Black GTP

Here is a job I did today. This car is kept up on pretty good and wasnt really that bad. There were some swirls from normal washing but other then that it was a cake walk.

You cant see the swirls in the pictures but they are there.
Nothing to bad but I did underestimate them at first.

When I started after the normal wash and clay routine. I figured that Auto Magic`s BC-2 and a Edge blue foam would be enough to kick the evil swirls.

Turns out I was way off. I pulled the car outside and it basically hightlighted them and made them even worse. I pulled the car back in the garage and broke out Auto Magics GS-1 and the Edge yellow foam. I followed that up with AM`s new XP Swirl Remover. After that I used a sealant called Diamond Shine by a company called CAS.(they are local) The XP Swirl Remover works good but I`m not sure everyone will be happy with the finish it leaves. Almost craves another pass with something else.

Look great.

The problem with the swirls was this related to hardness of the clear?

Eric

Hey Eric,
I think the swirls where just from normal washing. The people keep up on the car really well. I`m not sure what they use to wash it but they normally keep it really clean. I was actually surprised when they asked me to do the vehicle. IMO I just under estimated the condition of the hood. The rest of the vehicle was fine but the BC-2 and the finishing pad just wasnt enough "power" to get the swirls out. The BC-2 and a light cut foam might have done the trick but oddly enough my green foam seems to have vanished so I just went right to the yellow foam and old faithful in my arsenal (GS-1). I should have taken better pics so you could have seen the swirls. My guess would be just the average everyday washing of the vehicle put the swirls there.
Or everyday "improper" washing of the vehicle.

Thanks for the info. The reason for asking is that I have read some newer GM vehicles have harder clears. Did you do the interior of the GTP? How long did the job take? How much did you charge

Eric

Hey Eric,
I didnt hear anything about the clear being harder or not but I did do a 98 GTP that was black also. It was full of water spots and everything under a compound wouldnt take them out. After trying several polishes and a paint cleaner I wound up compounding the whole car just to get the water spots out. It may just be that black GTP`s are bad luck for me. I only went over the interior slightly. The car is well cared for and it didnt need more then a quick sweep and a few spots on the cup holder and the one seat. Between that and exterior of the vehicle it took me about 3hrs. As far as pay goes it was one of those "you scratch my back and I`ll scratch yours". Turned out to be a good deal either way.
Thanks again for the compliments and I`ll keep an ear out for the status on those GM clearcoats.