Not my typical type of vehicle... but hey, I'll polish whatever you want! 2008 Cobalt SS - Paint Correction

[zmcgovern45]

The owner of this 2008 Cobalt SS contacted me through the forum and wanted to get his car cleaned up. The car was in overall great shape, but it had the typical light swirls and some heavier scratches from being a daily driven vehicle. A one-step correction was chosen as the best approach to remove the swirls and restore the clarity of the paint. Many of the heavier scratches remained, however it is just not necessary to worry much about these deeper defects on a daily driver... it is important to keep as much clear coat in tact as possible!

Process
Wheels: CG Diablo Gel (4:1) (various brushes used)
Tires: Meg's D103 (10:1) w/ tuf shine tire brush
Wash: CG Citrus Wash & Gloss (diluted to strip remaining waxes)
Dry: Waffle Weave Microfiber Towels
Clay: DI Medium Grade Clay w/ ONR as lube
Polish: Meguiar's M205 w/ LC Orange 5.5" Pad via Rupes LHR21ES and PC7424XP for 3" work
Glaze: CG EZ Creme Glaze
Protection: Menzerna Color Lock Wax
Final Wipe Down: CG V7
Tire Dressing: Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel



Before

The car had a fair amount of small, deeper scratches. Many of them were removed, however several remained. There were also a light swirls on the majority of the panels which caused the red to look somewhat faded.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/20882_238741536263973_1802102552_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/526541_238741542930639_405235394_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/529489_238741546263972_559018696_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/11622_238741592930634_353365733_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/45366_238741619597298_1357102237_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/24658_238741616263965_1328835172_n.jpg



During

I began with my test spot on the trunk. First I started with M205 & White Pad. This combo left the majority of the deeper scratches, so I switched to an orange pad - it worked very well.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/164242_238741632930630_1427900408_n.jpg

You can clearly see the difference in color between the unpolished section and the polished section. Removing the swirls brought back the deep, rich red color that you should be seeing.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/539836_238741662930627_1274978251_n.jpg

Here is the hood after polishing. Nice, clear reflections.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/164925_238741676263959_1725584788_n.jpg

Here is the fender before correction. Notice the haze from the swirls in the reflections of the lights.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/536173_238741689597291_1617018876_n.jpg

Here is the fender after correction. Clear, sharp reflections.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/529626_238741709597289_1486616891_n.jpg

Another look at the fender.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/15283_238741722930621_1360202894_n.jpg

After polishing was completed, I pulled the car into the sun to examine the paint. Although I check my work with both halogen lights and my xenon swirl finder, nothing gives you a better idea of the condition of the paint than the bright sunlight.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/24658_238741746263952_1765375890_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/551361_238741766263950_1467580494_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/163503_238741782930615_1150569233_n.jpg

Next, the entire car was glazed... this leaves the surface incredibly slick, which greatly enhances the gloss. After glazing, the car was then coated with a layer of wax.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/64480_238741799597280_643930644_n.jpg

Removing the wax, shows a deep, rich red color. Looks great.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/539778_238741816263945_1390366384_n.jpg

Exhaust tip before polishing.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/554160_238741829597277_273466060_n.jpg

And after polishing.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/17405_238741839597276_883904421_n.jpg



After

Checking reflections in the sunlight. No swirls, but some scratches remain.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/59242_238741872930606_360183550_n.jpg

The car looked deep, wet, and glossy when finished!

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/552855_238741896263937_1222035365_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/482795_238741929597267_588757848_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/62857_238741932930600_1697585675_n.jpg

Custom powder coated wheels had a metallic blue flake to them. A very unique look. Notice the nice Brembo calipers, too.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/69038_238741946263932_362034916_n.jpg

Clean the grill area.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/552993_238741986263928_1996554563_n.jpg

Clean rims, clean tires, and shiny paint. Always nice!

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/59242_238741996263927_1075619370_n.jpg

The sun decided to come back out. The red really came alive in the sunlight!

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/536230_238742012930592_1851227146_n.jpg

Not too bad, huh? Really vived, deep reflections.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/11807_238742022930591_483653906_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/12348_238742039597256_497506041_n.jpg



As always, thanks for looking! Questions and/or Comments are always welcome!

[rmagnus]

Looks great. The orange pad with M205 does some nice correction work, good call. Not a fan of glazes but really great work. Red is a nice color to work with. Thanks for posting.

[zmcgovern45]

Looks great. The orange pad with M205 does some nice correction work, good call. Not a fan of glazes but really great work. Red is a nice color to work with. Thanks for posting.

Thanks... Why aren't you a fan of glazes? Have you ever used EZ Creme Glaze? I don't use glaze as a filler product, obviously I am correcting paint first, but EZ Creme glaze is a great protection and gloss enhancer. I would recommend it to anyone.

[Pinpoint_Precision]

Great work as usual bud. Orange pad plus M205 is a great combo. I love glaze as well, I might have to try that brand. Thanks for sharing.

[Evan.J]

Looks great as always

[cartman57]

Great work, really looks amazing in the sun.
50/50 photos show how bad is was.

[604_Snooze]

nice reflection, what method and material did you use to polish the exhaust tip?

[PA DETAILER]

looks great. customer should have been very happy with it!

[dorkiedoode]

Man, that red just pop at you like crazy. I think I'm going to buy me a red car next.

[SonOfOC]

Nice job! Car may not be typical, but the money is still green.:props:

[Hoytman]

Looks very nice. That red really did pop.

[DakarB7]

Is there a car under all that shine?

[runrun411]

You did a fantastic job. Good call on the 205 with the orange pad and the glaze added to the depth. Question, if you had it to do again what do you think about an AIO with a yellow pad?

[andy2485]

Amazing work!! damn good! one question, i went to your site and noticed in one of you packages,you offer sealant or wax without claying.. how does that work? why dont you clay? i haven't not clayed when adding wax since i was a rookie. is this only for cars that dont have major contaminates on the exterior?

[Regency]

Looking good!