Bad buffer! Bad!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Bad buffer! Bad!
It looks like the dealer (surely not the NCM?!) took a buffer to my rear bumper during the delivery prep. It's right between the left tail lights, all the way up to the spoiler. When in direct sunlight, there is a terrible "halo" effect and it's apparent that it was some type of orbital buffer. It makes me sick just looking at it. :cry
I have two coats of Z5 and one coat of Z2 on there now and it doesn't seem to touch it. Is there anything I could use to fix this myself? If not should a body shop be able to correct it easily? I'm scared of making it worse, but it's pretty bad as it is.
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
I have two coats of Z5 and one coat of Z2 on there now and it doesn't seem to touch it. Is there anything I could use to fix this myself? If not should a body shop be able to correct it easily? I'm scared of making it worse, but it's pretty bad as it is.
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 0
From: Kenton TN
Re: Bad buffer! Bad! (amcalpine)
It looks like the dealer (surely not the NCM?!) took a buffer to my rear bumper during the delivery prep. It's right between the left tail lights, all the way up to the spoiler. When in direct sunlight, there is a terrible "halo" effect and it's apparent that it was some type of orbital buffer. It makes me sick just looking at it. :cry
I have two coats of Z5 and one coat of Z2 on there now and it doesn't seem to touch it. Is there anything I could use to fix this myself? If not should a body shop be able to correct it easily? I'm scared of making it worse, but it's pretty bad as it is.
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
I have two coats of Z5 and one coat of Z2 on there now and it doesn't seem to touch it. Is there anything I could use to fix this myself? If not should a body shop be able to correct it easily? I'm scared of making it worse, but it's pretty bad as it is.
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Re: Bad buffer! Bad! (KLO)
I think I will go the 3M route (too scared to take to just any dealer and Karl is 250 miles away), but I have a few questions:
1) Are there any pitfalls that a novice should look out for when using this product?
2) The instructions say to use a terry cloth towel for hand application. Will a new Zaino applicator suffice (using 100% cotton towels to remove)?
3) The 3M website shows their Hand Glaze PN 39007 as the next step after using the swirl remover. Will Z1/Z5 suffice for this step or should I use the 3M glaze?
4) If there is a good chance that I'll make this worse, PLEASE tell me now.
Wish me luck. Thanks.
[Modified by amcalpine, 2:36 PM 8/22/2001]
1) Are there any pitfalls that a novice should look out for when using this product?
2) The instructions say to use a terry cloth towel for hand application. Will a new Zaino applicator suffice (using 100% cotton towels to remove)?
3) The 3M website shows their Hand Glaze PN 39007 as the next step after using the swirl remover. Will Z1/Z5 suffice for this step or should I use the 3M glaze?
4) If there is a good chance that I'll make this worse, PLEASE tell me now.
Wish me luck. Thanks.
[Modified by amcalpine, 2:36 PM 8/22/2001]
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
Re: Bad buffer! Bad! (amcalpine)
That crap sucks! I have similar swirl marks on my hood and trunklid. This is not uncommon and it happens at the factory as mentioned above. Of course, it only shows up on dark cars. I saw them buffing defects on the trunklid of a C5 when I was on a plant tour. I don't think anything other than a repaint will completely fix it. I too did not want to turn the dealer loose w/ a buffer on mine. I did the 3m thing too. It's a mild abrasive. The best compromise would be to call the GM complaint line and get a case number. They'll tell you to take it to your dealer. Tell them your busy and you'll take it in a week. In the meantime, try your fix and if your happy with it, fugetaboudit. If not, you can take it to the dealer and nobody is the wiser. With mine, after many coats of Z-5, the paint looks great. It shows up in direct sunlight around noon when the sun is directly overhead. Otherwise , you can't see it. In fact, I'm the only one that notices ever. Good luck. Next time, I'm getting a lighter color.
p.s. you work for Calpine?
[Modified by need-for-speed, 9:37 PM 8/22/2001]
p.s. you work for Calpine?
[Modified by need-for-speed, 9:37 PM 8/22/2001]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Re: Bad buffer! Bad! (need-for-speed)
p.s. you work for Calpine?
I 3M'ed the paint this evening and now the Z1/Z5 is drying. It seemed to help a lot, but I had to do it after work, and by the time I got done there wasn't enough sun to really test it. Before I could see it with a shop light at the right angles. It is better now. I went pretty conservative figuring I could always go back and do more if it still showed. What good would the GM complaint do anyway?
Glad you got yours looking good again.
[Modified by amcalpine, 9:56 PM 8/22/2001]
