Gettin' ready for a show

[Michael Stoops]

I spent a good part of this past Saturday detailing my 2004 PT Cruiser Turbo in preparation for a show in Arizona next weekend. On Saturday I washed with Gold Class, clayed, polished with M80/W8006 and applied a coat of M21. Temps were in the 80s and I knew it would be hot on Sunday so I left it at that with the intent to continue later. On Sunday I worked on the interior and applied a second coat of M21. I took my time as the temps hovered in the low 90s on Sunday and I didn't want to sweat all over the car!! This morning I applied a coat of M16 - don't worry, the car has been sitting in the garage since Saturday and I hit it with QD before each coat of M21 or M16.

I tried a little tip I picked up at a Saturday Clinic - when I would finish polishing a panel with M80 I would ease way up on the pad pressure and go over the panel very gently with the fully broken down M80. I don't know if it was that trick, or the waiting 24 hours between coats of M21 & M16 but the paint feels slicker than it ever has.

Anyway, here's a couple of quick shots I took today. Now it's back in the garage until I leave Friday morning.

[2slow4you]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

WOW car looks good, what you got done to it?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

WOW car looks good, what you got done to it?

Thanks! Done to it? Well, for starters it's got the Mopar Stage 1 upgrade for the turbo package (this is the same engine as the Dodge SRT-4) which brings it up to 240HP and 265ft-lbs. It's also got the composite intake manifold from the 2006+ models which adds another 8HP or so, hard pipes for the turbo plumbing, a dual stage boost controller (switched from inside the cabin) so it makes around 18 psi to redline on L2. It's also been lowered a couple of inches, upgraded the shocks, and installed stiffer anti-sway bars. Oh, and those wheels only weigh 14lbs each - sweeeeet. It kinda surprises a lot of folks.

[Blaze]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

That has got to be the smoothest and most gorgeous PT Cruiser I have ever seen! Have a good time at the show!

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

Your cruiser looks great. Hope you do well at the show.

[TrufflePig]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

looks awesome.

how long was drying time with M21 in that heat.

any problems with streaks or anything b/c of heat/humidity?

[BlueZero]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

Hey wait a minute! Your car doesnt have eyes and a mouth like in your avatar.

Wow, car looks great. Looks so wet.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

looks awesome.

how long was drying time with M21 in that heat.

any problems with streaks or anything b/c of heat/humidity?

While the temperature was in the low 90s the humidity was only about 12% or so - yeah, it can get really dry out here (5% humidity is not uncommon). I didn't really bother to check drying time since I applied the M21 in a closed garage and left it alone for a couple of hours before coming back to remove it. Same with the M16. Not a streak to be found.

Actually, the only time I've had streaking issues with M21 has been if the paint is still fairly warm. At a Wednesday Night Open Garage last fall I brought in my Miata and did her up with M21. The hood was still quite warm while the rest of car was cool to the touch. I got streaks on the hood only.

[SL1CK]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

Nice PT, have you ever considered tinting the tail lights? I think it would look nice on your car and set off the black real nice along with the tint.

[kpagel]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

Looks awesome, Mike! Will you be protecting the front end in any way against bugs on the drive to Az (3M bra, maybe) or will you just clean them up when you get there?

[amari]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

Great car Mike..

Now this one deserve a Meguiar's Sponsorship

Let us know how you do in the show... and don't forget to take some pics as well.... Good luck....

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

Nice PT, have you ever considered tinting the tail lights? I think it would look nice on your car and set off the black real nice along with the tint.

I had them tinted for a short while but didn't like the look. Yeah, surprised me too! It seems better balanced with the front end this way.

Looks awesome, Mike! Will you be protecting the front end in any way against bugs on the drive to Az (3M bra, maybe) or will you just clean them up when you get there?

I have a Colgan 2 piece bra that will go on only for the trip out and back. I've only used this thing 3 times, and never for more than 8 hours at a time. I'll probably put another coat of M16 on the areas contacted by the bra before I leave.

Great car Mike..

Now this one deserve a Meguiar's Sponsorship

Let us know how you do in the show... and don't forget to take some pics as well.... Good luck....

Meguiar's sponsorship....that would be cool. My camera is all charged up and ready to go!

[Jeepster04]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

Thanks! Done to it? Well, for starters it's got the Mopar Stage 1 upgrade for the turbo package (this is the same engine as the Dodge SRT-4) which brings it up to 240HP and 265ft-lbs. It's also got the composite intake manifold from the 2006+ models which adds another 8HP or so, hard pipes for the turbo plumbing, a dual stage boost controller (switched from inside the cabin) so it makes around 18 psi to redline on L2. It's also been lowered a couple of inches, upgraded the shocks, and installed stiffer anti-sway bars. Oh, and those wheels only weigh 14lbs each - sweeeeet. It kinda surprises a lot of folks.

wow! 14lbs a piece! I have a set of wheels for my Jeep that weigh 70lbs a piece! The stock rims weigh 50lbs! I bet its no problems to rotate those wheels.

Sweet looking ride though.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

wow! 14lbs a piece! I have a set of wheels for my Jeep that weigh 70lbs a piece! The stock rims weigh 50lbs! I bet its no problems to rotate those wheels.

Sweet looking ride though.

But you're talking the tire AND wheel weighing in at 70lbs, right? At 14lbs I'm talking JUST the wheels (stock wheels for this car are around 26lbs).

[Max U.S.A]

Re: Gettin' ready for a show

WOW! That's Nuts!
Simply stunning shine, it does flow over from one panel into the other without a glitz! Great technique u use on the drawback of the pad!
I've been practicing this for a while after reading an article from Kevin Farrell of Kleen Car Auto Appearance with some great results (see Max), however, I'm still learning everyday
Thanx for sharing and you gotta get a trophee with this one!