So, with the recent posts about detailers (especially in So Cal) I looked into it. JUST to detail the paint and remove swirls, etc was $150-$300...not for full detail of car.

That motivated me to get a buffer ($30) and some supplies (high end Maguire's wax, bonnets, quality soap, large microfiber drying towel, etc) for another $50. Already had the Maguire's Quik Detailer on hand.

Went to work. Here's a couple pics using the same angles I've seen some of the pros use. I can still see some of the super-fine scratches but only when light hits at just the right angle to my view. Otherwise, I'm more than pleased with the 2-3 hours it took including the wash and allowing wax to dry.

 

cough up the details...

what buffer?

 

lookin good!! I hope I can get my black paint to look that good when I get around to detailing it. I have only had the car for almost 2 months, and I haven't had a day warm enough to spend that long outside. I've only gotten one day where I gave her a good handwashing! It's March now, so hopefully soon...

But yes, share details of your process please!!

 

 

Looks good! Especially for black.

I got the detail bug too after taking a course from one of Barry Meguiar's instructors. Have spent $600 to date (included a DA polisher that won't make swirl marks like an orbital one can). Changed from my Meguiar's carnuba based products to professional grade hydrophobic synthetic polymer products. The first time I did the Vette from start to finish including clay bar, polish, wax, UV protectant on all rubber etc. took me 10 hrs. Now I have it down to about 5. She's worth it though. Only draw back is when she looks so good - I want to take her out but I don't want to take her out, if you know what I mean.

If you get a chance to take the class in your area, it's a wealth of info and he doesn't try to push product on you. He just knows the science and tricks of professional detailers that help you determine what and why to use certain things from decreasing the engine to carpet spots. Interior, exterior, rag tops, tires, you can ask him anything. He'll bring a Zenon light and high powered magnifying glass so you can really see the condition of the clear coat. His name was Daryn Parera I think. Having said all that, I still want to try ZANO some time since the pics on here of people who use it show incredibly shinny cars.

Welcome to the detail mindset.

 

It looks great based on the posted pictures!

 

I just got the Ryobi 10 inch orbital buffer at home depot. Literally, $29.95 and it came with an applicator bonnet and buffing bonnet. I should note that I had the clay bar treatment done about a month ago.

Full details:

Washed the car with Meguiar's Auto washing soap. I used a microfiber mitt (with the little dredlocks looking things. I used two buckets. One with soap, one with water. I'd wash a section and flip the mitt over half way through that section. I'd rinse the mitt in the water before putting it back in the soapy bucket and do another section. I'd rinse each section as I finished it and re-wet the previous sections(s) until I was done with the whole car. Then I dried the car with a large microfiber towel.

Then I moved the car into the garage so the surface didn't get too hot. I used the applicator bonnet that came with the buffer to apply Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax 2.0 (purple bottle). I added wax to the applicator often. Did not apply much pressure to the buffer...just enough to keep the back and forth pattern steady and rub in the wax a bit. Once I did what I could, I did the tight spaces with a hand held applicator pad. Let it all dry for about 45-60 min (it was 85 degrees today!!). I just did the wheels during this time. I then used the buffing bonnet that came with the buffer to take off the wax in the order it was applied (hood, trunk, sides, etc). Then got the tight areas with a microfiber cloth. I then used a microfiber buffing bonnet and went over it again. Finally, I used the Meguiar's Quik Detailer spray for touching up spots here/there.

As you can see, I'm a believer in microfiber and Meguiar's products. :-)

 

It's still not "perfect" but dollar for dollar, it's SHINY!! I might let a pro try it but I'll make it clear, if he can't get out the remaining super fine scratches, don't bother. Anything less I now know I can do myself.

 

Be proud you did a great job

 

WARNING----WARNING.....it call develop into a disease just like engine modding!...... Car looks nice...

 

Looks like ya did FINE!

Sure.....we can all spend countless hours and $$$$ on stuff to get our 'Vettes looking sweet.....

You just have to decide if your Corvette looks good enough for you!

Looks sweet from here!

