SpeedFreak Detailed: $200k custom black 1957 Corvette - full correction

[speedfreak81]

This is a very special car. Built about 10 years ago, with a cost north of $200,000 is this custom one off 1957 Corvette. Complete with an Art Morrison chassis, carbon fiber body, and a fuel injected Chevrolet LS2 Corvette engine. This beauty has traveled just 1800 miles since being completed. Though it hasn't seen much road duty, the single stage paint was in less than desirable condition due to being wiped down with a California duster on a frequent basis. The owner of this car is a hot rod freak, and this is one of about 15 custom cars in his stable. I was contacted with the goal of bringing the paint back as close to perfect as possible. No problem! Total time spent was roughly 25 hours. Hope you all enjoy this one as much as I did!







Products used

• M105 on LC PFW pad via FLEX 3401
  
• Pinnacle Advanced finishing polish on LC CCS white pad via FLEX 3401
  
• Menzerna SF4500 on LC CCS grey pad via FLEX 3401
  
• Optimum metal polish
  
• Adam's Super VRT tire dressing
  
• Meguiar's #7 show car glaze
  
• Pinnacle Souveran paste wax
  
• Sonax Glass cleaner
  
• 1Z Cockpit Premium
  

Various trunk & hood shots showing the swirls and RIDS present from the California duster. This tool is now in the trash.







DSC_0458 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0456 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0460 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0461 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Some 50/50 shots of the trunk after compound









DSC_0451 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0452 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0450 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0442 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Next up was the hood.









DSC_0464 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0463 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0468 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0469 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0466 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0472 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0470 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0478 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0479 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0482 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







After the hood I started working my way back on the passenger side. 50/50s passenger fender









DSC_0476 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0473 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0477 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0475 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







passenger side quarter panel before & after compound









DSC_0485 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0483 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Couple of deep RIDS here, as you can see, additional passes were needed after this picture was taken







DSC_0498 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Random shot a buddy took while refining the surface with SF4500/grey pad







DSC_0512 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







At this point the correction was done. Whoever painted the car took great care sanding, to ensure a perfectly flat & level finish. The results after polishing were nothing short of looking into a mirror! These photos are PRE glaze and wax, that's straight polish baby!









DSC_0453 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0454 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0494 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0492 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0486 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0501 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0506 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0508 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0509 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0511 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Pinnacle Souveran paste wax setting up on the hood







DSC_0514 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Now on to the AFTERS. The sun was setting and I didn't have the best light, but I did what I could









DSC_0611 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0612 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0587 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0586 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0589 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0588 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0600 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0602 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0604 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0614 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0613 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0592 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0593 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0594 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr









DSC_0591 by SpeedFreak81, on Flickr







Thanks for looking!



-Brian

 

[Chicagoautopros]

Sweet! Nice job!

 

[DaGonz]

Maximum tightness!

 

[Thomas Dekany]

Awesome work! But how do you not get dust with the wool and 101?

 

[speedfreak81]

Awesome work! But how do you not get dust with the wool and 101?

Thomas, there was definitely some dust, but I don't seem to get anywhere near as much when working with single stage paint. Got a question for you, I'm going to send you a PM.



Brian

 

[tom p.]

Looks outstanding !!

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

That.... is KILLER! Looks awesome.

 

[MrCLRider]

That finish is beautiful!



Sent from my mobile device

 

[Ch96067]

Mirror indeed. Superb result!

 

[JohnZ3MC]

It's absolutely gorgeous now Brian. A beautiful example of a bygone era and don't give it back.

 

[Todd@RUPES]

Jaw-dropping amazingness... What an awesome car and amazing work, nice!!

 

[speedfreak81]

Thanks guys! It was a great pleasure to work on such an amazing piece of machinery.

 

[PedroMalheiro]

amazing finish!!

 

[David Fermani]

Paint looks better than perfect! Way to bring the paint up to the level that this car deserves!