Paint Restoration on the V
#1
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When I bought the car from the previous owner, you could tell it wasn't really taken care of. Interior was really dirty, which is one of the reasons I swapped from tan to black, and the paint was in bad shape. I contacted a guy that does paint corrections and got him to come spend and afternoon on the car. Definitely a night and day difference.
Here are some before pictures after a wash using APC to remove any prior waxes. Paint was rough everywhere on this vehicle.
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/6.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/7.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/8.jpg)
Once clayed and dried, the true condition of the paint was revealed.
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/9.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/10.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/16.jpg)
Test spot on the hood to get a process dialed in.
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/17.jpg)
The process was a three step. Each step included a particular pad, polisher and coordinating polish. In all, 4 different machines were used and over 10 pads.
Some places improved better than others but overall I would say
about 85%+ of the defects were safely removed.
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/19.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/20.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/28.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/29.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/30.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/31.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/335.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/33.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/36.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/37.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/38.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/39.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/40.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/41.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/49.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/50.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/52.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/53.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/55.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/57.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/58.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/59.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/62.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/63.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/64.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/65.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/72.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/75.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/74.jpg)
Glad I decided to give this a try before repainting.
Here are some before pictures after a wash using APC to remove any prior waxes. Paint was rough everywhere on this vehicle.
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/6.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/7.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/8.jpg)
Once clayed and dried, the true condition of the paint was revealed.
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/9.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/10.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/16.jpg)
Test spot on the hood to get a process dialed in.
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/17.jpg)
The process was a three step. Each step included a particular pad, polisher and coordinating polish. In all, 4 different machines were used and over 10 pads.
Some places improved better than others but overall I would say
about 85%+ of the defects were safely removed.
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/19.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/20.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/28.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/29.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/30.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/31.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/335.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/33.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/36.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/37.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/38.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/39.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/40.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/41.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/49.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/50.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/52.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/53.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/55.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/57.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/58.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/59.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/62.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/63.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/64.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/65.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/72.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/75.jpg)
![](http://i1059.photobucket.com/albums/t422/LuxuryMobile3/2005%20Cadillac%20CTS-V/74.jpg)
Glad I decided to give this a try before repainting.
#5
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Good work. I've done this a couple times, both on my car and my friends' cars. All it takes is a Porter Cable random orbital buffer, a couple varieties of pads, and a few different polishes. I typically use Meguiar's products for paint repair and wax, with a couple of Eagle One and Armor All products thrown in for tire and interior work. It's costs about $250 to get set up, and after that, you're just replacing pads and buying more expendables as necessary.
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#10
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Was definitely in need of some work because even after a thorough wash, it didn't look clean. The guy spent around 9 total hours of work on this thing to get it back to how it looks now and I couldn't be happier. I still need to get my front bumper, hood, both mirrors and spoiler repainted for it to look 100 %. Some of the rock chips in those and the fade in the spoiler was just too deep for it to be taken out with this correction. Over all though, the car looks 10 times better than originally.
#11
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Good work. I've done this a couple times, both on my car and my friends' cars. All it takes is a Porter Cable random orbital buffer, a couple varieties of pads, and a few different polishes. I typically use Meguiar's products for paint repair and wax, with a couple of Eagle One and Armor All products thrown in for tire and interior work. It's costs about $250 to get set up, and after that, you're just replacing pads and buying more expendables as necessary.
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The total process cost me $350, this included him coming from Pensacola to Panama City which is a 2 hour drive, and he spent 9 hours working on it. I don't have the know how on paint so I wasn't willing to dive in and mess it up more. Over all, I'd say every penny was worth it though, and definitely changed my mind about repainting the whole thing. I'd say give it a try before you get into repainting.
#18
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Depends on the amount of work needed, the shop's or individual's overhead, the area you live....
I'd say anywhere from $150 to $300 for the full job.
I've got the Porter Cable DA polisher, but I'm wanting to buy a high speed buffer to make the work really easy. A couple quick passes with a buffer with a wool pad, then switch to the DA with some swirl remover, then a fine pad for polish, then wax/sealer should do the trick for me.