However, if you want a definitive answer.....drive that beast up to Oregon and I'll scrutinize and test drive it for you! If anything seems amiss, I'll make recommendations to you at no charge, being as how you're a Corvette Forum member!

 

I can tell. I already want to do my truck now. It's black, too....and a lot bigger!! Ugh!!

Thanks all. BAM: I think I'll wait until July for that invitation. So Cal is perfect for a ragtop right now.

 

I'm not tring to take the wind out of your sale, but as a pro detailer I don't want people to get the wrong idea, like how can we charge $150-$300 when someone can do it for much less.To an extent they can, IF they learn how to use a D/A or Rotary buffer and use the proper techniques and products.

You only covered not removed the paint defects.
First it's almost impossible to remove any defect with an Orbital buffer.

Second NXT is a great wax,but it has Fillers and Glazes that fill in the scratches. Not remove,if you want them gone you'll need a professional for that.

Again, not tring to take away what you have achieved. It looks great,but it won't last.

Seth

 

I know it won't last....but I can do it without an appt anytime I want. Additionally, the "paint correction" that was $200-300 only lasts 6 months IF it's very well maintained according to a pro. If it's "covered" and looks this great for a month, I'll do it again. That's what maintaining my rides is all about.

I'm well aware a pro can do it better. I thought I acknowledged that already. However, I got LOTS of bang for my buck. Murphy's Law states that if I hired a pro and spent the extra money (which is going to replace a separated tire now) I'd have gotten a dent by some idiot tomorrow.

 

The problem is you cant get a decent photo on an Apple I Phone... just a quick look at 150% and you can see that there is alot of detail that was not detailed... there is a reason these guys get 300 dollars.. there are a couple dozen guys in CAL that get 1000 to 5000 dollars to detail a car... people with money are in many cases tighter than those with out it.. Its certainly fun to detail your car, and you can make it look nice.., but the trick is to get out those micron deep scratches you see under certain angles of light without taking off the top coat... using a California duster will insure your finish contains these scratches... when you rub any dry towel, micro fiber or not on a finish that is out in the air.. it will only move around those microns of silica ( sand ) these are the reasons for those scratches.. ( the first thing you need is a dust free environment... OK Ive been mean enough... but using an IPHONE will never show what is really there.. I know Ive burst another bubble. I feel bad now... I hang my head in shame

 

Your car looks really good to me. Nice job you did on the detailing.

 

Ya didn't burst MY bubble. Did ya read my previous posts? I already stated that it's not perfect. I've already stated I'll probably still have a pro go to it. I've already stated that the super fine scratches can still be seen. So it's not mean to point out what I've already identified....just silly.

JUST SO EVERYONE IN THE PRO DETAILING WORLD IS CLEAR, I AM NOT SAYING YOU DON'T EARN YOUR MONEY. MERELY POINTING OUT TO THOSE THAT DON'T WANT TO SPEND THAT MUCH IT IS POSSIBLE TO GET AT LEAST A GOOD RESULT FOR MUCH LESS. NOT "PERFECT" BUT GOOD. NOT PROFESSIONAL, BUT GOOD.

Bold all caps for those that seem to miss the smaller print. Also, those that choose to spend the money on that, more power to you. I'm sure your car looks better for it. When I do, mine will look better, too. Until then, the DIY results are outstanding.

 

I agree, just some time and effort and you can make a great impact. I think its important to stress that on these paint systems on the corvette any kind of application of polish with anything less than a pc7424 is just filling the swirls and will be temporary. That being said you can still do a nice filling regimen like the op and have a car that looks good enough!
Nice job...btw one word of advice goto walmart or pepboys and look for some autoglym super resin polish...it will take your paint to the next level and fill in those little swirls you see

 

Nice Job and I'm sure when you stood back and looked at YOUR CAR you felt really proud.

 

Car looks great.
How many times can you detail your car with $300.00 you saved?
Probably alot, over a couple years.
I have never looked at a car, on the street that was clean and said, "oh look, he didn't use polymer resin outta this world supersonic swirl remover with acrylic paste wax".

Enjoy your work.