Restoring a 1993 MTX

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Macgyver

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Has anyone tried using plasti dip on dried, cracked and nasty quarter and rear window mouldings? I'm going to attempt it this weekend if time permits.
 

Macgyver

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I cant imagine the finish would look very good?

My trim looks so bad that I think it's worth trying. I'm going to mask it off carefully and paint it on with a brush. Some guys are painting grilles and even entire cars with it. I've never seen one in person, but the final product looks like it might do the trick. I'll do a test first and let you see the results.
 

kevinspann

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Most mustang guys fill in the trim with glaze or the like, then sand and paint it all with trim paint.
 

jelloslug

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Has anyone tried using plasti dip on dried, cracked and nasty quarter and rear window mouldings? I'm going to attempt it this weekend if time permits.

I have. You need lots and lots of coats for it to look good. The best part is that if you don't like it you can just peel it back off.
 

jelloslug

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Most mustang guys fill in the trim with glaze or the like, then sand and paint it all with trim paint.

I have done that also. Glazing compound tends to crack over time. I have had better luck with two part clay type epoxy. That stuff is water soluble before it cures so it makes it very easy to force into the nooks and crannies.
 

Macgyver

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I have done that also. Glazing compound tends to crack over time. I have had better luck with two part clay type epoxy. That stuff is water soluble before it cures so it makes it very easy to force into the nooks and crannies.

Two part clay type epoxy? Like Quicksteel? Please enlighten me.
 

Macgyver

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Color Sanding

Now that the car is home, I began color sanding and buffing. I started with 1000 grit paper that i soaked in a bucket of warm slightly soapy water for an hour. I wrapped it around a thin rubber sanding block and had at it. I did one panel at a time. When i was done with the 1000 i moved to 1500. I learned about a new product called Trizact discs. They are very expensive at $87.00 for a box of 15 but they are amazing. They are a thin foam backed 6 inch disc used on a DA. I used 3000 grit and wet sanded with them as a final step. I then pulled the disc from the DA and used it by hand to get into the areas the DA can't get into. I followed this up with white 3M rubbing compound on a black foam pad, then a blue glaze on a yellow pad. The parts I have completed look excellent. No scratches, dirt nibs, orange peel or swirls. I think it looks too good actually.
 

Macgyver

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Wanna come do that to my 89??? Would make all the difference in the world to the paint on it!!

No thanks! This is seriously hard work. I will probably have 200+ hours in body work when this is all done. I worked 5 hours yesterday and 8 today just sanding and polishing and I still have to do the roof, hood, bumpers and cladding. My fingerprints on my right hand are gone. Anyone need a safe cracked?
 

intimdatr

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I understand! I helped a friend buff his VW trying to get the car ready to sell. Had never had ANY love on the paint done it was was longgggggg day getting her ready. Looks amazing after its all done though!
 

Macgyver

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Cars have come a long way since 1993 and this car validates that statement with a capital V. It drives very well for what it is. I got out nearly all of the rattles and squeaks. I did all of the recommended services, so it has all of the power it should. On the highway it’s enjoyable and relaxed, but around town, the MTX is a thing of horror. First gear is too steep and the clutch is obviously too small. The steering is slow and the brakes are merely OK. It has to be driven hard to accelerate quickly. This car is not terribly heavy, and the engine isn’t overly powerful so I expected it to be good on gas, but it just isn’t. What have I done?
 

Macgyver

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Oh well, 16 mpg or not, I'm in deep so I may as well follow through. I sourced a hard button EATC for $75, and got it installed. I also replaced both rear calipers and hoses. Rear brakes make a huge difference. The rear calipers were completely frozen and non functional. I also replaced the valve cover gaskets and did plugs and wires along with a fuel filter. There is very little else to do other than drive it. The A/C is ice cold and it drives well. I have since renamed my other car the Millenium Falcon, because that's how it feels when I drive it after driving the SHO.
Do all 3.0 SHO's feel really soft until above 4K?
 

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