2001 BMW 330ci Convertible exterior detail...

E

ExplorerXLT95

New member
Well, I spent about 7 hours doing the following:



1) Wash (Eimann Fabrik Powerwash+)

2) Clay as needed (Pinnacle PolyClay)

3) Wash (Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo)

4) Polish (Menzerna FPII by PC w/ LC yellow pad)

5) Cleanse/Prep (Klasse AIO by PC w/ LC white pad)

6) Seal (Klasse HGSG by hand w/ MF pad; let cure for about 1.5 hours then buffed)

7) Wax (Pinnacle Souveran by hand w/ foam pad)

Tires: Meguiar's #38

Wheels: Klasse HGSG by hand w/ MF pad

Windows: SIG / Rain-X

Headlights/Taillights: Plexus, followed by Klasse HGSG by hand w/ MF pad



Unfortunately, it rained on the car before I could snap pics, so I washed it again this morning and these were the results:



bmw1r.JPG




bmw2r.JPG




bmw3r.JPG




bmw4r.JPG




bmw5r.JPG




bmw6r.JPG




bmw7r.JPG




bmw8r.JPG




bmw9r.JPG




bmw10r.JPG




bmw11r.JPG




Let me know what you think!
 
That's an 01? I was sitting here thinking it was an 03-04'. Looks to be in really great shape. Nice work. :)



P.S.- it might be the lighting, but in some of the pics the rims look a bit "dark" to me. Next time I would try some KAIO on those rims prior to the SG to deep clean them and brighten them up a bit. Just a suggestion.
 
awahl63 said:
Wait a second. Why did you use FPII with a LC Yellow? You probably put in a ton of micromarring...
Click to expand...



gmblack3a said:
Looks great, but like Andrew said I wonder how the yellow cutting pad and the FPII worked out.
Click to expand...



Again, it's been a while since I did a detail like this, so you'll have to forgive me.



I thought that with a relatively mild polish like FPII, I would want to use a pad that has some cutting ability? I wanted the FPII to be the polish step. Now, I inspected the paint after using the FPII w/ LC yellow, and I didn't notice any micromarring. Should I have used a white pad instead? Also, if I did create micromarring, it can be easily corrected, right?



I have noticed in certain conditions (extreme direct sunlight and just the right angle of view) there are slight circular-shaped shiny area in certain areas. Would this be micromarring?
 
ExplorerXLT95 said:
Again, it's been a while since I did a detail like this, so you'll have to forgive me.



I thought that with a relatively mild polish like FPII, I would want to use a pad that has some cutting ability? I wanted the FPII to be the polish step. Now, I inspected the paint after using the FPII w/ LC yellow, and I didn't notice any micromarring. Should I have used a white pad instead? Also, if I did create micromarring, it can be easily corrected, right?



I have noticed in certain conditions (extreme direct sunlight and just the right angle of view) there are slight circular-shaped shiny area in certain areas. Would this be micromarring?
Click to expand...



Yes a white pad would be better to use with FPII and using this combo should get rid of any micromarring that you might be seeing.
 
gmblack3a said:
Yes a white pad would be better to use with FPII and using this combo should get rid of any micromarring that you might be seeing.
Click to expand...



So it appears my pads are not made by LC.



Just so we can get this absolutely clear, the yellow pad I used is labeled HGCP-65Y. Here are 2 pics:



HGCP-65Y_1.JPG


HGCP-65Y_2.JPG




properautocare.com (Classic Motoring Accessories) labels it as a variable contact "Cutting, Leveling & Compounding Pad" and its manufacturer was Classic Motoring Accessories (see chart).



So how much damage did I do? The paint looks excellent and did even after making the pass with the pad and FPII on each section of the car, before I had put any other product on...
 
Why is the yellow pad inappropriate with FPII? The whole idea was to polish out as many imperfections as possible... I guess I need to re-read the polishing section of the AGTD again...
 
When you use a more agressive pad, you usually use a more agressive product. The whole point of a finishing polish (ie. FPII) is to burnish the paint to a high gloss, and that is usually done better with a softer pad.



If it is defects you want to correct, use a more agressive pad and a more agressive polish (or even the same polish) and then step down to a softer pad and polish to burnish the paint to a high gloss.
 
Bigpoppa3346 said:
If it is defects you want to correct, use a more agressive pad and a more agressive polish (or even the same polish) and then step down to a softer pad and polish to burnish the paint to a high gloss.
Click to expand...



Ah, I see... So that's the step I'm missing. So when I get the chance to re-do it, I can just basically go over the whole car with FPII and a white pad, then AIO, HGSG, Souveran and I should be good.



Sounds easy enough, thanks.
 
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