I'm an addict...

[Mac99Snake]

Ok, so the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. I have a problem:

Todays plan was to remove and replace what I thought was a leaking windshield washer reservoir. A quick check of the Ford manual indicated it is a relatively simple job.

1. Jack up the driver's side and remove the wheel.
2. Remove the fender liner
3. Remove and replace washer reservoir.
4. Reinstall fender liner
5. Reinstall driver's side wheel.

Actually what happened...

1. Jack up the driver's side and remove the wheel.
2. Remove the fender liner (6 push pins and 2 screws)
3. Observed no leak from washer reservoir.
4. Cleaned the fender liner inside and on the backside. Then Aero 303'd it.
5. Cleaned and vacuumed out the dirt behind the brake/anti-skid mount.
6. Removed underbody rust protectant paint overspray on the Bilstein strut.
7. Waxed the strut
8. Observed some paint scratches in the glare of the work light. Particularly around the Cobra emblem.
9. Began DA polishing with M105 to remove said scratches.
10. Determined I couldn't get close enough to the emblem to correct the paint.
11. Removed the Cobra emblem (dental floss) and cleaned it with Goo Gone to remove the tape.
12. Washed the emblem to remove the Goo Gone
13. Polished the now clear area to remove the scratches.
14. Polished the rest of the fender with M105
15. Buffed and polished the fender again now with M Ultimate Compound.
16. While waiting for the MUC to haze Reinstalled the fender liner
17. Buffed the fender to remove the haze
18. Reinstalled the Cobra emblem with 3M trim tape
19. Put on a coat of Blackfire Wet Diamond sealer
20. Waxed the fender with Colinite #845
21. Reinstalled the driver's side wheel.

Yep, I have a problem...lol. However, I don't think I am getting past step one. Anyone else have a story like that?

Good times

 

[Liquidsnake]

I cleaned my fender up when I did a similar job after I noticed some scratches, but I didn't clean the liner because I didn't see the point. You go through one puddle and it's dirty again. I also don't see the point in waxing the strut.

But to each his own, I'd probably clean the shit out of my car too if it wasn't a DD

 

[05satinGT]

You made this thread without pics? What's wrong with you! I'm the same way though lol. When I took my fender lining out I vacumed all the shit out and everytime my wheel comes off I always clean my shocks and touch the brakes up.

 

[Fassssst]

You shouldn't have to recover from THIS addiction !! What has happened here is , your Cobra has turned you into a possible O.C.D. or an A.R.D. !!! ( obsessive , compulsive detailer ) or an ( anal retentive detailer ) There is no cure for this while you still own your terminator . However , you can alleviate some of this problem by going out after these episodes and driving the living piss out of that clean baby !!!! It works for me , and I DO have the same problem you do . Good luck !!!

 

[T0RCH3D]

You shouldn't have to recover from THIS addiction !! What has happened here is , your Cobra has turned you into a possible O.C.D. or an A.R.D. !!! ( obsessive , compulsive detailer ) or an ( anal retentive detailer ) There is no cure for this while you still own your terminator . However , you can alleviate some of this problem by going out after these episodes and driving the living piss out of that clean baby !!!! It works for me , and I DO have the same problem you do . Good luck !!!

Well put, I myself am an A.R.D! Every time I work on the damn car, I end up taking more time cleaning it than the actual ask at hand. Case in point, this past weekend the weather was good so I pulled the car out to install some visual mods the girlfriend got me. I had to pull the old busted third brake light out and install the new one she got me, turns out I do an entire multi-step correction on the spoiler while the third brake light is out. To my defense, it look like a cat jumped on the spoiler and had a field day. Next were the sequential tails, ended up buffing out scratches in the lenses and sealing there after. And last were HIDs for the fogs, which in turn after I wired them meticulously neat with zips and sticky-backs, hiding the ballasts perfectly, and coating any harnesses I end up cleaning up the chin spoiler and polishing the fog lenses and coating the housing. Turned out to be an 8 hour work day on the car, and it was well worth it and enjoyable! :rockon:

 

[Mac99Snake]

Good, I am happy to be in good company as an ARD and OCD.

As for waxing the shock, I waxed the shock body (yellow part) as I hit it with some extra strength Goof Off and a scotchbrite pad to get the undercoat overspray off. I thought a little protection on top of the paint would help.

