Mean Green Machine - 2014 Premier Edition Corvette CQuartz Finest, DLUX, Forte

[zmcgovern45]

This vehicle was brought to us with only a few thousand miles on it. The vehicle was already in very good overall shape, but the owner wanted to make sure the paint was properly protected for years to come. He opted to go with CQuartz Finest, our highest level of protection, on the paint and also added CQuartz DLUX wheel & trim coating, as well as CQuartz Forte glass coating. These products will provide a durable layer of protection that will protect the surfaces from the elements and will help to keep the vehicle looking its best for years.

Exterior Process
Tires: Omniclean and Tuf Shine Tire Brush, then Tarminator via MF Towel
Wheels: Citrus Wash Shampoo, Wheel Woolies, EZ Detail Brushes, Boars Hair Brush
Wash: Optimum No Rinse
Decontamination: Speedy Prep Towel with Nanoskin Glide
Compound (where needed): Meguiar's D300 on MF Cutting Discs
Polish: Meguiar's M205 on White LC polishing pads
Machines Used: Rupes LHR21ES, Rupes LHR75E, Griot's Garage 3rd Gen, Porter Cable 7424XP
Coating Prep: CarPro Eraser
Paint Protection Coating: CQuartz Finest
Trim Prep: APC wash, CarPro Eraser Wipedown
Trim Coating: CarPro DLUX
Wheel Polish: CarPro Reflect on foam applicator pad by hand
Wheel Prep: CarPro Eraser
Wheel Coating: CarPro DLUX
Glass Polish: Meguiar's M205 on White Polishing Pad
Glass Prep: IPA & Eraser Wipe Downs
Glass Coating: CarPro Forte (3 coats on windshield, 1 on sides)
Exhaust Tips: CG Metal Wax
Tire Dressing: CarPro PERL (neat), 2 thin coats




Before

he vehicle arrived with some bug guts and general dirt... much to be expected after the 2 hour drive
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3078_zpstijro7s2.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3079_zpshrm9x8ka.jpg




The barrels of the wheels had break dust buildup.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3082_zpsevrti3ny.jpg




Wheel faces were covered in light dirt
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3083_zpsw4eshsga.jpg





During

As usual, we began with cleaning the tires. There was a lot of gunk on the tires indicated by the black tire brush (which is white when clean).
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3088_zpszmmtqzg6.jpg




he wheel barrels and faces were then cleaned with a soap and water solution.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3089_zpsxurdqihh.jpg




After the vehicle was washed and decontaminated, we noticed the tires were still covered in gunk
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3091_zpsv43nyvm1.jpg




After cleaning with a tar remover, they finally looked as they should. Note: these have not been dressed yet, just thoroughly cleaned.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3092_zpspotpu3el.jpg




The wheels were hand polished and then coated with CarPro DLUX. Check out that shine!
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3100_zpsouifkoj9.jpg




The tires were then dressed with CarPro PERL to provide a nice, even gloss.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3101_zps9jy6o2dz.jpg




The paint was in overall good condition with little to no swirls, however there were some deeper defects throughout.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3094_zpsvnhnridc.jpg



The paint was hard as rock, and we corrected what we could within reason on the areas that needed special attention.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150416-DSC_3099_zpsdfbnvo97.jpg



Exhaust tips were lightly soiled
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3104_zpsd7jpjse8.jpg



They cleaned up nicely
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3106_zpsr8xjl6gg.jpg



Matt making sure every inch of the gorgeous rear bumper was polished.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3112_zpsx9dszlii.jpg



Checking our work on the hood in the setting sun before continuing on for a long night of polishing and coating.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3107_zpsvqpoap5t.jpg



Scratches on the door before correction
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3117_zpsydahho44.jpg



Scratches removed
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3118_zps5ycwshjn.jpg



Rear quarter before correction
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3120_zpssdrftff2.jpg



Rear quarter after compounding
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3122_zps493nberf.jpg



The paint was left nearly flawless with only some deeper defects remaining
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3124_zpsxem4jtxe.jpg



Once the vehicle was completely polished, the paint was then cleansed with CarPro Eraser. I then proceeded the lengthy process of coating the paint with 2-3 coats of CQuartz Finest Ceramic Paint Coating.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3133_zpssv1xi5ty.jpg



Finest creates an incredibly strong layer of protection on the paint. Here you can see the coating is actually rejecting itself as we overlap onto a panel that had previously been coated. It just beads right up.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3141_zpsru5pjpuo.jpg



The coating was then baked with an infrared curing lamp to promote higher gloss and surface hardness.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150417-DSC_3131_zpskaxhmnek.jpg



Once the paint was fully protected, I turned my attention to the wiper cowl This was coated with CarPro DLUX for a darker finish and durable layer of protection.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3138_zps1qownitm.jpg

[zmcgovern45]

After

Paint looking good
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150418-DSC_3197_zpsuwsexieb.jpg




The car looked incredible the next morning when I pulled it outside
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3144_zpsjullne5f.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3147_zpsauylznjc.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3148_zpsxeleu2jk.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3150_zpsewzwnx5k.jpg




The sun peeked out for a minute and the car looked stunning!
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3155_zpso85yqtoh.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3156_zps1ywyeljt.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3168_zpsfettnc5w.jpg




Stingray
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3171_zpslzs2kwex.jpg




#113/550 of these Premier Edition convertibles. A rather rare vehicle.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3175_zpspjsqeiah.jpg




The interior received a quick cleaning and was wiped down with UV protection
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3176_zpstccrx83w.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3177_zpsekamzgza.jpg




...Waiting for the sun to come back out
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/DSC_3179_zpssecmml6i.jpg




The sun finally came out for more than 30 seconds, and the paint looked incredible
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150418-DSC_3190_1_HDR-2_zpsb2quttum.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/2014%20Chevrolet%20Corvette%20Premier%20Edition/20150418-DSC_3194_5_HDR_zpsebv3oinq.jpg



As always, thanks for reading.

[Angus]

Fantastic results! Nice color too. Haven't seen that one yet in person.

[JSou]

I love it Zach. The car looks great.

I always enjoy your writeups and how thorough you show the process with not only your photography but your skill in detailing as well.

[Goin Rogue]

That thing looks great, I love the lines of the new vettes.

[sayroger]

Looks great very nice

[Klasse Act]

The Lime Rock green is my favorite color on the new C7, only made for a half year I heard. Not sure about that package though, looks like any other C7 out there.

As far as the results go, well, you made an awesome color look "awesomer"🇺🇸

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

[Caleb@ImpeccableImage]

Nice work! Your photography and documentation is superb.

[Paul Mitchell]

Beautiful work!

[FUNX650]

Really nice looking convertible-version of
the 2014 Premier Edition...

A club member has one of the 500, 2014 coupe-versions of the Premier Edition...outfitted in Laguna Blue Tintcoat exterior paint, and Brownstone suede interior appointments.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/image1232.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/93949)


Bob

[fly07sti]

Amazing work as always Zach.

[davey g-force]

Beautiful work Zach! :xyxthumbs:

[runrun411]

Zach, as always you are the man. With the curing lamps how long does it take the coating to cure? Also do you need to keep moving the lamps around?

[HUMP DIESEL]

Knocked another one out Zach!!! That Color!! WOW!

HUMP

[CaveRacing]

Awesome results. Man, I love the C7. This is the first I've seen it in green, and it is beautiful!

Nice work!