BMW Detail Attempt

[Harpham]

JP. asked me to have a go at detailing his BMW. I took up the challenge... and what a challenge it was for an amateur like me.
Due to work and the weather today (ffs), I couldn't spend as much time as I would have liked to on this and I think the finish suffered because of this.

So, here is the car beforehand:

BMW Detail - Before by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - Before Swirls by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - Before Swirls by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - Before Swirls by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - Before Swirls by Harpham y0, on Flickr

Probably one of the swirliest cars ive ever seen. The previous owner must have used a wire brush to clean it. Many of the swirls were alot deeper than usual. Some very deep.

Reflection before. Some sort of fading down the door too. I managed to get rid of alot of this, but not enough imo.

BMW Detail - Before Reflection by Harpham y0, on Flickr

Im sure you all know the process, so im just going to go ahead with the good photos now. (I didn't take many photos during due to wanting to use the time it wasn't raining wisely).

Snow Foaming:

BMW Detail - Snow Foaming by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr

Reflection of the 200:

BMW Detail - After Reflections y0 by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr

BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr

(Unfortunately no shots after of the paint condition, as rain kept coming)

More photos in here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/harpham/sets/72157626868664064/

Overall, this was the hardest and most challenging details ive ever had the pleasure of doing (even worse than the white paint). Although I never expected to get close to 100% correction, I wasn't happy at all with the finish. I probably managed around 70% correction. There was alot of marks that were totally out of my skill range imo though. Alot deeper than your usual swirls. I wish I had more time with it to have a better crack at it.

 

[jenic]

Stop talking yourself down!

I think thats pretty good, i'd be well chuffed if I ever achieved that finish

 

[Cliotoby]

Id be happy with that for a day, I hate BMW paintwork. What process did you use?

 

[Pep]

I'm mega happy with it! The car before had no shine at all, looked very plain, now it looks a lot newer and fresher!
I took a few pics on the way home but only on my phone so not great quality.

Cheers Paul

 

[Pep]

Next plans:

Car park dent removal, tracking/allignment, inspection 1 service, then will be up for sale!

 

[Scott™]

Looks great Paul. I did one of these and they really do reward you when effort is put in. Great shine!

 

[VIICarCare]

great work mate!

 

[Harpham]

I'm mega happy with it! The car before had no shine at all, looked very plain, now it looks a lot newer and fresher!
I took a few pics on the way home but only on my phone so not great quality.
Cheers Paul

Really glad that you're happy with it matey and thanks again for bringing it to me. Learnt quite a bit these past few days (mainly that I don't like BMW paint). I could have gone on forever trying to tackle those marks.

Went down Felley, Underwood by any chance? :rasp:

 

[DB.]

Great effort, paint looks like new.

 

[Pep]

No idea, took a wrong turn and decided to pull over!

 

[Harpham]

Id be happy with that for a day, I hate BMW paintwork. What process did you use?

Let me see if I can get this right and in order...

Saturday:
The car was dropped off in the afternoon and I tackled the wheels (Bilberry wheel cleaner) so that I didn't have to worry about them or waste time on them on the other days.

Sunday:
Foamed using Megs APC
Foamed using i4d Snow Foam
De-tarred using some Auto Glym stuff and some other that someone lent me (forgot the brand - a good one though)
Washed - 2x bucket method, Zymol shampoo and wash mitt
Rinsed off
Clayed
Washed again (think I used Dodo Juice shampoo this time though)
Dryed off using uber plush towel
My target was to get the roof, bootlid and bonnet done by the end of the day. Used a Megs DA, Menzerna polishes, variety of pads and numerous microfibres.

Monday:
Foamed again to get rid of any dust etc on the paint
Dryed
Started working my way around the car with the DA (rain stopped play a few times - used QD to wipe down the areas)
Sealed paintwork using Zaino Z2 Pro (is it?!)
Wiped windows down with Auto Glym window stuff
Tyre shine applied
Exhausts polished slightly, but not very well

I think thats the whole process. May have missed bits out or put some crap in or in the wrong order. Too knackered to think.

 

[JD]

As said, don't talk yourself out of the effort put in. Looks good!

 

[leeds_182]

Good effort.

 

[JimWD]

Yep - good effort mate! Shouldn't have any problems selling now! Well in.

 

[lesley]

looking lovely love the shine on black paint when its been detailed, what product did you use on the paint when polishing?

 

[jonzz]

Looks awesome mate!

 

[Jon.G]

Looks really good mate, Lot's better than when it came in!

 

[Ads_172]

Looks great mate, DA on BMW paint is always going to be a tough slog! Have you thought about trying the new Megs DA Microfibre system? Meant to be great.

Still, a massive improvement and has certainly added value.

 

[Will.]

Wanna do mine

 

[Pep]

It still looks good on my driveway! Need to find an excuse to actually drive it! Had it 3 months and done about 1200 miles!

 

[Harpham]

As said, don't talk yourself out of the effort put in. Looks good!

The only reason why im so negative about it is that when someone is parting with their hard-earned pennies, I want to have it perfect. That was never going to happen on this car with my skill level and resources (and the time I had it), so I was never going to be totally happy with the results. I still feel that I let down Joe in a way, as I always aim for perfection. Anything less isn't a success in my eyes. The main thing is though, that Joe was very happy with the results!!
(It is still a million times better than what it was this time last week )

Wanna do mine

Id be up for that. Clio paint will seem like a doddle after this one

 

[.Adam.]

I wish I could clean my car like that

I always think i've done a good job, but then see things like this, and realise that mine is actually s**t.

 

[Y7 ADW]

Good effort mate. Looks so much fresher.

 

[RussZS]

Great effort and as said, don't knock yourself too much - it's damn near impossible to get E46 black paint perfect with a DA without spending a week on it!

Looks stunning