Well put, I myself am an A.R.D! Every time I work on the damn car, I end up taking more time cleaning it than the actual ask at hand. Case in point, this past weekend the weather was good so I pulled the car out to install some visual mods the girlfriend got me. I had to pull the old busted third brake light out and install the new one she got me, turns out I do an entire multi-step correction on the spoiler while the third brake light is out. To my defense, it look like a cat jumped on the spoiler and had a field day. Next were the sequential tails, ended up buffing out scratches in the lenses and sealing there after. And last were HIDs for the fogs, which in turn after I wired them meticulously neat with zips and sticky-backs, hiding the ballasts perfectly, and coating any harnesses I end up cleaning up the chin spoiler and polishing the fog lenses and coating the housing. Turned out to be an 8 hour work day on the car, and it was well worth it and enjoyable! :rockon:

The real question is: Did you look under the spoiler? I did a while back and it, of course, had to come off. The entire trunk and spoiler got cleaned and detailed.

 

[CobRoush-00]

Yes you are an addict and you are not alone. Welcome to the addiction circle! Please next time you make another admission, show the pictures.:beer:

 

[05satinGT]

The real question is: Did you look under the spoiler? I did a while back and it, of course, had to come off. The entire trunk and spoiler got cleaned and detailed.

I've did that before lol

 

[T0RCH3D]

Good, I am happy to be in good company as an ARD and OCD.

As for waxing the shock, I waxed the shock body (yellow part) as I hit it with some extra strength Goof Off and a scotchbrite pad to get the undercoat overspray off. I thought a little protection on top of the paint would help.



The real question is: Did you look under the spoiler? I did a while back and it, of course, had to come off. The entire trunk and spoiler got cleaned and detailed.

I have cleaned around the spoiler edges with a plastic razor blade and to the naked eye it is clean, I am sure underneath its a rats nest. But we don't need to go there.

 

[Mac99Snake]

I have cleaned around the spoiler edges with a plastic razor blade and to the naked eye it is clean, I am sure underneath its a rats nest. But we don't need to go there.

This is what mine looked like under the spoiler. Yep, I'm an enabler...lmao

As for the fender cleaning, the only problem now is that I am going to have to do the passenger side. The question is how long can I let it go

 

[T0RCH3D]

How long could you last with this, bought new headlights. Can't wait until they come.

 

[ajt9229]

Help I had a disease and didnt know what to call it until I came here!!!! I hadnt had any symtoms until I bought my Terminator!!!!!

 

[Mac99Snake]

How long could you last with this, bought new headlights. Can't wait until they come.

Yeah..not very long. Are those scratches on the outside or haze on the inside? NM, I see the chrome line issue now. Was too occupied looking for the haze from the glue.

 

[Fassssst]

Hey guys , this is sorta funny . I think this thread is turning into a frustrating psychological vicious circle . AAAAAAHHHHHHH !!!!!!!! This may never END !!!!!

Whew !! that was close . Have fun working on the terminators , guys

 

[T0RCH3D]

Yeah..not very long. Are those scratches on the outside or haze on the inside? NM, I see the chrome line issue now. Was too occupied looking for the haze from the glue.

Yep spider cracking on the outer lense. Sucks, I am thinking from UV exposure.

 

[MBoyle1]

I do stuff like that also!FTBR kit make me wax my sub-frame &touch up paint control arms.Clutch made me clean under body,tape off and paint sub-frame conectors,it keeps going!

 

[CobraBob]

Truth be known, I would bet the majority of people here who own 2003-2004 Cobra would admit they're similar addicts as well. It gets into your blood. LOL!

 

['03snkbt]

Similar stories on my end to OP. :beer:

 

[Mac99Snake]

As for the fender cleaning, the only problem now is that I am going to have to do the passenger side. The question is how long can I let it go

You guys were right...not long. Finished it up this morning

Before:

Liner removed. You can see the 6 plastic retainers and two screws on the lower right.

Liner removed, strut cleaned up and inner area wiped down. You can see the dirt from under the liner on the lower left.

Liner installed and fender polished and waxed. Washed the liner, then Aero 303'd it. Goof-off'd the strut then washed and waxed the body. Only a repaint will fix the fender arches and running boards, so thats gonna have to wait.

The passenger side emblem didn't need to be removed. :thumbsup:

 

[Fassssst]

Very nice job Mac , looks amazing !!