• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

DIY Detailers Poll and Questions?

Here's My Vote On Corvette Detailing

  • I'm a Serious Detailer with Serious Equipment

    Votes: 12 63.2%

  • I Use Wal*Mart Available Detailing Products e.g Maguiars

    Votes: 6 31.6%

  • I Regularly Pay for A Quality, Commericial, Detailer

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I Think All My Detailing Can Be Done At A Gas Station

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Why Detail, Only Going to Get Dirty Again

    Votes: 1 5.3%
  • Total voters
    19
jpalamaro

jpalamaro

New member
Ok, I'm a detailing fanatic, likely to the point where a psycho-Doc could get rich on me. Chances are I will not be cured and might even sway the Doc to my way of thinking. Simply said, when detailing a vehicle, get great satisfaction. Who knows why for sure. Perhaps it's something as simple as: Ugly/Dirty before, Beautiful/Clean after. Running an IT business nowhere near as gratifying. But I'm bush league, with Maguiar's products, etc. and would like to get into the power buffing, clay, sand, grit, whatever. :banghead: I have my wife's old 2002 ML500 in Navy Blue to practice on prior to even thinking of my BLACK/BLACK/BLACK '09 convertible. which is always covered in my 'toy' garage.

So, any real detailers out there? Equipment, products, how'd ya learn, etc?
 
My wife says I am annal when it comes to detailing the Corvette. Besides the paint, engine compartment and interior, I also polish the aluminum suspension and wash the underside of the car.
 
Yea I can't just wash and dry the car, I have to get in every nook and cranny to get evrey piece of dirt and water out of the car. A "quick wash" turns into 2-3 hours... LOL
 
Z06 Rocket said:
Yea I can't just wash and dry the car, I have to get in every nook and cranny to get evrey piece of dirt and water out of the car. A "quick wash" turns into 2-3 hours... LOL
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You know you are a sicko if Johnson Q-tips, a leaf blower, a de-ionized water system, are just part of your equipment!:shrug01:
 
I think if my paint was pristine like most vettes i would detail more often, but it was obvious when i bought it; it was a daily driver and it's my current daily driver... it's got so many scrathes on it, i think i full detail would just make me more upset of its paint condition than happy! :D as it sits i haven't washed it in about a month. plus i have no garage so 2 days after a wash it's dirty again.
 
You do not need to mortgage the homestead to have every little gizmo and widget out there to keep your car clean...All my cleaning and detailing supplies are can be found @ Wal/Kmart, Target and believe it or not some of the same products are found @ Big Lots for much less $$...For normal driving use, I usually wash and do an overall fast detail (1-1.5 hours) but when preparing for show I thouroughly detail what is visible (2-3 hours)...I must admit I do use a leaf blower for drying (same one I use for garden work) for easier drying...
 
For black cars best wax to use IMO from it being used on my car and seen on other black cars....Pinnacle Souveran.

http://www.pinnaclewax.com/souveran.html

Heres a pic thats 2mths old from the previous detail job Rob did for me. This is a raw photo, no editing. Only thing Im not a fan of is the paint job a shop did on the front bumper, seems dull compared to rest of body.

IMG_3918.jpg


I really want to repaint the whole car something else, black is just to much to deal with down in florida with all the pollen, dust, other crap. Im leaning towards a lambo/new viper green possibly lol...time will tell.
 
I Almost Traded . . .

:DWhen I got the black/black/black and saw what it took, if not for losing about 20,000 bucks, I was going to get a white one with tan top. My wife has an MB ML550 in white, so, so easy to keep looking good.

My black, fogs (in the garage) and the overhead fluorescent lights I see every detail. Glad to know there are some crazies out here also! Misery loves company?:D Even with a paint job, still left with the black interior, ah well, the pain we crazies must endure?:thumbsup:

And, there's gotta be a special place in hell (below the lawyers:D) for the sprinkler systems that run in the road to muck up a clean car!:thumbsdown:
 
Washing and waxing is great. BUT what about your swirl marks? For a true WOW experience you need to polish with a machine. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Adam's products. They do not attempt to hide swirls etc in the paint...they REMOVE them. You will NEVER see a better finish on your car.

I have really gotten into detailing since owning and have tried a lot of products...trust me, Adam's is the only stuff I use anymore.

Adamspolishes.com - check out Junkman2008 there...or feel free to ask me any questions here...and no, I don't work for them and receive no compensation from them.
 
XQIZT said:
Washing and waxing is great. BUT what about your swirl marks? For a true WOW experience you need to polish with a machine. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Adam's products. They do not attempt to hide swirls etc in the paint...they REMOVE them. You will NEVER see a better finish on your car.

I have really gotten into detailing since owning and have tried a lot of products...trust me, Adam's is the only stuff I use anymore.

Adamspolishes.com - check out Junkman2008 there...or feel free to ask me any questions here...and no, I don't work for them and receive no compensation from them.
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Exactly why I've started this thread. I've not touched the Vette yet...tried some topical stuff, local brand here is Topcoat. It has since been done by a pro detailer and has not been even in the rain since! Black has got to be the worst of worst.
 
jpalamaro said:
Exactly why I've started this thread. I've not touched the Vette yet...tried some topical stuff, local brand here is Topcoat. It has since been done by a pro detailer and has not been even in the rain since! Black has got to be the worst of worst.
Click to expand...

I also have been an Adam's user for many years. I have been through most of the other brands and just felt that I get the best finish with the least amount of effort from Adam's stuff.

I am not trying to convince you to use Adam's products. Care care products can be a very touchy subject. Everyone has their own reasons for why they buy the products that they use. But since you are just getting started with the detailing of your Vette, I would recommend going to Adam's website and look at his videos on detailing. Regardless of which products you use, these videos will be helpful in learning the proper steps to detail your Vette.

Then I would recommend that you buy a few different brands and do your own test. But by all means, before you put any product on that black paint, make sure that you clay bar first and get the road dirt and contaminants off the surface of the paint.

I hope this helps.

Rich
 
Rich427 said:
I also have been an Adam's user for many years. I have been through most of the other brands and just felt that I get the best finish with the least amount of effort from Adam's stuff.

I am not trying to convince you to use Adam's products. Care care products can be a very touchy subject. Everyone has their own reasons for why they buy the products that they use. But since you are just getting started with the detailing of your Vette, I would recommend going to Adam's website and look at his videos on detailing. Regardless of which products you use, these videos will be helpful in learning the proper steps to detail your Vette.

Then I would recommend that you buy a few different brands and do your own test. But by all means, before you put any product on that black paint, make sure that you clay bar first and get the road dirt and contaminants off the surface of the paint.

I hope this helps.

Rich
Click to expand...

I use Adam's as well. Great product and great customer service. Typically the two of the names you hear the most in the Corvette community is Adam's and Zaino.

Don't forget the code for 10% off at Adam's. I think it's "Sunshine", I just use the one from Z06 Vette.com "Z06".
http://www.adamspolishes.com/

http://www.zainostore.com/

Here's the most expensive wax I've ever seen. Only $8,416! At least it's free refills for life. That's a lot of waxin'!
http://www.amazon.com/Zymol-12001-R...3?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1274016178&sr=8-13
 
Another Adam's user here going on 3.5 years. Their customer service is excellent. He has free videos online or DVDs when you buy his stuff to help you along. Easy to use, priced right, smells good (especially the detail spray), and your body won't be sore after a afternoon detail session.
I would highly recommend the bucket on wheels that you can sit on and move around as you detail the lower sections.
Hope this helps. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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