OctaneGuy: Complete 2008 Jet Black BMW 335I Restore

[Richard@BlackWOW]

Last week during our rains here in SoCal, this 2008 BMW 335i was dropped off at my shop. Although the paint was dirty, I could see the poor condition of the paint. After it was cleaned up and the restoration process began, I discovered that the paint was ultra soft, softer than Jet Black typically is, and then I discovered the hood and passenger side had been repainted.



I used a variety of tools including my Makita rotary buffer, a 7424XP polisher, and a Flex VRG3401 DA.



Chemicals:

Clay: Megiuar's C2000 Clay and Prima Glide for lube

Exterior Polish/Wax: Prima Finish, Prima Epic, Prima Banana Gloss, Prima CosmoNot, Prima Clarity, Prima Slick.

Interior: Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer, Prima Nero, Prima Nourish

Tire: Meguiar's Insane Shine

Let's get started.

The drivers side window had some old decal on it

I brought it to the shop and began with a thorough Dawn Wash

The HRE's were pretty filthy

Using Meguiar's Tire Foam, I foamed the wheels and tires

I let the foam dwell for a bit



Using my EZ Brush, I cleaned the wheel spokes

And for the lips, used my soft flagged end brush

Rinse off, they looked much better

After the Dawn wash and ready to bring into the shop for claying

The interior needed work too

Claying the carbon fiber trunk

Lots of contamination pulled

Using my 3M Sun Gun to illuminate the swirls

I did a test spot

Pretty significant improvement

While I worked the exterior, my assistant Stephanie tackled the interior by using our hot water extractor

Interior was looking much better

Two coats of Epic were applied, then two coats of Banana Gloss.

 

[Richard@BlackWOW]

The rain subsided so I took it outside for some shots but due to the clouds, the pictures weren't spectacular

It started to rain again, so I brought the car back inside and proceeded to look at the wheels. I thought they could use some improvement too.

So I polished them using Prima Epic (yes the polymer wax) and my Metabo SXE400 3" orbital

Huge improvement, so I kept polishing

I polished the lips too

Finished up the face of the wheels

So two days have gone by, and the detailing began

Polished the exhaust tips

Couldn't forget the underside of the hood either

The yellow latch was cleaned with CosmoNot

The next day the sun came out!

All done!! But sadly it rained the day the customer picked up the car, so I told him to bring it back when the rain stops and I would wash the paint for free! It's part of my guarantee if it rains the week of or after a detail.

 

[TLMitchell]

Nice work, Richard. :2thumbs:



I've seen threads dealing with BMW Jet Black being so soft it was almost impossible to wipe off residue with a plush MF without imparting marring. How did you deal with that on a CC that you say is softer?



What kind of pads do you use on the SXE400? I picked one up after seeing you use it in an SCD thread, it wasn't quite stout enough for the use I had in mind doing motorcycle corrections and tight spots. I've since replaced it with a GG 3" DA and still haven't found a good variety of 3" pads. I've used Buff n Shine, 3M & GG, still not happy with any of them. LC makes everything in 3 & 3.5" sizes but nobody carries them due to low demand.

But sadly it rained the day the customer picked up the car, so I told him to bring it back when the rain stops and I would wash the paint for free! It's part of my guarantee if it rains the week of or after a detail.

Good thing you don't live in Ohio, you'd spend all your time washing cars making good on that guarantee! :nervous:



TL

 

[Richard@BlackWOW]

Thanks. I have a special version of Prima Finish for ultra soft paints. Using that in combination with spraying the panel with some Slick kept the paint from marring. To date, the only paints I've really needed this polish for have been the black Aston Martin DB9 and this BWM. It wasn't easy though. As you can see, I'm using the Makita with a red pad for my cutting work, it was that soft. As for the Metabo, I use the CCS LC pads in orange and white and keep those in stock all the time. So if you're looking for them, PM me. I also use the 4" ones on my 7424XP also in orange and white.



re: Ohio Washing

haha yeah, I know. It never rains in SoCal right? lol.

Nice work, Richard. :2thumbs:



I've seen threads dealing with BMW Jet Black being so soft it was almost impossible to wipe off residue with a plush MF without imparting marring. How did you deal with that on a CC that you say is softer?



What kind of pads do you use on the SXE400? I picked one up after seeing you use it in an SCD thread, it wasn't quite stout enough for the use I had in mind doing motorcycle corrections and tight spots. I've since replaced it with a GG 3" DA and still haven't found a good variety of 3" pads. I've used Buff n Shine, 3M & GG, still not happy with any of them. LC makes everything in 3 & 3.5" sizes but nobody carries them due to low demand.







Good thing you don't live in Ohio, you'd spend all your time washing cars making good on that guarantee! :nervous:



TL

 

[kakeuter]

Fantastic job, that car looks amazing now.

 

[LS1-MEX]

gorgeouse car...wanna trade assistants?

 

[Richard@BlackWOW]

Thanks everybody! Hahaha, never in a million years. Stephanie is irreplaceable. =P

gorgeouse car...wanna trade assistants?

 

[TLMitchell]

Thanks. I have a special version of Prima Finish for ultra soft paints. Using that in combination with spraying the panel with some Slick kept the paint from marring. To date, the only paints I've really needed this polish for have been the black Aston Martin DB9 and this BWM. It wasn't easy though. As you can see, I'm using the Makita with a red pad for my cutting work, it was that soft.

The soft application I deal with regularly is Harley's Vivid Black. It's only a PITA on metal parts that come from the York, PA plant. Fiberglass and the tin on other models is easy to work with. I've found M105 with a black LC finishing pad works. Gonna have to give the red a try.

As for the Metabo, I use the CCS LC pads in orange and white and keep those in stock all the time. So if you're looking for them, PM me. I also use the 4" ones on my 7424XP also in orange and white.

I keep 4"ers on the PC as well, 5.5 on the GG DA and 6.5 on the rotary most times. Easier to just swap machines than changing BPs.



PM sent.



TL

 

[SocalSamurai]

Great job as always man!



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