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Topic: First time paint polishing

in Forum: C3 Car Care

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First time paint polishing

Posted: 3/29/08 5:52pm Message 1 of 21
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crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA
Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094
Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion

I just finished a project  that I never thought I would tackle…polishing my paint….BLACK paint.  Ive never done body work before and the thought of putting a polishing machine to my paint was scary.  The previous owner had blessed me with many minute “toweling marks” on the upper surfaces and I'm sure I have made some myself using polyester towels for drying and an artificial “sheep skin” washing mit. The vette looked good if you looked AT the paint but not if you looked INTO the paint. I lived with the scratches as long as I could but now they are GONE.  It took this newbie many hours to do the polishing but the paint looks FANTASTIC.  I used a quality random orbit polisher and two different 3M polishes but the expense and work was well worth it, the car looks wet the paint is so glossy.  I have vowed to never let anything but microfiber touch my vette in the future.

Crossfire19822008-03-29 17:54:26


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First time paint polishing

Posted: 3/29/08 6:12pm Message 2 of 21
pepsiman
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Charlotte, NC - USA
Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 4
Vette(s): 82 corvette coupe
Wow, that look's fantastic Chip. Can't wait to see it in person. Clap


First time paint polishing

Posted: 3/30/08 9:36am Message 3 of 21
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dwright
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Victor, NY - USA
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841
Vette(s): 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe
Fantastic job Chip.
How many hours did it take and what were the two polishes?



 
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First time paint polishing

Posted: 3/30/08 10:10am Message 4 of 21
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tuxblacray
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Greensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...

First time paint polishing

Posted: 3/30/08 11:41am Message 5 of 21
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corvette440hp
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Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205
Chip, A buffer can make or break you.....................YOU DID THE JOB.......you now are an expert........looks great, and I'm sure makes you feel, that you should go out and have another "Corvette Moment" 


corvette440hp

First time paint polishing

Posted: 3/30/08 12:35pm Message 6 of 21
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Dejablu
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Wichita, KS - USA
Joined: 11/10/2003
Posts: 6859
Vette(s): 2005 Daytona Sunset Orange Metallic Coupe --------------------- Sold 1974 T-top, 4 spd to BillKS
I agree, looks great.  Cool   Be sure and let us all know what polishes you used. 
 
Larry



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First time paint polishing

Posted: 3/30/08 12:52pm Message 7 of 21
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crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA
Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094
Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion
OK guys, here is what I did.  Keep in mind, I am totally new at this so there is probably a better way but here goes.  The hardest part was getting the nerve to try this job and to put enough pressure on the machine to let the polish work.  The previous owner had my car painted and I had no idea how thick the clear coat was but felt it was up to the polishing.
 
I ordered a random orbital polisher from Griots Garage.  The polisher I really like but I also ordered some of their polish and wax but DID NOT like it at all and have thrown it away! Meguiars has a polisher that looks almost identical to the one I bought but its a few $$ more.  The velcro face plate on the polisher and pads makes the job so much easier.
 
 A very helpful guy at the local automotive finish supply looked at my car and made some recommendations which I followed.  To remove the worst scratches I used 3M  "Perfect-It" 5996 which is gray in color. With the 5996 I used a red Meguiars "soft buff" "cutting pad".  This polish leaves a pretty good finish on its own but I followed it up with 3M "Perfect-It" 6068 "Ultriafina" which leaves a glass-like finish. With the 6068 I used a Meguiars "soft buff" "Finishing Pad".  If the scratches are very shallow perhaps the 6068 alone would do the job.  I worked on about 2.5 ft square areas at a time and made overlapping back and forth and up and down passes until the polish appeared to have "broken down" as far as it was going to.  Use a mircofiber to wipe up the polish.  A spray bottle of water to keep the polish and pad a little moist is a help also.
 
The entire job took me probably 10-12 hours over about 5 days. I was extremely pleased with the result and knew it wasnt my imagination when this past Friday night at a local cruise I was approached by a friend who has seen my car many times and who also happens to own a black vette.  Before I could get out of my car he walked up and wanted to know what kind of "wax" I was using.
 
 
 
Crossfire19822008-03-30 13:01:05


First time paint polishing

Posted: 3/30/08 1:00pm Message 8 of 21
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corvette440hp
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Chip, Thanks for sharing your new found expertise. You evidently are a PERFECTIONIST.............it shows!!! You car is a reflection on you.........OR are YOU, now a REFLECTION on it's BLACK BEAUTY????


corvette440hp

First time paint polishing

Posted: 3/30/08 1:03pm Message 9 of 21
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crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA
Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094
Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion
Thanks for your comments Larry, very much appreciated. Perhaps this will help others who have been considering this but were hesitant to do it.


First time paint polishing

Posted: 3/30/08 2:51pm Message 10 of 21
jbs82vette
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Mint Hill, NC - USA
Joined: 10/25/2007
Posts: 123
Vette(s): 1982 White Corvette, dark blue leather interior, 70,000 miles
Chip, looks great!  Black is a very unforgiving paint when it comes to scratches. Now yours look fantastic!! The hard work paid off.


in Forum: C3 Car Care


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