Hey guys, new to the forum and new to corvettes. I have a black c5 Z06 that the paint is in very good condition, but does have a some water spots and light swirls / cobwebbing. I've watched several videos on these issues but felt inclined to ask you guys your opinions. What's the best way to handle these blimishes ? I've tried hand applying mcguyers swirl x, but couldn't tell much of a difference. Not brave enough..yet to try machine application. Would I be better off taking the car to a professional ? Thanks in advance. .....Jerry.

 

Black C5Z here as well with similar problems. I bought a Zaino kit and that seemed to help a ton. I daily drive my car right now and its constantly seeing rain and whatever else is out there, looks dirty 75% of the time. There are several ways to go about doing it, you could Zaino the car or you could hire someone who specializes in doing paint corrections, detailing and working with high end cars or you could try to machine it out. If the car is a show car and isnt being driven alot I would see if you can find someone who knows what they are doing to take the task of cleaning the car up and getting it show ready. If you're like me and enjoy the car I would look into or wait for other people to comment on what they are using on their cars for products.

I've been using the Zaino for a while now and like them alot. There are several similar brands that do the same thing so something like Chemicalguys, Eastwood, anything of decent quality will help a ton. Its all about keeping up with it and avoiding things that cause the car to become dirty, sprinkler run off on the road, construction zones, lawn maintenance workers mowing grass, the little things add up over time. Black cars are tough, but when they're cleaned up they looks great.


Two things I've learned; I need a beater truck for when it rains or looks like it may. Second thing, the hour after you finish cleaning up the car it will pour and you will have to drive somewhere.

 

If it were me I would go to Harbor Freight tool store and get an orbital buffer. You can order some pads from Chemical Guys etc that should help. You will need an orange pad to do the cutting and white to polish. You will end up spending around $75 for these with buffer.

Chemical Guys have a great deal on FLEX with pads for $199 for next few days. This might be a gift for myself. I presently have an older Porter Cable and it has been a workhorse for me.

If you want to show the car, I would go with the recommendation to have a specialist correct it and then use the correct method to wash in the future. Beware of the guys that say they are detailers. Most are ok for washing your SUV, however don't know how to wet sand etc. Check at some local shows or go to a few body shops to see if they have any recommendations. These guys are not cheap. In my area they want at least $500 -700. It will take them at least a day to do a show quality correction.

Hope this helps.

Jim

 

Probably the best way to go about doing this, I'd go this route if you plan on making the car a garage queen or show car. That's the only problem though, finding someone who knows what they are doing when it comes to the wet sanding and correcting. You may be able to find a body shop that can do it on site or has a guy from the shop that will come to you.

 

Thanks for the input, think I'm going to try it myself, can't seem to find anyone intetested in doing it.

 

I have a black Z as well. I had really good detailer in town do paint correction and then add Cquartz coating to the car and it looks amazing now. The coating gives it a really deep shine and the swirls are gone. The coating should last for a good while and makes cleaning the car so much easier. My car is daily driven and I wash it weekly.

 

Think I'll touch up the the chips (properly), use ultimate compound, ultimate polish, followed by a sealer and finish with a wax. I'll try to take before and after pics.

 

You will drive yourself crazzzzy trying to fix the paint with hand stuff you will just shine up the problem . Have the paint fixed by a pro . then maintain it . Cut to the chase just do you will be happy with the end results ..

 

Who did your detail? I'm a pro detailer in the industry.

Checked the website and I'm not sure where you're seeing this? That's VERY cheap.

 

Aficionauto in Santa Barbara. Andrew the owner is a super good guy. He and his crew did an awesome job.

 

get the meguiars 6" microfiber correction system($85 from jegs) and the harbor freight dual action buffer (part #69924).with the 20% off coupon the buffer is about $55.
meguiars designed this system so it's almost impossible to mess up.works awesome.i would suggest watching the video about it before you use it just to get familiar with it.

 

Just know that Corvette Clear Coat is VERY hard paint, and not easy to correct, so you might want to experiment with soft foam pads and if that doesn't work move to medium and so on till you find what works on your car...

 

This is true.

 

Thanks, just ordered !

 

Make sure you watch that video and follow all that's suggested, especially cleaning the pad after each section with either a pad brush or air compressor.

 

Will do, thanks

 

FWIW, you should have picked up a 5" backing plate with 5.5" discs. You'll get much better correction with this. The 6.5" pads are too large to spin on a free spindle DA(Harbor Freight). They're using 5.5" discs in the video.

 

Thanks, i'll try to change my order.

 

if you get the buffer i listed above you won't have any problem with the 6" kit.you would have to lay on it pretty hard to stop the pad from spinning.
like stated above,the important things with this kit it priming the pad fully,not using too much product on the pad,and i blow the pad clean with an air compressor after each panel.

 

Thanks , I got the DA suggested. Will let you guys know how it goes.