TLC needed - '03 50th AE Convertible, 66K miles

Murman

Murman

New member
Joined
Dec 14, 2011
Messages
28
Reaction score
0
1st post.

I purchased a 2003, Anniversary Metallic Red, convertible with 66K miles this fall. The car has a shale top and interior. The finish has signs of wear and age. I am interested in making the finish looking as good as "I" can get it looking. I hand applied Zain All -In-One. Okay, so it looks a little better, but there are still swirls and scratches that I believe can be removed with the right stuff.

388920_2169680167120_1400212990_31800949_963655324_n.jpg


316603_2089412120469_1400212990_31769378_1919055203_n.jpg


I want to develop a plan, purchase equipment/supplies during the winter months (I live in the Northeast Sierras at 5,000 elevation) and work on it this Spring. The car is garaged/covered and will be my daily (3 season) driver.

Your input is welcome.
 
Pretty simple really. You need a polisher, some pads and polish/compound

Nice lookin Vette and welcome to AGO!
 
Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:


You're in the right place! We help you restore the finish on that Corvette so that it looks like Max's, who is the President and CEO of Autogeek.net as well as PBMG

The paint color on Max's Corvette looks very similar to yours... check it out here in this video...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NHma2mlPaI&hd=1]Detailing Classes at Autogeek's Show Car Garage with Mike Phillips - YouTube[/video]



You're going to need a machine, for most people this would be either a Porter Cable style DA Polisher or a Flex 3401 DA Polisher, this video will explain the differences between these two types of tools...


The difference between a Porter Cable Polisher, Rotary Buffer, Flex 3401 and Cyclo Polisher


Part 1 - How To Pick the Right Car Polisher for your Detail Project​

[video=youtube_share;LtrdTvnZX3I]- Part 1 - How To Pick the Right Car Polisher for your Detail Project[/video]



Part 2 - How To Pick the Right Car Polisher for your Detail Project​

[video=youtube_share;2k92m5cJxCk]- Part 2 - How To Pick the Right Car Polisher for your Detail Project[/video]


After you decide on a tool then it's just a matter of picking the pads and products and a little help from all your new forum friends...


:xyxthumbs:
 
contact forum member bobby g who has an 03 vett too. he is one of our best!

budinsc
 
truly a sweet color especially when detailed and polished properly.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
You're in the right place! We help you restore the finish on that Corvette so that it looks like Max's, who is the President and CEO of Autogeek.net as well as PBMG

:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Outstanding!

I will review the information/videos provided and select a machine for the job.

The paint system contains xirallic crystal (whatever that means) and has a red tint coat. It looks nice when clean.
 
Great looking vette. I love that color (I guess that might be obvious). By no means am I an expert. I bought my vette in March and started learning about detailing then. I went to Mike's classes in July and learned a lot. My method is a DA polisher with white foam pad with Optimum GPS followed by Black Fire Wet Diamond. Then it is topped with Black Fire Midnight Sun. It looks great and almost drips with wetness.

You can learn everything you need from this forum and Mike's book. Good luck and congratulations on the corvette.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
After you decide on a tool then it's just a matter of picking the pads and products and a little help from all your new forum friends...
Click to expand...

Mike, great informational videos. After viewing them, I have decided to go with the Porter Cable 7424 XP Dual Action Orbital Polisher.

You are correct. Max's C6 paint (and interior) color is similar to mine. His paint really looks nice.

I ordered "The Art of Detailing" on Amazon, from Palm Beach Motoring Accessories.
 
Last edited:
You have found the right place to learn and get advice for detailing. Very nice looking vette. Vettes are an addition. The Art of Detailing book is by far the best how to book on detailing.

Being a vette owner also, welcome to the forum.

Tom
 
I just got an e-mail notification from UPS. My copy of "The Art of Detailing" will be delivered Friday.

I was informed by the Spouse Unit, that Santa picked up a PC 7346SP during her trip to Lowes last week.
 
I read that the counter weight (CW) in the PC 7346SP is designed for a 6" backing plate (BP). I also read that a 6" BP and 6.5" pad exceeds the recommenced attachment gram weight for operation, of a PC with a 6" CW (and the same is true for a 5" BP, 5.5" pad and 5" CW).

I will run a 5" BP, 5.5" pad and 6" CW on my PC 7346SP. However, this setup will also exceed the recommended attachment weight for the PC 7346SP.

From the Tools Plus website - The 6" Pad Counter Weight, part #699933, is made to be used with pads that weigh between 125 and 135 grams.
 
Okay, the UPS truck came yesterday. I now have my first automotive detailing book, The Art of Detailing, by Mike Phillip's and there is a PC DA machine under the Christmas tree. Time to start a fire, sit down for a good read and take a few notes. Hmmm... they were just here... Honey, where did I leave my reading glasses???
 
I think I am going to pull the trigger on the items below to start my finish restoration system. 10% off and free shipping is hard to pass up.


Two Grit Guards
Smooth Surface Clay Kit
DMCKIT5 DA Microfiber Correction System 5 Inch Starter Kit
DMC3 DA Microfiber Cutting Discs
DMF3 DA Microfiber Finishing Discs
Unigrit 3 Inch Professional Backing Plate and Adaptor Kit

I think the 3" BP and pads will be of benefit when working the body side moulding/vent and bumper areas of the Corvette. I have an air compressor to use for cleaning the pads.
 
Congrats on a beautiful car :xyxthumbs:.

The 50th Anniversary Corvette Magnetic red is the one that got me interested in looking for a Corvette. The color combo for the 50th was/is one of the best Chevy has come up with.

You will find that everyone here shares an enthusiasm about maintaining cars in tip-top shape. You came to the right place to be educated on proper detailing tips and techniques.
 
I got a message from UPS, my detail supplies are being shipped.
 
My detail supplies are here. Tomorrow I am going to wash the car using the two bucket method, prep the surface (clay bar/detail spray) and sub-surface (D300) of the trunk lid and polish the trunk lid (D301).

The car really needs a bath and the trunk lid is a flat surface that should easily take a shine.

More to follow.
 
33*F in the shade when I started. The rinse water was freezing in the spotted shadows that were on the driveway. Claying the hood and trunk lid picked up an amber material (sap? pollen?). Ran the PC DA on 5 and 4 for Compound and Polish. I primed the pads as shown in the AG DAMF video. I think there was too much product at first. The pad did not want to rotate. The trunk lid looks better than before, swirls are gone, bird bomb etching is less noticeable. I will work on the hood in the morning.
 
Using the PC at 6 and 5 seemed to allow the tool to do it's job. It just felt better and seemed easier. The car has a clear bra. I taped off the "bra line" and worked up to the tape. I need to go back and work on that area again. It does not look as good as the rest of the finish. I did not use the DA on the bra.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top