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I finally clayed the car this weekend & while it is now super smooth, under florescent lights you can see all the imperfections, swirls, fine scratches, etc. It seriously looks like it was washed & dried with sandpaper. Luckily in the sun you don’t notice it as much, but I want to get that fixed & then ceramic coated. What is a typical/fair price for paint correction? Pics for attention - thanks!
I had my local body shop do my car just after I purchased it in preparation for the stripe install. They charged me $500 and it came out amazing. This included a wet sand to remove as much orange peel as they safely could, followed by a full polish.
Last edited by Corvette_Ed; May 30, 2018 at 01:48 PM.
Hey Jabster, you seem pretty mechanically inclined so for the price you'll pay to HAVE it done you could watch a few of the many videos available, go buy your self a DA Polisher (Harbor Freight has one for pretty cheap) then buy the desired products and do it yourself, very satisfying
It may not turn out as well as a pro doing it but I believe the results would be worth it, its not that hard.
NSF
You will want to get the car paint corrected and ceramic coated by the same people most likely.
Ceramic coating is amazing but the key to having amazing results is the prep work just like painting.
Any imperfections that get ceramic coated are now going to be present for an extended period of time.
If you take your time, do research, and have garage access for a couple days you can do it yourself as well.
Adams, Chemical Guys, Etc all offer ceramic coating kits, and complete paint correction/polishing kits as well.
Might check this guy out, I decided to give him a try after a recommendation on another thread. My appointment isn't until June 22, but I can let you know how it turns out if you don't do something before then. So far he has been easy to deal with and seems reasonably priced. I am only having a wash, clay, 1 step polish and sealant done to my 427 vert and C7Z. (Garage queens most of the time, I don't think the ceramic coating is for me.) I also agree that it would be gratifying to do it yourself, but in my case, pampering my "babies" is taking too much time away from my actual babies 2 & 6. BTW, love your car, have not seen another IOM in person.
Might check this guy out, I decided to give him a try after a recommendation on another thread. My appointment isn't until June 22, but I can let you know how it turns out if you don't do something before then. So far he has been easy to deal with and seems reasonably priced. I am only having a wash, clay, 1 step polish and sealant done to my 427 vert and C7Z. (Garage queens most of the time, I don't think the ceramic coating is for me.) I also agree that it would be gratifying to do it yourself, but in my case, pampering my "babies" is taking too much time away from my actual babies 2 & 6. BTW, love your car, have not seen another IOM in person.
Definitely let me know how your appointment turns out. Gorgeous car! I can't let my wife see that as she begged me to get a convertible (I'm not a convertible guy & I bought her a brand new Jeep Wrangler for her vert needs )
I talked to a guy in Little Elm near me who quoted me around $400 & had good reviews online.
Hey Jabster, you seem pretty mechanically inclined so for the price you'll pay to HAVE it done you could watch a few of the many videos available, go buy your self a DA Polisher (Harbor Freight has one for pretty cheap) then buy the desired products and do it yourself, very satisfying
It may not turn out as well as a pro doing it but I believe the results would be worth it, its not that hard.
NSF
I was thinking about doing it myself, but I generally only attempt things that I can't screw up too bad (or that can be reversed fairly easily/inexpensively) Garage space isn't an issue as the GS has it's own dedicated garage & is not my daily driver.
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Originally Posted by JABCAT
I was thinking about doing it myself, but I generally only attempt things that I can't screw up too bad (or that can be reversed fairly easily/inexpensively) Garage space isn't an issue as the GS has it's own dedicated garage & is not my daily driver.
I do correction and coating all the time at home, and it is NOT by "real job" or too difficult to do, provided YOU are willing to put in the time it takes to properly correct the paint, and then ceramic coat it.
Currently at my "real world Job" and not too much time to really provide you all the details I would like to do so.
I was thinking about doing it myself, but I generally only attempt things that I can't screw up too bad (or that can be reversed fairly easily/inexpensively) Garage space isn't an issue as the GS has it's own dedicated garage & is not my daily driver.
With a DA polisher and mild products it is hard to screw up to badly, just watch and listen to videos like the Junkman on YouTube, and most of the makers have tutorials on what, how to do it, seriously I would try it but if you are hesitant I understand. Maybe get the supplies and try it on another less popular car lol Like the wife's or bro in law, mother in law etc.
Good luck
NSF
I was thinking about doing it myself, but I generally only attempt things that I can't screw up too bad (or that can be reversed fairly easily/inexpensively) Garage space isn't an issue as the GS has it's own dedicated garage & is not my daily driver.
Get yourself a Porter Cable 7424XP then. It's literally impossible to screw up your paint with one unless you turn it over and beat the car with it. Use it with Meguiar's 105 and 205 polish, and white and orange 6" hexagon pads. You'll also need to get the 6" disc to replace the 5" the polisher comes with. When it's all said and done, you'll have spent about the same as you would to have someone else do it for you once, and you'll be set to keep your car looking great without having to pay anyone to do it again.
