Black BMW 545i Awful

I

imported_Totoland Mach

New member
After doing BMW detailing for the past several months, this one is the worst I've seen.



The entire finish looks like it was washed with a Brillo pad. The bumper was peppered with stone chips.



Some examples:



BlackBMW745_Scratches1.jpg




BlackBMW745_Scratches2.jpg




BlackBMW745_Scratches3.jpg




Sanded the bumper with 3000 grit and a Snap-On air orbital



BlackBMW745_BumperSanded.jpg




Fender Sanding (I also did the hood, but didn't take pics)



BlackBMW745_FenderSanded.jpg




Compounded the bumper (no glaze yet)



BlackBMW745_BumperCompounded.jpg




Another bumper shot...looks tons better



BlackBMW745_BumperCompounded2.jpg




Compounded the rear bumper



BlackBMW745_RearBumperCompounded.jpg




After 2 nights of tough work, the car is compounded. Next is glazing and #26 to finish.



BlackBMW745_RearViewCompounded.jpg




I'll get some finished pics tonight (unless this ice storm in KC keeps me from getting to the shop).



Totoland Mach
 
Wow!



Can't wait for the "afters."



Btw, I couldn't help but notice one of those 3M waffle pads...I've never talked to anybody that really liked those. How's it working for you?
 
What grit did you use and do you know how much clear came of in total?



Personally, I really like the black BMWs but if I bought one, I'd hit the entire car with with a little dose of 2500 to knock down the orange peel...if done carefully, I think this can be done by removing less than 5 microns of paint.
 
Wow that was a mess. Looks like you are doing a great job on it, but I was wondering the same thing as toyotaguy why no polish after compounding? You might get away with that with a silver car but I wouldn't recommend it with black.
 
Seriously, what is wrong with people who do that to a car?



Amazing job so far, I can't wait to see the final results. :)
 
Wow, that is some crazy swirls in such a nice car. Without even being done, you mad eit look a thousand times better.
 
toyotaguy said:
why no other polish after compounding??? not worth it in this case? no micromarring from compounding?
Click to expand...



I also am wondering this. In the after compounding shot of that rear bumper, the paint looks really hazy.
 
I was able to get some glazing done yesterday and hopefully finish the exterior of the car today. Thank goodness for a shop environment, cause it's snow and ice in Kansas City all weekend!



To answer questions:

RAG - the 3M pads are all the owner buys for the rotary. They are expensive at $15 each, but last a long time and work super. With compound, I typically generate enough heat to make the sheet metal "pop" (scared the bejeezus out of me at first, but the shop owner just laughed).



I used 3000 Grit 3M Trizact pads that fit a Snap On air orbital sander and quick detailer for a lube. For compound curves (near the headlights), I use a Trizact hand pad for the same 3000 grit pad.



TOYOTAGUY - The method the dealer wants me to use is compound + glaze + wax. I tried other methods and his seems to work well. We tend to work the compound a long time and the glazing even longer.



After glazing, I work Meg's #26 in with a Festool (or PC) and a finish pad.



Here's some pics after working with glaze.



BMW545i_Glazed_reflection.jpg




BMW545i_Glazed_Lightreflection.jpg




BMW545i_Glazed_indoorshot.jpg




I'll try to get some better indoor shots today. The problem is we have detailed cars that can't be moved outside due to the weather and working space is tight.



Toto
 
I was able to get some glazing done yesterday and hopefully finish the exterior of the car today. Thank goodness for a shop environment, cause it's snow and ice in Kansas City all weekend!
 
That is an astounding recovery of paint I'd have thought too far gone. I thoroughly enjoy write ups like this......they show me what a true pro can do and how little I actually know.

Next time my chest is all puffed out with pride from removing a few marks with my Cyclo I'll remember this Bimmer. It will bring me back to earth and make me humble once again.



Wonderful work and photos, thank you.
 
Fantastic transformation from ugly to beautiful! You've really brought that car back.



This is a good example of showing the difference between "auto detailing" and "car washing".
 
smprince1 said:
Fantastic transformation from ugly to beautiful! You've really brought that car back.



This is a good example of showing the difference between "auto detailing" and "car washing".
Click to expand...



Thanks: I'd say it's a difference between "driveway detailing" and "car reconditioning". I've done driveway detailing for some years, and this is another level. The plus' are the shop environment (no weather worries), and most important, the tools/materials at hand.



It might sound dumb, but I had to "learn" to correct a finish while the car is on the lift. I start from the bottom and work up...duh...my feeble brain couldn't work that one out LOL.



Toto
 
Of course that was a fantastic recovery, but I want to ask a couple questions about the low-rise lift. Since this is a shop, that sees a lot of different cars, what are the rectangles taped out on the floor? Is that the approximate location of where the tires would be to properly locate over the lift? And why the long boards on the floor?
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Of course that was a fantastic recovery, but I want to ask a couple questions about the low-rise lift. Since this is a shop, that sees a lot of different cars, what are the rectangles taped out on the floor? Is that the approximate location of where the tires would be to properly locate over the lift? And why the long boards on the floor?
Click to expand...



The rectangles are taped to somewhat align the boards which are only bolted at the front. We use the long boards because some of the cars are so low, they would hit the lift. Last week, I had a Mini Cooper on the lift and would not have been able to get it on without the boards giving me that extra lift.



I've seen a shop in NY State that has the same lift recessed in the floor itself with painted squares for approximate tire placement. It was one of the nicest shops I've ever looked at. We might do the same system here.



Toto
 
Scottwax said:
Seriously, what is wrong with people who do that to a car?
Click to expand...

I swear I think it's some kind of reverse snobbery. Buy expensive stuff and trash it 'cause you can afford to just buy another one in a year or two. The E60 has only been out for what, 3 years?



Great work!
 
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