1969 Camaro Pace Car - Show Car Makeover - Modeled by Michelle

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

1969 Camaro Pace Car - Show Car Makeover - Modeled by Michelle



Steve just arrived with his Camaro and the sun is sitting low in the sky but I was able to get a few pictures to show the condition of the paint...

Here's how low the sun was in the sky...

Best Sun Swirl Shots I could get...

Here's how the paint looks using the Brinkmann Swirl Finder Light

Here I'm using the camera flash to light up the swirls and scratches...

Close-up: There's scratches and general surface imperfections throughout the finish...

This shot is to frame-up the following shots so you can tell where the close-ups are being taken. Every body panel looked the same way...

Close-ups...

Next up we wiped the car clean using Detailer's Pro Series Waterless Auto Wash and Pinnacle Clay Lubricant, which can be used to remove light dust, smudges and fingerprints.

In this shot, Rene is sharing some tips and techniques on how to carefully wipe a car down... (Thanks Rene!)

It doesn't take long to wipe a car clean with 7 guys...

After wiping the car clean, we felt the paint with our bare hands and also using the baggie test and the paint felt pretty rough so we went ahead and clayed each panel using Pinnacle Clay Lubricant and Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay.



Same thing... it doesn't take long to clay an entire car with 8 guys claying the paint...

In this picture, Robert from Impressions Fine Auto Detailing and a regular here at our weekly projects shares with Ron, (in the blue shirt), how to use detailing clay the right way. These projects are a great way to learn about products and techniques by guys that have been doing this for years...

Here's Hector and Glen claying the rear clip of the Camaro... Hector is going to be one heck of a Pro Detailer if he keeps attending our weekly projects plus he's going to get to work on a lot of really cool cars. Glen is to the right helping with the claying step.

Pictured with the green microfiber towel over his shoulder is Steve the owner. I want to thank Steve for trusting Autogeek with his precious car... you're in good hands at Autogeek...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Continued...


Optimum G-P-S - First impressions...


At last night's project, in keeping with the philosophy of using the least aggressive product to get the job done, PLUS I wanted to test out the new Optimum G-P-S, we tried it out on the 1969 Camaro Pace car after claying the paint.

For this test we used a Flex 3401 with a 6.5" Tangerine Hydro-Tech Polishing pad on the 6.0 Speed setting.


Priming pad with Optimum G-P-S...

Working a section of paint on the hood on only one side of the tape-line...

Initial Impressions...

Like other Optimum paint care products the new G-P-S offers very smooth buffing with a long buffing cycle plus super easy wipe-off.

After buffing a section of the hood and then inspecting the results we found the G-P-S did an awesome job of removing all the light swirls and scratches and restoring total clarity to the clearcoat. If left the paint clear, glossy and very shiny.

By removing all the shallow swirls and scratches, we exposed lots of random, deeper scratches everywhere in the paint and decided to switch to a more aggressive polish and a more aggressive pad.

If you're car's paint only has light or shallow swirls and scratches, this would be a very good choice for a light correcting polish and paint sealant all in one.



The Major Correction Step

Getting more aggressive...
After testing the new G-P-S the next thing we tested was Purple Foamed Wool pads with Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover wit the Flex 3401 and this combination easily removed 98% of the swirls and scratches while leaving the finish incredibly glossy...

Here's Rene and Kyle working on the hood...

While they tackled the hood I knocked out the panel in front of the hood and some of the tops of the fenders...

Meanwhile Adam is using a 3" pad on the Flex PE14 to work out scratches from thinner panels on the Camaro...

The Polishing or Minor Correction Step
After we removed all the defects we moved onto machine polishing the paint to a high gloss, for this we switched over to DA Polishers and the Cyclo Polisher.

Here's Steve the owner of the Camaro testing out a Porter Cable 7424XP on the hood; this is the first time he's ever machine polished and after a few minutes of machine polishing he agrees it's the only way work on clear coat paints...

Here's Glen polishing with the Porter Cable 7424XP

Steve decides to give the Cyclo a try...

On the back rear fender, Hector is using the Cyclo to polish the paint to a clear, high gloss... this guy has only been to a couple of our Thursday night projects and he's already becoming very good at machine polishing paint.

