Show 'N Shine: 2003 "50th Anniversary" Corvette Z06 (Picture Heavy)

**Dr_Pain** · 08-19-2014, 10:23 AM

The car came to me through a gentlemen who's 1969 Camaro SS I helped revive. The owner of the Corvette was so impressed upon seeing it that he wanted to meet with me to see if I could do anything with his beloved Corvette. On the phone he described at length how much he loved and enjoyed his car, but did mention that the "years" had taken a toll on her. Upon seeing the car I knew he loved the car but also knew instantaneously that a lot of abuse had been seen, over the years. The car was a little dirty but she definitely was the text book definition of ALL the possible paint defects a car could have, from holograms to swirls and scratches to etched water spots and bird bombs. The gentleman and I agreed on a game plan and he agreed to come drop off his car to me for the weekend. Upon delivery though he told me that he had a change of heart about budget and asked what I could do for $300. I handed the keys back to him and told him that in all due fairness I could not take his money and not deliver on his vision of "restoration". I finally sold him a one-step and paint sealant (with much discussion and arguments) and off I went to work. So what did the car look like?

Obviously she was covered with brake dust and had plenty of TOGW (The Other Guy's Wax)

So off I go trying to realize this man's "vision" on a VERY limited budget.

The car received an initial wash followed by further inspection. We then FULLY decontaminated the paint and wheels using Carpro IronX. I am ALWAYS amazed looking at the chemical decontamination process, especially on light vehicles.

The car was then washed again and properly decontaminated using a medium grade clay alternative. A second bath, to remove all possible dislodged contaminants, followed.

Then came the spot testing. The machines used for this details were the Flex 3401 and the GG6. The pads were the 6 1/4" and 3 1/2" Carpro Flash Pad. The compound selected was the Menzerna FG400. As you can see on the larger pad I was getting some color transfer when polishing. Do not be afraid, I did not go through this rather hard clear. The color transfer was a result of the fact that this particular Corvette has a tinted clear. In all we were able to get about 80% correction. A second pass was definitely needed to further refine the paint however it was not in the budget (We did however strategically do a second pass on key visual components

).

One more bath was in order................

.... and this was followed by a healthy Carpro Erasor prep and a quality paint sealant (as a base protection). Topping the paint sealant was Son1c Wax Phoenix, for the extra pop and dripping wet look!!

The RESULTS!!

The Pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow!! (Cheesy but I could not help it LOL!)

I sure hope you enjoyed. Feel free to comment and ask questions! This is how we help one another get better

**actuator_mz3** · 08-19-2014, 10:44 AM

Very nice, what was the customers reaction to your awesome job?

**Dark Shadow** · 08-19-2014, 10:49 AM

Great job! I just done a 2009 impala last weekend that was red and was getting color transfer on the pad from the tinted clear and at first glance when you are not aware of tinted clear it scares the crap out of you. The clear was very hard as well.

**Tato** · 08-19-2014, 10:50 AM

Holy!! Looked so thrashed, ended up like a Magazine Cover car. Stunning!

Nice write-up as well, I always learn something while reading from you.

Thanks for sharing.

**Mike@DedicatedPerfection** · 08-19-2014, 10:55 AM

Beautiful work on that Vette Claude! That looks incredible!

**Pureshine** · 08-19-2014, 10:55 AM

Wow great save Claude! That thing need some real love.

**Dr_Pain** · 08-19-2014, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by actuator_mz3

Very nice, what was the customers reaction to your awesome job?

The gentlemen walked out of his car very stoic and had this sour look on his face. This at first made me regret going the extra mile.... then his wife came out and she made my heart glad! She was thrilled and couldn't stop complimenting the fact that the color was no longer his flat dingy mustard yellow but more of a golden honey rich yellow color she could not remember the car looking like in the first place. THEN the husband started warming up and in his gruff admissions he finally smiled. He stayed an extra 30 minutes just talking shop and left telling me that once he comes back from Kentucky that I would have his 1939 Ford coupe custom. Now talk about the ultimate pat on the back.

Originally Posted by Dark Shadow

Great job! I just done a 2009 impala last weekend that was red and was getting color transfer on the pad from the tinted clear and at first glance when you are not aware of tinted clear it scares the crap out of you. The clear was very hard as well.

It does wake up the senses, and speeds up the heart rate a bit, especially considering that I was testing those new Flash Pads

Originally Posted by Tato

Holy!! Looked so thrashed, ended up like a Magazine Cover car. Stunning!

Nice write-up as well, I always learn something while reading from you.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Raphael! I always look forward to your comments. They make me happy

**Dr_Pain** · 08-19-2014, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by Mike@DedicatedPerfection

Beautiful work on that Vette Claude! That looks incredible!

That Corvette was BEAT UP, Mike. I am not lying to you when I say that I had a hard time convincing myself that product and labor was going to work in my favor with the limited budget we were on but I got it done. I normally prefer working with the Rupes 21 but to speed up the process a bit I had to break out the Flex 3401. Those Carpro pad took the abuse and performed INCREDIBLY. I should have a review up in a couple of days.

Originally Posted by Pureshine

Wow great save Claude! That thing need some real love.

Thanks Todd! A little love went a loooong way.

**RottenII** · 08-19-2014, 11:51 AM

Car looks amazing. I can't believe that he let his "beloved" vette look like that in the first place! Nice job!

**eaglefan** · 08-19-2014, 01:45 PM

Car looks awesome. I can't wait to read the review of those pads. I have read a couple of the reviews and it seems on harder clear they really dig and finish well. Please let us know how many pads you used to the car and what you used to clean the pads afterwards. Also, if you have used them since and if they "lost" any cut. Thanks