Camaro detailing in Abu Dhabi for the SS, ZL1 and convertible

Every Camaro shares the same long bonnet, but trim, aero parts and roof type change the routine.

• Sixth generation, from the 2016 model year: the most common Camaro here. Cars with the accessory ground effects package sit lower, and GM says they should avoid automatic car washes.
• Camaro SS: the SS Performance Package adds a hood air extractor with vent screens, which collect leaves and dust.
• ZL1 and ZL1 1LE: the 1LE wears a front splitter and a rear wing. The splitter sits low and takes the first hit from road debris.
• Convertible: a fabric roof that must be hand washed and fully dry before it folds.
• Collector’s Edition: offered across the range for the final year. The ZL1 version came in Panther Black, Chevrolet’s first matte finish, and only 350 were built.
• Fifth generation, from 2009: these cars have seen many summers, so faded clear coat and cloudy lamps are common starting points.

GM says machine compounding or aggressive polishing may damage the basecoat and clearcoat finish. It also does not recommend aftermarket clearcoat sealants or waxes.

Occasional hand waxing or mild polishing is allowed, with non-abrasive products made for this type of paint. That shapes the work: light, careful correction rather than heavy cutting. Owners should still check their warranty terms before adding any coating.

The manual names tree sap, bird droppings, road tar and industrial fallout as threats to the finish. It asks owners to wash them off as soon as possible, and to keep the car garaged or covered where they can.

They need soap, water and nothing more. GM says waxes and polishes must not go on flat paint, so a matte Panther Black car is never polished.

Low-gloss black stripes follow the same rule, because wax raises their gloss in uneven patches. GM also advises against waxing the SS hood air extractor, and asks for care when waxing next to it.

The extractor openings may have vent screens. GM warns that pushing on them can cause damage, so leaves are lifted out with a soft brush. A water deflector sits under the extractor, and it must stay in place.

For example, polish that strays onto a low-gloss stripe can leave a shiny band that is hard to reverse.

The fabric roof gets frequent hand washing with mild car shampoo, then a thorough rinse. GM rules out stiff brushes, steam, bleach and aggressive cleaners, although a soft brush can lift stubborn dirt.

Washes with overhead brushes or very strong jets can damage the roof and cause leaks. Lower it only when it is completely dry. GM also advises against leaving it down for long periods, since the cabin weathers faster in the open.

Rubber seals on doors and the roof frame dry out in the heat. GM recommends a weatherstrip lubricant at least once a year, and more often in hot, dry places like Abu Dhabi.

Sunscreen, hand lotion and insect repellent should be wiped off straight away, because GM warns they can leave permanent marks. The same applies to hand sanitiser that touches the trim.

Cleaners go onto a cloth, never onto switches or controls. On leather, GM rules out alcohol, solvents and silicone or wax-based products. Fabric and suede are cleaned with a wrung-out microfibre, working from the edge of a mark towards its centre.

Screens and high-gloss trim get a soft brush first, then a microfibre cloth, with no window cleaner. GM even warns that air fresheners can damage plastic and painted surfaces. Dark jeans can also leave dye on light seats, so check them after a long drive.

Heat, sand and a low front end cause most of the problems on a Camaro in this climate. Each row pairs a typical fault with the job that usually sorts it out.

Since production has ended, many owners protect the nose first and keep the original paint as untouched as possible. Film shields the bonnet without adding a sealant to the clear coat.

GM does not recommend it, because of the low ground clearance and the wide rear tyres, so hand washing is safer.

GM says not to use high-pressure car washes on the convertible top. It is cleaned by hand and left to dry before folding.

No, the last Camaro, a ZL1 1LE coupe with a manual gearbox, was built in December 2023.

Film can usually go over painted stripes, but low-gloss stripes are checked first, because film can change how their finish looks.

Yearly at a minimum, according to GM, with extra treatments where the weather is hot and dry. Abu Dhabi summers qualify, so treat them more often here.

No. GM says the plastic lamp covers, some with a UV coating, should never be wiped dry. Rinse them first, then use mild car soap on a soft cloth.