I have been somewhat of a lurker for the past 2 months. I don't know much about the mechanical side of cars but know that I was born to drive a vette.

I just bought my 2001 Black C5 in July and have been loving every minute of it. It is my daily driver, but gets a car cover when she is at work and while in the garage. Yeah I know, call me ****, but black and dust do not mix and I find it easier to dust and throw the cover on rather than dust, and then dust again when I take her out again. But I digress from my post.

The last owner of this car didn't really baby it like a black car (especially a black Corvette) should be babied. I have been in the proccess of claying, washing, DACP (for those Meguiars people out there), M80 Speed Glaze, and NXT wax. The problem I have is the rear deck lid has what appears to be calcified deposits in and around the emblem. I have worked and worked on this, but cant seem to make any progress. My last resort would be to heat up the emblem, remove it and work the area, but I would rather not. Any ideas?

I am sure this would be better served with pictures, but for the time being you are going to have to trust me.

Thanks for any help

Scott


Borrowed Image--This is pretty good compared to mine, The middle triangle looks a lot like the whole inside.

 

Q-tips work nicely. Take a handfull of Q-tip and a stool and a few beer and have fun.

 

Q-tip or and old soft tooth brush. Thats what I use, but I have a silver car, and the scratches do not show up.

 

Break out them Q-T's and have at it, good buddy. And, don't give up. Post us some pics of the entire car when your done for us to drool over. Good luck.

 

Use Vinegar.. its probably a mixture of mineral deposits and possibly wax and soap from previous washes...

Vinegar, or a mix of that and water will break that up and take it off easily...

 

I agree - Q-tips and/or a soft toothbrush will work wonders in tight areas like that.

 

Here is a little bit better picture as to what I was dealing with. It was just a guess as to what was lodged in those tight little crevises, it probably was a mixture of hard water stains, wax, and dust, and anything else that could fit in there.




It took quite a bit of patience and persistence, but after the vinegar didn't quite cut it, I grabbed the ol trusty clay bar and worked the area really well. I think it turned out pretty good. There are still some areas in the far back corners of the emblem that I just coudn't touch with anything, but you would have to look pretty close to see. It's not perfect (which isn't deserving of the car) but its a pretty good start. What do you guys think?

 

Now use some rubbing alcohol and make it look perfect. Use the Q tips with alcohol. I use alcohol on the airplane to remove just about everything nasty. Works.

 

Looks alot better!!

 

What a superb job and difference you made!!

 

Looks good, just another suggestion to go with the q tips, I've used toothpicks lightly around the edges to get the dried stuff out.

 

Good job

 

Looks a ton better! Nice work, glad your vette found a good home finally!

 

I'm impressed!! I removed mine to clean it really well and am very happy for doing so. It was in so-so shape anyway...

Yours now looks awesome!

 

Good job, now go get a beer!

Chuck

 

Nice work