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Topic: First time paint polishing

in Forum: C3 Car Care

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First time paint polishing (1/21)
3/29/08 5:52pm

crossfire1982
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Cramerton, NC - USA

Vette(s):
black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion

Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094

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.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/theshadow41/MISC/SCRATCHESSIDEBYSIDEpsd.jpg

Crossfire19822008-03-29 17:54:26

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First time paint polishing (2/21)
3/29/08 6:12pm

pepsiman
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Charlotte, NC - USA

Vette(s):
82 corvette coupe

Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 4

Wow, that look's fantastic Chip. Can't wait to see it in person. Clap

First time paint polishing (3/21)
3/30/08 9:36am

dwright
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Victor, NY - USA

Vette(s):
2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe

Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841

Fantastic job Chip.

How many hours did it take and what were the two polishes?

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First time paint polishing (4/21)
3/30/08 10:10am

tuxblacray

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Greensburg, IN - USA

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...

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I agree tell us more..... !

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First time paint polishing (5/21)
3/30/08 11:41am

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"

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First time paint polishing (6/21)
3/30/08 12:35pm

Dejablu

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Wichita, KS - USA

Vette(s):
2005 Daytona Sunset Orange Metallic Coupe --------------------- Sold 1974 T-top, 4 spd to BillKS

Joined: 11/10/2003
Posts: 6859

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 (7/21)
3/30/08 12:52pm

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.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii226/theshadow41/MISC/DSC06153.jpg

http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-car-detailing-accessories/Dual-Action-Polisher

Crossfire19822008-03-30 13:01:05

First time paint polishing (8/21)
3/30/08 1:00pm

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????

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First time paint polishing (9/21)
3/30/08 1:03pm

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 (10/21)
3/30/08 2:51pm

jbs82vette
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Mint Hill, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1982 White Corvette, dark blue leather interior, 70,000 miles

Joined: 10/25/2007
Posts: 123

Chip, looks great! Black is a very unforgiving paint when it comes to scratches. Now yours look fantastic!! The hard work paid off.

First time paint polishing (11/21)
3/30/08 4:51pm

lukesvette

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HOWELL, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.

Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812

Wow Chip - what a difference!! 3M definitely puts out great products!! And you certainly did a great job!!! Nice Job!!!

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First time paint polishing (12/21)
3/30/08 7:30pm

KDADDY79
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Dutchess County, NY - USA

Vette(s):
White '79 Corvette. It's a driver.

Joined: 8/27/2007
Posts: 2484

Nice Work!!! Thumbs%20Up

And thanks for the info.

First time paint polishing (13/21)
3/31/08 12:03pm

DaveM

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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2553

I just polished mine on Sat. I'm still sore! I did mine by hand. I removed old wax, used a paint cleaner, then the polish, then a coat of wax. I feel like the Karate Kid. Dead

I shoud try the machine next time.

The car looks great, nice work.

Dave

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First time paint polishing (14/21)
3/31/08 1:54pm

Thanks Dave, I dont think I would ever have gotten all my scratches out by hand, perhaps in younger days.....Naahhhh not even then. What wax are you using?

First time paint polishing (15/21)
3/31/08 3:43pm

greypoupon69

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Irving, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks. #2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.

Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273

Try some 3M Hand Glaze (it's a brownish color). That stuff is pretty darn good. This body guy told me to put that on a newly painted vehicle. Thumbs%20Up

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First time paint polishing (16/21)
3/31/08 3:58pm

corvette440hp

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Joined: 7/2/2006
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[QUOTE=greypoupon69]Try some 3M Hand Glaze (it's a brownish color). That stuff is pretty darn good. This body guy told me to put that on a newly painted vehicle. Thumbs%20Up

[/QUOTE] Chip, I see that Micki gave you some good advice. One thing that MUST be thought of is, if you are using a machine to apply HAND polishes etc., You have to use extreme caution. There are two different kinds of materials, one is made for buffers the other is applied by hand. The buffer materials have less abrasives than the hand applied stuff. You can use hand applied if you dilute the mix and are again cautious. Auto Body and Paint Refinishing stores sell the professional stuff, in case anyone is iterested. SEE WHAT YOU STARTED CHIP! Thanx Thumbs%20Up

corvette440hp2008-03-31 16:04:24

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corvette440hp

First time paint polishing (17/21)
3/31/08 6:05pm

There is more interest in this thread than I thought there would be. The hand polish sounds interesting.

First time paint polishing (18/21)
4/1/08 8:29am

corvette440hp

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Glaze is great to get out even more swirl marks.

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First time paint polishing (19/21)
4/1/08 11:45am

PSU 98
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Shenandoah, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Chevrolet Corvette

Joined: 10/18/2006
Posts: 328

After you've spent all that time polishing, make sure you've followed it up with some kind protection! A good combination for a black 'Vette would be a coat of 3M glaze layered with a quality carnauba wax. Is you car driven often Chip? If so, you might want to consider a good synthetic product like Zaino, Rejex, or Meguiar's new NXT instead. The downside of using glaze and wax is that they will not offer much in the way of durability for a car that sees a lot of road time. Glazes and waxes are products that do well to hide imperfections with oils and fillers, but they will not remove them.

Re: First time paint polishing (20/21)
6/25/14 10:50am

Joanne
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Joined: 11/30/2006
Posts: 441

looks good,well done.

to anyone going to do the same.be very carefull along body lines and edges.

them machines will soon go right thru the pant.

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Re: First time paint polishing (21/21)
6/28/14 12:04pm

C17Flyer
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Charleston, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1979 Silver w/oyster 350/290 crate motor

Joined: 8/5/2013
Posts: 11

Love the speaker enclosures, did you do that or buy them somewhere. Paint difference is fantastic. Mine's in for paint now. Any thoughts on how many coats of clear coat I should ask for??

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