Ron has some experience behind a traditional rotary buffer but the Meguiar's G110v2 is a new experience. He mastered the tool in just a few minutes...

Ron's buddy Scott tests out the Meguiar's G110v2, this is also his first time machine polishing...

Ron is da man! Check out how he flips the Cyclo vertically to tackle the back face of the rear spoiler...

This is the new Cyclo Mark 5 Variable Speed Polisher which you can tell by the variable speed dial just below his right hand...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Continued...

The protection step - sealing the paint...

After wiping all the polish residue off the paint it's time to seal the paint with a coat of wax for this project we're going to machine apply Pinnacle XMT 180 High Gloss Carnauba Paste Wax using DA Polishers


In order to get the wax out of the jar you can lightly heat the outside using a hair blow dryer or in my case I'm using a heat gun...

After knocking the wax out of the jar it's a good idea to have a microfiber glove on to help you gently grip the wax as you spread it over the face of pad...

Scott is ready to start machine waxing with the Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital Polisher

One more swipe across the face of the pad and Ron will be ready to start machine waxing with the Porter Cable 7424XP

Scott machine waxing...

Scott using the Griot's and Steve using the Meguiar's G110v2 to machine apply wax...

Ron machine waxing the rear spoiler...

After the guys apply the wax Rene and Kyle follow behind gently removing the excess wax off the paint...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Continued...


After we finished the exterior paint Adam started in on all the brightwork using Wolfgang Metallwerks Aluminum Concours Polish

While Adam was polishing paint and the rest of the guys were cleaning up I tackled the bright orange interior using products from the Pinnacle Natural Brilliance Concours Interior Kit

This kit comes with everything you need to clean, condition and protect vinyl and leather surfaces and anytime you own a convertible it's important to regularly maintain the interior as it's exposed to direct sunlight plus the environment...

We gave Steve the Pinnacle Concourse Interior Kit as gift to help him keep his bright orange interior looking new. So he could keep the microfiber applicator pads for his next interior detailing session I opted to use a microfiber towel to apply the Pinnacle Leather & Vinyl Cleaner and a separate clean microfiber towel to apply and work in the Pinnacle Vinyl & Rubber Protectant.

Time to move the car out, roll up the protective floor mats and get ready to take some beauty shots!

:xyxthumbs:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Beauty Shots...

:dblthumb2:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Wrap-up...

Anyone can get these kinds of results by using the right products with the right pads and polishers and good technique...

Autogeek.net can supply you with all the products and tools you need and AutogeekOnline.net can help you perfect your technique...


On Autogeek.net

Cleaning and Claying
Detailer's Pro Series Waterless Auto Wash
Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay And Clay Lube


Buffing Pads
6.5" Purple Foamed Wool Polishing Pad
Foamed Wool 4 x 1 inch Buffing & Polishing Pad
Lake Country 6.5" CCS Pads
Lake Country 6.5" Flat Pads
5.5" Lake Country Flat Pads


Tools Used
Flex 3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher
Flex PE 14
Porter Cable 7424XP
Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital Polisher
Meguiar's G110v2
Optimum Adapter/Extension
Cyclo Orbital Polisher Model 5-Pro
Cyclo Orbital Polisher



Medium Cut Polish
Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover


Fine Cut Polish
Pinnacle Advanced Finishing Polish
Optimum G-P-S - Link coming soon


Wax
Pinnacle XMT 180 High Gloss Carnauba Paste Wax


Metal Polish
Wolfgang Metallwerks Aluminum Concours Polish


Microfiber Towels and Gloves
Chinchilla Microfiber Buffing Cloth, 16 x 16 inches
Super Soft Deluxe Blue Microfiber Towels with Rolled Edges
Super Soft Deluxe Green Microfiber Towels with Rolled Edges
Microfiber Gloves - 6 pair
Microfiber Gloves - 1 pair


Misc Tools
Kreepstool
Autogeek Detailing Cover-Up Towel
Pad Conditioning Brush
Brinkmann Maxfire Dual Xenon Rechargeable Swirl Finder Spotlight


Interior Maintenance
Pinnacle Natural Brilliance Concours Interior Kit



How To Information Resources

All the tips and techniques used for detailing this custom 1954 Ford found in either the e-book or paperback version of The Art of Detailing as well as the DVD.

