Hey guys,

One of my buddies has a really nice 1968 Corvette ... everytime he sees my S2000, he comments on how much better of a detailing job I do than he does ... I offered to detail it for him, and I'm now wondering what differences I'd encounter with this car due to it's age (things like clear coat, whether or not I can claybar, etc) ... the paint is in excellent condition, but he's looking for the glass feeling that my paint has after a claybar, polish, and wax.

Suggestions?

Oake

 

If he is just looking for the glass feeling, a claybar should do that without polishing.

Now scratch removal, we all know that is different.

My 1968 Camaro did fine with a DA polisher before I sold it.

 

I just wasn't sure if there was clear coat on a car of the time period ... didn't want to make things worse ...

 

I believe the 68's still used a laquer paint and thus no clear coat. Im not 100% sure about this though, Im sure if you Google it, youll find some answers.

-Matt

 

I'm reading mixed opinions and reviews about using a claybar w/o a clear coat ... GPWhiteS2kFTW, did you clay your Camaro before selling, or just a polish?

Is there a right/wrong answer for claying a car w/o a clear coat finish?

Oake

 

Oooooo yeah I need to correct myself. I forgot that my car had been resprayed in 1993.

Soooo disregard my previous posts, haha sorry.

 

So what's the consensus? Is claybarring safe for a car that doesn't have a clear coat? (and is there anything visual that would tell me if the car actually has been clear coated?).

Oake

 

If youve been around detailing enough, you should just be able to "see" the clear-coat. I dont know how to describe it to you, but you can just tell. You could take it to an auto-body shop and ask them how it's painted. Theyll likely tell you for free. Also, I dont see how a claybar would harm a non-CC'd finish, but Im not 100% sure either.

-matt

 

I guess my problem is, I don't think I've ever seen a car that didn't have a clear coat finish ... little apprehensive I guess ...

Oake

 

Id be the same way. Id hate to screw up the car...

-Matt