Minor cleaning and painting questions...

[fspam-r...@usa.net]

Hi there, I've just bought a 71 Mach 1 Mustang, and am wanting clean
it up a little. I'm wondering if you can recommend some products and
ideas...

1 What kind of cleaners work on chrome wheels to get rust off...

2 What kind of paint should I use on the engine compartment to get a

glossy black look?

3 Where can I get springs to raise the car up in the back? Also what

shocks are good, and where can I get this stuff put on?

4 What kind of protectant is good on a dash board (I've heard that

Armor All is actually bad for vinyl)...

5 What brands of spray paints will last, and what technique is good
(how many coats that sort of thing)...

6 Lastly, I'm going to get the outside painted, and am wondering how
many coats of paint, and clearcoat you would recommend.

I appreciate all help, thanks a ton,

Patrick Signorino
Seattle WA
1971 Mach 1 Mustang

[Brian Grier]

fspam-r...@usa.net wrote:
>
> Hi there, I've just bought a 71 Mach 1 Mustang, and am wanting clean
> it up a little. I'm wondering if you can recommend some products and
> ideas...
>
> 1 What kind of cleaners work on chrome wheels to get rust off...

I have used Duponts Chrome polish with good results.

>
> 2 What kind of paint should I use on the engine compartment to get a
>
> glossy black look?

Check any auto parts store, they'll have a selection of aresol paints
available.

>
> 3 Where can I get springs to raise the car up in the back? Also what
>
> shocks are good, and where can I get this stuff put on?

I am not familiar with you car, and I just sold my '71 shop manuals
so I can not help you.

>
> 4 What kind of protectant is good on a dash board (I've heard that
>
> Armor All is actually bad for vinyl)...

Armor All is bad only if that is all you use. You have to CLEAN the
dash prior to applying Armor All protectant. I use 3M's vinyl cleaner
and restorer on my '82.

>
> 5 What brands of spray paints will last, and what technique is good
> (how many coats that sort of thing)...

I would need to know where you are using this before I can answer.

>
> 6 Lastly, I'm going to get the outside painted, and am wondering how
> many coats of paint, and clearcoat you would recommend.

This depends upon the paint the body shop is using. You may have a
choice of laquer, acrylic laquer, acrylic enamel, or eurathane,
depending upon the body shops preferances. I prefer acrylic enamel
and eurathane paints, but if you are trying to match the original
factor finish for a 71 you'll probably want to go with a laquer
or an acrylic laquer (lasts a little longer).

Duponts Centauri paint goes on well with just one medium heavy coat,
though I prefer two medium coats to reduce the chance of runs. Laquer
paints require 6-7 coats, and a lot of elbow greasy to get rid of over
spray, and to buff it out. Duponts Imron paint requires 3-4 light
coats, and very low pressure at the gun, to prevent runs and massive
over spray problems. Typically a true clear coat is applied 30 minutes
after the final color coat. If the flash time is to long you can end
up with the GM/Chrysler problem of lifting clearcoat. In '71 there
was no clear coat, but If you want it do not let that stop you.

Last week I used Duponts NASON (eurathane) paint on my car. I applied
2 medium coats for full coverage. I also applied a 3rd coat containing
an integral-clear coat for a little extra depth.

Other paint manufacturers have similar requirements for their various
types of paint. Your body shop will apply their own techniques to get
the best finish for your vehicle.

>
> I appreciate all help, thanks a ton,
>
> Patrick Signorino
> Seattle WA
> 1971 Mach 1 Mustang

Have fun,
Brian

[Keller, Michael]

fspam-r...@usa.net wrote:
>
> Hi there, I've just bought a 71 Mach 1 Mustang, and am wanting clean
> it up a little. I'm wondering if you can recommend some products and
> ideas...
>
> 1 What kind of cleaners work on chrome wheels to get rust off...

Naval Jelly will remove the rust. Wash the wheel after using the Naval
Jelly and use chrome polish to remove any surface residues and rust that
may be left. Wax the wheel to protect it. Once chrome wheels are pitted
and started rusting, they're a constant maintance item. They'll always
stain and rust. You have to keep on it to keep them looking
good/acceptable.

>
> 2 What kind of paint should I use on the engine compartment to get a
glossy black look?

Originally, the engine compartments were semi-gloss black. If you want
gloss black just pick up your favorite brand and blast away...of course
theres about two days of prep-work involved before you get to use the
paint.

>
> 3 Where can I get springs to raise the car up in the back? Also what
shocks are good, and where can I get this stuff put on?

Look in the yellow pages for a larger town or city near by. Look under
the heading of springs. Most spring shops can re-arch your originals
and/or add a leaf to bring your originals back to life. You really
should replace them sine this is a weak spot on all 65-73 Mustangs.
Detroit-Eaton spring should have exactly what you want. All you have to
do is tell them what you have and what you want to do and they'll send
you the correct springs. When you have the springs our, replace the
rubber bushings with urethane or polygraphite type bushings. You won't
be sorry you did that.

Monroe gas-matic shock work OK for stock applications. To get rid of
the "boaty" feeling use KYB gas-a-just shocks. They're cheap and they
work well. Ifyou have the bucks, you can't beat Konis.

>
> 4 What kind of protectant is good on a dash board (I've heard that>
> Armor All is actually bad for vinyl)...

Pick one, clean the dash, and use it. The UV radiation damages
dashboards not protectants. Use the protectants and keep the sun off the
dash and it will last longer.

>
> 5 What brands of spray paints will last, and what technique is good
> (how many coats that sort of thing)...

Spray bombs? I prefer Krylon and Plasti-Kote. Martin Senior and others
also have high quality spray can paints. Read the directions for proper
application techniques. Usually two to three spray bomb coats is good
enough. Practice, practice.

Automotive/professional type paints? PPG, DuPont, Martin-Senior,
Sikkens, Sherwin-Williams and others all offer excellent products. The
key to a quality job is preparation. You also have to pick a
manufacturers system and stick to it from bare metal to clearcoat.
Mixing and matching components will cost you in the long run.

>
> 6 Lastly, I'm going to get the outside painted, and am wondering how
> many coats of paint, and clearcoat you would recommend.

Let the professional body/paint man figure that out. BUT after all the
body work is done and the sealer is on the car and the car is ready for
paint, typically the car gets (depending on base-coat hiding, solids
content, paint type, application techniques, the color of the sealer,
and lots of other factors) 2-3 coats of base-coat and 2-4 coats of clear
or more. Its one of those depends things that an experienced paint
person gets a feel for over time and by learning. It depends on the
paint system being used, it depends on laydown, it depends on the
effects that the painter is trying to achieve. It just depends on how
many coats it takes to get a proper film build. Once your there, your
done.

[fspam-r...@usa.net]

Hey guys, thanks a ton! I just moved into the area (Seattle), and
have never owned an older car before. I need all the advice I can
get.

I seriously appreciate it (I printed all the responses out).