Need some detailing tips.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 859
Likes: 8
Need some detailing tips.
I bought my black 85 C4 about a month ago, and it's been sitting in the garage ever since. I'm just waiting for this crappy Chicago weather to improve so that I can start driving and detailing!
But anyways, the paint is generally in good condition, original black paint job, however it does need a lot of work to look great. First of all, there are a TON of scratches. It's as if someone keyed the whole friggin car! I know a lot of them are too deep to be removed, but there are also a lot of scratches that I think I can get out with some work. Also, when you look at the paint in the sunlight, you can see tons of light swirl marks everywhere.
My plan right now is to get a porter cable, even though I've never used a buffer. I can practice first on my other car. What compound should I use with the PC? Also, should this be the first step or the last step in my detailing process? Because I also plan to clay bar, and finish off with a few coats of rejex. Unless someone can reccomend some more steps that I should take. I don't care how much time it takes, I just want my car to look as good as it can.
But anyways, the paint is generally in good condition, original black paint job, however it does need a lot of work to look great. First of all, there are a TON of scratches. It's as if someone keyed the whole friggin car! I know a lot of them are too deep to be removed, but there are also a lot of scratches that I think I can get out with some work. Also, when you look at the paint in the sunlight, you can see tons of light swirl marks everywhere.
My plan right now is to get a porter cable, even though I've never used a buffer. I can practice first on my other car. What compound should I use with the PC? Also, should this be the first step or the last step in my detailing process? Because I also plan to clay bar, and finish off with a few coats of rejex. Unless someone can reccomend some more steps that I should take. I don't care how much time it takes, I just want my car to look as good as it can.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
http://www.autogeek.net/popoprkit.html
I would seriously suggest looking into this kit I offered above. It offers everything but car wash, in order to get your car to sparkling better than new status. The polishes are very user friendly. 2.5 is more abrasive, where 1.0 jewels the surface. Nobody ever reminds an individual contemplating buying a PC to remember that pads , and a flexible backing plate are also needed. It is a very user friendly tool, and should be considered a "must-have".
And if you prefer you can add Rejex into the mix. After the polishing and before the carnuba. (this carnuba will knock your socks off with look, and ease of use). Kit also contains items needed to keep finish looking new between waxing. And in the microfiber towels to remove wax and polishes without scratching, and you got yourself a clear winner. Consider visiting our site, as we have a tips section on the left also. If ordering, remember we offer forum members an addtl 10% buy using "corvetteforum" in the checkout/coupon box.
I would seriously suggest looking into this kit I offered above. It offers everything but car wash, in order to get your car to sparkling better than new status. The polishes are very user friendly. 2.5 is more abrasive, where 1.0 jewels the surface. Nobody ever reminds an individual contemplating buying a PC to remember that pads , and a flexible backing plate are also needed. It is a very user friendly tool, and should be considered a "must-have".
And if you prefer you can add Rejex into the mix. After the polishing and before the carnuba. (this carnuba will knock your socks off with look, and ease of use). Kit also contains items needed to keep finish looking new between waxing. And in the microfiber towels to remove wax and polishes without scratching, and you got yourself a clear winner. Consider visiting our site, as we have a tips section on the left also. If ordering, remember we offer forum members an addtl 10% buy using "corvetteforum" in the checkout/coupon box.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,744
Likes: 2
From: The King of Bling
St. Jude Donor '10
The kit killr recomended will work good for you and I do like Poorboys polishes a lot, they are amongst my favorites. Some other good polishes that you could try and my favorites are Zaino Fusion (ZPC) or Menzerna polishes.
You can also find the Porter Cable 7336sp buffer at Lowes for 99 bucks if you do not want to get it in a kit and then just get one of the pad kits to go with it. Figure out what you want or need and see which way works out to be a better price for you. Sometimes it is worth it to just say screw it and get everything in the kit providing you can find one with out a bunch of stuff you don't need.
For black I would recomend Zaino Z2 Pro as your final sealant. Z2p is 99% optically clear and I have found nothing that makes black or metallics look so nice. Actually it works nice on all colors but you can really appreciate it on black. I would do alot of reading in here and check out www.detailersclub.com and a few of the other forums before you make a decision. There is also detailed directions on www.zainostore.com on what needs to be done such as claying before you polish etc etc...
You can also find the Porter Cable 7336sp buffer at Lowes for 99 bucks if you do not want to get it in a kit and then just get one of the pad kits to go with it. Figure out what you want or need and see which way works out to be a better price for you. Sometimes it is worth it to just say screw it and get everything in the kit providing you can find one with out a bunch of stuff you don't need.
For black I would recomend Zaino Z2 Pro as your final sealant. Z2p is 99% optically clear and I have found nothing that makes black or metallics look so nice. Actually it works nice on all colors but you can really appreciate it on black. I would do alot of reading in here and check out www.detailersclub.com and a few of the other forums before you make a decision. There is also detailed directions on www.zainostore.com on what needs to be done such as claying before you polish etc etc...
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 11
From: Lewes DE
If you're not experienced with the Porter Cable, you can easily end up buying the wrong pieces. Just buy the Porter Cable Kit at autogeek -- they'll make sure you have everything you need to get started.
Then all you have to do is start polishing.
My two cents : there are two good ways to go:
of course, the poorboys combo mentioned by killrwheels has the same idea. Find yourself a combination with that idea in mind.
Especially for the tough work you describe, you'll want to have a combination of a slightly more aggressive product to start, and a less abrasive product to finish and remove any marring left by the first. If the orange pad won't get the scratches out for you, try a yellow pad - but I don't have experience using the yellow pad or a wool bonnet myself. have never had to go that tough....yet.
Then all you have to do is start polishing.
My two cents : there are two good ways to go:
- first Menzerna Intensive Polish with an orange pad, then Menzerna final polish II with a white pad. OR
- 3M 39002 with orange pad, then 3M 39009 with a white pad
of course, the poorboys combo mentioned by killrwheels has the same idea. Find yourself a combination with that idea in mind.
Especially for the tough work you describe, you'll want to have a combination of a slightly more aggressive product to start, and a less abrasive product to finish and remove any marring left by the first. If the orange pad won't get the scratches out for you, try a yellow pad - but I don't have experience using the yellow pad or a wool bonnet myself. have never had to go that tough....yet.
