Suggestions Welcome: 2003 Mustang Cobra Detail

[Swedish]

I've been building up my supplies since last spring, when I first got really interested in the potentials of a detailing business. Tomorrow I have my first big detail of the spring: a 2003 Phoenix Yellow Mustang Cobra. To make it worse, the car belongs to my boss' brother, so I really don't want to damage anything.



What we know about the car:

The wheels are chrome SVT wheels, not the painted alloy ones.

The back bumper has been replaced and repainted. The paint mismatch is visible to the casual eye. The car has never been polished or paint corrected, just washed.



For power tools I have a PC, a Makita rotary, a Euro-Pro/Simoniz 1.4L steam cleaner. I have four main Lake Country pads for the PC plus the burgundy Meguiar's pad, and a large LC white pad for the rotary. :waxing:



Here's what I'm thinking, but I would love to hear your suggestions or thoughts on this:



wash with Meguiar's gold class

steam door jambs, engine bay

clay w/ QD

wash again

Megs #83 on yellow LC pad on PC

Megs #83 on white LC pad on PC

Poliseal on blue LC pad on PC

tires/rims: Eagle1 All Wheel & Tire Cleaner, dressing

lights: PlastX

trim: mother's back to black

glass: Stoner's Invisible Glass

interior: interior QD

engine bay: ?



Thanks in advance for your feedback! I have two days (maybe three) to do this detail, so I want to take my time with it and do it right. I'll post photos after I see how the car is in the morning.

 

[Swedish]

Nobody has any ideas? I've been lurking here on the forums for several months, and have been learning a ton from people here. I would love for my own details to turn out as perfect as the ones in the Click & Brag forum.

 

[howareb]

It is hard to make any suggestions without knowing what kind of condition the paint is in. A 2003, I would assume has some swirls, but I am not sure about what kind of care the car was given. Post some pics or describe the paint condition a little better and then maybe we can be of assistance.

 

[Way2SSlow]

Ok, here's my suggestion:



Start with 83 and white pad first. I have no experience with M83; however, I've read that it can leave micromarring behind. Do a panel with the white pad first, if it leaves micromarring, then try to polish that out with the Poliseal. Make sure your combo works before you do the whole car.



As far as the engine goes...I really wouldnt go too nuts on it. The 03-04 cobras are supercharged from the factory, so I'd probably just wipe down what you can reach and use Poliseal on any painted surfaces that you have room for. You really dont want to go blasting a ton of water around there with a hose. I'm not a fan of getting the belts wet, and that blower belt is going to find a way to get wet if you use a hose. It probably wouldnt hurt anything, but I'm the type that doesnt like to find out on someone else's ride. The rest of your plan sounds great.

 

[DaGonz]

If you have no experience with a rotary, don't use it!



I'd get some #80 speed glaze and start with that. It is less aggressive than #83.

If you use the #83, follow it with #80, then the Poliseal.

 

[thump_rrr]

Why is his cobra painted a BMW color?

If it's a 2003 Terminator it should be Zinc Yellow which is a light yellow.

If it's a 2004 Terminator it should be Screaming Yellow which is much louder.

 

[Swedish]

K, just taking a quick break.



thump_rr: You're right, I think it's a Screaming Yellow paintjob, since it's a late 03 production car.



I've decided not to touch the car with a rotary. Cobra's don't make good practice panels.



The engine bay came out great with the steam cleaner. I've had tons of distractions at the shop today so it's going a lot slower than I had hoped. I'm going to stay late to finish the interior and do a test polish to take a few photos of and think about overnight. Just found out the owner wants to drive it home at 5pm tomorrow instead of Thurs morning. :wall

 

[Swedish]

Ok, I'm just finishing up the clay tonight before I go home. Here's some photos of what I'm dealing with.

 

[Swedish]

The rest of the photos:



Initial thoughts:

There aren't any really deep scratches, just bad swirling and cobwebbing over the entire car. The trim looks very aged around the windshield.

The spots on the microsuede look troublesome. I'm going to tackle them before I quit tonight.



As always, any constructive thoughts are extremely welcome!

 

[Way2SSlow]

Looks like a nice car. I've got a detail on it's twin coming up soon. Cant wait for the finished pics.