Saved from neglect hell: 98 Explorer mini-resto

[TekMan05]

I'm big on detailing myself and seeing this makes me wanna pull my carpets and scrub them too. I've had pretty good luck with using oxyclean on mild stains. Id like to pull the carpets and soak them in it long with soap. How hard was it toget the center console out?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Center console is easy, 6 bolts and one in the wiring harness. Plus a big hammer if you can't get it to slide back.

The MF system is the new 2011 Microfiber system- I have one and Sean99 I think ordered one as well, I'm going to run it through it's paces. It's a new microfiber pad and compound system that seems to be turning the Meg's detailers on the forum over there on their head at how incredible it is...

Nick did a beautiful Nomad HERE

a crappy Chevy Silverado D) HERE

but the one I like best is this amazing work on a nice G35 HERE

It's supposed to be the big thing...

3000 grit sanding:

One application of the D300 and the DA MF pad system:

And after the finishing wax:

Rasky's review is HERE



I can't totally retire, I just need to spend less time trolling around the forum. Spring is here, boy wants to play ball. But, I do need to finish my truck yet. Still don't have the rear carpet back in yet. Might do that tonight...

 

[Facimeor]

The center consol is supposed to be easy but it can also be a *****. The two black plastic pieces just pop out (no screws), Then you need to unscrew the big square electrical connector at the front. There are 4 screws that secure the console in place, two at the front into the dash and two straight down into the floor. From memory I think they are 8mm. Once you remove those the console pulls straight back, but thats where Ive had problems. The rear of the console has two prongs that slide into slots in a bracket mounted to the floor. The problem is they want to stick and there is really no good place to pull from. There is one fairly sturdy metal bar that drops down from the front of the armrest that you can push on. I ended up needing to hit that with a rubber mallet a few times before my console finally slid back and then out.

If yours isnt sticky like mine was, you should be able to pull it out in less than 5 minutes.


Edit: Posted at the same time, but Dirt beat me to the punch.
Also I will check that out. Is it rated for rotary? I dont have the cash for a new DA
Edit again: nope I see its DA only. It will have to wait.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Not recommended for a rotary, sadly... But hey- no more rotary buffer swirls! I think that part was for the non-hard core users so they can get pro results with a DA, but it's apparently the high-ups are using it in place of rotaries in most cases now, since it's so good, and doesn't pose a risk as much as a rotary would...

Actually, I just like the new bottle caps they're using...

 

[Facimeor]

Can they be opened with one hand finally so I dont have to do the JarJar Binks thing with one abnormally long finger to close the bottle, shake down the product then reopen it all while balancing my heavy ass rotary on one knee...

You know you know what Im talkin about.
(just a big enough cap to be stored on its open end would be good. Ya know, like a good squeeze bottle of Ketchup)




p.s. I never leave rotary buffer swirls! (thats my story and Im sticking to it)





edit: After looking at the reviews and results maybe I will just have to fork out for a DA and some new pads/products, even though I just bought new pads.

 

[Joe Dirt]

They're now featuring a pull-open and push-close self cleaning cap-

Seen here. They're slick!

 

[Varsity]

Facimeor, I got a few questions for you;

1. Do you recommend any certain car wash products? I saw your post on paint touch-ups but anything for the actual car wash? I'm using some Turtle Wax Ice that I got for cheap, but wondered if you had any favorite cleaners.

2. What can I do to clean and prevent rust on my ball hitch? I bought and put it on after Christmas and now I've got some rust on the top and its slowly creeping around it. I haven't towed anything so I'm assuming its some rough surface rust, but I've been told to clean it as best I could and apply a small amount of wax to it to prevent rust. Do you have any tricks up your sleeve?

