I am getting my 99 vert out of the shop, after being there six weeks. I want to do the best detailing I can to make it look great for the summer. Oh, of course, mine is all black, so it really needs attention to detail!

Does anyone know where a detailed explanation of what I need to do? I have heard of the Zaino products, but there are so many different one, I dont know where to start!

At least pass along a step by step procedure for me to follow to make my baby shine better that new. Which products are best?

Thanks!

 

There are tons of great resources out there including many posts on this forum. Here is a link to our Detailing Guide, which has detailed explanations about each step with a step by step guide. As for products there are also many great options out there for you.

A full detail to me involves these steps and possibly more: wash, dry, clay bar, polish, sealant and wax. To restore the black paint you'll most likely need to do some polishing. Polishes help permanently remove surface imperfections like swirls, oxidation, etc. Its the most noticeable way to improve the shine of your paint. I generally recommend a medium and light cutting polish applied by a buffer for best results. After that protect the paint and enhance the shine with a sealant and/or wax. Sealants help provide durable protection and a long lasting shine. If desired you can layer a wax on top of the sealant for some extra gloss and protection.

Our Polish and Protection Starter Kit and Porter Cable 7424 Starter Kit are probably perfect for you. They will give you the products you need to complete these steps and restore the clear coat. If you would like help with picking out any products I'd be happy to help with that as well. Additionally I'd be happy to help explain more about the use of the PC 7424. It's a very safe and easy to use buffer that can help significantly improve your results.

Again if I can help you any further please let me know. Good Luck!

Greg @ Detailed Image

 

There is a lot of great information for you to read on www.zainostore.com.

You may also want to do some reading on how to prep the finish with a Flex 3401 or Porter Cable Random Orbital buffer if you have any swirls or scratches that need to be removed first.

I recommend that you do the following

Clay using Zaino clay and any good QD or soap (Z7) and water as a lube.

Polish with a ROB and a white pad using ZPC or a similar polish like Menzerna or 3M.

Apply Z-AIO by hand with a Foam German Applicator.

Apply Z5p by hand with Zaino Applicator.

Z8 or for ultimate shine CS then Z8.

 

Thanks for the fast responses! Keep them coming. I want to gather all the detailing info I can!

 

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html

I would personally not use an abrasive polish or chemical cleaner for several weeks after a repair/repaint without the shops recommendation. A nice coat of a pure wax or pure sealant should protect for that time against rain / water spots / contaminents while allowing the paint to fully cure.

Then its time to wash --- clay --- polish --- protect

 

Very good advice!

 

If it is coming out of the paint shop, please be sure to check with your painter as to when you can/should seal it. Most shops ask that you not wax for 30-90 days, to give the paint and clear adequate time to cure. Failure to do this may result in permanent hazing, which will require another trip to the paint shop (and more money).


-Mike

 

No, my car is coming out of mechanic's shop. I am getting a new transmission (RPM Stage 6+), a new differential (RPM Level 3, 3-rib 3.73 gear), new torque converter (Vigalante 2600, 3-blade stall), new propeller shaft, new RSI Dual fuel pump, a new LS6 valley plate, and a slew of smaller updates.

I will put it in the body shop in a few weeks, to get what I like to call a 'tune up'. I get all chips and scratches repaired.

I want to shine it up before it goes to the body shop, becasue they tell me I can't polish it for 90 days after they work on the paint.

 

It is safe to apply Zaino 7 days after it has been painted but it is usually best to follow the shops recomendation mainly because they are the ones warrantying it. You can also use a paintable glaze after it comes out of the shop but it is not very durable at al and usually needs to be done after every wash but it will provide very little protection.

 

Well, since it's coming out of the speed shop, that's a horse of a different feather! The already-posted guides have some excellent tips.


-Mike

 

Yes, and as a plug, it is getting all the work done by Joey Cartee and Mike Yeager at Corvettes and Classics by Cartee, in Greenville, SC. They are the ONLY corvette shop in the area I would trust my car with!

 

The basic steps are the same no matter what you use.

Wash, clay, wash (no need for dawn) machine polish, protect.

All of the work is in the polishing/prep.
After a thorough washing/claying/bug and tar/washing, you need a polisher.
Flex/orange pad/ menzerna sip, orange pad/ZPC, white pad/ZPC.

Two to three Z5 w/ZFX, two to three Z2 w/zfx if putting on more than one coat in a day. The sealants go on by hand with a light Z6 in between.
End with ZCS, and then Z8.

 

thank you!

 

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html

Being the detailing nut that I am, when I heard it was mechanical I wondered if you visited the shop to detail the undercarriage, wheel wells, and the barrels of the rims. Much easier while on a lift

Best of luck, seriously, sounds like you are truly taking it to the next level mechanically and visually.

 

Tell me more about detailing the underneath!

I did have the shop power wash the rear carriage while it was off. The wheels are off, so I wil lgo pick them up and bring them home to clean up. Thanks for that idea!

 

You can paint the wheelwells to look new, use a high temp paint and preclean first to remove any oils.

You can also wipe down all suspension parts not greased as wanted to remove dirt and other sludge built up over time.

I have seen shocks being wiped down and waxed, exhaust cans being polished, and really anything you can reach while up in the air. The wash was a great idea.

 

I have the Corsa Pace car cat-back. I do need to polish that too!

 

not really, but some like the cans (mufflers) shiny.

 

Since I purchased the Menzerna FLEX XC3401 Ceramic Show Car Kit, I was wondering: Do I need to Clay Bar my car before I start polishing?

 

claying is a very good idea .... considering clay pull contaminents away from the finish while polishing grinds/abrades the surface.