Keeping It Clean: The Sequel

I gave the '66 the same treatment as the '06 this past weekend, but without the clay bar. I'd have to say that this is one shiny '66. Fortunately, the paint job had come out really good, so this just makes the paint look even better.




I used the 3M Imperial Hand Glaze and the Gold Class Wax, both applied with a fresh foam bonnet on my 6" orbital polisher, and buffed out by hand with microfiber towels. (On the '06 I applied the wax by hand instead.) I'm definitely using the orbital polisher to apply the glaze and wax from now on, much easier.




I don't see any swirls, so that's great.

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Keeping It Clean...

I spent a few hours this weekend cleaning my silver 2006 GT, in anticipation of completing a full detailing of the 2001 Bullitt when it arrives in a few weeks. I used some products that I've had on hand for sometime, and a couple newer ones. I think these items or ones like them would be great at cleaning and preserving paint on a newer vehicle.




I started with a car wash, in this case using an old (huge) bottle of Costco Zymol that I'm still using years after buying it. When the car was clean, I soaped up a new Zaino Bros clay bar, which I've had unused in the cabinet forever, and wiped the horizontal surfaces. (I'd use this bar next time if I buy from Amazon -- Meguiar's G1001 Smooth Surface Clay Bar.)

Then I rinsed and dried the car.

Next, I used a 6" orbital polisher (similar this one -- Black & Decker WP900 6-Inch Random Orbit Waxer/Polisher) that I had bought on clearance somewhere for $10 to apply some 3M Imperial Hand Glaze (3M Imperial Hand Glaze 39007). I used foam bonnets (Carrand 40409 Foam Bonnets) on the polisher, not cloth, to avoid swirls, and kept the surface wet with glaze as I was working.

I then removed the glaze, buffing lightly with some new microfiber cloths (Meguiar's X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber). I hadn't used microfiber before for detailing, but they worked just great.

When the glaze was removed, I locked in the shine and protected the paint with some Meguir's Gold Class wax (Meguiar's G-7016 Gold Class Clear Coat Wax Liquid) applied by hand, and removed it with a fresh microfiber cloth. (You can use the orbital polisher for applying the wax if preferred.)

I think the results look great, even with a lighter color like silver.







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Almost Ready!

I went to see the Bullitt last weekend and helped peel off some stickers while I was there. Most came off pretty easily with some heat and 3M General Adhesive Remover.




With some fresh Red Line synthetic fluids in the engine, transmission, and rear differential it's coming along very nicely. Just a handful of tweaks remaining.

Here's a pick of one of the wheels all cleaned up. With the ARP wheel studs freshly cut down, a set of Ford Racing lug nuts (from McGard) fit and look great for street use. I drove around briefly and the brakes are incredibly strong.