The Winter Doldrums

[Norm]

Keeping busy helping folks with maintaining Corvette beautification.

Had a couple of the fellers over to help clay bar, buff, and detail a 22 year old Vette, a DD with 160,000 miles racked up.

Finish was not perfect, some road rash that needs painting, but for the most part, presentable, he's heading for the Keys in a few days.

Of course, the "please replace your wheels" subject was broached.

Plus some gun talk as well, that goes without saying with this crowd.

[bill_daniels]

Um, what's the Judge for? Is this going to be a "Get in, dude, we're gonna make C-5's great again" meme?

[Little Red L98.]

Looks great! I’d keep the wheels if it were mine. Rolled off the assembly line with them.

[bill_daniels]

Originally Posted by Little Red L98.

Looks great! I’d keep the wheels if it were mine. Rolled off the assembly line with them.

This!

[snide]

I'd rock that Vette.

[69camfrk]

The only Corvette that I have left is the 2001 that my son uses as a daily driver. I sold my GS back in March, and haven't missed it for a second. I just never drove it. The C5 is still a blast to drive, and will still break triple digit speeds in a hurry. I think it has about 108k on it now. Finally changed out the rear hubs a few weeks ago since the right rear was really howling. For both sides, about 4 hours.

[SnikPlosskin]

That is awesome. I wish I had some friends.

[Giraffe (He/Him)]

It adds another step to the whole detail thing but that clay shit is magic. Period.

[Grey Ghost]

I have painted many cars. I have color sanded cars. I have buffed cars. I have detailed cars since a teen. I have never used a clay bar. My truck needs a good coat of wax. I really should try a clay bar and compare 1/2 of the hood with and without it. It's the original single stage paint.

The only thing I can imagine is the clay fills in some of the scratches to make the paint appear flat? I understand it's billed to remove contaminates...but, I would think a thorough wash would do that...

Looks good. I just always wondered if clay bar really makes a difference as one of the steps in the process.

[Norm]

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

I have painted many cars. I have color sanded cars. I have buffed cars. I have detailed cars since a teen. I have never used a clay bar. My truck needs a good coat of wax. I really should try a clay bar and compare 1/2 of the hood with and without it. It's the original single stage paint.

The only thing I can imagine is the clay fills in some of the scratches to make the paint appear flat? I understand it's billed to remove contaminates...but, I would think a thorough wash would do that...

Looks good. I just always wondered if clay bar really makes a difference as one of the steps in the process.

I like doing the clay barring, and you're right, it only removes surface contaminates, like the built up minute oil, exhaust, whatever polluted air swirling around on the road that land on your finish. It does not take scratches out nor fill in any recesses on the paint, it just makes it smooth, and basically easier to buff or wax over it, etc.

Clay barring is not recommended for finishes that are really weather beaten worn or faded, that's where your heavy cut compounds come into play, if you have enough finish to work with.

Clay barring your windshield with just a detail spray works well too. If you have a decent finish on your car and you don't care to buff, just clay bar it with regular detail spray, wipe dry, done.

[04 commemorative]

Love the C5's

[JetMechZ16]

Originally Posted by Norm

Keeping busy helping folks with maintaining Corvette beautification.

Had a couple of the fellers over to help clay bar, buff, and detail a 22 year old Vette, a DD with 160,000 miles racked up.

Finish was not perfect, some road rash that needs painting, but for the most part, presentable, he's heading for the Keys in a few days.

Of course, the "please replace your wheels" subject was broached.

Plus some gun talk as well, that goes without saying with this crowd.

To me the C5 is the best body style. Just wish they would have come out with a factory wide body.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Norm

Plus some gun talk as well, that goes without saying with this crowd.

That Judge is a fun weapon to shoot. I keep mine loaded with the .410 PDX-1 Defender shells. Nasty little shells...

[Grey Ghost]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

That Judge is a fun weapon to shoot. I keep mine loaded with the .410 PDX-1 Defender shells. Nasty little shells...

Had one...never fired it. Just too big to carry. Traded it for a G43