94 Mustang GT mini-restoration

A

Austin

New member
I am known in my neighborhood as the go to 'car guy' for quick fixes and detailing tips, but I was set back when a long time friend asked me to perform a mini-restoration on his Mustang. I guess there's a first time for everything, eh?! May I present to you this rather rough example of a 94 Mustang GT Convertible sporting just over 120,000 miles on a 5.0/auto combo. Needless to say, she's a little rough.













 
A

Austin

New member
Here's the action plan so far:

- fix 3 non-op windows
- fix non-op convertible top
- replace convertible top
- fix non-op odometer
- repair/replace rear bumper
- repaint front bumper
- tear down for full paint correction (wet sand and buff to like new)

It seems I find something new to fix every time I set my hands on this car!

The first thing repaired is the odometer. The gear inside the cluster can break over time, as was the case with this guy. It's a rather simple process to do, but costly at $40 for the new gear set.



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A

Austin

New member
Now on to the windows. Considering the age of the car, I will be replacing all of the bushings in each window motor. I will also be replacing two regulators.





 
A

Austin

New member
While all of this is going on I'm mulling over the paint game plan... I may have found the ticket.

 
tixer

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
looks like a fun little project.

Observations:
-I know I've owned a Mark VIII too long when a $40 fix sounds "cheap." :D

-I've rebuilt more window motors than I care to remember.

-I'm very curious to hear what you discover about the top. I've never worked on a convertible before.
 
A

Austin

New member
It's a blast to spend other people's money, Mike. :cool:

I'm used to fabricating parts for the Mark instead of buying them. :D

The top uses a hydraulic pump and lines to move the parts. Sounds fun already!
 
A

Austin

New member
I'm thinking she should turn out pretty nice all things considered. I'm going to hop back on this one tonight.
 
tbirddmnd

tbirddmnd

Listening on 141.850 mHz
What's your procedure for the paint correction? I have a Porter-Cable and have used the Meguiar pro products along with Adam's Polishes pads and their products. Clay-bar after a wash was the first step.
 
A

Austin

New member
Considering the defects and other factors, I'm going with a 2000 grit wet sand, followed by 2500 then 3000 all on the PC. After that a compound (I haven't nailed down the particular one I'll be using as of yet) on the rotary. Swirl remover, polish, sealant, wax all done afterwards on the PC in that order.
 
A

Austin

New member
In case you still haven't got a feel for how bad the paint is...





Hood is untouched, fender to is the test spot



I think the front bumper was repainted at one point. And it will be again.



Gauge cluster is back in. Clock has been removed for some soldering.

 
tixer

tixer

Lincoln Evangelist
Wow. That paint.. that steering wheel...

I'll admit though, I'm enjoying watching your progress. keep up the good work!
 
A

Austin

New member
I will say that the paint has made strides towards perfection. Or as close to perfection as you can get with a car that's been washed with steel wool for 18 years...









Got the back seat out to investigate the convertible top motor. Then it dawned on me to check the safety switch on the parking brake before ripping everything out. One problem, I can't get the dang center console out. I can take the dash out of the Mark like nothing, but I can't get a center console out of a Mustang. This car has me befuddled.



The current state of the rest of the interior:





 
A

Austin

New member
I honestly haven't touched it much at all... did some more playing with the paint over the past months, got the DS window motor working. I need to get this thing done!
 
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