1979 Corvette As hard as the modern ones?

S

ShineyWhiteRex

New member
I'm relatively new to the detailing thing, but have caught the bug like most everyone else here. I have used my PC with great success on my own car and continue to practice to find that perfection. I've just recently been asked to detail a friend's father's 79' Vette. Parusing through Click 'n Brag I have noticed that there are complaints about how hard modern Vette's and their clear coats are and was wondering if their is anything special that I should know before I get to this detail. In fact, I don't even know if this has a clearcoat at all!

I've got a number of products at my disposal that I have been collecting. The whole Optimum line, Meg's #80, my PC with Yellow and white pad as well as the Sonus pads, among other LSP's, glass cleaners, trim and tire protectants.





Hopefully all these supplies should be enough, but let me know if there is anything else I should throw in my arsenal incase this car has something else instore for me. Oh and btw, I have seen it but I did not look that close as I thought I would be cleaning his Mini. It's white so I know some imperfections that I dont get wouldnt show that much.



Thanks for your help everyone!

James





P.S. Any advice on a Mini exterior as I heard BMW paint is wicked hard as well would be appreciated! :)
 
Hmm. Last time I detailed a car that old, the paint was Lacquer and it was hard as a rock. It was also SS as well...



Mini paint is a little harder than normal, but nothing even close to audi, MB, or Corvette.
 
The '74 Vette (repaint but not sure when) I did over the summer had rock hard paint. Took 3.5 hours with the Cyclo, cutting pads and starting with OHC to buff it out.
 
I did a 78 this summer and it too was a repaint as Scott has had experience with. Lucky for me it wasn't roo hard, however it was hard to finish down to perfection it needed just the right combo. Here is the link if your interested in seeing the products I had to use



I would try to find out if it has ever been repainted, with the arsenal of Meg's polishes you should be able to tackle it however if it is hard, it might just take a little time and may not turn out 100% Just remember we can't always expect 100% results. Good luck!
 
My neighbor has a 79 with original red paint and it is no were near as difficult to work with as the new corvette paints are. I was able to work the paint easily with zpc, but of course the paint being old, you will not want to remove to much paint.



Greg
 
Great thoughts guys, I never even thought that it might have been repainted. I'll have to call him tomorrow and check, but I guess it will end up being trail and error, just figuring out what works and what doesnt. Should the paint actully be original and not having a paint depth gauge how harsh should I go? I imagine trying to tackle all of the defects would not be advisable, but how would I guess which ones might remove too much paint (besides the obvious which catch fingernails). Should I go over with what ever removes the lightest of scratches and call it quits?
 
If it is original paint and the owner isn't looking for 100% correction and you want to be safe. I would reach for Megs #80 it will remove any oxidation, light swirling, and give oils to the paint to bring it back to life.
 
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