Paint Care Help...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
From: Willow Springs IL
Paint Care Help...
I have a Black C6 Vert... It's very hard to keep clean and obviously I wash it everyday by hand in my driveway. Today I washed it and noticed a bunch of swirl/surface scratches, it looks horrible. Needless to say I need to get it buffed and waxed again, but what can I do to prevent this from occurring in the future?
Proper tools, products and techniques would be greatly appreciated. I need to know what to buy that is correct for my application without just dropping a gob a cash on stuff that I dint need.
Thank You.
Proper tools, products and techniques would be greatly appreciated. I need to know what to buy that is correct for my application without just dropping a gob a cash on stuff that I dint need.
Thank You.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
welcome to the FUN of having a black car.I only wash my car when it is quite dirty(otherwise i just rince it off daily)Buy yourself a bunch of microfibre towels,some maquirs ultimate wax, and follow the instructions.You wll see a vast improvement in reduction of swirls and surface scratches.Also wash the car with lots of soap and a very soft car mitt.I dry my cr with a leaf blower to avoid scratches also.The least rubbing on the paint the bette( hope this helps).If you are comfortable trying it, then claying before the wax job may bring better results.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
I have a Black C6 Vert... It's very hard to keep clean and obviously I wash it everyday by hand in my driveway. Today I washed it and noticed a bunch of swirl/surface scratches, it looks horrible. Needless to say I need to get it buffed and waxed again, but what can I do to prevent this from occurring in the future?
Proper tools, products and techniques would be greatly appreciated. I need to know what to buy that is correct for my application without just dropping a gob a cash on stuff that I dint need.
Thank You.
Proper tools, products and techniques would be greatly appreciated. I need to know what to buy that is correct for my application without just dropping a gob a cash on stuff that I dint need.
Thank You.
One of the threads that I liked was this one:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...ce-needed.html
Have fun with your great car!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: Tampa FL
One tip is to rinse the car really well before even touching it with wash mit, especially the lower parts and the wheels. Plain water knocks a lot of loose, gritty stuff out.
I got one of the cheap elecric leaf blowers. Can't say I'm that happy with it. May invest in a master blaster.
I got one of the cheap elecric leaf blowers. Can't say I'm that happy with it. May invest in a master blaster.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,303
Likes: 12
From: R.I.P Zebra Ct
Griots garage Random orbital.
Wolfgang 3.0 Total Swirl Remover with Lake Country Flat Orange pad
Wolfgang 3.0 Finishing Glaze with Lake Country Flat White Pad
Test spot I did on my wife's old, very swirled Equinox:
Wolfgang 3.0 Total Swirl Remover with Lake Country Flat Orange pad
Wolfgang 3.0 Finishing Glaze with Lake Country Flat White Pad
Test spot I did on my wife's old, very swirled Equinox:
Last edited by hulksdaddy; May 5, 2011 at 09:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
From: Willow Springs IL
@Wolfdogs - Do you buff your car everyday or something or foes it live in a bubble?! Just kidding, but I can't believe how stunning that paint of yours is, I like mine to be like that if I could brother, but I haven't a clue how to maintain it, it seems like whatever I do iOS wrong! :-(
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 21
From: D Block
I clay barred my car to try and remove some water spots but clay barring literally did nothing for my car. I did have one coat of wax on the car after I bought it, should I have stripped the wax before clay barring the car?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,303
Likes: 12
From: R.I.P Zebra Ct
Yes. Wash with Dawn to strip the old wax. Clay barring will not remove etched water spots. You will need a polish for it if that's the case.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 7
From: Indy
Once you get the swirls out you will need to remove "Hand Drying" from your cleaning reitual. I found that Blow Drying the car with a leaf blower and doing a light follow up with a microfiber really helps with a black car. Most of the swirls actually come from drying the car off 
I have a black 2008 as well (coupe)
You look to be younger
I'm 25
I have a black 2008 as well (coupe)
You look to be younger
I'm 25
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
From: Willow Springs IL
Ok, I ordered the Zaino Ultimate Package, I really hope I get the results I have seen their website and these forums. Is the anything else I would need outside of that package, (ie. wash mits, brushes, a PC orbital polisher, etc.)... I wanna ensure when everything arrives here I am fully prepared to give my car the best chance to shine at it's full potential! Again, as always thank you for all your input on thus matter.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
From: Willow Springs IL
@Joz132 - I don't know if you're showing off or being helpful, but a picture of your collection doesn't help me or anyone else out once bit... That being said, that is a nice collection of stuff, and I'd definitely like to come over with a case of beer sometime if you wanna help me out!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Lake in the Hills IL
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
@Joz132 - I don't know if you're showing off or being helpful, but a picture of your collection doesn't help me or anyone else out once bit... That being said, that is a nice collection of stuff, and I'd definitely like to come over with a case of beer sometime if you wanna help me out!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
From: Willow Springs IL
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,408
Likes: 1
From: Allen Park MI
Unfortunately black will show any imperfection. You need to clean the surface, polish out any swirl marks etc., protect the surface, and maintain the surface. Cleaning is done with items like soap and wool or microfiber mitt, clay bar. Polishing can be done with a dual action porter cable or others and polishing compound. Protecting can be done a good wax or sealant. And maintaining can be done with clean washing methods and periodic protection.
My advice is to read all you can in the car care section until you fully understand what needs to be done. It's not a difficult job, just time consuming. Good luck!
My advice is to read all you can in the car care section until you fully understand what needs to be done. It's not a difficult job, just time consuming. Good luck!
2009 ZR1 SN 1166
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 28
From: Toronto Ontario
first , you need to go the the detailing section of the board and do some searches. you will need to remove all the imperfections, such as swirl marks and scratches.To do this you will need a flex or porter cable and the proper pads, orange cutting pad, white and grey and some meguiars 105 and then meguiars 205. You need to do this under intense light to see what your up against.once you compound and polish you can finish with zaino or anything else.95 % is preparation. All the zaino in the world will not remove scratches or swirls. here is a pic of my hood. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
From: Willow Springs IL
I bought the porter cable just now as well along with some zaino all in one as well.. I was told this will eliminate the swirls and surface scratches with the pc and proper pads.. What u think?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Lake in the Hills IL
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8,022
Likes: 8
From: Stafford VA, home of our wolf den. No house break ins to date.
Ok, I ordered the Zaino Ultimate Package, I really hope I get the results I have seen their website and these forums. Is the anything else I would need outside of that package, (ie. wash mits, brushes, a PC orbital polisher, etc.)... I wanna ensure when everything arrives here I am fully prepared to give my car the best chance to shine at it's full potential! Again, as always thank you for all your input on thus matter.
no bubble no gremlins guarding my paint..LOL