E-book
(Displayed on iPad - iPad not included)

Paperback



Mike Phillips' Principles of Machine Polishing



Autogeek.net
Customer Service: 1-800-869-3011

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Continued...


Here's the Transformation Team...

Someone is having way too much fun...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Continued...

I hope everyone will join with me in welcoming Michelle, our newest Swirl Girl...

 

[FUNX650]

The Camaro came out excellent

I hope everyone will join with me in welcoming Michelle, our newest Swirl Girl...

Yes...This piece of automotive history does look excellent :xyxthumbs:

As well as does the newest member of the 'Swirl Girls'!

Welcome to the: 'Dream Team' (or is that dreamy?)
...Michelle, my belle. ~ Beatles



Bob

 

[Ron Atchison]

Continued...

WOW That looks like glass! You guys did an outstanding job!

 

[CEE DOG]

Excellent work gents :xyxthumbs:

 

[arkus]

Car came out awesome and Michelle looks great!

:xyxthumbs:

 

[Pats300zx]

Another great turnaround guys. Top notch !!!

 

[Marc08EX]

Looking great guys!!!

More info on the new 3401 4" BP please Mike!!!! Please?!

Continued...

The Camaro came out excellent but I do want to note that not only did it have a lot of swirls in the paint it also had a lot of RIDS or Random, Isolated Deeper Scratches throughout the finish.

Here's a few shots from tonight... more on Monday...


Here's the Flex 3401 with a 4" Purple Foamed Wool Buffing Pad on the new 4" backing plate...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Looking great guys!!!

More info on the new 3401 4" BP please Mike!!!! Please?!

I think it was posted somewhere here on the forum that the 4" backing plates will be available in January.

We used the 6.5" and the 4" Purple Foamed Wool Pads for the first step, the major correction step with Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover on Flex 3401s. I think we had 4 set up with 6.5" pads and 1 set-up with a 4" pad for the thinner panels.

I did the Test Spot on this project and from experience I would say the clear on this 1969 Camaro was on the hard side but the combination of the fiber pad, swirl remover and forced rotation dual action polisher not only worked excellent at removing the swirls but after the first step the paint looked fabulous...

Here's a couple more pictures, note in the first picture I'm buffing right on top of the orange stripes... that's because Steve had the car painted right the first time and the stripes are under the clear.

 

[ShaunD]

Gorgeous outcome Mike and team! And way to recruit another gorgeous woman to the SG Team.rops: Mike, I would love to know how you keep finding these amazing ladies to model for AG and how I can get a job at PBME so that I can move back to the South and meet them.LOL
I forgot for a minute that the Camaro was had been restored and was not SS paint anymore. Nice to see it was repainted properly even though not correct for the era. Made life easier on you and the team, I am sure.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I forgot for a minute that the Camaro was had been restored and was not SS paint anymore.

Nice to see it was repainted properly even though not correct for the era. Made life easier on you and the team, I am sure.

I love working on SS or Single Stage paint but for most people, the way to go for a car like this is a modern basecoat/clearcoat finish, for all kinds of reasons.

The story behind the paint job is very interesting, Steve sent it to me in an e-mail that I'm going to ask him to post to this thread.

I've been working on an article how to get a great paint job, basically how to talk to the painter to get what you really want.

Part of that article will talk about the benefits of getting any graphics sprayed under the clear coat, not on the clear coat.

This car was painted in 2002 so it's almost 10 years old and I don't know the brand of paint but whatever it is, it really polishes out to a clear, high gloss. It truly looks like the pictures show...


:xyxthumbs:

 

[detaildave]

Excellent work Mike & the Team!!! Welcome Michelle:xyxthumbs:

 

[tw33k2514]

I dont know what is more beautiful, the car or Michelle....

Outstanding job!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I dont know what is more beautiful, the car or Michelle....

Outstanding job!

I just added pictures of the scratches in the paint to the first page...

Michelle actually makes a cameo in Episode 5 of What's in the Garage...