Ultimate Camaro Detailing Thread (DIY) - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Tennis_pro · 03-24-2015, 03:54 PM

Hey guys, so I had off today and decided to do a full and complete detail of my ZL1. I know there are many other products out there, so to each their own. I'm not great at editing the photos, but I did my best. Hope you guys enjoy and hope I can help some others looking to do a full and complete detail to their car!

UPDATE: I didn't do a great job editing the photos the first time, so I just edited them again and edited this entire thread to make the pictures, captions and overall thread look much better. Please enjoy and leave feedback!

Tennis_pro · 03-24-2015, 04:01 PM

Continued

Tennis_pro · 03-24-2015, 04:10 PM

Continued again

ihaveacamaro · 03-24-2015, 05:02 PM

This is a great diy, but there are a few things I might add.

Squeeges can certainly harm your paint.
2 Bucket Method with grit guards is best when using a conventional soap as opposed to a rinseless or waterless.
Put the cord over your shoulder when you polish to avoid it hitting the paint.
Be very careful putting the polisher on the paint. I don't do it at all, but I'm sure with your level of care for your car, you were very careful.
No wax should require a "heavy" coat. Thin is always better. You're not getting more on the paint by putting a heavy coat.
If you don't have any sun to see swirls or scratches, a brinkman dual xenon is a good second light. Or gas station overhead lights at night.

Great job, car looks really nice! And I'm sure this picture guide will help out others

Tennis_pro · 03-24-2015, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihaveacamaro

This is a great diy, but there are a few things I might add.

Squeeges can certainly harm your paint.
2 Bucket Method with grit guards is best when using a conventional soap as opposed to a rinseless or waterless.
Put the cord over your shoulder when you polish to avoid it hitting the paint.
Be very careful putting the polisher on the paint. I don't do it at all, but I'm sure with your level of care for your car, you were very careful.
No wax should require a "heavy" coat. Thin is always better. You're not getting more on the paint by putting a heavy coat.
If you don't have any sun to see swirls or scratches, a brinkman dual xenon is a good second light. Or gas station overhead lights at night.

Great job, car looks really nice! And I'm sure this picture guide will help out others

Thanks for the input! Any input to make this thread better and more informative is greatly appreciated!

ChadG · 03-24-2015, 07:18 PM

I would also definitely recommend some high quality microfiber towels. Black paint is very unforgiving and you can't go wrong with Microfiber Madness Crazy Piles. The last thing you want to do is go through all that work and end up putting swirls back into your paint, the Crazy Piles will blow you away.

scandata · 03-24-2015, 08:39 PM

The car came out great, and good job taking out the scratch. One question: the pic where it still has wax on it is taken outdoors. Did you apply that in the garage and then pull it out for the picture, or do the whole thing outside? It looks like it was overcast, and I see snow on the ground, but I still wouldn't do it outside. Maybe it's OK when it's that cold - I honestly don't know; I'm in Florida, so for me it has to be shade or nothing all year round.

Homer2 · 03-24-2015, 08:42 PM

Its gonna rain now.

Tennis_pro · 03-24-2015, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scandata

The car came out great, and good job taking out the scratch. One question: the pic where it still has wax on it is taken outdoors. Did you apply that in the garage and then pull it out for the picture, or do the whole thing outside? It looks like it was overcast, and I see snow on the ground, but I still wouldn't do it outside. Maybe it's OK when it's that cold - I honestly don't know; I'm in Florida, so for me it has to be shade or nothing all year round.

It was 40 degrees and overcast, so today was a good waxing day lol

ba2ss · 03-24-2015, 08:51 PM

looks great, nice job! Thanks for the tips!

myold88 · 03-24-2015, 10:30 PM

I would lose the squeege- Not a good idea, take forever and can't really work well.

Dmpsix · 03-24-2015, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homer2

Its gonna rain now.

Avalnch · 03-25-2015, 12:16 AM

LOL, I almost fainted when I saw that squeegy!

scandata · 03-25-2015, 03:37 AM

Ditto on the the squeegee comments. A Dry Me Crazy towel (from Microfiber Madness) or Great White Drying towel (from Adams) will remove just as much (if not more) water with no chance of paint damage.

03-24-2015, 03:54 PM	#1
Tennis_pro Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 229	Ultimate Camaro Detailing Thread (DIY) Hey guys, so I had off today and decided to do a full and complete detail of my ZL1. I know there are many other products out there, so to each their own. I'm not great at editing the photos, but I did my best. Hope you guys enjoy and hope I can help some others looking to do a full and complete detail to their car! UPDATE: I didn't do a great job editing the photos the first time, so I just edited them again and edited this entire thread to make the pictures, captions and overall thread look much better. Please enjoy and leave feedback! Attached Images Last edited by Tennis_pro; 03-25-2015 at 08:43 AM.

