Cleaning the mustang that been sat outside for years .

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Jul 24, 2010
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LONESTAR state
My 98 Mustang GT just got pick up and will be here tomorrow. It’s need a lot of work . Interior having mold and very dirty , since window was open and rains get in . How would you guy tackle this job ? How do you clean behind the door jam .
I was thinking call the professional for steam cleaning .

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If you want it professionally clean, you probably need to pull the seats and carpet out. If there's mold, the padding under the carpet will be moldy, too, so it may need replaced. With the carpet out, you can soak it with cleaner and pressure wash it to get it really clean, then dry in the sun.
 
If water was collecting inside you'll want to inspect the floors for rust too. Pulling the seats will allow you to replace the foam and seat covers. I'd give the wiring a close look as well.
 
I bought my mustang like that. Uninstall the seats, rip all of the carpet out. May have to pull up the center console and deal with rusty seat bolts. Threw it all away. Aftermarket bucket seats and brackets for about $400.

My 07 had leaf clogged drains in the bottoms of the doors, engine bay cowl and trunk, just ripped them all out and made a river in the driveway.


Tons of weight lost, way faster.

I plan to do sound deadening, but it isnt horrible with loud exhaust and a louder stereo.
 
Pull everything out including the carpet. That's not a job for a professional 'steam cleaner' it's a job for you, a large wash basin for all the parts, a Costco sized jug of Lysol detergent, brushes, sponges and scrubbers. And a hose. You can even clean the seat cushions if they are still intact. Get some new seat leather on Ebay. Don't forget the headliner, inside the doors, each door panel and each interior part.

If you don't the car will smell forever.
Done correctly, the car will buff up nicely.
 
I call around for a quote about detail my 98 GT , cost about $400. So I just try to best I can . So far it’s looking decent .
Did autozone special oil change ( for autozone specicial if you need air filter , the deal is pretty good. If you don’t need air filter . Shop at Walmart is better deal ) , Install a new Gold plug magnetic oil drain plug . Turkey plast power steering with maxlife ATF and brake fluid . Doing some battery clean up .
Take to car wash again and clean the door jams and quick engine wash .
Next will drop transmission pan and filter change with Valvoline Maxlife ATF . And 4 new tires . Mabe rear diff fluid with Valvoline 70w-90


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I miss my 03 GT. I would never have let it get in that bad a shape.

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