04 545i and 91 NSX... Both black.. both hammered..

[imported_d00t]

First up is the 545i. I did this car last weekend (21st-23rd). By the end of the third day I had about 24 hours in to the car :thud: . When I booked this job about a month ago, I knew it was going to be a little tough based on the condition of the car.. which hadn`t changed in that month, except for maybe getting worse. But I really wanted to tackle this Jet Black beast.



Anyways, I contacted Nick (Nikku) because I know he works on a lot of BMW`s and asked for his advice as to the best possible combo for the correction. More on this later, but thanks Nick!



On with the detail. When the car first arrived:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03276.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03277.jpg



(it was more of a brown.. then a black.. :yikes: )



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03278.jpg



Tree sap? Check. Moderate to heavy swirls+RIDS? Check. Water-spot etching? Check.



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03279.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03281.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03282.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03285.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03287.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03294.jpg



First up, were the wheels. Per usual E46/E60 wheels, they were a matte grey, than the metallic silver they`re supposed to be.



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03295.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03296.jpg



Rears were in bad shape too:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03297.jpg



So I proceeded to rinse, spray P21S wheel gel, and agitate with various brushes.



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03303.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03299.jpg



The tires got eimann fabrik tire cleaner, and the wheel wells got eimann fabrik hi-inensity cleaner.



After the initial scrubbin`:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03300.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03301.jpg



That`s more like it!:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03302.jpg



The next order of business was the engine bay. It was moderately dirty, but not too bad.



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03288.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03289.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03290.jpg



Was pressure rinsed from a safe distance and then sprayed with Eimann Fabrik HIC and agigated with various brushes. Then dressed with PB Trim Restorer.



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03304.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03379.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03380.jpg

[imported_d00t]

Once that was complete, I foamed, and washed the car with CG CWC. Then pulled it in for claying. I used Riccardo Yellow for the job. Contamination was relatively light for how dirty the car was.. here`s a pic after half the hood:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03305.jpg



Taped up for surgery:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03306.jpg



Swirls before:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03307.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03308.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03310.jpg



Then the polishing came! Using Nikku`s instructions, I proceeded with two polishes to start off with. 3M UK Fast Cut Plus, paired with a 3M UK Green Compounding pad and Gloss-It EVP worked for about 5-7 minutes at 1000-1200-1700-1200. Then followed that up with Menzerna PowerFinish on a 3M UK Yellow pad worked at 1000-1200-1500-1200-1000



Here`s the results in the sun:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03311.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03313.jpg



Under halogens:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03315.jpg



What I found out once I started working the rest of the hood (I usually work 1/2 a hood at a time) that I was going too fast for the polishing sequence. So on all the verticle panels, and the hood/trunk I went with 3M FC+ and PFW+EVP at 1800rpm, then back down the FC+ and 3M UK Green then PowerFinish/Yellow.



Here`s the hood after (a few deep RIDS remained: about 7 scratches that went the length of the hood that I later confirmed with the owner were from cat claws :shrug: )



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03319.jpg

(one seen here)



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03324.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03327.jpg



Fender done/ door not:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03331.jpg



Mirror before:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03335.jpg



After:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03339.jpg



Me working the A-pillar:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03344.jpg



Trunk before:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03345.jpg



And after:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03348.jpg



Trunk done, rear quarter not:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03350.jpg



Rear quarter panel:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03352.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03355.jpg



After:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03356.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03359.jpg



Top door frame before:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03361.jpg



After:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03362.jpg



Rear door done, drivers door not:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03364.jpg



Rear door complete:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03368.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03369.jpg



I then pulled it outside to get some pre-lsp sun shots before rinsing the car off all polishing dust.



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03370.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03372.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03373.jpg



After 3 passes with wool, two with green compounding pad, and one with powerfinish, these swirls on the trunk STILL wouln`t come out.. with only 120 mircons of clear on the trunk, I didn`t feel safe wetsanding the area.



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03374.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03376.jpg



Close-up:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03377.jpg

[imported_d00t]

The reason I am showing so many sun-shots pre-LSP is becaue of LSP choice. I wanted to go with Bilt-Hamber Auto Balm because of it`s amazing durability, and the look it gives on black. Last time I used this, I was accused of using it for filling on some forums--well I`m showing you there`s little to nothing for BHAB to fill, so I`m using it for it`s looks and durability :)



I then moved on to the interior. It wasn`t in bad shape.. a vacuum/carpet cleaning, dash wipe down and wood polished, and cleaning/conditioning of the leather.



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03382.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03385.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03388.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03392.jpg



Trunk area cleaned up:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03393.jpg



Interior afters:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03419.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03420.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03421.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03424.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03425.jpg



Like I stated previously, LSP of choice was Bilt-Hamber Autobalm. Final afters:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03397.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03400.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03401.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03402.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03407.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03408.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03410.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03411.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03412.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03415.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03416.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03417.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03432.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/06%20545i/DSC03435.jpg





Next!!

[imported_d00t]

A 91 Berlina Black NSX. This car was in fairly bad shape--and was starting to show it`s age. On top of that the whole car has been repainted, some place (the front clip) more than once.



