[Joe M 2012 2SS]

You need to do the Kevin Brown washer mod to your Rupes to fix the rotation issues.

Be sure to use a washer that is completely flat to start with. Don't use the 8mm, get a 5/16" and grind the edges as shown in this video. The 8mm will round out the backing plate attachment area, making it useless.



If you don't have access to a bench grinder, I can make/send you one.

[ninetres]

Not doing the washer mod was totally my ignorant oversight. I made the decision, “I’m a garage hobbiest, not a pro. Surely an expensive Rupes would be good enough for me out of the box.”

I was wrong. It is shit without the mod. Off to the shop I go to snag a washer from a friend, and shape it on his belt sander. (Thanks for the offer BTW)

So annoyed that I put in so many hours today and am left wondering how good the finish really is, before I put the semi permanent ceramic coat on. Sigh.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by ninetres

Not doing the washer mod was totally my ignorant oversight. I made the decision, “I’m a garage hobbiest, not a pro. Surely an expensive Rupes would be good enough for me out of the box.”

I was wrong. It is shit without the mod. Off to the shop I go to snag a washer from a friend, and shape it on his belt sander. (Thanks for the offer BTW)

So annoyed that I put in so many hours today and am left wondering how good the finish really is, before I put the semi permanent ceramic coat on. Sigh.

Don't feel bad, I didn't know about this mod either when I first used my Rupes 21 on my car, I had no idea the machine had this "anti spinning shroud" on it.

I thought the same thing about the Rupes machines after my initial use. After you do the washer mod, you'll really like the machine.

I am not a pro either, I do my Camaro, and do other people's cars on the side. Paint correction is a learning experience. The more you do it, the more you learn and the better you get at it.

Be glad you weren't doing this on a Subaru, that paint gets super sticky after polishing, and is a nightmare to work on!


When your working on convex and concave curves, these two videos show excellent techniques for doing these areas. But again, polishing a car is kind of like riding a bicycle for the first time.

Watching someone else do it, and actually doing it yourself takes some time and practice to dial it in. Also, what pad/compound/polish/machine speed works on one paint, will produce totally different results on a different paint.

Always do a 2'x2' test section first. Pull the car outside and inspect it in the sun. The sun wont ever lie to you. If it looks great in the sun, it will look great in ANY light conditions.

[Glen e]

Excellent 2nd vid with mike.........

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by Glen e

Excellent 2nd vid with mike.........

If someone with 35 years of experience shows you how to do something, they generally know what they are talking about!

I know I'm not smarter than 35 years of experience!

[ninetres]

Well, applied the CQUK and Reload today. 5 hours total including the light Eraser wipe to start. JEEEESUUUSSS this process has been a lot of work. If I did this for a living I would have to charge a fortune. I’m not sure how people local to me charge what they do for a job like this. I feel like they only charge 250-500 or something. I could be wrong. But I’m 18hr into this including the Engine bay and interior. I’m pretty OCD, especially with my own car. Maybe the people charging that rush though it with little regard.

I feel like the temperature in my garage today (likely mid 40s) was too cold for the CQUK to set properly in the 1 minute is calls for in directions. But what do I know.....it was my first time lol. Finished product definitely LOOKS great. Wetter than the jet seal I had on it, although not quite as smooth even with the reload. I used the entire 30ml in one good coating on the entire car including the DRL bezels, skirts and diffuser. Again, LOT of damn work. The combination of the cold temps and my propensity to overuse products likely contributed to the product not flashing like I’ve seen in most vids.

Only things left are putting the car on jack stands and doing a thorough polish on the wheels and coating them and my calipers. Then I’m going to revisit the glass.

And oh yea, (last pic) one of the damn backup sensor from its came out during buffing and it’s being a bitch to go back in. I think it needs lube and I’m not supposed to get the car wet for a week. Damnit.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Nice work. I spent 30 hours on my initial paint correction. Your going to like how easy your car is to clean in the future with the coating on it.

Most shops that do a decent job are charging $800 plus for correction and coating the paint. Cost do vary some by location though.

I've never had a backup sensor come loose, but I'm sure someone on C6 has, and can help you with putting it back on.

Sit back, have a beer, and enjoy how your car looks!

[Gunkk]

That red hot just looks soooooooo gooood!

[SSDan]

That's pretty cool the way you have the stock exhaust hanging on the wall! Good luck with the rest of the steps. I'm sure you'll be happy with all your efforts once done.

[Marko]

Looks awesome man !

[ninetres]

Originally Posted by SSDan

That's pretty cool the way you have the stock exhaust hanging on the wall! Good luck with the rest of the steps. I'm sure you'll be happy with all your efforts once done.

Good eye haha. My original plans were to hang it directly above and parallel to the Corvette, but the studs in the ceiling weren’t in the right spot. I do NOT like it near the Camaro lol. But it has 5 different supports so it SHOULD be okay.

[ninetres]

Another note: I absolutely LOVE the platinum pluffle towel. I saw someone dislike them in another thread. I love it. Going to order 5 more.

[Ryanbabz71]

very nice

[ndnashlenz]

Very beautiful car!