Hard as rocks GM clear

J

Justins00ss

Active member
Now most seasoned professional detailers know that Corvettes typically have what`s known as harder clear coat. I have done my fair share of Corvettes without much issue correcting defects.

However the new GM`s I have done lately have been a bear to correct. Case in point a 2015 Escalade ESV in black that I just finished up. Now normally my go to is my g21 with a BOSS microfiber cutting pad and fast correcting cream. I did a couple test spots and got good results with this combo.

But as I progressed with the correction I noticed a lot of RIDS remaining. So much so that it really bothered me. Long story short i through everything but the kitchen sink at this point to try to correct it. Maybe I am just OCD especially when i have a 90k vehicle in my bay but I hate having what appears to be just light scratches that would normally correct without issues fight me to the death!!!

My rotary pairs with a LC PFW and fg400 got it better but the only thing that truly got it was damp sanding with 3000 grit. I could of got carried away but just did a few areas to get it better. Even the 3000 grit marks were tough to get out.

I got the vehicle finished up and looking good but in my head I know it could be better.

So what is everyone using against the new hard GM clear coat to correct defects. It seems my rotary may be getting some more use if that`s the case lol!!!
 
Justin,
Glad that you could get it dialed in !

Was the black metallic, or jet black ?
Jet Black like the infamous BMW version has always been a little finicky and doesn`t like too much heat before it starts acting up..

Some blacks not matter what are just harder to work with..

I would always rather go a few short passes at lower speed with Rotary Power and put less heat into the paint, than go longer passes with any of the random orbitals and all that movement creating perhaps more heat sooner..

I love all compounds named Menzerna...

My go-to all around best compound for problems in paint is still Meguiars 105, spray it to keep it moist when it abruptly wants to quit early, and keep working it until it clears up..

If this stuff can make old Imron Airplane Paint look outstanding, it can do anything.... :)

I always put downward pressure on the Rotary even with Purple Foam Wool to get the media acquainted with the PFW pad and the paintwork, and this seems to help get things out quicker.. Just have to know how much pressure and how long.. :)
Dan F
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. The customer left happy so that`s all that matters. Just was a bit taken back by how tough this one was lol

Before



After




 
We have a metallic black gmc my wife drives and there are some RIDS I haven`t pushed yet cause like you said they don`t come out like you think they should just haven`t pressed the issue. When your wife will use the hood as a shelf to place things on well you can`t chase things for ever

I may have to try the MF pad recommendation


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TB black wool or Polish Angel white wool + Shine Supply Chop Top will eliminate damned near anything. Very powerful combination!!
 
FG300 and wool. Either a FLEX 3401 or rotary will do it. It`s pretty much wet sanding, but FG300 is the secret sauce for those GM hard clears. I remember working on a black Chevrolet SUV and FG300 saved my butt.

Here are some action shots on a beat up Mercedes with hard clear:

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Of course if you looked close enough you could still see some RIDS, but out of every combination of products I tested with this made the biggest improvement short of wet sanding.

p.s. The car was finished with the RUPES UHS system.
 
Justins00ss- Nice work, glad you got it sorted out.

Re Metallic Black (GM "Granite Metallic" IIRC), I hated that paint *SO* much that it was a big reason why I sold the Yukon XLD. I managed to keep it marring-free for a few years after the initial Big Detail, but was simply not willing to ever correct it again and as a year-round dog-hauler I figured that some correction would be inevitable. It wasn`t that it was too hard, but rather that not matter what lighting I used it took *FOREVER* to ensure that I had things truly perfect. No idea why, never had such issues with silver or other colors, might`ve just been me...
 
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