SweetStangGT

What up, what up!

I just bought a black 2000 GT for 9k yesterday, 8/27/05. I'm new to the whole manual tranny and V8 world so bare with me as I may be asking a few questions as I don't want to do anything to the car to damage it.

Here are some images of my car that the dealer took. I have already added the polished "MUSTANG" bumper inserts and the black anodized "GT" shift knob. The "GT" mirror trunk lid is on its way along with the clear fog lights as soon as they become available.

Attached Images

	Full_Frontal.jpg (100.2 KB, 16 views)
	Full_Ass.jpg (95.5 KB, 20 views)
	Left_FrontSide.jpg (96.6 KB, 28 views)
	Interior_FullView.jpg (100.3 KB, 14 views)
	Interior_DriverSide.jpg (93.2 KB, 24 views)

StangGT804

Nice stang!! I like your rims!!! Black is the BEST!!! Wish i had one!

__________________

Lances03SVT

Welcome again.Very nice and Black is the 2nd best color next to DSG

__________________
_______________________
2003 Cobra SOLD

madmatt

Ill be honest, while pretty when clean, black SUCKS. Nothing else to say about it. Welcome to the team, and have fun, we are a great group.

__________________

StangGT804

Wana switch!!/? lol

__________________

madmatt

LOL, not for anything less than a 4v...

__________________

SweetStangGT

Hey fellaz,


Thanks for the welcome. I just got done detailing the hell out of the interior and RainX'n all the windows (Fabreeze and Glade are my two best friends by the way lol). The leather looked pretty good until I cleaned it thoroughly with Meguire's "Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner" and DAMN was that skin caked! Then I used Meguire's "Mist & Wipe Quik Interior Detailer" to go over all of the plastic interior. The best part about that stuff is, it doesn't leave that greasy shiny finish like ArmorAll products do. Sweet product.


Thanks StangGT804...they don't look as good close up...they are chipping here and there but they still look sweet as sin anyway. I'm not sure what kind they are, but I do remember seeing Cobras on the caps before the dealer switched them out to a different cobra design (because there was one cap missing so he order 4 new ones for me at my request).


Here's a list of all of the detailing products I bought from Auto Zone. I was hoping that some of you guys could give me your opinion as far as what to use when (ie, first use A, then B, then use C and before you use D put another coat of B on, etc). Now, maybe I went a little overboard on the Meguire products but they seem to be the best product on the market as far as quality and price go:

1. Meguire's "Deep Crystal Car Wash"
2. Meguire's "NXT Generation Tire Cleaner"
3. Meguire's "Gold Class Instant Wheel Cleaner"
4. Meguire's "Mist & Wipe Quik Interior Detailer"
5. Meguire's "Gold Class Rich Leather Cleaner/Conditioner"
6. Meguire's "Gold Class Rich Leather Wipes"
7. Meguire's "NXT Generation Tech Wax" (bottle, not shoe polish-like tin)
8. Meguire's "NXT Generation Spray Wax"
9. Meguire's "Deep Crystal System Paint Cleaner - Step 1"
10. Meguire's "Deep Crystal System Polish - Step 2"
11. Meguire's "Deep Crystal System Carnauba Wax - Step 3"
12. Meguire's "ScratchX - For scratch and swirl removal"
13. Meguire's "ColorX"

My main concern is, how much of this stuff I should apply. How many coats? Should I apply the Tech Wax BEFORE the Carnauba Wax? Is it safe to use the Spray Wax once a week, or will that effect the Carnauba Wax?

Thanks for all your help!

Matt

PS - Black may not be the ideal color for most, but when maintained properly I'd choose a black car over all the other colors any day. It's all about how much time and effort one is willing to put into keeping the car looking sharp. I also live in FL where it rains A LOTTA LOT! But winter is coming soon and FL winters are rather mellow (I'm used to 10" of snow in the winter where I used to live in upstate NY). I like not having to worry tooooo much about rust or getting pulled over because my tints are too dark (or my exhaust is too loud).

MattJ

It looks like the previous owner installed 95 cobra rims, some sort of lowering springs, and either a catback system or different tail pipes.

spoman2005

very very nice GT!!!!I really like the interior color!!

Just from my amateur detailing point of view I do the following steps each time I do a complete detail:

1. Wash the car at least 2 times - 1st times gets the first coat of dirt off ane the second is more to remove what I might have missed.

2. Clay bar - at least a couple of times a year. (it's optional for me, consider the amount of time from the last complete detail)

3. Only use the scratch stuff if you need to do some spot detailing first.

4. I normally use the non-spray solutions first so that I can use the buffer machine with them. make sure you use a different or new buffer polish cover for each step (don't mix anything).