When I first got the car:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03441.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03442.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03443.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03446.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03450.jpg



No real pics of the wash process.. But I cleaned the wheels with P21S and tires/wheel wells with eimann fabrik. Unfortunately the previous owner of the car didn`t pay attention to the delicate anondized finish on the volk rims, and the red lips were ruined with stains :shakehead: . The car was foamed with CWC:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03460.jpg



Then washed with the 2BM and then brought inside for claying with riccardo yellow.



I then inspected the paint:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03461.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03463.jpg



After some trial and error I came up with M105 with Yellow so1o wool + GI EVP, followed with PowerFinish on 3M UK Yellow, and then M205 on 3M UK Blue.



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03464.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03465.jpg



Under camera flash:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03466.jpg



Sun:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03468.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03469.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03476.jpg



Fender before:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03478.jpg



After:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03480.jpg



Front bumper Before:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03483.jpg



After:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03485.jpg



Front bumper done, hood not:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03486.jpg



Hood done, fender not:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03489.jpg



Rear quarter before:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03495.jpg



After:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03496.jpg



Under camera flash:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03499.jpg



Close up:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03501.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03502.jpg



Rear wing:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03503.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03504.jpg



Under flash:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03505.jpg



Flash/Brinkman:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03508.jpg



Trunk:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03511.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03513.jpg

(wing was removed to be sure to polish the whole trunk)



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03515.jpg



Tail lights:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03518.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03520.jpg

[imported_d00t]

Rear bumper:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03519.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03521.jpg



Dull reflections:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03523.jpg



More CRISP reflections:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03527.jpg



50/50 of rear quarter:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03534.jpg



Finished:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03535.jpg



Both engine bays were degreased and dressed with meg`s HD 3:1.



Before:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03454.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03455.jpg



After:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03540.jpg



Cool custom cover



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03542.jpg



Front bay:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03543.jpg



Odds and ends:



Interior was cleaned with 1Z CockpitPremium, BRIDE seats were vacuumed/lint rolled, carpets cleaned with CG Citrus Pad/Microfiber cleaner, tires dressed with Megs HD 1:1, wheels polished with Werkstat Prime and Sealed with Acrylic.



LSP for this car was Blackfire AFPP followed with RBOE. I discovered a new technique (http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/f38/new-technique-applying-removing-rboe-11360.html#post166572) to use when applying RBOE.



Afters:



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03546.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03547.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03549.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03550.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03552.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03554.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03556.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03558.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03560.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03564.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03565.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03566.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03559.jpg



http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo177/justwaxed/91%20NSX/DSC03566.jpg





Thanks for looking!



As always, C/C Welcome!



:wave:

[MarcHarris]

awesome work just as expected Aaron. Thanx for the link/tip of the RBOE - Jacob and I look forward to putting that to use soon enough!

[STL WRX]

Does that BMW have Park or do you leave it in Neutral and pull the e-brake?

[Thats Fresh]

Looking good! You get all black cars too huh? Haha

[Case]

Does that BMW have Park or do you leave it in Neutral and pull the e-brake?



Heh, my question exactly just didn`t want to ask.



Nice job on both, love the NSX.

[Labster]

Great looking details! Just curious, where did you get the dark grey (black?) embroidered button down shirt at?

[OCKlasse]

Heh, my question exactly just didn`t want to ask.



Nice job on both, love the NSX.



SMG is like any other exotic paddle-shifteresque transmission. The car starts in neutral and is turned off in neutral. Same goes for Lambos, et cetera.



Great work by the way!

[Carticular]

Awesome work, car looks great!

[imported_d00t]

awesome work just as expected Aaron. Thanx for the link/tip of the RBOE - Jacob and I look forward to putting that to use soon enough!



Thanks Marc!




Does that BMW have Park or do you leave it in Neutral and pull the e-brake?



As stated below-- it only has N, R and D. You park the car in N and pull the ebrake.. much like a stick shift. Also, it has the "delay" like a stick shift does. Makes it a pain to pull up close to things :P




Looking good! You get all black cars too huh? Haha



Thanks! Actually I usually don`t, that`s the funny thing. Just lately I guess!!




Heh, my question exactly just didn`t want to ask.



Nice job on both, love the NSX.[/QUOTE



Thanks a lot!



[quote name=`Labster`]Great looking details! Just curious, where did you get the dark grey (black?) embroidered button down shirt at?



Thanks! It is dark grey as my company colors are dark grey, light grey, white, black. I got it at a franchise called "Embroid Me". But my mom is very good friends with an embroidery shop (of course after I bought all my shirts) so if you`re looking in to something--shoot me a PM!




SMG is like any other exotic paddle-shifteresque transmission. The car starts in neutral and is turned off in neutral. Same goes for Lambos, et cetera.



Great work by the way!



Thanks a lot!




Awesome work, car looks great!



Thank you!

[Nikku]

Aaron !! Great job on both accounts. I love how the paint turned out on the 545i. The NSX swirls seemed messy. Great work on that as well. Hopefully I was able to help a little ;)



Keep`em coming !