My '99 FRC is in need of a complete paint detail. What type of paint was used? What steps do I take? I have seen YouTube videos that advise wash, clay, M105, M205, etc.using a P-C 7424XP. I have used this on my other car - clear coat. Can I use this on my Vette? Machine or hand. It has the original paint! Any thoughts/direction appreciated. Will take whatever time is necessary - not a quick fix.

 

The base/color coat is a water based paint and the clear coat is what you want to work on.....

IF,,, your clear coat is damaged and or exposing the base/color coat,, NOTHING (other than a repaint) will fix it. I have seen people try to spray clear coat over the exposed color coat with limited success..

Here is what I do to make mine shine as much as it will. Wash the car and remove all the dirt and wax. If you add a little dish soap (DAWN) to the wash water,, You will NOT have ANY wax or protective aftermarket coatings on the OEM finish!

Good place to start... Start with the least aggressive products first.. You can ALWAYS get more aggressive later.

Clay Bar. YEP!! Works FANTASTIC. It will remove ANY imbedded debris and crap that are on/in the clear coat. Your clear coat will be baby bottom smooth when your done. If the clear coat isn't clean.smooth after the clay bar, you can use a clear coat cleaner. Apply it by hand or use a "RANDOM ORBITAL BUFFER" Unless you are very skilled,, DO NOT use a BUFFER!

After you clean the clear coat, apply the wax/protectant of your choice. There are THOUSANDS of different products and IF, I recommend one, 10 other people will recommend 10 others.

Again,, a RANDOM ORBITAL BUFFER can be used to apply polishes for clear coat shine.

I use Turtle Wax ICE. VERY EASY to apply and buff off by hand and it works!! Short lived but it is very easy and quick to apply. Doesn't cost an arm and a leg and require 250 different steps to work either!!

 

You have a FRC. If you look carefully,, you will see that I did the Read Deck Emblem REMOVAL MOD!!!!

I also added the front hood to fender seals to the rear deck lid!











Helps keep the dirt out of the hinge/ drain area.

BC

 

IF,, you have stubborn stain and or acid rain etched places in the clear coat that just don't want to go away,, use a fine rubbing compound and a hand applicator and work those areas. Start very FINE and work up to Medium and course if necessary.

I have used 1000, -2000 grit wet /dry sand paper and then worked back down to POLISH and have been able to fix nasty areas without getting into BASE/COLOR COAT.

My car is a driver...

900 mile trip, VERY DIRTY!!





I live in South Eastern CT and drive it Winter/ Summer/ Fall and Spring. It looks good but its NOT a show car.

CLARIFICATION.. I don't drive it in the SNOW!




That's what JEEPS are for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

It took that many cops to pull you over eh?

 

LOL!! They just showed up... Hey buddy,, Pull over.. We want to take a picture of your car!

My Cozen threw a 4th of July Party and invited ALL of the Georgia State Troopers. They SHOWED UP! In HORDS

They were cool!

Hey,,, Don't SPEED in GA. They have a SUPER SPEEDED LAW. It SUCKS!

 

Wow, that's a lot of cop cars to pull over one blue vet....

 

I have read many and used many of your posts with great success. would your please supply me with the clear coat cleaner that you've used. Thanks a bunch for your wisdom you've supplied.