BMW detailing suggestions?

[CantDrv55]

I'm new..read alot of stuff here before I registered. I already spoke to one member here but wanted more input before I do anything. I got a '04 M3 recently. It was the showroom model, so the dealer already violated it with swirls, etc. They put down some wax on it also, though I am not sure what kind. It's Imola Red and I think it would look so nice swirl free and shiny. Any suggestions on how I should go about this? I was told to get a Porter-Cable 7424 as it was pretty much foolproof. Thanks for any input.

 

[bimmerzhp]

Pictures would help to tell the severity of the swirls, as to be able to suggest what product or products to use. You always want to use the least aggressive options first and work your way up from there. A PC is good and will help remove the swirls along with the correct pad and products.

 

[l33]

I use Menzerna on my bimmer. It what is used in the factories in Germany. I would definitly at least try FPII with the PC, the combo works very well together.

 

[NavindraLR]

id recommend the menzerna polishes as well, but the poorboys ssr's are a lot easier to use. how bad are the swirls? light? pictures would help.



L33, do you use a rotary or pc?

 

[l33]

Both. FPII works well with the PC. Trick is to use a small amout.

 

[artm3]

welcome to the club, detailing and BMW's, I have a e46 M3, also, TiAg



I use Klasse AIO & SG, mine was taken care of and has no swirls and I pretty much have kept it that way. But eventually I'll PC polish it (there is alot of good info on this site on how to do it), AIO and SG.

 

[SilverLexus]

Welcome to Autopia!



I've had very good luck with Poorboys SSR2.5 on several BMWs. If you have black paint invest in a jar of Souveran...looks amazing.



(edit: saw you have Imola Red which also works for Souveran)



I also used Poorboy's Trim Restorer on a 3 Series today for the 1.5" high black plastic trim around the car. It greys over time but the Trim Restorer brings the black color back nicely.



I would use 303 Aerospace protectant on the exterior rubber and the Sonus interior cleaner on the inside. I like Zaino products for leather and Zaino Z-16 on the tires.



I highly recommend AIO or other sealant for the wheels as BMWs kick off a lot of brake dust. I applied Poorboys upcoming Wheel Sealant today on a normal 325i and it looked great. I'll have pics up later in the week.



Hope this helps...

 

[Scottwax]

Meguiars, Poorboy's and Menzerna all make excellent polishes/swirl removers. I finally tried PB's SSR2.5 today and really like it. Took at lot of scratches out of an F-250 fresh back from the deer lease. If it can take out mequite bush scratches, it shouldn't have a problem with rotary swirls provided they aren't too severe.



Anyway, I'd Meguiars #80 Speed Glaze first (with a polishing pad) and if it isn't strong enough, step up to Poorboy's SSR2.5 or Meguiars #83 DACP, then back down to #80. At that point, the paint should have a very wet look. For the winter, I'd seal the paint with Poorboy's EX w/carnauba, it looks terrific on red, then switch to Clearkote's Carnauba Moose or Pinnacle Souveran in the late spring.

 

[Alfisti]

CantDrv55, you won't be disappointed with Menzerna. Easy to use, very effective, and contains no fillers. What you see is what you get. :bigups



Thanks for the smilies, Scott.

I think i'm going overboard.

 

[CantDrv55]

Thanks all for the opinions. This isn't the best pic, but it's hard to get a good one of the swirls. Since some folks had asked for a pic.

 

[6']['9]

man those are baby swirls. any of the products mentioned above will remove these w/ the quickness.

when you mentioned swirls i thought you were talking about something like this.

 

[SilverLexus]

SSR2.5 should work fine, maybe even something less aggressive.

 

[audipower]

I'm a big Sonus SFX fan. It's easy especially for the first time PC user. That was me. They sell foam pads that are used for them. I like that because the SFX pads cut less at a time then the DAS or LC pads. I had a car like that a month ago, but it was black a VW Jetta. I Started with SFX2 less cutting and did whole car with and it removed all but a 2 foot area, so I used the SFX1 on the troubled area and it disappeared. It was a really bad oxidation. The whole car was swirls and little scratches from using rags and a local car wash.

I really like the SFX Polishes! I've used Merzerna, but not poorboys. I like Sonus over Merzerna. I have a Audi A4 so I know what to use on those german soft clear coats

I first used clay, then Sonus Paint Cleaner, Sonus SFX Polishes and Pads, Klasse AIO, Klasse SG on for 24 hrs., and P21S

 

[Pandora]

I'm really happy with Menzerna as well, both IP and FPII have been absolutely trouble free on my cars and others. I highly recommend them to my Imola Red brother!



Ben