'01GTI, '02? 330Cl

[audicoupej]

I did these two about 3-4 weeks ago.

First up my GTI. I had the car almost 2 years now. It has only received 3 details, and only two were with the PC. It sat on a dealer lot in Buffalo (very high acid rain area) and as a result the horizontal panels are etched and the glass as well (mainly the sunroof).

Bought it with 72k and it now has 101k. It still needs a lot of work. I plan on touching up the chips on the front end and I will be going at it with my Hitachi in the spring to try to resolve the etching.



Process

Nxt wash

Claymagic clay/lube

Nxt wash

IP @ 6 with Yellow LC

IP at 5-6 with Orange 4 inch LC (at deeper stuff, but didn't help)

FPII @ 6 with White LC

FMJ X 2 by hand



Before

After

It still needs some work, that is what the rotary is for. Yes I removed the excess polish along the roof channels. I started on my car on a Saturday morning at 8am. I had to change my front pads and rotors then I detailed right after and didn't finish until 10:30pm. I had the 330 to do the next morning.



330 to follow.

 

[audicoupej]

330Cl Before I washed it I thought it was a cream color, not solid white. It was that dirty. The wheels were typical BMW. No befores from the wash. It was a one step job. I for some reason thought it would be softer than my VAG paint, but no, so I didn't remove as much swirling as I would have liked, but the owner was very happy.



Process

Nxt wash

EO on wheels/tires/wells

FPII @ 6 Orange LC (Should have used IP)

FMJ X 1

Nxt Tech Protectant on wells and tires

NvrDull on roof channels and exhaust tip



Before (After wash)

After

IP would have made it better but still not perfect, I was only paid for a 1 step and that is why I chose FPII over IP, that was a mistake though.



Both cars

 

[01bluecls]

Wow you have been busy! This is the 3rd thread i have come across for you! Awesome work on all of them, PC does have its limitations. Make the jump for rotary and get some pratice and you will never regret it! Future reference from my expierence IP can be used as one step especially on white. Just work it in good and it will usuaully finish down fine to go straight to LSP!

 

[audicoupej]

Chris,

I have been doing at leat 1 car on the weekends for the last month or so. I am trying to keep it up.



I did buy a rotary (Hitachi) and have posted a few cars I did with that. I basically practiced on an older Avalon but didn't do much as the clear was failing all over it. Thomas gave me a little hands on experience about 1.5 months ago with his Makita. I realized I needed the rotary and bought it for $112 shipped.



Next time I do the Bimmer it will be IP or OP/EC 50/50 with an Orange LC pad via rotary.



Thanks for all the comments!

 

[Scottwax]

Pretty nice improvement in both considering what you had to work with both in starting condition and available polisher and products...plus the one step limitation on the BMW.

 

[audicoupej]

Thanks Scott. I wish I had my rotary when I did the Bimmer or didn't have a brain fart and used IP instead of FPII. Then the one step would have come out much better.



I am excited to try out the rotary on my acid rain etching. I just am probably going to wait until spring ,since I have 2 coats of FMJ and that's too expensive to go stripping off.

 

[Thomas Dekany]

Very nice details on both cars! I am doing a 2004 sienna at the house, if you want to swing by, you are welcome. Although I am sure that you are detailing as well.