1996 Corvette Grand Sport - Paint Correction & Opti-Coat Pro by Mr. Sparkle Detailing
08-14-2015, 07:45 AM
#1
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
1996 Corvette Grand Sport - Paint Correction & Opti-Coat Pro by Mr. Sparkle Detailing
Recently got a call to work on a rare 1996 Corvette Grand Sport. Client was interested in paint correction and a protective coating. Given the age of the car it was best to first do an inspection at my shop under the LED lights.
Upon inspection it was swirled up, but not butchered. The owner understood that the final product would not be perfect, but damn close. We set a date for a multi step paint correction to be finished off with Opti-Coat Pro
Started things off with the usual wash & decon (IronX & Trix) followed up with clay magic blue and later megs red clay. All sorts of little specs stuck to the paint and likely there for years. Did not give up easily.
Brought the vette center stage, taped off the trim, and got to work. Like many Corvettes before it, the paint on this vehicle was very hard. Had to hammer down with:
Flex PE Rotary + LC purple wool + Shine Supply "Flat Top"
Flex & Griots DA + LC Tangerine + Menz Power Finish
Flex & Griots DA + LC white + Opti Coat Primer Polish
Before and after photos. Inspection under LED lighting
Hood
Passenger Door
Rear quarter panel
Trunk Lid
After install of Opti-Coat Pro, a couple glory shots
Broadcasting from the Mr. Sparkle Garage - Long Island, New York
Mr. Sparkle Detailing.com
Upon inspection it was swirled up, but not butchered. The owner understood that the final product would not be perfect, but damn close. We set a date for a multi step paint correction to be finished off with Opti-Coat Pro
Started things off with the usual wash & decon (IronX & Trix) followed up with clay magic blue and later megs red clay. All sorts of little specs stuck to the paint and likely there for years. Did not give up easily.
Brought the vette center stage, taped off the trim, and got to work. Like many Corvettes before it, the paint on this vehicle was very hard. Had to hammer down with:
Flex PE Rotary + LC purple wool + Shine Supply "Flat Top"
Flex & Griots DA + LC Tangerine + Menz Power Finish
Flex & Griots DA + LC white + Opti Coat Primer Polish
Before and after photos. Inspection under LED lighting
Hood
Passenger Door
Rear quarter panel
Trunk Lid
After install of Opti-Coat Pro, a couple glory shots
Broadcasting from the Mr. Sparkle Garage - Long Island, New York
Mr. Sparkle Detailing.com
08-16-2015, 02:33 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2015
Location: Northern California
Posts: 6,223
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St. Jude Donor '15
Wow, great job!
08-18-2015, 05:03 AM
#7
Le Mans Master
08-19-2015, 05:07 PM
#8
I have a rotary polisher and have used orange pads on my 2010 Grand sport with Black paint. It is effective but does not get the stubborn swirls out.
I was worried the purple wool pad would be too aggressive for the paint but this might be my next purchase.
That blue looks stunning.
I was worried the purple wool pad would be too aggressive for the paint but this might be my next purchase.
That blue looks stunning.
08-19-2015, 09:02 PM
#9
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
I have a rotary polisher and have used orange pads on my 2010 Grand sport with Black paint. It is effective but does not get the stubborn swirls out.
I was worried the purple wool pad would be too aggressive for the paint but this might be my next purchase.
That blue looks stunning.
I was worried the purple wool pad would be too aggressive for the paint but this might be my next purchase.
That blue looks stunning.
If you're not sure - tape your edges. The trim is all taped but as I move around the car as I feel its necessary when rotary polishing I'll tape off some panel edges.
The rotary is not for the weak. Most days I'm not rotary polishing. I prefer the DA (and in recent years - the long throw DA such as the Griots Boss). For this car shown in the writeup the paint (hard) and depth of defects made the rotary a must.