Get yourself a Porter Cable 7424XP then. It's literally impossible to screw up your paint with one unless you turn it over and beat the car with it. Use it with Meguiar's 105 and 205 polish, and white and orange 6" hexagon pads. You'll also need to get the 6" disc to replace the 5" the polisher comes with. When it's all said and done, you'll have spent about the same as you would to have someone else do it for you once, and you'll be set to keep your car looking great without having to pay anyone to do it again.
Get yourself a Porter Cable 7424XP then. It's literally impossible to screw up your paint with one unless you turn it over and beat the car with it. Use it with Meguiar's 105 and 205 polish, and white and orange 6" hexagon pads. You'll also need to get the 6" disc to replace the 5" the polisher comes with. When it's all said and done, you'll have spent about the same as you would to have someone else do it for you once, and you'll be set to keep your car looking great without having to pay anyone to do it again.
Thanks Ed & NSF, I may go this route. I wish I had other cars to practice on but all our cars are new. My son just got a ‘02 Honda CR-V, so maybe he’ll let me practice on that
Get yourself a Porter Cable 7424XP then. It's literally impossible to screw up your paint with one unless you turn it over and beat the car with it. Use it with Meguiar's 105 and 205 polish, and white and orange 6" hexagon pads. You'll also need to get the 6" disc to replace the 5" the polisher comes with. When it's all said and done, you'll have spent about the same as you would to have someone else do it for you once, and you'll be set to keep your car looking great without having to pay anyone to do it again.
I have one and use Meguiar's 105 and 205 with the hexagon pads also, search Porter Cable 7424XP on youtube vid's.
To answer the OP's original question, about $500 is there is not any paint work involved. I'm sure you can get it done cheaper but on paint correction you usually get what you pay for.
I had a paint correction by auto geek Mike Phillips friend who usually helps mike out. It took almost 3 days. The car was unbelievable . I decided no ceramic for me as the car never sees rain. Two years later, it still looks great. Mike and Rob taught me how to care for it. The price was $700.
So what is the opinion on the Chemical Guys detailing kit (porter cable polisher, all the pads, etc. ) for $199 & their V-line of polishes/compounds for paint correction for $50?
So what is the opinion on the Chemical Guys detailing kit (porter cable polisher, all the pads, etc. ) for $199 & their V-line of polishes/compounds for paint correction for $50?
I bought Auto Geeks detailing kit that came with all the trimmings like the one you're looking at from Chemical Guys. I found better results with the Hex Logix pads, Meguiar's 105 and 205 polishes, and The Rag Factory's borderless blue microfiber cloths. If I had to do it again, I'd have bought everything separate. The one thing I do use from Auto Geeks is the polishing pad cleaner. I imagine Chemical Guys stuff is pretty much a similar quality. You can get the Hex Logix pads from Amazon. You want the orange and the white, and I'd suggest getting at least three of each.
Last edited by Corvette_Ed; May 30, 2018 at 07:33 PM.
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Originally Posted by Not So Fast
With a DA polisher and mild products it is hard to screw up to badly, just watch and listen to videos like the Junkman on YouTube, and most of the makers have tutorials on what, how to do it, seriously I would try it but if you are hesitant I understand. Maybe get the supplies and try it on another less popular car lol Like the wife's or bro in law, mother in law etc.
Good luck
NSF
great advice...…………..
Originally Posted by Corvette_Ed
Get yourself a Porter Cable 7424XP then. It's literally impossible to screw up your paint with one unless you turn it over and beat the car with it. Use it with Meguiar's 105 and 205 polish, and white and orange 6" hexagon pads. You'll also need to get the 6" disc to replace the 5" the polisher comes with. When it's all said and done, you'll have spent about the same as you would to have someone else do it for you once, and you'll be set to keep your car looking great without having to pay anyone to do it again.
more great advice...……………
Originally Posted by Corvette_Ed
I bought Auto Geeks detailing kit that came with all the trimmings like the one you're looking at from Chemical Guys. I found better results with the Hex Logix pads, Meguiar's 105 and 205 polishes, and The Rag Factory's borderless blue microfiber cloths. If I had to do it again, I'd have bought everything separate. The one thing I do use from Auto Geeks is the polishing pad cleaner. I imagine Chemical Guys stuff is pretty much a similar quality. You can get the Hex Logix pads from Amazon. You want the orange and the white, and I'd suggest getting at least three of each.
even more useful tips...………..
altogether with the costs of the needed dual action polisher and chemicals and microfiber towels, as well as the cost of the ceramic coating if you decide to go that route you will have somewhere around 400 - 500 total investment, can be used multiple times, and you learn a new skill while at it...……….. if you take your time, and put forth the effort needed, the results typically are spectacular even for a "first timer"...……….
Thanks Ed & NSF, I may go this route. I wish I had other cars to practice on but all our cars are new. My son just got a ‘02 Honda CR-V, so maybe he’ll let me practice on that
There ya go, perfect trial vehicle. I think you will find that you will be very pleased with your efforts. As for your Vette I wouldn't use anything too aggressive, that's when you can get in over your head I've found out, do your due diligence and gather all the info and GO FOR IT
NSF
Paint correction cost
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Garage space isn't an issue as the GS has it's own dedicated garage & is not my daily driver.
