Black BMW 545i Awful

[imported_Totoland Mach]

After doing BMW detailing for the past several months, this one is the worst I`ve seen.



The entire finish looks like it was washed with a Brillo pad. The bumper was peppered with stone chips.



Some examples:



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_Scratches1.jpg



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_Scratches2.jpg



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_Scratches3.jpg



Sanded the bumper with 3000 grit and a Snap-On air orbital



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_BumperSanded.jpg



Fender Sanding (I also did the hood, but didn`t take pics)



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_FenderSanded.jpg



Compounded the bumper (no glaze yet)



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_BumperCompounded.jpg



Another bumper shot...looks tons better



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_BumperCompounded2.jpg



Compounded the rear bumper



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_RearBumperCompounded.jpg



After 2 nights of tough work, the car is compounded. Next is glazing and #26 to finish.



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_RearViewCompounded.jpg



I`ll get some finished pics tonight (unless this ice storm in KC keeps me from getting to the shop).



Totoland Mach

[kansasdn]

Looking good--I`m betting on the finished product being top class--as usual

[RAG]

Wow!



Can`t wait for the "afters."



Btw, I couldn`t help but notice one of those 3M waffle pads...I`ve never talked to anybody that really liked those. How`s it working for you?

[sixty7mustang22]

Holy crap. They tortured that thing.



A least you were brought in to rescue it. Poor thing.

[RAG]

What grit did you use and do you know how much clear came of in total?



Personally, I really like the black BMWs but if I bought one, I`d hit the entire car with with a little dose of 2500 to knock down the orange peel...if done carefully, I think this can be done by removing less than 5 microns of paint.

[Envious Eric]

why no other polish after compounding??? not worth it in this case? no micromarring from compounding?

[DSVWGLI]

Wow that was a mess. Looks like you are doing a great job on it, but I was wondering the same thing as toyotaguy why no polish after compounding? You might get away with that with a silver car but I wouldn`t recommend it with black.

[Scottwax]

Seriously, what is wrong with people who do that to a car?



Amazing job so far, I can`t wait to see the final results. :)

[coupe]

I too am curious about why your not using a finishing polish.

[tyoung]

Wow, that is some crazy swirls in such a nice car. Without even being done, you mad eit look a thousand times better.

[Bigpoppa3346]

why no other polish after compounding??? not worth it in this case? no micromarring from compounding?



I also am wondering this. In the after compounding shot of that rear bumper, the paint looks really hazy.

[porta]

Nice work!

[imported_Totoland Mach]

I was able to get some glazing done yesterday and hopefully finish the exterior of the car today. Thank goodness for a shop environment, cause it`s snow and ice in Kansas City all weekend!



To answer questions:

RAG - the 3M pads are all the owner buys for the rotary. They are expensive at $15 each, but last a long time and work super. With compound, I typically generate enough heat to make the sheet metal "pop" (scared the bejeezus out of me at first, but the shop owner just laughed).



I used 3000 Grit 3M Trizact pads that fit a Snap On air orbital sander and quick detailer for a lube. For compound curves (near the headlights), I use a Trizact hand pad for the same 3000 grit pad.



TOYOTAGUY - The method the dealer wants me to use is compound + glaze + wax. I tried other methods and his seems to work well. We tend to work the compound a long time and the glazing even longer.



After glazing, I work Meg`s #26 in with a Festool (or PC) and a finish pad.



Here`s some pics after working with glaze.



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BMW545i_Glazed_reflection.jpg



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BMW545i_Glazed_Lightreflection.jpg



http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BMW545i_Glazed_indoorshot.jpg



I`ll try to get some better indoor shots today. The problem is we have detailed cars that can`t be moved outside due to the weather and working space is tight.



Toto

[imported_Totoland Mach]

I was able to get some glazing done yesterday and hopefully finish the exterior of the car today. Thank goodness for a shop environment, cause it`s snow and ice in Kansas City all weekend!

[RTexasF]

That is an astounding recovery of paint I`d have thought too far gone. I thoroughly enjoy write ups like this......they show me what a true pro can do and how little I actually know.

Next time my chest is all puffed out with pride from removing a few marks with my Cyclo I`ll remember this Bimmer. It will bring me back to earth and make me humble once again.



Wonderful work and photos, thank you.