F430, Z4 detail

[shinnster]

My brother has got an 99 300M metallic black.



He hasn't taken really good care of the finish, usually just taking it to the cloth wash and sometime waxing it. It has lot's of swirls and water spots. I just put on some winter protection. i ppcl then blackfired it several times over then gave it a ppg and blitz topping.



I'm still working on my detailing techniques, i just wished i had used a good polish to start it out.



This spring i'm planning on doing a overhaul on the paint to try to make it look fairly new.



I checked into 3m polishing compound. I just don't know about polishing well enough to try it. Instructions it gives just aren't good enough.



Can anybody help me out on this one?

THANX

 

[Andre']

Do a search on polishing.



3M does make the best polishes and compounds.

 

[Don2000g]

Follow Andre's advice. As you may already know, you try to use the least aggressive polish first. You then work more aggressive products until you get the results you like. With that said, 3M Finesse It 2 may very well be a good possible product for you. It is a bit more aggressive than 3M SMR for either dark or light colored cars. Many people here use it by hand and get pretty good results. However, for best results you may need to use a Porter Cable. Laters

 

[imported_doug]

Also, be aware that the term "polish" as used by different mfgs covers a broader range of products than any other generic name I know of. Polishes range from "no abrasive, fillers only" to "close to rubbing compound."

 

[YoSteve]

curious as to what blackfire does on the neglected finish. I know some finishes need extra help, just trying to judge how much "covering up" blackire does, since it has all those scientific pictures of filling up scratches and stuff.

 

[splash2112]

YoSteve...



Just used Blackfire today...both polish (Porter Cable w/Foam) and sealant (one coat w/MF appl.)......looked great.....actually went over again with P21S carn., never had a black finish look better after having tried everything over the past 22 years.



Couldn't see even the slightest swirl mark....even under strong flouresents.

 

[CosminTX]

The Z4 had some panels respray or/and some aggressive buffing before.
the paint was neglected for a while.
when i saw the car i plan for 2 step correction one compound one polish, so i kind of have m105 in my mind. knowing that the car has some "history" i took some readings around the car and i was surprise to find the hood into max 70 and min 48 with a constant 55 , and all panels around the car between 88-110. at that point compound was excluded and i was aim at max 50% correction from initial condition , and my paint gauge save me again....
process:
Interior:
- 303 protectant on all plastic/vinyl
- meg d180 on leather agitated with brush
- vacuum
Exterior:
- wheels was clean with p21s gel and brushes
- klasse aio on wheels , m40 on tires
- 303 water repelant on soft top
- onr wash with 2 buckets
- claybar paint and windows with onr as lube
- m205 with hex polish pad on DA speed 6
- IPA wipe down
- optiseal one coat
- duragloss 105 one coat
Pictures...
wheel before

leather before:

leather after:

Hood before:

Hood after:

reading on the hood:

reading on side panel:

Pictures after:

Ferrari F430 spider had some light water spots , and in need of refresh.
process:
Interior:
- 303 protectant on all leather ( console , back panels , dashboard, seats, doors)
- vacuum
- optiseal on all carbon fiber
Exterior:
- onr wash with 2 buckets
- vinegar on the panels with water spots
- wheels was wash with onr , dress with optimum car wax , m40 on tires
- optimum car wax on paint and clear bra
- 303 water guard on soft top
all pic are after:

 

[bmw5541]

Lookin Sweeeeeet Cos!!!!!ancing Dot:

 

[Street Dreams]

Breathtaking work