What compound, polish, and wax do you guys recommend using on a c5 z06 to restore its color after 20 years and bring back that shine.

I have had the car 7 years now and everytime I have tried to use meguiars ultimate compound, meguairs ultimate polish, and meguairs jet black/ultimate wax it has been very troublesome to get any type of compound, polish, or wax off of the car. No matter if I let it sit less than 30 seconds or 2-3 minutes before wiping it off. Its not as simple as just taking a microfiber towel and wiping it off. Its basically stuck on. I really have to go over the whole car multiple times with alot of pressure on the towel after applying anything. To better explain this I can scrub and scrub with a microfiber towel lightly dipped in water and its still there.

Here is what I normally use on my C5.
For soap I typically always use meguairs gold class car wash or ultimate car wash.
For wheels and tires I always use meguairs ultimate wheel cleaner.
For leather I use meguairs ultimate leather cleaner.
I stick with meguairs products, because I absolutely love the high gloss shine their leather cleaner does for my interior.
If there is others you'd recommend I am definately open to suggestions if their is a certain wax or compound I should be using on a c5 body.

I guess what I really want to know is... Is it normal for it to take so much effort just to remove any type of compound, polish, or wax off of this car. It seems like the hood, the hardtop, and the trunk itself require a whole lot more effort vs the bumpers and doors. The doors and the front and back bumpers are way easier to remove the wax or polish. Is it normal for this to happen on a 20 year old C5? Its been this way ever since I bought the car 7 years ago.

Also for light scratches on a c5 body which product do you recommend using. I tried meguairs scratch X 2.0 and ultimate compound with a normal polish pad, but I have a scratch that remains. If you run your fingernail over it, its not deep at all.

Thank you in advance for all of your help!

 

For absolute best results and even with standard polishes and compounds, you going to need a DA machine. Even the harbor freight da is good.

DA is a night and day difference from hand wax/polish and you use a heck of a lot less product.

I use 3d products and HD speed is a very good all in one. If situation really bad then use ultimate compound and then hd speed, of course I clay bar when needed which is rare for me.

again it's a night and day difference with a da machine. I can't believe I waited so long to get one. All because I was afraid of screwing my paint up.

Show us pix

 

It's been my experience from reading the forum that the only waxes/polishes/compounds that a C5 owner should use are the grossly overpriced products that can only be found online.

 

There is a CorvetteForum car care forum here that would be a better place to answer your questions and for the best place go to the Autopia forums here. Those people make their money detailing and work with every kind of product and car out there. Corvettes do have hard clear coat that is difficult to work, almost impossible by hand.

Yes a DA will help apply the products but you need help with removal. First I always apply products with a DA and I always mist the panel with water before applying the product. You can work the product longer and it doesn't dry as much making removal much easier.

 

I am no pro for sure, but it sounds like you are using too much product.

 

sounds like you need paint correction.

 

I threw away my Meguiar's paste wax because it was so difficult to remove. After trying Turtle Wax Seal n' Shine in the spray bottle, I'm not going back. I can't tell a huge difference between the two results visually, but now I can wax my car after every wash in about 15 minutes instead of dreading the hour or more it used to take just for the waxing portion. The guys in the detailing section who are usually big fans of the boutique products that are double or triple the cost confirm the Turtle Wax Seal n Shine is right up there with even the most expensive stuff.

The bonus is it's usually about $8-$10 a bottle and I can find it in the automotive section at any store.

 

I was unaware that there was a car care forum on here so please move it there, thanks.
I first tried doing it by hand, then I switched to this.

Here is what I have been using. Its a 120v corded 1 amp 3000 RPM buffer/polisher which I picked up at harbor freight for $21.99. Is this not what I should be using?
Its a drillmaster 61898 if that helps. Then I just apply ultra smooth 10" polishing bonnets on it and goto work with ultimate compound.
https://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-...her-61898.html

This is polishing bonnets I use
https://www.harborfreight.com/2-piec...ets-43431.html

The only thing thats bugging me is the ultimate compound won't come off the car. No matter if I buff and wait 20 seconds or 2-3 minutes. It actually makes no difference. Its still stuck on the body.

 

The random orbital buffer and pads that you purchased are worth about what you paid for them, not much. For general application and to full on paint correction you need a dual action, multi-speed polisher like this Porter Cable with a variety of pads (I like Edge brand pads as they come with a quick release hub for easy changeover). I really urge you to join over at Autopia forums. More detailing knowledge there than anywhere.

Where are you located?

 

If your car is anything like my Mag Red 2000 then you are going to need a lot more grunt than you can produce with just your body. I would look into what other member have said and get a random orbital polish tool. Meg's makes some good product that has given me great results but it needs to be paired with the right tools.


Other option is you pay someone to correct the paint ( holograms/swirls/scratches) and either have them seal it and continue on with your current regiment or dive down deep into the detailing wormhole and do it all yourself.

 

Check out these videos. They should help point you in the right direction!

 

I heard Dr Chip might have a paint improvement product for old, perhaps cracked, scratched paint jobs. Maybe check them out.
Then maybe a good polish. I like C-Magic.

 

I haven't heard of that product though I do use their stone chip repair products. I'll give them a call and check it out. Thanks for the heads up.