5. wipe it all down and use a least 2 coats of the Carnuba Wax (Meguair's is the best) especially on the front bumper cover area, hood and top (places that get the most dirt and sun)

6. Go back over the entire car with the NXT spray wax (this forces you to completely rewipe the car again) I use a very good micro fibre towel, they streak less and help give and very smooth finish.

7. Read the labels carefully and never never use any silicon based product on leather or rubber, that will break down the leather/rubber in a short period of time.

Tip: a nice way to restore/treat your window rubber and keep it looking new. Go buy a bottle of good "virgin olive oil", should be about $2-$3 at the grocery store. clean your rubber seals thoroughly (light soapy water, forget the 409, harsh chemicals leave residue and breaks down the natural oils in rubber)
Once clean, with a good clean foam sponge, wipe a light coat of olive oil on all the rubber surfaces of the window seals.
The olive oil will soak into the rubber and keep it from drying out and breaking down and give it a nice new look. 1 bottle will last a long time too.

happy detailing!!!!!!!

Lances03SVT

You dont need the other wax if you use the NXT wax and the spray wax is the same thing as the bottle.You need a spray detailer,the NXT one works great with the NXT.Micro fiber cloths are the only thing that touches my paint.You can use the spray wax a couple of times a week but its alot more work than using a detail spray.You should be able to just be able to clay it,use step 1 and 2 and then wax it with the NXT,I like it better than the #3.Make sure you strip all the old wax off it first,just wash it with Dawn(only use to remove wax).Invest in a Absorber,best thing to dry it off after washing that I have used.

__________________
_______________________
2003 Cobra SOLD

Lances03SVT

I don't think you need the ColorX,at least I would'nt use it.I only have to wash my car maybe once every 2 weeks if the weather is nice.I use this stuff http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....1001&SKU=11146
Will make it look just waxed even if the car is real dirty.

__________________
_______________________
2003 Cobra SOLD

SweetStangGT

So return the Carnauba Step 3 and the only difference between G and H (in my previous post) is that one is a pasty cream texture and the other is a liquid? Which is easier/more efficient (ie, which one should I return)?


Any particular brand or are they all pretty much the same? Is a wash mit okay to use for washing the car, or do you ONLY use microfiber cloths for everything?


Thanks for the breakdown...very helpful tip!


So I wash it with dawn ONLY to strip the old wax off. Should I then proceed to wash it again with Meguire's "Deep Crystal Car Wash" or is the car clean enough for now? What sort of soap do you use for washing? Obviously you don't use dawn all of the time as this is primarily meant for stripping old wax. Can I use a Chaimo (<-- or however that is spelled) wash mit for this step or should I continue to use microfiber cloths'?


Will my local Auto Parts salesman know what this is when I ask? I want to make sure I get a good quality one.



Man, whoever came up with the idea for a forum is a genious! Thanks for all the help.

Lances03SVT

You can get the Absorber alot of different places.I would keep both the spray and the bottle.Use the spray wax as a booster to your other wax every now and then.Try and find the Microfibers made in the USA,they are the best.I have been using some I found at Wal Mart that are high quality though.I use Dawn only once a year.Mostly I use Eagle One wet look car wash but most of the name brand ones are good.I use a regular wash mit and a new Micro Fiber one that I bought,most wash mits are safe just use a good one.

__________________
_______________________
2003 Cobra SOLD

Lances03SVT

Also I never spray anything directly on my paint as the directions usually say,way to much overspray.I spray it on a micro fiber and wipe the spray wax or detail spray on.

__________________
_______________________
2003 Cobra SOLD

SweetStangGT

Thanks bro! I'm moving up from a '94 Saturn SC2 that has no A/C, no sunroof, one really crappy cloth seat (the driver's seat), no headliner (I took it out to troubleshoot the sunroof motor and decided it looked better without it), no back brakes, no e-brake, horrible shocks/struts, cracked front DS fender and bumber (I slid off the road, did a 180, and slammed into a pile of snow in the winter of 2003 in NY), I just replaced the tranny last June that cost me $1700, and two weeks ago, after I got my oil changed, I was told that I had an oil leak. SO...I decided to buy a new car and somehow, while searching the web for a Lexus IS300 I came accross a website that HAD one but was already sold. So, after reading a little but about that dealer's website, I decided to check out their inventory. I saw the stang, saw the year, saw the mileage and then BAM! I saw the price! I couldn't resist!

Actually, I did notice a bit of neglect on the rubber lining on the rear window (I thought it was rust until I touched it and noticed it was rubber). I was going to ask about it but I didn't know how to word it correctly. Excellent TIP...much appreciated. Now, is there a way to restore this rubber? If no, could I go to a salvage lot and get a replacement?

SweetStangGT

Awesome! I don't work until 1:00pm Tuesday so tomorrow after work I'll get some mircofiber cloths and get to work on the paint. I can't wait to get it glossy like I see other member's cars.

Juicedcoupe

nice car man...........