BMW 325xi, first time with Menzerna PO203S

[Phishy4]

Had a 2006 BMW 325xi (or just i, can`t remember) to do sort of a quick turnaround on today. I`ve had decent luck with 205 and an orange lc pad for one steps on softer paints, but needed something with a little more punch for this. The almighty RaskyR1 gave me some Menz 203 to try out and I was fairly impressed. The horizontal panels had a fair amount more defects, so we wound up going back to 105/205 for those, but the rest of the car was done with 203. The long work times brought me back to my days using the old optimum stuff, not that those are real fond memories, but it did do the job for the most part. With how bright it was out, couldn`t get defects to show up in the befores, but you get the idea.

Process was:

- Foamed with CGCW via Gilmour Foamaster II

- Washed with CGCW and sheepskin mitts

- Wheels & Tires got OPC 3:1 and dressed w/Optimum Tire Shine

- Clayed with Claymagic Blue and Griots Speedshine as lube

- Hood and trunk got 105/mf/griots da followed by 205/black lc/griots da

- The rest of the car was Menzerna P0203S via PC7424, orange 5.5" lc pad

- LSP was Blackfire Wet Diamond

- Interior was cleaned with Megs QID and Einzett Cockpit Preimum, leather

cleaned with OPC and treated with Optimum Protectant Plus

- Glass got SIG



Hard to tell much was wrong in the pics, it just was sort of dull and dirty in person, minor swirling.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zKZ78IYGXk0/Tm1uJskvMbI/AAAAAAAACww/CmBNjbUQxc0/s800/resized_IMG_6189.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SBWSrrOdQWQ/Tm1uJZh_OSI/AAAAAAAACw4/e80yvyBDLvE/s800/resized_IMG_6190.JPG



Dirty, dirty wheels:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pqgL9tCqZvw/Tm1uJQc9L8I/AAAAAAAACws/FYu3dW3Sb-w/s800/resized_IMG_6188.JPG



My sidekick working the foam gun.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-25HEGT6R_GI/Tm14HnkeWBI/AAAAAAAACy4/YinoWqUSVMM/s800/resized_IMG_6196.JPG



Dirty Tips

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-if_Sg_RwCt8/Tm1x3gh-reI/AAAAAAAACyg/2VZBn77XXio/s800/resized_IMG_6227.JPG



Clean Tips after glass cleaner and 0000 steel wool

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r7c6b7f1sco/Tm1x3g_to3I/AAAAAAAACyc/ERSKSVKdqwE/s800/resized_IMG_6228.JPG



All done. We had zero luck with the sun, either so bright you couldn`t see anything or in the shade. I understand now why before and afters are so frustrating with silver cars, in person it looked great, just couldn`t get it in the pics.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1aunrqsVkrQ/Tm14HZ-3lXI/AAAAAAAACy0/ojJHZjwMov4/s800/resized_IMG_6241.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rZquutwwm9Y/Tm1uNJzGLKI/AAAAAAAACxs/Pa4INKgHJ84/s800/resized_IMG_6245.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TrGsKwduPjU/Tm1uOtDzQtI/AAAAAAAACyI/mceWeqwqRr4/s800/resized_IMG_6252.JPG



Inside tidied up, and seats after Optimum Protectant Plus, I really like the finish it leaves

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n-aVsP2UdFY/Tm1uOUBrVOI/AAAAAAAACyE/2lgufmCzpGs/s800/resized_IMG_6251.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-utrrLDheS5g/Tm1uOBXWTJI/AAAAAAAACyA/Etj9CzfTK-c/s800/resized_IMG_6250.JPG



Pretty pedestrian detail I know, but I took the pics so what the hell. Thanks for looking!

[mikenap]

Not pedestrian at all. The car has a nice wetness now, looks very good. And I agree about the OPP, I really like the look it leaves behind too. Heck, I`m actually starting to enjoy the fake-leather smell!

[Phishy4]

Not pedestrian at all. The car has a nice wetness now, looks very good. And I agree about the OPP, I really like the look it leaves behind too. Heck, I`m actually starting to enjoy the fake-leather smell!



Thanks. Yea, I actually sort of like the smell of OPP as well.

[RaskyR1]

Looks good Justin! Glad to hear the 203 worked out for you too.





Silver is definitely a PITA to capture defects...or any light metallic for that matter.