Frustrating Soft Black BMW 645Ci - Developed Different Process

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imported_Totoland Mach

New member
Boy: this car has super soft clear coat! 2004 model with a 'very' swirled finish to say the least!



Here's a representative sample...the entire car was like this!



645CiDoorSwirls.jpg




So, I tried some test areas of different products and pads to see what was going to work. Even the dealer (who is an expert at compounding) tried to work the finish and all we got was frustration: the clear would not finish down swirl free. I threw every kind of product and pad combo at this car: 3M, Meguiar's, System One, Menzerna and all kinds of pad combos.



So, the dealer had a product...call it "X" and was ready to return it to his distributor, but I said "let's try it...nothing else is working". Well, wouldn't you know it, the stuff worked with a particular process I'm still working on.



I want to try this product and specific process out on 1-2 more Bimmers to see if it's consistent, then I'll spill the beans about what it is. It's fun to have a little Autopia Mystery anyway.



After the process and before a power wash. It came out so nice, everyone was shocked at the 1st stage!



645CiSRCSide.jpg




Black645AfterpowerWashSRC.jpg




Black645B4powerWashSRC.jpg




Black645B4powerWashSRC2.jpg




After the power wash, it was back in the shop for a 2 step process to further refine the finish: Adams Revive, then Ultrafina SE. The Adams product has oils similar to Ultrafina, and the finish is taking on a lot of depth.



Black645CiAfterUltrafina.jpg




Black645CiAfterUltrafina3.jpg




Black645CiAfterUltrafina4.jpg




Tomorrow is a final power wash to remove excess Ultrafina from body seams, then a LSP that I've yet to decide on.



Stay tuned!



Toto
 
So where did your boss get the X product Toto? I wonder what it is and the BMW is looking great. I see in the picture your using a green pad....I'm i right?
 
Even worse with those soft black Bimmers is trying to wash it without marring. Probably the worst paint I've come across.



Looks good so far Toto. :)
 
zoomzoom mazda5 said:
So where did your boss get the X product Toto? I wonder what it is and the BMW is looking great. I see in the picture your using a green pad....I'm i right?
Click to expand...



He got it based on my advice from his distributor (Source One or some such name...they are a multi-product distributor for body shops).



The "green" pad is the 3M blue Ultrafina pad (it's been washed several times).



The pads I had the best results with were: Meguiar's So1o Burgandy wool and yellow polish pad using the process I acquired. After that, I used a black finish pad for the Adams Revive and the "green/blue" Ultrafina pad for that application.



Toto
 
Car looks great... maybe a little off topic, but how do you like the scissor lift? I am thinking of getting one. In the pics, it looks like it is tearing up the concerete? Is that true?



Thanks,



Tim
 
tyymm said:
Car looks great... maybe a little off topic, but how do you like the scissor lift? I am thinking of getting one. In the pics, it looks like it is tearing up the concerete? Is that true?



Thanks,



Tim
Click to expand...



Tim: the lift's been on that floor for several years and yes, it does break the top layer of concrete. Also, that lift was moved and the floor has epoxy paint which is the "flaking" you are seeing. There's a couple of similar lifts out there (1 in Ohio and 1 in Oklahoma that I remember). You could probably eliminate the concrete flaking by using steel plating for runners on the floor.



Toto
 
Wow thats awesome! Very interested to hear what the process was!



You forgot to get the back of the tires/inside the wheels though :P
 
Great work Toto!



I feel your pain. Every now and then I will get one of those pain in the buttt clears that will not want to finish perfect. But right before you know it, it just gives in and finishes perfect. Patience is the main key.
 
Never had a BMW with soft clear. Porsche on the other hand has some of the softest.



So far, I had to use several products and pads to hit the right combo as some pads just hazed the snot out of a finish, when you'd think it wouldn't.



I've used green pads and Menzerna SIP or Megs to cut first, then work down to finer Menzerna polishes and even softer pads.



Most BMW's have clears that are hard as nails!



BTW....:goodjob I'm glad you found what you needed to get this resolved.



Deanski
 
Deanski said:
Never had a BMW with soft clear. Porsche on the other hand has some of the softest.



So far, I had to use several products and pads to hit the right combo as some pads just hazed the snot out of a finish, when you'd think it wouldn't.



I've used green pads and Menzerna SIP or Megs to cut first, then work down to finer Menzerna polishes and even softer pads.



Most BMW's have clears that are hard as nails!



BTW....:goodjob I'm glad you found what you needed to get this resolved.



Deanski
Click to expand...





I guess you haven't worked on new 3 series Jetblack yet. :D:D:D
 
tdekany said:
I guess you haven't worked on new 3 series Jetblack yet. :D:D:D
Click to expand...



The Jet Black on the E46 is just as bad. Totoland, if you've unlocked the mystery to this lousy paint, please share! My '04 330i needs some help! :p
 
98Vette said:
The Jet Black on the E46 is just as bad. Totoland, if you've unlocked the mystery to this lousy paint, please share! My '04 330i needs some help! :p
Click to expand...



I've got a black 530i to start on tomorrow and the dealer and I are going to use the same process. If that works as well as the 645, I'll spill the beans!



Here's the finished shots:





Black645CiDoneInside.jpg




Black645CiDoneInside2.jpg




Black645CiDoneOutsideHood.jpg




Black645CiDoneOutsideHood2.jpg




Black645CiDoneOutsideOverall.jpg




Black645CiDoneOutsideReflection.jpg




Toto
 
I always look forward to your posts !!! You always have something interesting going on hence now the new Mystery !!! product and process.Looking forward to the bean spilling.Awesome save as always.
 
tdekany said:
I guess you haven't worked on new 3 series Jetblack yet. :D:D:D
Click to expand...



Nope, not yet. I guess they started to go towards softer paints like Porsche did.



I've been playing with Z-PC as it does have some very good effects in removing even swirls that would normally need cutting polish/compound. Finish polishing with this stuff really works well.



I can now skip Menzerna 85RD and go straight to LSP of Zaino with no additional prep (IPA/washing off oils etc).



You have to try the Z-PC one day, you'll be surprised as much as I was! If you use Zaino sealants, this is perfect for it.



Deanski
 
Amazing work on the 645, the paint work looks miles deep in the after shots
xyxthumbs.gif
. Look forward to hear more on your mystery process too ;) .
 
Any updates on the mystery? I'm bummed because I didn't realize you were in the KC area until after I got back from Blue Springs last weekend! Would have loved to see your work in person. :cool:
 
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