Video: Neglected C5 Corvette Gets Exterior Makeover

After eight years outside, it takes four days of nearly non-stop work to bring a tired Corvette back to life.

It might be hard for some of us to believe, but people who were kids when the C5 Corvette was new are all grown up now. One of them, Alex Palmeri, is a YouTuber who goes by the handle LegitStreetCars. And he’s finally fulfilled a childhood dream by bringing one home.

Unfortunately, though, his Corvette is kind of a mess. It sat outside for eight years. The trim is faded, and the paint is chalky and oxidized. As Palmeri says, “My C5 has seen better days, and there are a few areas of the car that could use some attention.” In just four days, he will transform this tired C5 into a show winner.

One thing that Palmeri can’t save with his detailing skills is the deeply faded mirrors. To kick off the project, he removes them and sends them to the paint shop to be resprayed, along with the bleached-out wiper arms.

Palmeri plans on treating the paint to a high-gloss, protective ceramic coating. First, however, he needs to give the car a thorough wash using his foam cannon. After the wash, he sprays the car with a product that removes iron deposits that might be embedded in the paint. After that, a clay bar treatment helps to remove any other surface contaminants.

It’s All in the Details

Next up is a deep clean of the wheel wells. The old wheels were heavily pitted due to brake dust. Thankfully, the iron remover product does a great job on the brake calipers and inside the wheel well. Palmeri has a brand new set of chrome C6 Corvette wheels, ready to bolt up.

Palmeri’s Corvette probably hasn’t been this clean in years. He pulls the Corvette into the garage, and removes some aftermarket mesh grilles. He also cleans inside the door and trunk jambs, finishing them off with a light polish.

One of the biggest transformations was the bodywork surrounding the hatch. Being a mostly flat surface, it’s amazing how much the sun faded the paint. It’s only really apparent when he removes his rear Corvette emblem — it’s almost a completely different color underneath.

Now it’s time to bust out the power tools — a buffer, in this case. Palmeri sounds excited. He says, “This thing is gonna look just so, so cool when we’re done.” A polish removes all the oxidation and any light scratches that the Corvette may have.

Finishing Touches

Palmeri has about two dozen hours into just polishing at this point. It’s well worth it, though – the car’s looking really great. Next, he revitalizes the faded black trim with a trim restorer. Now the Corvette is starting to look really special.

The final stage of this extreme detail is a ceramic coating treatment from Avalon King. Ceramic coating creates a protective barrier that’s much stronger than wax, and it lasts up to five years.

The cherries on top of the Corvette sundae were a new badge, as well as the repainted wiper arms and side mirrors. After four long, action-packed days, the end result is simply incredible, especially considering what Palmeri started with. He has no regrets at all — he said it was “totally worth it.” We agree wholeheartedly.

Screengrabs: LegitStreetCars / YouTube

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