Disapointed in my results... any BMW specialists (or anyone) who can help?

[danforz]

Hey guys... I recently did a full detail on my car and long story short I`m a bit disappointed with the results. Here was the line up:



1) Wash

2) Clay

3) AIO

4) SG

5) Natty`s blue



Truth be told guys, the before and after aren`t all that different. The car looks a bit "cleaner" then it looked after being clayed but thats it. Since it seems the SG and Natty`s blue made little difference, I`m assuming that is the culprit. With all I hear on this board about how great these products are, it must just be that they aren`t intended to be used with my paint.



For those of you who have worked on newer BMWs, my car`s color is Space Gray. I`d like to see a comparison of what you guys have used and the results on this particular color? This would be greatly appreciated because as of now much of my detailing seems to have been a waste of time. Heres a few pics of my paint color:



http://www.e90post.com/forums/uploadedimages/e92pr/P0024437a.jpg

http://www.e90post.com/forums/uploadedimages/e92pr/P0024435a.jpg



Thanks guys

[BigJimZ28]

do you have a pc?

if so I would add a polish



Aio is a great chemical cleaner but not much of a polish



maybe some pics of your car will help

[imported_Dave KG]

The biggest differences you will observe in the detailing process comes from the paint preperation stages, coming from the removal of paint defects and polishing the paint to a high gloss. LSPs (eg SG and Nattys Blue) only really add the final 5-10% to a detail, and unless the paintowrk has been thoroughly prepped you will likely not see much of a difference from using them.



I am however a little surprised that AIO hasn`t made a noticeable difference on your paint as it is a very effective chemical cleanser and generally good at leaving a nice finish... How did you use this product? It requires to be worked into the paint in order to get the best from it, with medium pressure and worked on small areas.



If you concentrate on the preparation stages, and getting the AIO to perform, then you will see a greater difference from the application of your LSPs. Re: the colour, I have seen excellent results on that colour of BMW using AIO and SG, the acryllic finish seems to suit that colour rather well.

[porta]

1. Clay

2. Menzerna finishing polish(PO85RD,PO85RE5 or PO106FF) with a polishing/finishing pad with a rotary, PC or cyclo.

3. AIO

4. SG*2

[Yuen]

I would think that it`s because your car`s still so new, that the paint is still in very good condition. Hence you see much less of a change when you compare your car to other older cars that are usually posted on the board.

[imported_smprince1]

I agree with what`s been said already. The AIO is a good cleaner, but not much of a polish.



Adding a finishing polish such as FPII, OP, SSR1, etc. will help to add gloss.

[coupe]

Im thinking its just the color of the car.

Light colors (whites, silvers, yellows, greys etc) just dont have the reflection that dark colors do so when you detail them they really dont appear to be much more than just "clean". Then consider the possibility that the paint was already in great condition making it appear even less stuning in your eyes.

[Accumulator]

Danforz- Even if the appearance hasn`t been enhanced as much as you were expecting (yeah, I too think it needs some abrasive polishing) at least it`s well-protected now.



Example Re the polishing: my wife and I have two silver Audis that`re basically identical, both were in very nice, if not perfect, condition. After using the rotary and then the Cyclo on mine (lots and lots of polishing, lots and lots of inspecting) it looked *infinitely* better than the other one did, I was shocked by the difference. Heh heh, so shocked that my wife`s car then got the same treatment. The sort of very light marring that doesn`t really show on colors like mine and yours (and that only shows at all in certain lighting) can still make all the difference; polish it out and you *will* see the difference.



Unless, as noted, your paint is already perfect and it just doesn`t please you...but I respectfully opine that *that* is unlikely. I can`t remember the last time I saw a brand new in a showroom that was even close to perfect if you inspected it meticulously enough.

[06E90]

I have TiAg BMW. Like someone said, it could be the color. It also ddepends on what you like as far as final look. Some sealants will have more shine while others will look wetter/deeper. I have tried just about every OTC product on my car and I like Mothers FX and Duragloss 105 the best. Carnauba does not look too great on my silver but it does on my hunter green Jeep.

[Scottwax]

I agree it may need deeper polishing to get the best results. I think this 330 is the same color as yours but just shot under different lighting. The owner`s driveway is heavily shaded and they are only available for detailing in the afternoon.



Optimum Polish via Cyclo using white finishing pads, buffed off with Optimum Car Wax and sealed with Meguiars #16.



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/2006_BMW_330i_OP_OCW_16_side1.jpg



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/2006_BMW_330i_OP_OCW_16_rear1.jpg



Same car with Clearkote`s Vanilla Moose via PC and a green Propel lite cut pad and topped with Natty`s Blue:



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/2006_BMW_330i_grey_frontend.jpg



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/2006_BMW_330i_grey_rear1.jpg



Just Optimum Car Wax about 3 months after the above combo:



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/2006_BMW_330i_front_OCW.jpg



http://www.autopia.org/gallery/data/500/2006_BMW_330i_side_OCW.jpg

[imported_rydawg]

scott you do amazing work

[Envious Eric]

agree with everyone else...you need to polish if you want to see a difference....

[danforz]

I`d love to polish but what polishes can be used by hand?

[Scottwax]

Meguiars #80 and Optimum Polish can both be use by hand. Honestly though, it is better to invest the money in a PC and pads. Lowes is clearing out the Porter Cable 7336 and some had it for under $60. Add in a backing plate and pads and you are out about $150.

[BMW335i]

Meguiars #80 and Optimum Polish can both be use by hand. Honestly though, it is better to invest the money in a PC and pads. Lowes is clearing out the Porter Cable 7336 and some had it for under $60. Add in a backing plate and pads and you are out about $150.



The clearance sale PC`s are pretty much gone...Its good that the OP is starting somewhere. Keep trying out different things you may hit a home run. Oh yeah, and polishing with a PC is pretty big here if you want deep gloss - I know - you are hesistant. I would suggest Prime Strong by hand topped with AJT if you want something easy.