3. This sounds weird, but do you use any random or odd cleaners? I have some credit to burn at the local parts store, and its pretty much just good for cleaning products. I'm ok with my regular stash, so I was wondering if there's any underrated products or something you'd recommend that could be easily passed over. I just bought some EagleOne trim protector/cleaner with a full rebate coming in the mail so was just thinking along those lines, since I probably wouldn't pay for trim cleaner in normal circumstances, hah.
Thanks for any help and advice. Saturday's looking like a great day for cleaning even though its supposed to rain on Sunday. I'm really excited to finally get off all the winter crap and do a thorough cleaning and wax.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Aaaaahhhhhhh...



...retirement

 

[Facimeor]

@Varsity: 1. No, I think any wash designed for cars is fine for between washes. They are designed to be gentle and not take your wax off. For a predetail wash something a little harsher is ok including dish soap (dont use it if you arent going to wax afterwards). Again, I use a Meguiars wash just bacause Im partial to their stuff.

2. Im assuming this is a chrome steel ball? Chrome polish and then wax should do the job. Zoop Seal is great for protecting alloys, but I dont know if its designed for chrome.

3. I buy Purple Power by the gallon. Its one of the cheaper degreasers and I use it for LOTS of different things (including my work clothes after a day in the shop). Also Mequiars Cleaner wax is a must have in the shop. Its great for windows, chrome, even alloys, I use it for touch ups on just about anything painted. I use it almost like a cleaner/treater/protectant all in one. I still mamage to find new uses for it. Those are about the only two I can think of that I am never without.



@Joe: lol, screw you, Im just the new guy here but that will wear off and you will be back to being the answer man!
Yeah this weekend is supposed to dry up a little for me here as well. With any luck I will be starting on the exterior of the 98 this weekend after a full transmission/transfer case rebuild/refresh.

 

[Varsity]

Thanks! Definitely going to have some fun cleaning the Explorer. It makes me happy

 

[Joe Dirt]

@Joe: lol, screw you, Im just the new guy here but that will wear off and you will be back to being the answer man!

I just bought some linen pants and slip on canvas shoes... Dinner at Bill Knapp at 2:30...

 

[bcbid]

WOW!!!!That looks Brand New.Sweet job. Nothing like a clean vehicle.

 

[Facimeor]

I just bought some linen pants and slip on canvas shoes... Dinner at Bill Knapp at 2:30...

Dont forget your walker!



Well, I finally finished the transmission repairs on the 98 so its got reverse again. I need to replace the stuck open thermostat today then I'll get some before and after pics for the exterior detail.

 

[Facimeor]

I kind of forgot about this thread. Life took me down some back roads and off the beaten path for a while. I finally had a chance to take some final photos of this project which will now go up for sale shortly. Ive had my fun with it, brough it back from the brink of going to a junkyard and made it a productive member of automotive society again,

So here are a few pictures I took today. The only photoshoping done to them is autolevel (ctrl-shft+L) and resize.



_________________________

Just a reminder of what I started with:

_________________________

 

[College Student]

OH MY G*SH that thing look brand new, nice work, i want you to clean my car

 

[Joe Dirt]

Came out fantastic! I love to see full resto-cleans! The jambs look great too- that's a spot a lot of people don't bother with, but that's one of those little things that really make a car pop and make people double-take.

What are you eyeing next once the Ex goes to a deserving and hopefully competent new owner?

 

[sean99]

Looks more like a 30k mile X than 300k!

 

[Shooey_]

You've inspired me to pull all the carpet out of the truck and scrub scrub. Two sessions with the powerwasher and my oil stained carpets are now the puffy pile that it was in '91.

 

[Facimeor]

What are you eyeing next once the Ex goes to a deserving and hopefully competent new owner?

Im going to take the summer off, buy a sport touring bike and go nomad for a couple months. Planning on the Al-Can to AK, Glacier National Park and Sturgis in August.

If I buy another Ex I think I want to go back to a V8 and do a T/C swap. However, I usually just find the best deal with the most profit potential and go to work on it. Ive owned so many rigs now I have no allegiance to anything in particular.

 

[Varsity]

Man is that a beautiful truck! Great to see what you did, especially from what shape it was in before. Looks amazing and looks like no shortcuts either. I would have all the confidence in the world in that truck if I bought it.