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Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

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  • Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

    Hey guys, I need some advice here. I just recently bought a Griot’s Garage random orbital polisher in their kit which comes with polish, wax, clay, etc. I also bought some of their more aggressive polish and a bunch of microfiber buffing cloths, detailing accessories, etc.fficeffice" />

    I have polished ½ of the hood on my ’03 Corvette (pure black in color) and have gotten out most of the minor swirl marks and toweling marks. This has taken me hours and hours already. I’ve made many, many passes over the ½ of the hood to get here. I STILL have scratches though. I've also done the roof area, which also has several scratches. For the most part, I think I've made enough passes so that the areas without any scratches look pretty clear and deep.

    These scratches are anywhere from 1 inch to 12 inches long and look like marks from dragging something across the paint (prior owner, not me!!!!). I have felt the scratches over and over and don’t think I can catch or snag my fingernail in any of them. I’m thinking that I should be able to get them to polish out with the random orbital. I should point out that the scratches are generally not easily visible. I have flourescent lighting in the garage and you have to move your head at different angles to see the scratches. Once you know they are there, they are fairly easy to find again though.

    I don’t know what to do. I can still return everything to Griot’s and buy a Porter Cable or a Meguiars version of the same unit or else the Ultimate Detailing Machine. I never did the research before my purchase and I guess I should have. I had never heard of all the other options except for the original PC.

    I have done quite a few searches on the topic of the different machines. I have read Joe's thread (from Superior Shine) regarding his purchase of the Griot's unit. I think he said that it had a tighter orbit area than the PC, but that the PC was able to polish out areas in less time. Is it possible that one unit is that much more powerful?

    I was also thinking I could just keep all the Griot’s stuff and then just buy a different foam pad and some Meguiars #80 or #83 (I’ve been doing a TON of reading lately on the forum) which I’ve heard will really dig deeper into scratches.

    I don't want to expect too much and end up ruining my paint. That is a concern for me somewhat because I really don't know what to expect in terms of what can and cannot be easily polished away. I don't think that the scratches should remain in place, but maybe I'm just not knowledgeable enough yet.

    Big time confused out here and not having any fun at all with this stuff. I don't mind spending time out in the garage getting the paint just perfect, but I feel like right now, I'm just spinning my wheels.

    Christian

  • #2
    Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

    Using the G-100 to Remove Swirls with the Professional Line
    PC + #83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher
    Problems and Solutions when using the G100/PC Dual Action Polisher
    Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher
    Meguiar’s G-100, G-100A - Recommended Products, Pads and Speeds

    Above are links using Meguiar's products. I'm not too sure what specifically you are using right now, but those should get you started.

    From reading posts on here for awhile, I understand Corvette's have a paint that is hard to work with. There are those who own Corvettes here that will probably have some tips and tricks for you.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

      Another good one, read Mike's post.
      What is the meaning of soft paint?

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

        Welcome to MOL, Christian!
        Can you post some pictures of your vette and the issues you are having?


        Sorry, always wanted to do that. Check this '99Vette out that Mike Phillips revived. http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218

        Andy
        101impala
        Keeping MOL family friendly! If you need help or have a question, don't hesitate to shoot me an email or PM. 101impala@gmail.com
        Andy M. Moderator

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

          Not sure if this helps you or not. But every newer Vette that I've worked on, has required a rotary buffer to get the defects out. There is no way I could get any defects out by simply using a PC. Well, I shouldn't say "no way". I guess if you have the time, you could do it with a PC but it would take a week to get it perfect.

          Where are you located?

          Nick
          2008 Meguiar's Batmobile Team
          2008 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team
          2009 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team
          2010 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

            Originally posted by roushstage2 View Post
            Using the G-100 to Remove Swirls with the Professional Line
            PC + #83 not "Cutting" it! - The Limits of the Dual Action Polisher
            Problems and Solutions when using the G100/PC Dual Action Polisher
            Recommended Products - G100a Dual Action Polisher
            Meguiar’s G-100, G-100A - Recommended Products, Pads and Speeds

            Above are links using Meguiar's products. I'm not too sure what specifically you are using right now, but those should get you started.

            From reading posts on here for awhile, I understand Corvette's have a paint that is hard to work with. There are those who own Corvettes here that will probably have some tips and tricks for you.

            Thanks man! Believe it or not, I have spent a ton of time trying to search on my own and have already been to all the pages you've linked me to. I've been dying to figure out what to do.

            Everything I've been reading is that the Corvettes (C5 an C6 generations) have super hard paint that is also, magically, easily scratched.

            I've just got to figure out if what I'm getting out of the Griot's Garage polisher and polishes is the best that I'm going to do -- with any DA polisher. I would certainly like to get the scratches completely removed and end up with a finish that is basically flawless except for any rock chips (I've got a couple).

            Christian

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

              Originally posted by 101impala View Post
              Welcome to MOL, Christian!
              Can you post some pictures of your vette and the issues you are having?


