BMW e39 5-Series – Major Paint Correction/Pre-Sale
10 years of being pushed through a car wash has taken its toll on this BMW. Topaz Blue, a lush/royal colour, was lacking shine/life/gloss.
Three days were given to strip the car of all contaminants, correct the paintwork to remove >90% of the defects and generally tidy the car throughout.
On inspection:
Matt, the owner, had a bit of a project on himself. His plan: to strip the blue interior and replace with an individual cream leather combo.
Meanwhile, I’m getting stuck into the initial wet-work.
Wheels, arches, tyres etc cleaned in the usual manner.
Door shuts, much the same. Degreased, agitated and rinsed.
AutoSmart Hazsafe delivered through the HD Foam Lance to help strip surface grime and ‘green’ from window rubbers etc.
Finally, the two bucket wash was delivered using AMDetails Bubbles for the ‘poo.
The lower sections of the car were treated to AutoSmart Tardis; the removal of stubborn tar deposits.
Followed by a thorough clay bar session to remove other bonded surface contaminants. (lots of tree-sap in this case)
Once inside and blown dry, it’s time to take a look at the paint.
*ooft!* Nasty. Going to be a big ‘save’ this one.
Lots of random deep scratches, extremely tight swirling (car wash) and buffertrails from previous bodyshop doings. #go!
O/S/F wing. Before/After:
Under the brinkmann LED inspection lamp, Before/After:
50/50 between the door and the wing. #nightandday
Lower O/S/F door. Before/After:
Upper half. Before/After:
In action:
O/S/R door complete:
Progress with Matt’s “individual project”. Doorcards are in. Looking good!
Correction is heavy. This paint is hard. #qualitygermans
Requiring a minimum of three heavy compounding hits with wool pads to chase the results we’re after.
O/S/R wing, complete:
Some big 50/50’s on the boot-lid:
Before:
After:
50/50:
Completing some work on the large bonnet. Before/After:
Going heavy down the N/S.
Before/After:
Before/After:
Bringing the machine work to an end, both sills were polished using wool spot pads.
Heavy correction over a period of days brings lots of dust. Outside > rinse.
Engine bay soaked with Megs Super Degreaser, agitated, rinsed at low pressure and later dressed.
Coming together:
Back inside. Blow dry. Engine Dressed:
Paintwork received a full wipedown with IPA to remove remaining polishing oils.
Blackfire’s All Finish Paint Protection applied by DA.
Glass cleaned throughout with 3M’s cleaner.
Tyres and trim with Wolf's Chemicals Tyre & Trim Restore.
A final wipedown and we’re done.
Much better:
Thanks for reading.
Jim.
10 years of being pushed through a car wash has taken its toll on this BMW. Topaz Blue, a lush/royal colour, was lacking shine/life/gloss.
Three days were given to strip the car of all contaminants, correct the paintwork to remove >90% of the defects and generally tidy the car throughout.
On inspection:
Matt, the owner, had a bit of a project on himself. His plan: to strip the blue interior and replace with an individual cream leather combo.
Meanwhile, I’m getting stuck into the initial wet-work.
Wheels, arches, tyres etc cleaned in the usual manner.
Door shuts, much the same. Degreased, agitated and rinsed.
AutoSmart Hazsafe delivered through the HD Foam Lance to help strip surface grime and ‘green’ from window rubbers etc.
Finally, the two bucket wash was delivered using AMDetails Bubbles for the ‘poo.
The lower sections of the car were treated to AutoSmart Tardis; the removal of stubborn tar deposits.
Followed by a thorough clay bar session to remove other bonded surface contaminants. (lots of tree-sap in this case)
Once inside and blown dry, it’s time to take a look at the paint.
*ooft!* Nasty. Going to be a big ‘save’ this one.
Lots of random deep scratches, extremely tight swirling (car wash) and buffertrails from previous bodyshop doings. #go!
O/S/F wing. Before/After:
Under the brinkmann LED inspection lamp, Before/After:
50/50 between the door and the wing. #nightandday
Lower O/S/F door. Before/After:
Upper half. Before/After:
In action:
O/S/R door complete:
Progress with Matt’s “individual project”. Doorcards are in. Looking good!
Correction is heavy. This paint is hard. #qualitygermans
Requiring a minimum of three heavy compounding hits with wool pads to chase the results we’re after.
O/S/R wing, complete:
Some big 50/50’s on the boot-lid:
Before:
After:
50/50:
Completing some work on the large bonnet. Before/After:
Going heavy down the N/S.
Before/After:
Before/After:
Bringing the machine work to an end, both sills were polished using wool spot pads.
Heavy correction over a period of days brings lots of dust. Outside > rinse.
Engine bay soaked with Megs Super Degreaser, agitated, rinsed at low pressure and later dressed.
Coming together:
Back inside. Blow dry. Engine Dressed:
Paintwork received a full wipedown with IPA to remove remaining polishing oils.
Blackfire’s All Finish Paint Protection applied by DA.
Glass cleaned throughout with 3M’s cleaner.
Tyres and trim with Wolf's Chemicals Tyre & Trim Restore.
A final wipedown and we’re done.
Much better:
Thanks for reading.
Jim.
