2003 Corvette, corrected and protected!

Sizzle Chest

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2003 Corvette convertible
Electron Blue
26,345 miles


I had the opportunity to work on a fantastic looking, both in color and body lines, Corvette.

My client stated that he was not happy with the appearance of his beloved Corvette. It had numerous swirls, scratches and some hazing. It also had some strange marks on the hood and deck lid…solvent pop.
I informed him of what I was able to achieve with his finish and what I would not be able to do. He agreed and set an appointment.

The vehicle was dropped off the night before so it would be cool and ready for surgery the next day!


Procedures:

2BW and a surgical spray down with Adam’s APC to assist in breaking down some of the heavier areas.
The vehicle was clayed with a Nanoskin medium wash mitt.
Dried via microfiber drying towels.
Machines: Rupes Mark II 21, Flex 3401, Flex mini, and a 1” pneumatic.
Pads: Rupes for the mini, Flex for the 1” and Buff and Shine for the 21 and Flex. Both microfiber and foam pads were utilized.
Chemicals: The ‘BOSS’ sauce, Griots fast correcting cream was used for the heavy cutting. CarPro Essence was used for the final polish, gloss enhancement, primer for the LSP, and for the minor filling capabilities.
LSP: BEEDS HD premium ceramic paint treatment. This was used on the paint surfaces, trim and brake calipers.
Tire dressing: Blackfire total eclipse tire gel.
Wheel wells: Sonus trim and motor kote.
APC: Adam’s APC
Glass cleaner: SCG Pro clarifying glass cleaner.
Glass sealant: SCG Pro clarifying glass sealant.
Vacuumed via Metro
Interior surfaces were treated to Kenotek leather and vinyl conditioner.

The vehicle had some signs of previous paint work. Some overspray and tape lines/etc. It also had some of the craziest paint thickness readings I’ve encountered to date. From a high of around 7mils to a low of 1.2’smils. I encountered these readings on different panels, as well as on the same panels close to each other. Very strange.

Overall: this paint color is spectacular!!!! I love it!!!! The metallic qualities were enhanced (it really pops!), the depth, ‘wetness’, shine and pearlescent qualities were brought up to the next level!

I have roughly 19 hours into the correction and protection of this beautiful blue beauty!!!!

I hope you enjoyed my write-up as well as my many pictures…



Before pics:













This got shaved: (deck lid emblem)







Difficult to photograph the defects:





 
Great work as usual and nice write up. Thanks for sharing.

I love the C5 especially in darker colors. I never liked the blue corvettes, then in the last few years I really started to like them. Strange, I know.

Did the owner have you remove the deck lid emblem for polishing or leave it off for aesthetic reasons? Looks good with or without. I remember chasing water inside of those emblems when I was younger. And like a idiot I had an air compressor only feet from my wash bay.
 
Nice work.

That has to be my least favorite corvette generation.
 
Great job Sizzle.

I like all generation Corvettes but the C5s don't really turn my head. But this particular car's stance and set of wheels make me think otherwise!
 
Worked on one just like that not too long ago. The sun cooperated more with your pictures as it did with mine! It looks great.

Awesome work.
 
Thanks everyone! LED: he is going to install a Caravagio rear spoiler and the emblem needed to be 86'd.

Marc: This thing is slammed with coil-overs and some great looking CCW wheels! Fantastic Billy Boat exhaust as well! Stance is going to get evened out: rear being raised a little. Wheels are being powdered black...and a few more additions will be getting installed (it whines/whistles!) soon!

Thanks again for the responses/comments!
 
Great work and attention to detailing. Excellent write up as always.
 
And again, thanks for the kind words everyone! It is much appreciated!
 
13 years of wear and tear gone in an (almost) instant. :buffing:

I really love that blue. It always looks good, and when it's in perfect condition it looks great :dblthumb2:
 
Love it man! Question: Did you clean the wells inside your garage? If so, waterless or with a hose?
 
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