How to Super Clean Your Corvette

Here's a List of What You'll Need

• High Pressure Washer
• Foam Cannon
• A Wax-Stripping or Prep Decontamination Shampoo – 16oz bottle is a good idea, especially if you choose car wax or paint sealants as your preferred paint protection solution. If you’re going to upgrade to a Nano Ceramic Coating, this is the soap recommended for prep work, but you’ll
  use a pH neutral, wax-free car shampoo for general maintenance washes.
• (3) Wash Buckets – (1) specifically for wheels and tires and (2) for washing your Vette
• (2) Microfiber Wash Mitts – (1) specifically for wheels – the other for the vehicle
• (1) Tire Scrub Brush
• (1) Bottle of Wheel Cleaner
• (2) Drying Towels – Always best to use a few large microfiber drying towels. If you can get one that is 24 x 30 inches, is made with a 70/30 Korean Microfiber Blend, 1,100 GSM, and a terry weave construction, that will handle all drying for your entire Vette.
• Clay Bar / Clay Mitt Kit
• Buffing and Polishing Supplies (if you’re going to attempt paint correction on your own)

Keep in mind before you begin...

Make sure you have all the supplies gathered and ready to go before getting started. Also keep in mind, never wash your car in direct sunlight. Early morning or late afternoon hours are recommended. And lastly, a rolling cart to hold your supplies (especially wash mitts and drying towels) is a great way yo keep them free of contaminants on the ground.

1. Wash Wheels and Tires

If you have nice wheels and great tires like these Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, you'll want to keep them looking clean. But wheel cleaning does a lot more than that. Getting rid of the nasty brake dust on and around your wheels will protect your paint as well. brake dust contains some metallic shavings that can and will scratch your paint. 

• Spray them off with your high-pressure hose. This will remove standing dirt, debris, and loose brake dust.
• When the wheels are wet, use wheel cleaner to spray onto the wheels – inside and out. Follow the directions as indicated by the manufacturer. Most of them recommend not using these products in direct sunlight, spray on, agitate with a wash mitt or wheel cleaning brush for a few minutes, then rinse off.
• Spray the wheels off with the high-pressure washer to remove all the iron remover.
• Set up your wheel wash bucket. Pour at least 2 ounces of prep or decontamination car shampoo in the bucket and agitate with water.
• Use your dedicated wash mitt to wash the wheels and tires. This will remove any of the wheel cleaner or stuck on contaminants. Using a circular paint brush with soft bristles is a good way to clean lug nut holes and hard to reach areas.
• Use the tire brush to wash your tires with the same shampoo.
• Rinse with power washer.

2. Wash the Exterior

The exterior washing is a three-stage process - pre-rinse and wash, hand wash, final rinse. This is when you’ll use the high pressure washer, foam cannon, 2 wash buckets, car shampoo, and some elbow grease.

Before continuing, click here for the step-by-step guide to washing your Corvette the right way. For washing the exterior, skip to Step 3.

3. Clay Bar / Clay Mitt the Body Panels

To remove any contaminants that may still remain, you’ll need to use a clay bar or clay mitt. These products should be used with a lubrication spray, which is essentially a pH neutral car shampoo mixed at a 5 to 1 ratio of (5 parts water to 1-part soap).

While it’s tempting to mix your own, it’s always best to purchase a clay mitt/ clay bar kit. You can find them at your local auto parts store or purchase them online. Regardless of which you choose, make sure to follow their directions for use.

4. Polishing or Paint Correction

Since your Corvette is super clean, why not take advantage of this situation by polishing any light scratches or paint imperfections, clean up those headlights, to create an ultra-shiny and factory-direct appearance.
With all transparency, paint correction is a rather advanced detailing project. If you’re not experienced – it’s best to contact a mobile detailer who can complete this step for you.

5. Paint Protection / Sealant

Traditional wax, paint sealants, vinyl, or PPF have their benefits. But they are also downsides to each method. If you’re looking for a complete protection solution that will keep headlights crystal clear, wheels shiny and easier to remove brake dust, the paint protected while improving depth and luster, the DIY Nano Ceramic Coating is your complete solution.

A high-quality DIY Ceramic Coating like Armor Shield IX includes everything you need to apply to your pint, trim, windshields, headlights, and wheels. It uses nano-technology to bond directly onto multiple porous surfaces, providing an ultra-hard layer of protection, that can hold up for more than two years. If you felt comfortable washing, and clay bar your Vette – applying Armor Shield IX will be a snap.

Click here for a DIY walk-through of ceramic coating your car.