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Paint Questions!

atmmac

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
751
Location
Hanover, Massachusetts
Corvette
1997 Black Corvette
First off i just want to say DONT USE mothers bug bird and tar wipes! My car got hit by a bird today and i pulled out the wipes and began to wipe it off. I had to rub it a little to get it off. I left my school and went home. When i got home i could see what was just like a little residue from the wipes and bird crap. I washed the car completely and noticed what looked like scrape or scuff marks ride under my door handle. Basically a bunch of tiny little scratches that looked a lighter color. I was ****ed i got out my black turtle wax and rubbed the hell out of it. I can gladly say it came out and is not noticeable. Take this as fair warning and dont use those wipes!

Another question i wanted to buff out my black 97 corvette. Some people have said that if i buff it out it will leave swirls in my clear coat. Is this true or is it ok. It will not be professionally buffed but my friend works at a subaru dealer detailing cars and said to bring it over and me and him will buff it. Would this be ok or no?

Thanks Guys,
Andy
 
Be very careful with buffing....especially a Corvette. Last year, while my house was being built, my car sat in the driveway of my realtor's house (a fellow C5 owner). Sometimes it was covered and sometimes not. I kept it clean and waxed but with baking, summer sun beating down on it occassionally, the wax didn't last long. I found a great guy who knew what he was doing and saw how someone had destroyed a Vette with buffing. He told me that one has be very careful because one could easily destroy a Vette's finish with a buffer. I had him buff it twice (6 month period) while my house was under construction and he did an excellent job. No swirlmarks. It's a garage queen now (and has been for a year) so there's no need for me to have it buffed anymore. I put 2-3 coats of wax after every-other wash to keep the finish deep and smooth.

Make sure the guy has a lot of experience. You can't treat every paint job like the next. One has to have knowledge of paint processes and the material to which it's bonded. A buff once or twice a year (depending on how long/often it's out in the elements) isn't a bad idea (IMO).

Just my $0.02.

Good luck,
Kenny
 
All of this talk about how careful you have to be with the finish on the C5 is making me paranoid. I have a 2004 grey coupe and I want to make sure I take care of it properly. I keep mine in the garage when not in use, but it's my driver. What's the best way to remove tar and bugs? How often do I need to wax it and what should I use? Finally, is it OK for me to use a treated "duster" to remove pollen dust, etc, before I cover it?
Thanks.
John K.
:beer
 
Ya the duster is ok i have a california car duster that works good. How much does it usually cost to have the car Professionally buffed?
 
I found the easiest way to remove bugs, tar, and other crap on the paint is to uase a clay bar. The only negative with that is you MUST wax it right away because the clay will take the wax off. It's worth the effort because you will be amazed how nice it looks when its done.
 
The Wax Shoppe (pretty sure that's correct spelling) makes a product called "Safe Cut". Applied by hand with soft cloth works wonders at taking out scratches and swirl marks. Meguiar's also make some excellent products, check out their web-site. They make a lot more stuff than what they sell at K-mart. Some Auto Paint stores also carry their stuff. I would really avoid the machine buffing unless necessary. It just cuts down too much paint every time. Every one has their own particular requirements though. Have fun...
Bruce
 
My advise is don't use Mother's paint and finish related products on your Corvette. Meguiar's and Zaino cost more because they are better products.

For bird droppings, place a wet cloth over the bird stuff until the dropings are soft. Then wash it off with Quik Detailer. Be sure to constantly respray and turn your cloth with each wipe. Then wax the area. Those bug wipes and dry bird poop are like using sandpaper and kerosine.

For tar or chewing gum try a little olive oil on a cotton cloth. Gently rub the area.
 
Thanks for the help guys ill try the wax shoppe stuff. Honestly there arent many scratches on the car and the ones there are are not noticeable. I think that ill save like 500 bucks and just wax the hell out of it like i have been doing and try the wax shoppe stuff.
 
Cost...

I called around to a few detail shops and the average price for a detail (exterior only) was around $130. A couple places wanted $170-$220.

This guy has his own shop and charged me $80 (exterior only).

Good luck.....
 
There is a web site that has alot of the info that you are looking for about paint care (www.properautocare.com). Check it out.....
But a condensed version is........
1. Wash the vehicle very well (you want to take any layers of
dirt & wax off) and then clean the trouble spots like bugs ect.....with
a good grade of bug & tar remover.
2. Claybar all the paint surfaces
3. Polish the paint with your choice of polish. (3M makes a
polish & swirl remover for dark colored paint...I use it on my
Green C5 & 72 Black 442) Polish will remove any light
scratches & swirls....anything deeper can only be removed
by wheeling the paint out which is basically removing some of the outer layer of clearcoat till the deep scratches ect.....are gone...this should only done by a experienced painter or detailer)
4. Wax with your choice of wax or sealant.......

Note: once these steps are done you only want to wash the vehicle with cold water.......that way you will not remove any of the wax/sealant........

Note#2: If you are one to take you vehicle through the auto car washes don't bother with steps above..........because after one pass through a auto car wash and all the above work will be compromized.......good luck
 
I own my body shop. I wouldnt recommend power buffing unless its really needed. Every time you do, a tiny amount of paint is removed and sooner or later your going to go thru the clear or even the color coat. If you have it done, examine a black car that he has done. You have to use compound, then rinse, followed by a softer compound and another rinse. Then you have to use a finish glaze (i use 3m Swirl Mark Remover #39009) and a new wool pad on black to remove the buffer marks. Make sure you get the one for Dark colors, there is another formula for light.THis leaves no scratches or swirls and a 'wet' look. Only then do you go ahead and wax it by hand. On black, I recommend using new cloths for each step.
 

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