04 Silver Vette Complete Detail

[David Fermani]

Just finished doing a complete detail on this 2004 Vette. The paint was really nice and I decided to dry sand it with 4000 grit sandpaper. It totally helped bring out the clear coated metallic finish. This paper, when used dry, cuts into the finish much less than if you used water and the marring is barely noticeable. After buffing, it makes it feel so buttery soft, that I couldn’t help avoid doing it. The whole detail process took about 6 hours and came out flawless. I decided not to take any befores because the car was in decent shape. It just needed to be perfected as if it were my own car. Here’s what I did:

PREP:
Auto Magic(AM) Wash & Wax via ShMitt
AM Special Cleaner door jambs and engine
Power washed complete exterior of vehicle + floor mats
AM Magnificent wheels, tires and wheel wells

EXTERIOR:
4000 Grit Dry sand paper
Goof Off removal of tar
AM GS-1 via EDGE yellow foam pad
AM BC-2 via EDGE blue foam pad
AM Paint Sealant
AM Magic Dressing – Tires + Wheel wells

INTERIOR:
AM Special Cleaner scrubbed with tooth brush
AM Leather Conditioner – 2 applications
AM E-Z Clean HD Shampoo by hand
AM Clear Difference window cleaner

ENGINE:
AM Super Dress It

[gmblack3a]

Very nice work David! Paint looks very good.

Are you just lightly scuffing the surface with the 4k grit paper or are you applying some pressure? Are you using a sanding block?

Do you have any pics before the wool polishing? Just trying to get an idea of your technique.

TIA!

[zoomzoom mazda5]

Awesome work David! it's so perfect! I see you use AM products, how do you like them? I use some of them back in the 80's and the one i loved was their Wet Look , but good things don't last forever, call them and they don't make it anymore. Great information on the dry sanding you did Thanks!

[David Fermani]

Thanks Bryan. I sand by hand with the tips of my fingers with medium pressure. Almost like you would when you clay. The backing on this paper is pretty thick and it acts like a cushion to reduce marring. Sorry, no before pictures. By the way, I didn't use wool, just foam.

[Scottwax]

Looks terrific, Dave! That 2nd to last hood shot...

[David Fermani]

Originally Posted by zoomzoom mazda5

Awesome work David! it's so perfect! I see you use AM products, how do you like them? I use some of them back in the 80's and the one i loved was their Wet Look , but good things don't last forever, call them and they don't make it anymore. Great information on the dry sanding you did Thanks!

Thanks. I've been exclusively using AM since 1990. I've pretty much tried and used their whole product line & have most of their products figured out. I can usually glance at a vehicle and know the recipe without testing things 1st.

[gmblack3a]

Is that Micro-Mesh paper? Yes I now see the yellow foam reference, I have wool on the brain. Thanks for sharing.

[David Fermani]

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Looks terrific, Dave! That 2nd to last hood shot...

Thanks Scott.

[David Fermani]

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

Is that Micro-Mesh paper? Yes I now see the yellow foam reference, I have wool on the brain. Thanks for sharing.

It's from a company called Micro Surface Finishing Products. I buy their paper by the roll, not the sheet. Here's their link:

https://www.micro-surface.com/default.cfm?page_id=1

[stiffdogg06]

Now that's how silver should look! Amazing job!

I saw a site that carried 12k sand paper. But I would think you'd get more cut from Menz. IP.

Again, the vette looks amazing!

- Andrew

[blkZ28Conv]

Excellent detail. (Corvette) silver is extremely difficult to make "POP" but it seems you accomplished it.

[99blackSE]

Awesome work David, the car looks beautiful!