Noob paint question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 156
From: Richmond Texas
Noob paint question
OK my C6 has a clear coat and when it is buffed/polished etc. it is taking a small amount of the clear off. So, if I have swirls etc. and get it detailed they are more aggressive even going so far as wet sanding it too. Do people ever go and have more clear sprayed on before they get into the color with all of the detailing?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
"Buffing" uses fairly coarse abrasives to remediate a surface which has scratches deeper than simple polishing can correct, or to expose an as yet undamaged surface in weathered paint. Wet sanding should be reserved for only the worst scratching or weathering which is recoverable without a repaint since there's likely only enough clear from the factory to do it once. If you are using a detailer who feels the need to buff or wet sand your car as part of normal paint maintainance they have likely already killed your factory paint. My car (truck) is a 2004 and has never seen a buffer or a polishing pad. I do not have a garage and must of necessity park under pine and other trees on my 600 foot long dirt drive at night. I wash the thing once a week and wax approximately once a month... if I were to spend 3 or 4 hours tomorrow with a car wash liquid, a terry washcloth, chamois and a liquid detailer it would look almost new. You can probably keep your Vette looking showroom yourself unless the guys you paid to "detail" it have ruined it already.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 156
From: Richmond Texas
It has not been detailed. I was just wondering about the respray of clear as a means of maintaining the thickness. I do not know what the previous owner did but the car was in mint condition. The car was a garage queen. I on the other hand drive it. @ 4000 miles since February. That being said, it shows. However I realize that it is a car and it isn't going to stay show room clean or flawless. It has a bit of road rash on the hood and by the rear brake ducts now. It is more fun driving it than looking at it parked in my garage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
The best way to maintain the film thickness is not to reduce it from the get-go. I'm very happy you drive your car, and applaud your understanding that use will road rash make. Keep it clean, apply a wax on a regular basis, and if it gets looking a bit too shaggy, invest in a quality orbital polisher and an assortment of foam bonnets for it. There are many good polishing "systems" out there, do some research and get one of them to be used sparingly, and only when regular washing/waxing fail to bring the paint up to a "driver" standard. Treated thusly, your factory clear should live many years and need replacement only when the basecoats finally fail as well.
