Newbie's First Detail

[GoCubsGo]

Not sure if this is the correct sub-forum to post this, but I took the plunge and performed my first detail/correction on my 2005 Carbon Black M3 over the Memorial Day weekend.



1) Cleaned up close to 100% of the swirls and spider webbing.

2) There was minor evidence of a single water mark remaining.

3) There were a few (3) deeper scratches still visible, but I corrected them to about 80%.



Thanks to everyone on this board for their help/guidance (especially Phil from DD). Next spring (or sooner) I'll utilize a more aggressive polish or better technique on the deeper scratches and hope to achieve closer to a 100% correction.



The photography skills are less than desired, but here is the best I could do with the before and after pix (Wish there were some better pix of the hood as it looks so much better).



SIDE NOTE:

Headed to Wisconsin the next day with the gf for a spirited drive on the country roads, stopped for a bite to eat. During lunch a bird decided to drop a big fat one right in the middle of the hood and etched the finish :wall.





I have been bitten by the bug :buffing:.





Base Process:

Wash, clay, tape

PC

Menzerna SIP (PO83Q) – Uber Orange Pad

Menzerna Super Finish “Nano” (P106FA) – Uber Blue Pad

Menzerna Full Molecular Jacket (x 2) – Uber Black Pad

Chemical Guys Pete's 53' – Black Pearl Signature Paste Wax (x 2)



Pre Bootlid:

Post Bootlid:

Pre Qtr:

Post Qtr:

Pre Hood:

Post Hood:

Pre Roof:

Post Roof:

Full Post (not a great overall pix, but I accidently deleted all the other shots)

 

[imported_Ol' Red]

I love M3's. Excellent job on it.

 

[maxepr1]

Nice work!! Click and Brag is where you want to post this. Nothing like a nice clean car after a long winter! I miss the SNOW.....NOT!!!! P.S. lose the license plate frame!! Go Notre Dame!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dragons4life]

Thats pretty nice....good job man...is that blue or is it black?

 

[GS4_Fiend]

So you are saying SIP is not aggressive enough?

 

[GoCubsGo]

Thanks for the compliments everyone!

So you are saying SIP is not aggressive enough?

I took it to a local guy I connected with here on Autopia and the M3 forums. He's a hardcore detailer and advised that the remaining scratches will probably need Meg's 105. He's going to help me out with it once I find the time.

Thats pretty nice....good job man...is that blue or is it black?

The color is called Carbon Black (it looks dark blue'ish in direct light and black in indirect light).

Nice work!! Click and Brag is where you want to post this. Nothing like a nice clean car after a long winter! I miss the SNOW.....NOT!!!! P.S. lose the license plate frame!! Go Notre Dame!!!!!!!!!!

Now if it will only stop raining here in Chicago. The plate frame is my favorite mod so it's staying :2thumbs:. Thanks for the head's up on the proper place to post this, n00b error on my part.

 

[GS4_Fiend]

Both SIP and M105 are compounds. I think if you want them products to be more aggressive, you should step up to a med cut pad like LC Yellow. For even better correction go with 4" pads.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Both SIP and M105 are compounds. I think if you want them products to be more aggressive, you should step up to a med cut pad like LC Yellow. For even better correction go with 4" pads.

The remainig scratches are in there pretty well. After looking into everything I saw that SIP cuts to 2,000 grit and M105 cleans up 1,200 grit. I only have a PC and 5.5 orange pads on hand so I'll give the M105 a shot (followed by the appropriate polishes) and post some pix when I finish up.



Thanks for the info.

 

[GS4_Fiend]

I say go with 4" LC orange!

 

[GoCubsGo]

I say go with 4" LC orange!

Thanks for the advice GS4.



Looks like I have another order to place. Since my friends are now asking me to do work on their cars, a 4" orange looks like a solid investment.



Anyone have a head's up on the best place from where to order the appropriate backing plate and 4" LC pad(s)?