July Entry: 1994 Bmw 740il

99se5spd · 07-12-05, 06:47

This car was refered to me by my step-father who is doing some home remodeling for her (the owner of the vehicle). In conversation she had mentioned the oxidation on her car and how expensive it would be to have it repainted, and thats where I came in. When calling on this car I made the mistake of going to look at it for the first time shortly before dusk (due to both of our schedules) and did not appear to be in bad as shape as it actually was, I think that was the main lesson learned from this detail.

Process:
Wash with Meguiar's gold class, diluted apc on lower areas
Clay with Mother's clay bar
Wheels: EO A2Z/ Detailer's Pride gel/Clay: diluted apc on wheelwells
Polish: Menzerna IP via PC and Sonus Das orange/Menzerna FP via PC and Sonus Das green
Sealant: Klasse AIO via PC and Sonus Das blue (including windows except windshield)
Wax: Meguiar's #26 by hand
Trim: plastic/rubber Duragloss rubber bumper and trim dressing: chrome trim: EO neverdull wadding metal polish
Wheels: Meguiar's #40/ rims with Liquid Glass
Door Jambs wiped down with Meguiars Final Inspection
Door Seals with Megiars #40
Total time took 10hrs! I was so exhausted by the time I was done. It got up to the mid 90s here. What a way to spend a Sunday. And to the pictures!

After wash and clay

In the garage under halogens, this was the point that I really realized what i was dealing with.

Half and Half after 2 passes with Menzerna IP and Sonus orange

A bit closer shot

After 3! passes with Menzerna IP. The first 2 passes were at speed 6, the last I slowed down to 5. I could not tell if IP left as little marring as i was seeing or if it was the small rock chips and pitting all over the hood that was hiding it, either way it was a vast improvement.

99se5spd · 07-12-05, 06:48

After wash and clay.

In the garage taped up and ready to go

After 3 passes with IP, 1 FP, 1 AIO and #26

Before

After

99se5spd · 07-12-05, 06:51

Before

After

Before

After

After. I did notice when taking this picture the bit of dust and the smudge under the wiper and promptly cleaned up with Meguiar's Final Inspection and Invisible Glass.

I tried to take as many notes and pictures as I could but as i realized that this was going to take more time than expected I spent more time on working to get the results I wanted rather than the pictures I wanted, even though I was dissapointed that i could not get out all of the oxidation. Honsestly I got scared after 3 passes with IP and did try AIO on an orange Sonus Das pad with which I did not see much of an improvement as far as the oxidation goes. It was 8pm when I was finished and the owner was getting anxious but when she saw it she was pretty ecstatic.

There was some accumulated brake dust on the wheels that I just could not get off with any of the products listed above so if anyone has any tips I can keep in mind for next time it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading and Good Luck to everyone else this month.

Dustin

JohnnyDaJackal · 07-12-05, 07:06

Wow what a difference some quality products and lots of time spent

can do!

I actually did a 93 740il in the same green last year, and I wish mine came out as good as yours!

Great work and an awesome transformation!

travisdecpn · 07-12-05, 07:20

Very nice transformation, I'll be surprised if this doesn't take it.

themightytimmah · 07-12-05, 07:43

Nice, betcha wish you had a rotary

. In the future, on a car that beat up, you might want to consider using a glaze/carnuba LSP as opposed to AIO. It'll save ya time and look great to boot.

series1 · 07-12-05, 07:49

Very, very, nice job. It turned out awesome. As for the brakes dust you may want to try wheel acid but look into it and get some other opinions.

DSVWGLI · 07-12-05, 08:32

Very nice job on that one, that was a lot of work to with a PC

. I recently spent 12 hrs. on a vette, I know how you feel. I have a 98 750il to detail in few weeks and by the looks of it, it going to take a while. Once again great detail

.

01bluecls · 07-12-05, 09:44

Awesome job. I couldnt imagine tackling that mess just with a PC!!! Bet the owner was floored! You certainly pulled it off. You should look into getting a rotary for future details such as that one! Best of luck in the contest to you!

JJ_ · 07-13-05, 01:40

Wow really good result with the bimmer. Good after shots too.

99se5spd · 07-14-05, 03:46

Thank you for the kind words everyone, it makes the time spent that much more worth it.
The 1st picture in my 3rd post was edited to remove the license plate.

themightytimmah: I try to use products with as little fillers as possible so the defects dont reappear, especially if I am not around to maintain the car, but thank you for the tip.

series1: I will do some research and look into wheel acid even though I am a bit scared from some of the stories I have heard. Thank you.

DSVWGLI: If 1998 is the same body style careful, there is a lot of trim and high edges on the body panels.

01bluecls: I suppose it may be time for me to look into getting a rotory, after this detail I see how one can pay for itself quite easily.

I think Scubastevo might have it this month, he put an incredible amount of work into that Malibu, Good luck.

Axe · 07-16-05, 10:54

That's a great job, and very obvious that you clearly made a huge difference to that car. I know how hard BMW paint is, which all adds to the impressive finish you achieved, good luck.