03-24-2015, 04:01 PM	#2
Tennis_pro Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 229	Continued Attached Images Last edited by Tennis_pro; 03-25-2015 at 08:45 AM.

03-24-2015, 04:10 PM	#3
Tennis_pro Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 229	Continued again Attached Images Last edited by Tennis_pro; 03-25-2015 at 08:47 AM.

03-24-2015, 05:02 PM	#4
ihaveacamaro I like teeth. Drives: #198 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 4,817	This is a great diy, but there are a few things I might add. Squeeges can certainly harm your paint. 2 Bucket Method with grit guards is best when using a conventional soap as opposed to a rinseless or waterless. Put the cord over your shoulder when you polish to avoid it hitting the paint. Be very careful putting the polisher on the paint. I don't do it at all, but I'm sure with your level of care for your car, you were very careful. No wax should require a "heavy" coat. Thin is always better. You're not getting more on the paint by putting a heavy coat. If you don't have any sun to see swirls or scratches, a brinkman dual xenon is a good second light. Or gas station overhead lights at night. Great job, car looks really nice! And I'm sure this picture guide will help out others __________________ . Please check out my youtube detailing channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/roshan517 "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful."

03-24-2015, 08:39 PM	#7
scandata Drives: 2015 2SS/RS vert, Spring Green Edtn Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 1,284	The car came out great, and good job taking out the scratch. One question: the pic where it still has wax on it is taken outdoors. Did you apply that in the garage and then pull it out for the picture, or do the whole thing outside? It looks like it was overcast, and I see snow on the ground, but I still wouldn't do it outside. Maybe it's OK when it's that cold - I honestly don't know; I'm in Florida, so for me it has to be shade or nothing all year round. __________________ 2015 2SS/RS vert, Spring Edition Green Flash (2015 - present) 2014 1LT vert, Blue Ray Metallic (2014 - 2015)

03-24-2015, 07:18 PM	#6
ChadG Drives: 2010 Black Camaro LS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,679 View My Garage	I would also definitely recommend some high quality microfiber towels. Black paint is very unforgiving and you can't go wrong with Microfiber Madness Crazy Piles. The last thing you want to do is go through all that work and end up putting swirls back into your paint, the Crazy Piles will blow you away.

03-24-2015, 08:42 PM	#8
Homer2 Drives: 50th Anni.. coming home 11/01 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Toronto. Ontario Posts: 1,636	Its gonna rain now. __________________ ##################### Built Sept 16/2016 - #2681 of 5955. She came home with me 11/01/16. 50th Anni, 2SS, A8, NPP, NGM Rock Guards, Footwell Lighting, Black Bow Ties, Street Warrior Rotors and Pads, Ceramic Pro, 3M PPF, Oracle Ghosted Side Markers, Kooks 2" headers w/hi flow cats. GPI Stage 1 Cam installed at 305,000 kms.

03-24-2015, 08:51 PM	#10
ba2ss Drives: 2012 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: kannapolis, nc Posts: 378	looks great, nice job! Thanks for the tips!

03-24-2015, 10:30 PM	#11
myold88 Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 2018: Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Posts: 8,112 View My Garage	I would lose the squeege- Not a good idea, take forever and can't really work well. __________________

03-25-2015, 12:16 AM	#13
Avalnch Drives: Rally Yellow Camaro+Avalanche Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,110	LOL, I almost fainted when I saw that squeegy! __________________ Vengeance Kaotik Cam, C.A.I., ARH LT, Pypes Cat Back, ZL1 Shifter+2012LS3VERT bushing, Quantum Brake Ducts, JDP Tow Hook Scorch Yellow Trim Kit, Shark Fin, AAC DRLs+ABLs+SMDs, ZTA Rear Spoiler, R.Y. 1LE Splitter. Pfadt coilovers, camber plates, trailing arms, Pegasus Solid Subframe. Pedders ZL1 barz, radius arm & steering rack bushings. BMR adjustable toe-rods. Hotchkis Max Chassis Brace. ZL1 GMPP Driveline Upgrade. TurnOne P/S pump. CTS-V 6 pistons. 447 HP @ 6180 RPM / 418 TQ @ 5100 RPM

03-25-2015, 03:37 AM	#14
scandata Drives: 2015 2SS/RS vert, Spring Green Edtn Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 1,284	Ditto on the the squeegee comments. A Dry Me Crazy towel (from Microfiber Madness) or Great White Drying towel (from Adams) will remove just as much (if not more) water with no chance of paint damage. __________________ 2015 2SS/RS vert, Spring Edition Green Flash (2015 - present) 2014 1LT vert, Blue Ray Metallic (2014 - 2015)