products today when I tried out my Menzerna Power Gloss for the first time. I had dusting and chunks of dried polish flying all over the car. Optimum never dusts, and is always a pleasure to work with.



I never use Optimum polish for correcting, only as a second step after compounding. For swirl removal I use Optimum Hyper Compound on my rotary with a cutting pad at around 1500 RPM. For areas of the car that aren't flat, I use Optimum Hyper Compound with my PC, with a cutting pad, at speed 6, with moderate pressure. It will leave moderate hazing which can be removed with Optimum polish or compound and a white pad (depending on the paint). I was surprised how fast the PC can cut through swirls with this method. Unfortunately, using my PC on speed 6 for almost a whole car with moderate pressure seems to destroy the velcro backing on my SFX pads (boy do they go far when they hit the ground spinning off of a PC at speed 6!!). I'm going to see if my Lake Country PC pads hold up.



ANYWAY, don't give up on Optimum yet. Remember that the Compound and the Hyper Compound have a lot more cutting power than the polish, yet are still easy to work with. Give the hyper compound a shot, it's my go-to for swirl removal. Then follow with the polish. Good luck and nice work on the stang.
 
Thanks good little write up there :2thumbs:



I heard the Hyper Compound was only good with a rotary though?



So you would suggest Hyper Compound, then follow up with OP?



Will that look better than DACP, and #80?
 
I have not used DACP and #80, only the Sonus, Menzerna, and Optimum line. ScottWax uses Hypercompound with a PC (I think he mixes it with OP or OC sometimes, can't remember), and I tried it recently and was impressed. Like I said, it removed the swirl marks when I used it with my PC, a cutting pad, speed 6, and some pressure. Follow with the OP and a polishing pad (also on speed 5 or 6) to remove the haze. If you have time, follow with a finishing polish like Menzerna FPII, or optimum polish with a finishing pad, on like speed 4. Then glaze, seal, and wax. The last polishing step isn't necesary though, but it does make a difference. I usually skip this step on clients cars unless it's for a show or I feel like spending an extra half hour.
 
Awesome.



So I think now that I already have the OP, I might as well try the OC/OHC and finish up with the polish. It would be stupid to buy two new products when I already have one.



Im a little lost on which compound I should get though. Im not sure if I need regular Optimum Compound, or Optimum Hyper Compound.



And I dont want to get another bottle thats chunky, it was really a pain and made me want to stop after the first panel.
 
My Optimum polish was only slightly chunky -- I hope yours isn't "bad" some how. The Compound & Hyper Compound come out a lot smoother. I was scared to try the hyper compound at first, but honestly there's no reason to be afraid of this product. I even have to do two passes with it to remove all the swirls with my rotary sometimes, using a cutting pad and mild pressure, so I know it's not TOO aggressive - especially with a PC. Just be careful on edges and plastics (like mirrors, bumper edges, door handles, and the pull tab on the gas cap!!). I don't know what kind of cars you usually work on, or if it's just for the Mustang, but most cars I deal with have pretty serious swirling, and I go straight to the Hyper Compound every time. I did the hood of my buddy's 05 Mazda 3 (dark grey) the other day, for fun, and I used the hyper compound on it after finding the OP wasn't nearly aggressive enough.



I think you should try it out -- you won't be disapointed! The only time I use the Optimum Compound now is as a single stage heavy polish with a polishing pad on older light metallic paint. It actually finishes pretty good for a compound. Hope this helps!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top