dsms detail - BMW 135i

dsms · 07-20-09, 08:30

2008 BMW 135i booked for a light correction detail

First up the wheels, these were is EXCELLENT shape... just like every other set of BMW wheels I encounter....

After a good bit of rinsing,

Before:

Tires and wheel wells cleaned with ARO. Wheels cleaned using GI wheel gel at 2:1 with lots of scrubbing and brushing, wheels in total took 1.5hours

After:

Ragtop cleaned using Raggtop, later protected with, Raggtop

Front bumper bug problem handled with Poorboys bug squash and the PW. All door jambs, emblems, rubber trim etc. cleaned using APC 10:1.

Tardis doing one of its many great uses, disolving tar! Tardis also makes for a fantastic leather cleaner

Wash process in total took 2.5 hours, and I thought I was in for an easy day for a BMW not much larger than a mini.

Paint has very little swirling, the main point of polishing this car was to bring out as much gloss as possible

PO85rd
DD blue finishing pad
Flex 3403

After polishing, IPA wipedown ..

While waiting for the LSP's to cure I went to the interior, which I had been dreading since I inspected the car a few weeks ago... the owner likes to drive with the top down in very pollen filled, dusty places I assume

I have had the leatherique twins for a while now without leather bad enough to warrant its use, this car was fitting!

It didnt need the rejuvenator oil so I just massaged in the pristine clean by hand (gloves of course) and let it sit for 15minutes

Once it dried, I misted some warm water in a sprayer bottle and wiped off the residue.

Waiting for that I cleaned up the trunk area...

Door jambs after

There was a 50 pack of book matches in the trunk. The box they came in was all torn up and I really hate leaving untidy things in peoples cars so I made a quick fix

Bunch of book matches in a messy box...

1 Ziploc bag...

Not that I condone smoking but at least I solved a small problem ..

Interior leather recieved same cleaning process as the rear seats, Interio after shots

Exhaust polished with White Diamond, so far im liking it. The exhausts are polished black btw, not chrome which is why they dont look very shiney

LSP:

GI gloss finish
GI concourso gloss

Final shots

Wheels sealed with 2 coats of rejex, not that it will do much... these are still the wheels of a BMW!

Pulled it outside for the final inspection (check for smears in the glass, overspray on the tires etc)

Waiting for pickup...

Total time: 10.5hours

Have not been doing lengthy write-ups lately, recently I have been on tight deadlines so the pics arent as step by step but starting Friday AutoConcierge and myself will be putting up a bunch of writeups on some very fine italian autos.

flamewerks · 07-20-09, 09:33

That's awesome work. Nice that you post the time, I always like to see how long others spend on cars like this. Do you do a general cleaning of the interior, or every nook and cranny? And do you prefer a tire spray vs. gel?

dsms · 07-21-09, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamewerks

That's awesome work. Nice that you post the time, I always like to see how long others spend on cars like this. Do you do a general cleaning of the interior, or every nook and cranny? And do you prefer a tire spray vs. gel?

I have been monitoring my time on my details very closely now, helps when im doing estimates because I have a past record of how long each detail takes and the condition the car was in so I can charge accordingly for a future job if the conditions are similar.

For the interior I spent 3.5hours, and yes every nook and cranny (like an english muffin) was treated. I never do a quick once over on an interior because that is where an owner spends all their time... which means they are far more likely to spot untreated areas... so everything has to be cleaned and treated properly.

To be honest interior detailing is just as, if not MORE important than exterior detailing in many cases. For example this owner of this car doesnt know proper car care and probably didnt fully appreciate the paint correction aspect of the job because on silver you have to have a keen eye to really appreciate how the paint looks after its been well polished, sealed.

BUT... when he sat in the car, especially remembering the condition it was in, he was really exited as the leather was back to new and everything has been restored to about 99% brand new condition, with the exception of some nicks in the plastic on the wheel.

A well treated interior really makes a customer feel like they have been presented with a brand new car.

dmw2692004 · 07-21-09, 09:46

looks very very good! nice work!

AGAuto · 07-21-09, 10:28

looks great! you are definitely correct about those BMW wheels -- they are a PITA

mrclrider · 07-21-09, 11:59

Great job sir, and your 3.5 hours is about as long as it takes me too, and I totally agree that the interior should be almost perfect upon delivery.

OCDinPDX · 07-21-09, 02:00

Never was crazy about the looks of the 1-Series (looks a bit bug-eyed and 'squished' to me) but you did a fine job on that one.

And I know what you mean about those damn BMW wheels and brake dust. Pain in the derriere.

Apollo_Auto · 07-21-09, 02:17

Lovely Dave (not you, your work

)! Yes, BMW need to do some refinement on their brake systems... the rims look like hell even after a few short miles! You use Tardis on leather? Can't wait to see what you and Bob tackled!

flamewerks · 07-21-09, 03:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsms

To be honest interior detailing is just as, if not MORE important than exterior detailing in many cases.

I never do a quick wipe down either, unlike many others (not on this board). I always go all out, usually takes between 5-7 hours. Most cars I get come to me not to be maintained but because it's so bad they don't want to touch it themselves. People in my area really don't care at all for their vehicles.

I totally agree that the interior is probably more important, as that is where you always are. A like new interior definitely brings back "pride in ownership."

dsms · 07-21-09, 07:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by OCDinPDX

Never was crazy about the looks of the 1-Series (looks a bit bug-eyed and 'squished' to me) but you did a fine job on that one.

And I know what you mean about those damn BMW wheels and brake dust. Pain in the derriere.

I dont like the look of the 1 series but when you sit in it the cabin is surprisingly spacious, hard to tell the difference between that and a 3 series when your behind the wheel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo_Auto

Lovely Dave (not you, your work

)! Yes, BMW need to do some refinement on their brake systems... the rims look like hell even after a few short miles! You use Tardis on leather? Can't wait to see what you and Bob tackled!

Bob and I will have some good stuff coming, I leave for CA thursday... and im bringing both cameras with me and my laptop

bufferbarry · 07-21-09, 07:43

great job man! lloks awesome man!

WAS · 07-21-09, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsms

To be honest interior detailing is just as, if not MORE important than exterior detailing in many cases. For example this owner of this car doesnt know proper car care and probably didnt fully appreciate the paint correction aspect of the job because on silver you have to have a keen eye to really appreciate how the paint looks after its been well polished, sealed.

BUT... when he sat in the car, especially remembering the condition it was in, he was really exited as the leather was back to new and everything has been restored to about 99% brand new condition, with the exception of some nicks in the plastic on the wheel.

A well treated interior really makes a customer feel like they have been presented with a brand new car.

+1 to this. Interiors are what people notice first, and IMO, are the most important aspect to get "perfect". Most folks wouldn't even notice a square foot of paint missing wax, but they sure notice that shifter knob you forgor to dress.