Black C5 - Love/Hate
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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Wow, Patches. What a difference between the before and after photos. Great job you did detailing that car.
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Actually, I considered upgrading before starting this project but, as I often do, I wanted to experience the PC polisher first so that I can compare the difference with the Flex when I do finally upgrade and be able to report that here for the benefit of those wanting to hear opinions of the differences.
What the hell are you guys talking about? "PC polisher" and "Flex"? Please translate for old farts.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
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From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Great job and write up! Your the 2nd person to mention Menzerna polishes. Im getting myself a bottle now that I saw results from a black Vette. 
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Looks great!
I don't think I am going to go as crazy as you did with my car, but mine definitely needs some serious clean-up.
Thanks for the tip about the Turtle Wax liquid clay bar. Will have to give it a try.
I don't think I am going to go as crazy as you did with my car, but mine definitely needs some serious clean-up.
Thanks for the tip about the Turtle Wax liquid clay bar. Will have to give it a try.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 5
From: Holly, Michigan
Nice work, Patches!
Jackalope:
The PC polisher is a Porter Cable model 7424. It is a variable speed dual action, orbital buffer (originally designed for sanding) that has been adapted for use in buffing. There are kits which allow for velcro backed foam pads of varying "grit" that are combined with various compounds, polishes, glazes, sealants or waxes, depending on your goals...
See the forum sponsor's website for more info:The Flex
An alternative to the Menzerna line is the Meguiars #105 Ultra-Cut Compound followed by Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish. Both are non-diminishing abraisives which work very well with the C5's hard clear coat.
Jackalope:
The PC polisher is a Porter Cable model 7424. It is a variable speed dual action, orbital buffer (originally designed for sanding) that has been adapted for use in buffing. There are kits which allow for velcro backed foam pads of varying "grit" that are combined with various compounds, polishes, glazes, sealants or waxes, depending on your goals...
See the forum sponsor's website for more info:The Flex
An alternative to the Menzerna line is the Meguiars #105 Ultra-Cut Compound followed by Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish. Both are non-diminishing abraisives which work very well with the C5's hard clear coat.
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Nice work, Patches!
Jackalope:
The PC polisher is a Porter Cable model 7424. It is a variable speed dual action, orbital buffer (originally designed for sanding) that has been adapted for use in buffing. There are kits which allow for velcro backed foam pads of varying "grit" that are combined with various compounds, polishes, glazes, sealants or waxes, depending on your goals...
See the forum sponsor's website for more info:The Flex
An alternative to the Menzerna line is the Meguiars #105 Ultra-Cut Compound followed by Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish. Both are non-diminishing abraisives which work very well with the C5's hard clear coat.
Jackalope:
The PC polisher is a Porter Cable model 7424. It is a variable speed dual action, orbital buffer (originally designed for sanding) that has been adapted for use in buffing. There are kits which allow for velcro backed foam pads of varying "grit" that are combined with various compounds, polishes, glazes, sealants or waxes, depending on your goals...
See the forum sponsor's website for more info:The Flex
An alternative to the Menzerna line is the Meguiars #105 Ultra-Cut Compound followed by Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish. Both are non-diminishing abraisives which work very well with the C5's hard clear coat.
Well damn! Why don't you guys speak English? You mean that "PC" that I've got in my garage? That Porter-Cable 7424?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,875
Likes: 254
From: Hillsboro OR
Patches,
Excellent work. It looks great. I was curious if you had any orange peel before you started and was the PC able to cut it down any? My car looks like it has cellulite. 
I was hoping a PC could at least help it a little.
Great job!
Randy
Excellent work. It looks great.
I was curious if you had any orange peel before you started and was the PC able to cut it down any? My car looks like it has cellulite. I was hoping a PC could at least help it a little. Great job!
Randy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,013
Likes: 170
From: Highlands Ranch CO
nope a pc wont cut orange peel you need to wetsand to get the peel out...problem is the factory clearcoats are too thin to safely sand out orange peel
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
I caved recently and bought a FLEX. I have detailed for many years and didn't really like how my paint looked, even with a billion coats of Zaino. Not saying Zaino didn't do it's job...even that can take a beating to daily driving, etc. The menzerna polishes do such a nice job of correcting defects! They really get the paint "CLEAR and DEEP" again! I also had a bird poop stain on my hood. Not much touched it. A few passes with SIP and PO-106FA or whatever that was, it's a memory.
That car above looks fantastic! I'm giving you a virtual pat on the back and boy do I know how tiring black can be!! BUT: nothing looks like a black car when it's clean!! Jay
That car above looks fantastic! I'm giving you a virtual pat on the back
and boy do I know how tiring black can be!! BUT: nothing looks like a black car when it's clean!! Jay
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Unless you are turning it into a show car, you are probably better off living with a little orange peel - especially if a DD. The clearcoat on most C5s is very thin. The amount of wet sanding necessary to "level" the surface will remove a significant amount of protection - this does two other things - (1) it reduces the number of corrections you can do in the future before having to repaint the car and (2) if you think your black car show every little micro-swirl now - wait until it is perfectly smooth! Wet sanding is great when you repaint a car and add on extra clearcoats knowing that much will be sanded off, but on the factory paint my advise would be to remove as little paint as possible unless you are planning on selling it and don't care that the next guy will be looking at a full repaint soon as a result.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Unless you are turning it into a show car, you are probably better off living with a little orange peel - especially if a DD. The clearcoat on most C5s is very thin. The amount of wet sanding necessary to "level" the surface will remove a significant amount of protection - this does two other things - (1) it reduces the number of corrections you can do in the future before having to repaint the car and (2) if you think your black car show every little micro-swirl now - wait until it is perfectly smooth! Wet sanding is great when you repaint a car and add on extra clearcoats knowing that much will be sanded off, but on the factory paint my advise would be to remove as little paint as possible unless you are planning on selling it and don't care that the next guy will be looking at a full repaint soon as a result.
The factory only applies approx. .001" of base color coat and an equal amount of clear coat - that's about .002" or roughly the thickness of a human hair. The clear is hard but it still does not take much to plow through it, another reason I like these RO polishers and mild polishing compounds. I probably only took of a tenth or two at most.