Advice for a friend's '94 BMW 540i

[Mike-in-Orange]

A good friend of mine is getting jealous of how my cars look compared to his '94 540i and wants me to detail his car for him. It's loaded with swirls, just incredibly so, and you can see what I suppose is hazing on the hood (I'm new to this so I'm not sure if that's the proper term for the whitish, almost cloudy look in a couple areas). The interior is beautiful and needs only a basic clean up. It's the paint that worries me.



It's black.



I've got a PC7424 and the Sonus SFX1, 2 & 3 line with a full compliment of DAS pads. I know I'll never come close to getting all these swirls out but I'm also pretty confident that I can't make the car look any worse! Then again, I don't know anything about this paint (other than it is the original factory paint), whether it has a clear coat or not, etc.



Would I be nuts to even attempt this? I know a good pro could work wonders on this car, but it would probably cost my friend a couple hundred to have it done right. Cheap bugger that he is, I can't get him to do the right thing!! I'd like to give it a go, but I'm not sure.



Should I help an old friend out????

 

[the other pc]

Depends on the friend. If he’s a good friend and a stand-up guy I’d probably give it a go as long as he was into it too.



If he let it get in that condition himself and shows no interest in really doing what it takes to prevent it from happening again or he can easily afford a pro but is just a cheap$#!& definitely pass on it.





PC.

 

[scottabir]

Why not use his car to test your abilities and see what you can do with your skills? The whitish stuff you see is probably oxidation being black and 11 years old. I say go for it and charge him like $125 for the exterior and interior "spruce up". That way both of you will get something out of the deal. Or charge him a little bit to cover costs of products and make him do the grunt work

 

[imported_Sullybob]

Why not use his car to test your abilities and see what you can do with your skills? The whitish stuff you see is probably oxidation being black and 11 years old. I say go for it and charge him like $125 for the exterior and interior "spruce up". That way both of you will get something out of the deal. Or charge him a little bit to cover costs of products and make him do the grunt work

:2thumbs:

By making him do the grunt work you can also use this as an opportunity to educate your friend on proper car care. Be sure and teach him good wash techniques.

 

[Mike-in-Orange]

Why not use his car to test your abilities and see what you can do with your skills? The whitish stuff you see is probably oxidation being black and 11 years old.

This is sort of what I was thinking, and I'm kind of looking forward to the challenge.

Or charge him a little bit to cover costs of products and make him do the grunt work

We discussed this very thing earlier today, and he's more than happy to cover the cost of the materials. I'm figuring I would end up going through a fair amount of polish on this car!!



Thanks guys, I think I'll have a crack at this car in a couple weeks.