Viper paint detailing tips?

[blonzz]

Hello,



Just joined the forum.



I recently purchased a 05 Viper Copperhead. I am going to detail the exterior this weekend. I have purchased Pinnacle products. Shampoo, Cleansing Lotion, Crystal Mist, Clay and Souveran wax. I also have a DA with pads.



I would also like to use these products on my 70 Olds 442.



I am looking for the 'best' results that can be achieved. Could I have some application tips.



Thanks,

John

 

[the other pc]

:welcome



The Pinnacle products can give superb results. I think you'll be happy with them.



Depending on the age of your 442's paint (original or re-spray?) The Viper paint is likely to be much harder. If you were to see swirls on each that look identical you'd find that they are much harder to remove form the Viper. You may use the same set of products on both but if you need to remove defects the Viper would need more work using the more aggressive of the products.



The best bet is to keep from adding defects in the first place so always practice good wash techniques.





PC.

 

[DaGonz]

Sweet rides! I love the color of the Viper!

 

[blonzz]

Thanks,

:welcome



The Pinnacle products can give superb results. I think you'll be happy with them.



Depending on the age of your 442's paint (original or re-spray?) The Viper paint is likely to be much harder. If you were to see swirls on each that look identical you'd find that they are much harder to remove form the Viper. You may use the same set of products on both but if you need to remove defects the Viper would need more work using the more aggressive of the products.



The best bet is to keep from adding defects in the first place so always practice good wash techniques.



PC.

Should I clay the Viper before wax application? The tech I spoke with at Pinnacle said it was not necessary because the car was so new.

Sweet rides! I love the color of the Viper!

The color is quite hard to photograph. This is a better representation.

It is a high metallic paint.



Pinnacle advertises their Signature Series wax is optimized for metallic paint. Which will give better results?



John

 

[Daytona440]

Two awesome cars! congrats...



I'd love to own a 70 4-4-2 some day..a W-30 with the Hurst Dual gate shifter...

 

[blonzz]

Two awesome cars! congrats...



I'd love to own a 70 4-4-2 some day..a W-30 with the Hurst Dual gate shifter...

Thanks



I inherited the 70 Holiday Coupe from my Dad in 81. He purchased it new 10/02/69

I drove it for awhile and then it went into garage storage for 18 years. I resurrected it in 12/03 and it went into a complete weekends restofication out back.

I also own a numbers matching restored 70 442 convertible.



John

 

[blonzz]

Back to the detailing. Should I put down a polish below the Souveran?



John

 

[sQuashed]

The

Thanks,







Should I clay the Viper before wax application? The tech I spoke with at Pinnacle said it was not necessary because the car was so new.









John

The tech would have no idea if your car needed claying unless he was physically at your house. Stick your hand in a sandwich bag and run it along the hood. If you feel roughness, its time to clay.

 

[NickcZ28]

Squashed is right about when to clay. You've got some sweet rides there my friend!! Beautiful!

 

[blonzz]

The



The tech would have no idea if your car needed claying unless he was physically at your house. Stick your hand in a sandwich bag and run it along the hood. If you feel roughness, its time to clay.

Squashed is right about when to clay. You've got some sweet rides there my friend!! Beautiful!

Thanks,



The cars are only driven occasionally and are always garaged and protected with indoor covers.

I was thinking about using Meguires #7 Show Car Glaze under the Souveran wax.



Can good results be achieved with a DA?

How long will it last under these conditions?



The Gold 442 was resprayed with a base/clearcoat during the restofication processs. I put on 6 coats of Zaino a few months ago. The Viper was recently purchased on 06/11. It only has a coat of NXT.



John

 

[the other pc]

...Should I clay the Viper before wax application? The tech I spoke with at Pinnacle said it was not necessary because the car was so new....

I'm with sQuashed and NickcZ28. You don't know what it went through before you got it. You should at least check the surface to see if it needs claying. I'd probably just do it regardless myself.

T...Pinnacle advertises their Signature Series wax is optimized for metallic paint. Which will give better results?...

That's a personal taste thing. You'll never really know unless you try it for yourself.

Back to the detailing. Should I put down a polish below the Souveran?...

Depends on what you mean by polish. I have a whole rant on the subject but I'll spare you having to listen to it.



Different polishes have different characteristics. Glazes, or "pure polishes" are mostly conditioners, meant to improve visual impact. Cleaner/polishes will also have cleaning agents for removing contaminants from the surface and may additionally have abrasives for smoothing out surface defects like swirls and etching.



Whether to polish before waxing depends on the condition of the surface, the paint itself and your personal tastes.



If the surface is pristine then it's up to you whether to polish or not. If you find that a glaze improves the look then by all means do it. If you find that your paint doesnt respond to glazes skip it.



If the surface has any defect like swirls, etching or staining then you'll need to polish to get it back to pristine condition.



Note: Pinnacle say that "Cleansing Lotion works without the use of abrasives..." so if you want to remove defects you'll need pick of something more aggressive like one of their swirl removers or Meguiar's ScratchX.



Also note: You apply a wax or glaze, you work cleaner/polish. With waxing and glazing you're adding something on top of the surface. When polishing you're actually removing material from the surface so you need to work it to achieve the necessary cutting action.





PC.