Spring Z Photos - Post up!

[rush91]

Originally Posted by Roadster

Slowly but sure getting the 94 paint correction process done to the best of my ability and satisfaction. Finally minimizing most of the swirls and surface scratches that were on the Z when purchased over 2 years ago.
There are still some "nicks" in the paint which will get addressed at a later time.
I know we have some very pristine original paint jobs here on the forum, but for being the 7th owner and being an original "captured test fleet" vehicle for its first 2 years, I think it has survived quite nicely.
Also the painted top is going back on and will probably put the glass top up for sale.

Your paint looks amazing sir!! That is one shiny Beast.....Just a question. I'm in the same boat as you. The previous owners of my Z, it looks as though when he went to wash the car, he used a Brillo pad as a sponge!! The hood is so filled with swirl marks and scratches, I don't know where too start. I bought DR. Colorchip, which did some magic on the deep nicks and scratches. But have NO idea how to deal with the swirl marks......I've tried Scratch and swirl removers, and to no avail.
What did you use to get that Beast looking like a mirror??

[Dafink]

New to me...still working on cleaning it up a bit, but still looks nice:

[Z51JEFF]

Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-

Hey Jeff.. what model HREs are those again?

I do like that style

I think they are 560R but can't remember. They had just discontinued these but I talked the guy into one more set,or so I was told.

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by rush91

Your paint looks amazing sir!! That is one shiny Beast.....Just a question. I'm in the same boat as you. The previous owners of my Z, it looks as though when he went to wash the car, he used a Brillo pad as a sponge!! The hood is so filled with swirl marks and scratches, I don't know where too start. I bought DR. Colorchip, which did some magic on the deep nicks and scratches. But have NO idea how to deal with the swirl marks......I've tried Scratch and swirl removers, and to no avail.
What did you use to get that Beast looking like a mirror??

Thank you for the compliments.....
In post #76 is info on my procedures for the paint correction for my situation. I will repost it here and will add a few more thoughts.
You may have to do more applications of the swirl and scratch remover to finally see results. It may not happen in just one application.
My advice is to just work on one section, (let's say the hood) and repeat your procedure until you are satisfied with the results. It may be 1-2-3 times or more. Once you achieve your desired result, then you will know what to do with the rest of the vehicle.
Again, I have many brands, but for my paint correction process I used Adam's products with my buffer and very happy with the results. And again, I really like the Turtle products that I am using. That being said, I forgot about two products that I already have and didn't use, but may help you out.
I also like 3M products. You can try 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover....
For DARK Colored Cars #05131...39009 and Finesse-It II Finishing Material (Machine Polish) Professional Formula. I am tempted to try these products on one panel, just to see if I get the last of the imperfections eliminated, we shall see!!!
I really didn't know the correct way to apply the polishes with my buffer and went to the Adam's web site and looked at their videos. I am sure You Tube has a lot of info also.....
And I also like 3M Imperial Hand Glaze, which is also great for filling in imperfections, a very good product.
This is something that doesn't happen overnight, unless you pay a professional for a paint correction process which may cost many $$$.
If you do it yourself, take your time, do it in your garage or shaded area, and to get a true "check" on your work, after you are done some applications, put the vehicle in direct sunlight if possible and "eye ball it" from every possible angle to see what each application has accomplished. This may be too much for some people to be bothered with, but being the anal guy that I am, I won't give up until I achieve, or almost achieve the best results possible. And I enjoy detailing, I always have. And you don't have to do the entire vehicle at once, can always do one section at a time over a period of time. I feel the results are well worth it......

This is what I have done in the last two years time permitting. I recommend a total clay (bar) of the car. If you have any swirls or surface scratches like I did, then you will need to use a buffer with the micro fiber (or very soft surface) pads, for the following steps. I will not use a wool pad, as I don't have the experience to do so, those pads are better left for the professionals to use.
I use a paint correction polish, then rub off by hand.....then use a paint polish on top of that and remove by hand, or you can use a foam pad for removal. Depending on the results, you may feel the need to repeat the process once again, or maybe another or so depending on the condition of your paint. Once that is done, I have found a new product (always finding new products.....lol) and that is Turtle JET BLACK Spray Detailer and JET BLACK Spray Wax. I have used and still have enough different brands of polishes and waxes to last me 3 life times....lol, but to date I really like the Turtle products especially for black or very dark colored vehicles.
I tried to use the Turtle Detailer with the buffer, did not like the results, so strictly by hand. And use the softest Microfiber cloths you can find, no terry towels at all on the paint. They will leave very fine surface scratches in the paint. I found that Costco sells the Yellow ones (very soft) and I imagine other retailers have them too. From here on, everything is done by hand. Turtle JET BLACK Products mention how they will fill and help eliminate swirls and scratches, of course I fall for all that merchandising lol, but I also feel that it does work.
You can put on as many applications as you want with the spray products and it just seems to get better each time. No, not every mark has been eliminated from my paint, but from where it was and to what it is now, I am very happy. After all, it is a true survivor, and I am very satisfied with that.
You may also already know what I have mentioned here, but since I'm now retired, wanted to keep my fingers busy......lol

Have fun, hope it works out for you.

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

I think they are 560R but can't remember. They had just discontinued these but I talked the guy into one more set,or so I was told.

They really do look great on your Z......

