2019 Camaro ZL1 - Black - A Miracle Detailing - CQuartz Finest Reserve

[Merlinii]

2019 Camaro ZL1 - Black - A Miracle Detailing - CQuartz Finest Reserve
​

Inspection:
DeFelsko PosiTest DFT Paint Thickness Gauge for ferrous/non-ferrous metals
DeFelsko 200C3-G PosiTector 200 C3 Advanced Ultrasonic Coating Thickness Gauge

Lighting:
ScanGrip MultiMatch 8 and MultiMatch 3 color from 2500k to 6500k. ScanGrip Sunmatch 3

Machines:
RUPES Bigfoot iBrid Nano Long Neck
RUPES BigFoot LHR 75E Mini
Rupes 21 with a Rupes 5" Backing Plate

Correction:
Lake Country HDO Blue Cutting Pad - 5 1/2"
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze M101 Foam-Cut Compound

Polishing:
Carpro White Gloss Pad - 5"
Rupes UNO Pure Universal Ultrafine Finishing Polish

Tools:
MTM Hydro PF22.2 Professional Snow Foam Cannon
Metro Air Force Master Blaster

Products:
CarPro IronX Snow Soap / Poorboys Super Slick & Foam Pre Wash Snow Foam
TUGA Devil Special Wheel Cleaner

Last Step Products:
CQuartz Finest Reserve ceramic coating on paint, and wheels
CQuartz Dlux Wheel and Trim Coating on plastic trim and bumpers
Sonus Trim and Motor Kote (Dressing Engine Bay)
CARPRO ReTyre Tire & Rubber Cleaner (cleaning tires)
OBSSSSD Tire Dressing - Matte (dressing tires)

Please watch the 360 video - Click bottom right YT Gear to set 1080p HD w/audio

Merlin Shot

Drivers Side Front

Drivers Side Rear

Passenger side Front

The Front

The End

Thanks for Looking!

PLEASE subscribe to my social media channels!

Any questions please feel free to ask.
Please post any feedback in a reply.
Questions/Feedback is truly appreciated.

 

[Norton]

The word is, apparently, out about the magic you work on black vehicles.

 

[tones_RS3]

That looks really great.
Deep shine.

 

[CobraBob]

Beautiful ZL1 and an awesome detailing job, Merlin. Do you know the mileage on that ZL1? It looks like it has zero miles on it.

 

[NastyGT500]

Very well done...how it should look, like you could jump into it!

 

[oldstv]

I guess I have never paid attention to this before, for some reason I assumed that ceramic coating eliminated the need for polishing?

 

[oldstv]

Did I spot some dent removal on the drivers side?

 

[Merlinii]

The word is, apparently, out about the magic you work on black vehicles.

Black is a tough color to make look sweet!

I love it when it's a "Black mirror with four tires".

 

[Merlinii]

That looks really great.
Deep shine.

Thank you!

That is very kind.

 

[Merlinii]

Beautiful ZL1 and an awesome detailing job, Merlin. Do you know the mileage on that ZL1? It looks like it has zero miles on it.

Thank you!
That is very kind.

No, I didn't look...I like it when it looks "better than brand new".

 

[Merlinii]

Very well done...how it should look, like you could jump into it!

Thank you!

That is very kind.

 

[Merlinii]

I guess I have never paid attention to this before, for some reason I assumed that ceramic coating eliminated the need for polishing?

Actually no, IMHO a quality ceramic coating is a Last Step Product (LSP) that can/will last for years.
Waxes and sealants are LSP's that last for a few weeks (maybe a few months) depending...

Some waxes will "fill" swirls marks, and fine scratches (it hides them) but it will wash off in a few weeks.

"Detailing enhances paintwork, but paint correction repairs it. "

However, NO ceramic coating is "bulletproof". 9H and 10H hardness is pencil scale marketing BS.
There is a big difference between the "Wolff-Wilborn" graphite pencil hardness scale and the "Friedrich Mohs" mineral hardness scale.

PRO:
The good news is that if you wash and maintain a quality ceramic coating it will stay good and look good for years.
CON:
You can not "clay bar" a ceramic coating or put wax on a ceramic coating it will damage or diminish the coating.

Now back to the polishing part...I try to polish the paint to the best it can be before sealing it with a ceramic coating.
That said....new paints are thinner and the new products (machines, pads, compounds, etc.) are more aggressive.
Quality paint thickness gauges are a MUST! I use Defelsko ferrous/non-ferrous and ultrasonic coating thickness gauges.
IIRC The most you can remove from OEM paint is .5 mils or in my case (12 microns). I only use microns for measurement.
I don't chase dragons (Random Independent Deep Scratches (RIDS)). It can leave the surrounding clear coat too thin.

80% of my time is spent correcting and polishing the paint BEFORE the ceramic coating is installed.

 

[Merlinii]

Did I spot some dent removal on the drivers side?

I don't remember...but sometimes I find dents after I wash (during inspection).
If I find one I document it and contact the customer asap.
I have a really good PDR guy I refer folks to.
Where did you see it on the vid (seconds).

 

[oldstv]

I don't know but if I remember right it was on the passenger side up high on the door. I would not have seen it if not for the perfect paint. I love your work!

 

[Merlinii]

I don't know but if I remember right it was on the passenger side up high on the door. I would not have seen it if not for the perfect paint. I love your work!

Yes, actually I remember now. I have a friend that is excellent in PDR work. I notified the client about the dent and referred him to my PDR guy.
It is under the passenger mirror and starts about 45 seconds in on the video.

 

[gimmie11s]

Holy cow, amazing!!

 

[Merlinii]

Holy cow, amazing!!

Thank you!

That is very kind.