08-22-2019, 09:06 AM | #29 | |
Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: United States
Posts: 225
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I do all of those methods and use all of those products all by Adam's. Wash and apply product as described by Adams. Now my car is black which maybe that's why it's so apparent to me but yeah idk |
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08-22-2019, 09:14 AM | #30 |
Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: United States
Posts: 225
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Ok, let's change gears here. Clearly there is no one time fix all solution for swirls and water spots regardless of ceramic coating or anything else. Car will need to be buffed periodically every year or other year. Educate me on buffers and compounds.
Off the top of my head Rupes buffer and sealant, wax, buffer applied compounds? |
08-22-2019, 09:26 AM | #31 |
Drives: 2SS, CT-R, LC500 Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: FLorida
Posts: 534
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If you enjoy the "exercise", why not?
I like Glen's words of wisdom. I used to participate in the detailing rat race, until I realized most of these "new" products are promoted heavily and are really more of the same. Now I wash every two weeks, use some turtle wax or megs hybrid ceramic wax, and done. Cars look good 80% of the time, and I'm OK with that. |
08-22-2019, 09:28 AM | #32 | |
Drives: Camaro 1LE Join Date: May 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 1,348
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Same here, just reading what all people do on a regular basis has me worn out. All my details and cleaning products are all from the local parts stores. OP instead of using a towel or microfiber cloth to dry the car, maybe consider using a synthetic chamois if you haven't? I've also found for myself that microfiber cloths have a very limited lifetime before they become just another rag. Yes washing them help some but once dirt particles get in the fibers, they are they're pretty much there to stay. Also make sure after washing the microfiber cloths (if you do wash them) that you only run them through the dryer at a low setting. I currently have 2 big bags of brand new microfiber cloths and I go through them really fast when applying detail spray and even faster with polish or wax. I've tried washing even slightly used cloths but they never feel the same afterwards. |
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08-22-2019, 09:31 AM | #33 |
Drives: 2SS, CT-R, LC500 Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: FLorida
Posts: 534
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Find a good detailer and pay a pro to polish /paint-correct your car once a year. Worth the money to some, especially considering all the tools you won't need to buy, store and use correctly.
For drying the car, I bought a 30$ leaf blower recently. Works good if you have TW seal & shine or megs HCW or similar products on the car. I used drying towels that were great, but too much work compared to a blower. Now I use the towel to finish up. |
08-22-2019, 09:45 AM | #34 |
IYAOYAS
Drives: 22 1LE 2SS M6 Riverside Blue Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Stafford, VA
Posts: 242
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A lot of good info in this thread. My camaro is black also and after purchasing it pre-owned, it already had tons of swirls from autowashes or something. I decided to go the DIY route following instructional videos on YouTube. As KirkH said, it is very satisfying doing it yourself and seeing the results, even if it is a 60% improvement.
AmmoNYC on YouTube is fantastic to learn about black paint, among others like dallas paint correction. This is one of the best videos for black paint. You might have already come across AMMONYC, but just in case, here is the video. https://youtube.com/watch?v=MQ_0M81_grU I also have spent over $200 in products in less than a year. Now i have calmed down,. After learning from different videos and the forum.
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2022 Riverside Blue Camaro 2SS 1LE/ PDR
2020 Red Hot Camaro 2SS 1LE/PDR /Sold 2018 black Camaro 2SS M6 Redline Edition/Traded 2016 summit white Camaro RS V6 M6/Traded |
08-22-2019, 10:44 AM | #35 | |
Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Front Range, CO
Posts: 1,865
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Maybe someone here can explain how to keep them like-new, but ime it's simply impossible. Try finding or buying some scrap black plastic, ideally black plexiglass. This stuff will scratch no matter what cloth you use, it's amazing... but it will give you an idea of how bad used microfiber cloths can get and you can test and see how bad you're scratching your paint. I think you'll be surprised how abrasive used cloths can get! Also, ceramic is worth it because the products are super-easy to apply, or very long lasting if the application is more like a regular wax. The Carpro Hydro2foam is super easy to apply with almost no extra wiping on the car required, and it hoses off. It repels dirt so the car stays much cleaner and when you do wash it most of the dirt rinses right off, so there is much less dirt stuck to the car. And it looks amazing, so glossy and slick-feeling. While you get a sense of accomplishment from the work and rubbing required for older wax based products, my body doesn't really like it and the ceramic sealers are better. |
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08-22-2019, 02:43 PM | #36 |
Drives: 2016 2SS M6 Mosaic Blk Met-SOLD Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: KY
Posts: 2,934
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__________________
Official Detailer of CamaroFest 8 & 9
https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...st-8-pics.html https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...=521655&page=1 https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...=547470&page=1 https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527474 No one on Earth has detailed more Camaros. http://KirkTheDetailer.com |
08-22-2019, 09:41 PM | #37 | |
Thank you Al Oppenheiser!
Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 4,975
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Black paint is ridiculous for showing every tiny little defect that you would never see on white, yellow, silver, or red unless you looked real hard... or owned the car My first car was black. Never again without paint protection. The ONLY way to keep a black car swirl free is self-healing PPF. The PPF is the thing that keeps you from touching the car. You touch the film, you wash the film, you dry the film and you put defects and swirls in the film. Then the film self heals and the swirls disappear. My Z isn’t black but my heat extractor (and the rest of the trim) is painted mosaic black metallic. It was corrected (polished) right after purchase and Suntek Ultra self healing film applied. Two years later there are no swirls. Zero. It’s still perfect. No need to polish it, ever. Adding a durable hydrophobic to the film just makes cleaning the car easier. Got caught in the rain last week. Got out the blower when I arrived home and got all the water off, didn’t even need to rinse with the hose. No towel needed or used. Completely dry from the blower and no water spots on the car the next day. You can go buy all kinds of fancy polishes and waxes and this and thats, but the more you touch and wipe and wipe and wipe, the more defects you’re going to get. If you can find a solution that allows you to keep the car clean without having to touch the car (much) and never puts defects into the paint, it will look perfect for years. My solution works for me and The Mistress continually amazes people at shows who think I just bought the car. Nope... she’s 25 months old and gets washed maybe once every six to eight weeks. These shots are old but trust me she still looks just the same. https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showp...&postcount=301 |
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08-23-2019, 09:58 AM | #38 | |
Drives: '17 Z06 Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: NJ
Posts: 43
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08-23-2019, 03:35 PM | #39 | |
Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: United States
Posts: 225
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I think maybe I need to get better at it. Always room for improvement but I think if there’s anything I learned from this thread is that ceramic coating is not the answer......a quality buffer and polish is |
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08-23-2019, 03:37 PM | #40 | |
Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: United States
Posts: 225
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For reference I was quoted 800 for single stage paint correction and 5400 for Xpel on the whole car. |
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08-23-2019, 05:12 PM | #41 | |
Thank you Al Oppenheiser!
Drives: Red Hot A10 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Sarasota, FL
Posts: 4,975
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Mine was $5k but wasn’t whole car PPF (was full front, mirrors, windshield surround, mirrors, rockers, rear lowers with all edges tucked and wrapped and emblems removed), and included that price was a full car paint correction (easy for him since it was new), Gtechniq ceramic coat and two coats of Gtechniq EXO. If I were to do it again, I’d do the ceramic only on the grille and wheels, and spend my $ instead to film the whole car. EXO for everything of course. The stuff is magic and lasts a LONG time. |
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08-23-2019, 06:01 PM | #42 |
Drives: 17 2SS, 8L90, Cam, Heads, E85 Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: US
Posts: 1,201
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What happends if you spent $5000+ on coatings, then someone hits you and they total out your car. I bet their insurance company (if they even have insurance) won't pay for your new car to get it. I just got my front repainted and the grill replaced, I though a long time about how I just have to get PPF, but I don't trust that it will actually protect it. I have to drive on the highway everyday, all of the hours and manual effort i've spent with waxing, polishing, claying, and compounding I havent noticed any benefits besides the car looking good until it rains. Its so frustrating how many times I've waxed and bought in to the "protection" and "water beading" effects. I've noticed absolutely no protection from anything.
If you drive on the highway your car is runied If you drive in the rain your car is runined If you (or are forced to) drive on a road that is milled your car is ruined It just makes you want to give up when you realize just how fragile your car is. I think the better strategy is to try and cover up and mask the defects and micro scratches, it is just way too much effort and money to try to remove them. I think my strategy now that I have $3000 plus of work will be to stay far away from any other cars especially on the highway, I think this will be way more effective problem is it may be the hardest thing to do haha Last edited by cmitchell17; 08-23-2019 at 06:33 PM. |
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