? on Corvette Coupe Roof

R

RAG

New member
Does anyone know the skinny on the Corvette Coupe Roofs - is it simply dark tint film over clear plastic, or what? I'm asking because I got a call from someone that wants some water spots removed from this part...and my guess would be that the spots have eteched their way in a bit, usually requiring buffing...so I just wanted to make sure it was safe to perform light polish/buffing on the roof.



Thanks.
 
That's what I think it is, factory tinted glass. You should be fine to polish it. I was just looking at one yesterday too, but didn't touch it to find out.
 
I believe ebpcivicsi is correct in that the glass roof panel is factory smoked. One thing to keep in mind, however... the C4 and C5 Corvette coupe roof panels were available as a removeable glass panel or a removeable painted panel. Are you certain you will be working on a glass panel as opposed to the traditional painted panel?
 
gmblack3a said:
It is Lexan and it has a coating on it. Not sure what the coating is, but it will start to peel off.
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Thanks for the info...the Corvette forum confirms that it is lexan. However, what I'm still not clear on is whether or not the coating it lexan or if clear plastic-like material is lexan...either way, it appears that there is some type of coating on it. I guess the Corvette guys use plexus and novus polishes...supposedly meant for lexan. Either way, people have had luck performing light polishing with plexus...which tells me that just about any mild polish will work (I really don't think there is a big difference between plexus and most mild polishes out there, as I've had great success buffing out many different types of plastics by using regular 'ol polishes).
 
seven said:
I believe ebpcivicsi is correct in that the glass roof panel is factory smoked. One thing to keep in mind, however... the C4 and C5 Corvette coupe roof panels were available as a removeable glass panel or a removeable painted panel. Are you certain you will be working on a glass panel as opposed to the traditional painted panel?
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Yes, it is see-through...just went and took a look at the car (down the street from me).



I believe it is a 1998 C5 Coupe.
 
All I know is you gotta be able to polish it, as I've seen many Corvette's with this same black top and they must all get a fair amount of swirls...being black and all. If not, then that would be a huge blunder on the design.
 
I have a C5 with the lexan tinted removal top.



DO NOT TORCH WITH ANY ABRASIVE!!!! It is easily marred.





I just use vinegar to dissolve and remove any recent water-spots and Plexus to polish. Protect with with your LSP of choice.
 
blkZ28Conv said:
I has a C5 with the lexan tinted removal top.



DO NOT TORCH WITH ANY ABRASIVE!!!! It is easily marred.





I just use vinegar to dissolve and remove any recent water-spots and Plexus to polish. Protect with with your LSP of choice.
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Doesn't plexus contain abrasives, but like a standard polish? Or when you say abrasive, do you mean like a brillo pad or something?
 
Plexus has not particulate abrasives. It is a chemical plastic polish. That is why it is safe for tinted windows (after-market) and helmet lens.



The strongest mild abrasive polish I have tried without any noted marring has been AIO (old version) and JW Prime. Unfortunately, they failed to improve matters. :(



Hope this clarifies things. :wavey
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Plexus has not particulate abrasives. It is a chemical plastic polish. That is why it is safe for tinted windows (after-market) and helmet lens.



The strongest mild abrasive polish I have tried without any noted marring has been AIO (old version) and JW Prime. Unfortunately, they failed to improve matters. :(



Hope this clarifies things. :wavey
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Yes, this helps clarify immensly. BTW, AIO actually uses larger abrasives (just fewer of them) than PO106FF or FPII.



I have the zain plastic polish...I'll have to try some vinegar followed by a polish with the Zaino stuff. If this doesn't work, I'll go to 106FF.



Thanks again,



Ryan
 
Ryan, I don't know if this will apply in this situation but I've polished CD's to a mirror using FPII by hand with a MF applicator.
 
RAG said:
Yes, this helps clarify immensly. BTW, AIO actually uses larger abrasives (just fewer of them) than PO106FF or FPII.



I have the zain plastic polish...I'll have to try some vinegar followed by a polish with the Zaino stuff. If this doesn't work, I'll go to 106FF.



Thanks again,



Ryan
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Please let us know how the Zaino plastic polish works. This is probably the only Z product I do not possess.



Great idea about the Menzerna's mild polishes Ryan and Spoiledman. I may try a spot with the FP.
 
blkZ28Conv said:
Please let us know how the Zaino plastic polish works. This is probably the only Z product I do not possess.



Great idea about the Menzerna's mild polishes Ryan and Spoiledman. I may try a spot with the FP.
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Will do, but I may not do the detail for 2 or 3 weeks - I'm booked and then she's gone.



Also, just like on black paint, if I figure if I perform the polishing via rotary, much less marring will occur...my main concern burning through the coating or something, but I'm sure this is highly unlikely considering CC is 1/2 the thickness of a sheet of paper and one can polish many many times without problem.
 
RAG said:
Yes, this helps clarify immensly. BTW, AIO actually uses larger abrasives (just fewer of them) than PO106FF or FPII.
Click to expand...



Where did you get that info?

The bottle states it's non abrasive. :nixweiss
 
wifehatescar said:
Where did you get that info?

The bottle states it's non abrasive. :nixweiss
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Trust me, they use abbrasives. It is very evident when you plish a soft black car with a DA polisher...AIO will leave more micromarring that FPII or 106FF.
 
Hey RAGS and SpoiledMan,



I tried the FP (original formulation) by PC (4.5 opm) with black finishing pad.





Great results!!! :woot:



Though my lexan top was in excellent shape, the FP enhanced the gloss at the same time cleansed any protectant/QD that was on the surface. It was as smooth as freshly polished paint. :D



Conclusion: FP is perfectly safe to use on lexan tops. I will use Plexus still for in-between cleansing



Thanks for the idea guys. :bow
 
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