Last Fall, right around the time I started getting into detailing, my dad purchased a 2009 Silverado (black). The paint was not in great shape and I hoped I could bring back some shine. I got a Griots 6 orbital for Christmas, and the past week I finally got around to attempting my first paint correction.
Here is a pic after washing and claying
General condition of the paint with swirls, hazy, and scratches
Swirls on the hood
Scratches and paint transfer on back drivers side panel
My goal wasn’t 100% correction. I was hoping to remove the swirls, bring clarity to the paint, and minimize RIDS. I didn’t want to chase scratches and remove unnecessary clear coat in the process.
I did my first test spot using a hydrotech crimson pad and M205. That combo did surprisingly ok, but some swirls remained. After another test spot, the combo I settled on was M205 and tangerine hydrotech pads. I did notice some tick marks (I think that’s what they were), but I figured I could also go through another finishing polish if needed.
Test Spot
I took paint thickness readings around the car and there was nothing too alarming. I did figure out the back passenger side door had been repainted. That paint was much thicker (300-400 μ vs 100-130 μ around the rest of the truck). The repainted area was also harder than the rest of vehicle and I had to take some extra time for correction.
I spent about 5 hours with my GG6 the first day and probably got 50% done. A week later I finished. After correcting the whole truck with the M205/Tangerine pad combo, I went back over the car using M205 and crimson hydrotech pads, using tips from Tod Helme’s write-up to get a perfect finish using M205. Tips to acheive a flawless finish with M205 and a DA polisher
A great article by Tod and I think it really helped to amp up the final finish.
Not great pics, but here are some afters.
Paint transfer gone and scratches greatly reduced
I had to explain to my wife that this wasn’t a mirror. My favorite shot
Hood shot. No more swirls!
I was really happy with results, especially for my first attempt at correction. After those final pics, I applied Collinite 845. I originally wanted to coat the car with Duragloss Enviroshield, but I ran out of time.
Here is a pic after washing and claying
General condition of the paint with swirls, hazy, and scratches
Swirls on the hood
Scratches and paint transfer on back drivers side panel
My goal wasn’t 100% correction. I was hoping to remove the swirls, bring clarity to the paint, and minimize RIDS. I didn’t want to chase scratches and remove unnecessary clear coat in the process.
I did my first test spot using a hydrotech crimson pad and M205. That combo did surprisingly ok, but some swirls remained. After another test spot, the combo I settled on was M205 and tangerine hydrotech pads. I did notice some tick marks (I think that’s what they were), but I figured I could also go through another finishing polish if needed.
Test Spot
I took paint thickness readings around the car and there was nothing too alarming. I did figure out the back passenger side door had been repainted. That paint was much thicker (300-400 μ vs 100-130 μ around the rest of the truck). The repainted area was also harder than the rest of vehicle and I had to take some extra time for correction.
I spent about 5 hours with my GG6 the first day and probably got 50% done. A week later I finished. After correcting the whole truck with the M205/Tangerine pad combo, I went back over the car using M205 and crimson hydrotech pads, using tips from Tod Helme’s write-up to get a perfect finish using M205. Tips to acheive a flawless finish with M205 and a DA polisher
A great article by Tod and I think it really helped to amp up the final finish.
Not great pics, but here are some afters.
Paint transfer gone and scratches greatly reduced
I had to explain to my wife that this wasn’t a mirror. My favorite shot
Hood shot. No more swirls!
I was really happy with results, especially for my first attempt at correction. After those final pics, I applied Collinite 845. I originally wanted to coat the car with Duragloss Enviroshield, but I ran out of time.