[rush91]

Originally Posted by Roadster

Thank you for the compliments.....
In post #76 is info on my procedures for the paint correction for my situation. I will repost it here and will add a few more thoughts.
You may have to do more applications of the swirl and scratch remover to finally see results. It may not happen in just one application.
My advice is to just work on one section, (let's say the hood) and repeat your procedure until you are satisfied with the results. It may be 1-2-3 times or more. Once you achieve your desired result, then you will know what to do with the rest of the vehicle.
Again, I have many brands, but for my paint correction process I used Adam's products with my buffer and very happy with the results. And again, I really like the Turtle products that I am using. That being said, I forgot about two products that I already have and didn't use, but may help you out.
I also like 3M products. You can try 3M Perfect-It Swirl Mark Remover....
For DARK Colored Cars #05131...39009 and Finesse-It II Finishing Material (Machine Polish) Professional Formula. I am tempted to try these products on one panel, just to see if I get the last of the imperfections eliminated, we shall see!!!
I really didn't know the correct way to apply the polishes with my buffer and went to the Adam's web site and looked at their videos. I am sure You Tube has a lot of info also.....
And I also like 3M Imperial Hand Glaze, which is also great for filling in imperfections, a very good product.
This is something that doesn't happen overnight, unless you pay a professional for a paint correction process which may cost many $$$.
If you do it yourself, take your time, do it in your garage or shaded area, and to get a true "check" on your work, after you are done some applications, put the vehicle in direct sunlight if possible and "eye ball it" from every possible angle to see what each application has accomplished. This may be too much for some people to be bothered with, but being the anal guy that I am, I won't give up until I achieve, or almost achieve the best results possible. And I enjoy detailing, I always have. And you don't have to do the entire vehicle at once, can always do one section at a time over a period of time. I feel the results are well worth it......

This is what I have done in the last two years time permitting. I recommend a total clay (bar) of the car. If you have any swirls or surface scratches like I did, then you will need to use a buffer with the micro fiber (or very soft surface) pads, for the following steps. I will not use a wool pad, as I don't have the experience to do so, those pads are better left for the professionals to use.
I use a paint correction polish, then rub off by hand.....then use a paint polish on top of that and remove by hand, or you can use a foam pad for removal. Depending on the results, you may feel the need to repeat the process once again, or maybe another or so depending on the condition of your paint. Once that is done, I have found a new product (always finding new products.....lol) and that is Turtle JET BLACK Spray Detailer and JET BLACK Spray Wax. I have used and still have enough different brands of polishes and waxes to last me 3 life times....lol, but to date I really like the Turtle products especially for black or very dark colored vehicles.
I tried to use the Turtle Detailer with the buffer, did not like the results, so strictly by hand. And use the softest Microfiber cloths you can find, no terry towels at all on the paint. They will leave very fine surface scratches in the paint. I found that Costco sells the Yellow ones (very soft) and I imagine other retailers have them too. From here on, everything is done by hand. Turtle JET BLACK Products mention how they will fill and help eliminate swirls and scratches, of course I fall for all that merchandising lol, but I also feel that it does work.
You can put on as many applications as you want with the spray products and it just seems to get better each time. No, not every mark has been eliminated from my paint, but from where it was and to what it is now, I am very happy. After all, it is a true survivor, and I am very satisfied with that.
You may also already know what I have mentioned here, but since I'm now retired, wanted to keep my fingers busy......lol

Have fun, hope it works out for you.

Thank you so much for adding to your original post!! There is a lot to digest, some things I didn't even think of trying....I know as you said its a lot of trial and error, and patience. But DAMN after seeing your shine you produced on your Beast, I need to invent in a buffer/ polisher....this rubbing by hand just doesn't work lol. I included a few pics of my problems. Looks like a cat party happened on my hood. I've tried Meguires product line, but not the turtle wax stuff. I use Adams products for detailing of my Z and love the stuff. I should take your advice and try theres.
But I think mine maybe beyond repair, the hood is just a mess. Would wet sanding of any kind do anything?? Again, thank you for the VERY informative repost. I know what my Saturday consists of now.....

[G8nightman]

Originally Posted by rush91

Thank you so much for adding to your original post!! There is a lot to digest, some things I didn't even think of trying....I know as you said its a lot of trial and error, and patience. But DAMN after seeing your shine you produced on your Beast, I need to invent in a buffer/ polisher....this rubbing by hand just doesn't work lol. I included a few pics of my problems. Looks like a cat party happened on my hood. I've tried Meguires product line, but not the turtle wax stuff. I use Adams products for detailing of my Z and love the stuff. I should take your advice and try theres.
But I think mine maybe beyond repair, the hood is just a mess. Would wet sanding of any kind do anything?? Again, thank you for the VERY informative repost. I know what my Saturday consists of now.....

That hood looks like all the clear is gone.

[We Gone]

Just did the Yellow 93 wet sand 1500/2000/3000 and polished


Just polished the Blue 91


What I used with my Cyclo buffer.

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by rush91

Thank you so much for adding to your original post!! There is a lot to digest, some things I didn't even think of trying....I know as you said its a lot of trial and error, and patience. But DAMN after seeing your shine you produced on your Beast, I need to invent in a buffer/ polisher....this rubbing by hand just doesn't work lol. I included a few pics of my problems. Looks like a cat party happened on my hood. I've tried Meguires product line, but not the turtle wax stuff. I use Adams products for detailing of my Z and love the stuff. I should take your advice and try theres.
But I think mine maybe beyond repair, the hood is just a mess. Would wet sanding of any kind do anything?? Again, thank you for the VERY informative repost. I know what my Saturday consists of now.....

Your quite welcome. To be very honest IMO, from the pic that you posted, you really need professional help to correct that hood. I hope that the entire car doesn't look like that. That just looks like total abuse from the PO. I am assuming that would have to be wet sanded with multiple numbered papers, to even get it to look acceptable.
If that was mine, I would check out different body shops in your area to see what they can do with the hood. I think to try yourself it would be a very big job. Some of those scratches look very deep. Good luck......

[Roadster]

Originally Posted by We Gone

Just did the Yellow 93 wet sand 1500/2000/3000 and polished

Steve, looks great.......what a shine!!!