new to me '08 BMW 535xi

N

natural320

New member
the dealer absolutely put one past me...and it was a BMW dealer to boot! when I bought the car, it looked phenominal given its age and milage (72K)...just a few little flecks and small scratches that were IMO to be expected. so I've had this baby for all of a week, and just got to give it a wash and I wanted to throw on some EX and nattys to boost the shine etc...

the car felt so smooth and looked great, so I thought that this was going to be a cakewalk. here are the results of a Megs Gold wash, DP QD wipedown while drying, 1 layer of poorboys EX that was buffed with MFs slightly dampened with Griots spray on wax to remove the haze (it was getting late and all I had was my cell phone. better pics to come with my real camera after I can layer on the nattys this weekend)















the paint feels relatively smooth with some slickness retained. not bad for a quick 2 hours ;-)

so how was I screwed by the dealer you ask? the poor car had to have been absolutely slathered in a glaze...because there are swirlies ALL OVER the paint that were not very noticeable until after I washed the car. ugh. I thought I wasn't going to have to polish until the fall. haha I was QUITE wrong there! not that I mind either, but I don't see a full free day in the near future. however, in the meanwhile, she looks money from a few feet away, and the reflections are pretty nice I think. the nattys paste is only going to make it better...those results to follow!
 
Congrats on the new car! That is an unfortunate situation that happens way too often. Do the best you can, but you may need 2 or 3 free days to get that paint back into how it should be.



Can't wait to see some sun pictures of the swirls. What type of camera are you using?



Car looks great btw.
 
ugh...you WANT to see my pain? that is just mean :doh: haha j/k I can EASILY capture the mess I am going to be dealing with.



my "real" camera is an older Canon Rebel XS. it still is going strong and producing quality images, so I have a hard time parting ways and upgrading. now I need to find a nice photo shoot location around here...
 
yeah seriously...EVERYTHING is showing up. I thought it was bad on my old dark blue car, but that was nothing!



my weapon of choice is one of the original Ultimate Detailing Machines (since bought by/merger with Porter Cable, right?). I love this thing, and it has served me well! I am using some Lake Country 6.5 " flat pads. have an orange light cut, white polishing, and gray finishing to be exact. I also have a wool pad that I cover with MF bonnets if I want to use the UDM instead of elbow grease for buffing (by the end of the day...that is exactly what happens!). the polish I am using is some of the original formula Optimum (from like 4-5 yeasrs ago). while I'm sure the new stuff is great, I am gonna use this OP down 'till the last drop! I bought a big bottle at the time, and it has never once let me down



like I said in my 1st post, I like to use EX topped with nattys white if/when I am feeling 'nuba-y. for the winter I usually strip it all down and go with the Klasse twins for, what I perceive to be, some extra protection here with the Pennsylvania winter. I've got DG Aquawax and Griots Spray-on for a little extra boost after the "in between" washes.



for QDs, I have Detailer's Pro (for when there is the wax down) and Sonus Acrylic Spritz (for the twins).



glass cleaners are Stoners or DP Krystal Vision



haha I've got a bunch of crap! too much fun and way too easy to keep buying stuff :nomore:
 
At the minimum, I'd suggest smaller backing plate and pads. The UDM simply doesn't have enough torque to handle those larger pads (to correct that is)



5" wool or MF pads are a must if you are trying to level BMW paint. Actually, you can just use what you have, but it will take for ever. I mean it.



I once put a layer of Natty's white on my wife's van 46 time in 52 weeks. trust me, it protected the paint. Then I stopped for 6 months. Stripped it all and there was barely any contamination on the car. Natty's is good stuff.



Anyway, just think about it. You want to be ready having the right tools/products.
 
hmmm...good point! I am going to measure the pads when I get home just to double check (but I think they are 6.5s). but some smaller ones sound like they would be right up my alley
 
Day and night difference going smaller.



natural320 said:
hmmm...good point! I am going to measure the pads when I get home just to double check (but I think they are 6.5s). but some smaller ones sound like they would be right up my alley
Click to expand...
 
I mention these all the time, but Tuf Buf 5" black wool pads are the bomb. They cut better than microfiber and don't finish too badly. One more step with one of those big foam pads and you'll have a beautiful finish.
 
+ 1 for the black wool pads.



chrisguga said:
I mention these all the time, but Tuf Buf 5" black wool pads are the bomb. They cut better than microfiber and don't finish too badly. One more step with one of those big foam pads and you'll have a beautiful finish.
Click to expand...
 
yep yep...this is going to be a project! in a few weeks my wife is going out of town for a short trip, so I won't have anyone chirping that I "am taking forever cleaning the car"



yeah...if it were ONLY cleaning! hahaha then she wonders how I can get the car smooth as glass and showroom glistening. I am looking forward to the few hours that the car looks perfect though :party:



that is until I drive to work and another lovely layer of pollen settles on the paint :wall
 
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