              Sorry, always wanted to do that. Check this '99Vette out that Mike Phillips revived. http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218

              Andy
              101impala

              I'll get some taken and uploaded. I have to say, I'm not positive whether I'll be able to get the stupid scratches to show up in photos, but I'll try, hopefully later this morning.

              Christian

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

                Originally posted by n737nc View Post
                Not sure if this helps you or not. But every newer Vette that I've worked on, has required a rotary buffer to get the defects out. There is no way I could get any defects out by simply using a PC. Well, I shouldn't say "no way". I guess if you have the time, you could do it with a PC but it would take a week to get it perfect.

                Where are you located?

                Nick
                Hi Nick, that's what I'm worried about. I bought this polisher and kit thinking, maybe ignorantly, that I'd be able to get my car looking absolutely perfect (minus little rock chips or any kind of scratchs through the paint). If I'm only going to be able to remove the swirls and toweling marks, leaving any paint blemishes or scratches, I don't know how happy I'm going to be.

                I'm located in northern California -- tell me you're actually located out here man!!!

                Christian

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

                  Sorry Christian, I'm a Texas boy. But will travel for a fee

                  I'm not saying that you can not get those defects out by a PC, but it isn't going to be an easy task. Not impossible, but not easy. If you're using Meguiar's products, start with a NEW yellow foam pad and #83 with moderate pressure. You may need to make multiple passes to get it looking right. After you finish, follow up with 1 or 2 passes of #80, then on to your wax.

                  The new Vette paints are very hard, and working with a rotary makes easy work of them. However, if you're not familiar with a rotary, I would keep it away from your vette

                  Nick
                  2008 Meguiar's Batmobile Team
                  2008 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team
                  2009 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team
                  2010 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

                    Originally posted by acr-c View Post
                    I'll get some taken and uploaded. I have to say, I'm not positive whether I'll be able to get the stupid scratches to show up in photos, but I'll try, hopefully later this morning.

                    Christian

                    Christian,
                    When you take the pictures try to use your finger to point out the scratches if you don't think they will show up.

                    Andy
                    Keeping MOL family friendly! If you need help or have a question, don't hesitate to shoot me an email or PM. 101impala@gmail.com
                    Andy M. Moderator

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

                      Originally posted by n737nc View Post
                      Sorry Christian, I'm a Texas boy. But will travel for a fee

                      I'm not saying that you can not get those defects out by a PC, but it isn't going to be an easy task. Not impossible, but not easy. If you're using Meguiar's products, start with a NEW yellow foam pad and #83 with moderate pressure. You may need to make multiple passes to get it looking right. After you finish, follow up with 1 or 2 passes of #80, then on to your wax.

                      The new Vette paints are very hard, and working with a rotary makes easy work of them. However, if you're not familiar with a rotary, I would keep it away from your vette

                      Nick
                      Thanks for the info Nick!!! No way I'm going to try a rotary -- trust me on that one. Do you think that the Griot's unit and their polishes just are not aggressive enough or do you have no experience with their stuff?

                      Travel for a fee...I'm sure that one would be easy to explain to my wife -- you spent HOW MUCH to have the car detailed out????

                      Christian

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

                        Originally posted by 101impala View Post
                        Christian,
                        When you take the pictures try to use your finger to point out the scratches if you don't think they will show up.

                        Andy
                        Gotcha Andy. I'll get them clicked off in an hour or so.

                        Christian

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

                          Sorry, I don't have any experience with the Griot products.

                          If you're dead set on using thier products, give them a call, or visit a message board that deals specifically with Griot's products. Ask lots of questions. The more you ask, the more you learn, and the happier you'll be when you start on the car.
                          If you decide to go with the Meguiar's products, I'd be more than happy to forward you my # incase you need some help and can't wait on a message board for a reply.


                          Nick
                          2008 Meguiar's Batmobile Team
                          2008 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team
                          2009 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team
                          2010 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

                            Originally posted by n737nc View Post
                            Sorry, I don't have any experience with the Griot products.

                            If you're dead set on using thier products, give them a call, or visit a message board that deals specifically with Griot's products. Ask lots of questions. The more you ask, the more you learn, and the happier you'll be when you start on the car.
                            If you decide to go with the Meguiar's products, I'd be more than happy to forward you my # incase you need some help and can't wait on a message board for a reply.


                            Nick
                            Man, Nick, I really appreciate your help. From what I've been reading on the various boards the past 10 days, it seems that the Griot's stuff, while high quality, might not offer aggressive enough products. I'm not dead set on their stuff. I'm going to figure out today what to do. I haven't moved my baby out of the garage for 3 weeks now because I've been in various stages of polishing.

                            Christian

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Help with polishing my black '03 Z06 Vette

                              No problem. I wish I knew more about the products you have, that way we could talk you through this.

                              PM coming your way...


                              Nick
                              2008 Meguiar's Batmobile Team
                              2008 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team
                              2009 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team
                              2010 Meguiar's/Ford SEMA Team

                              Comment

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