Newbie from Pittsburgh! Need advice on New Jet Black BMW

[The Driver]

Dan is always spot on! ALWAYS!

Btw ~ I looked up TST an did some digging, definitely a sham of a product designed to get you in for repeat business (It works but a standard sealant at most). Almost 100% of dealerships will not do it right. I`ve only been apart of one that was right, that was Mclaren... (You get what you pay for if you catch my drift)

[mikstr]

Hey Guys,

Just an update I completed my first attempt at protecting my car & taking the next level as you all sugessted instead of getting TST coating from the dealer. First of all to all the detailers that do this for a living I have a new found repsect as this xxxx is hard work! Below is a recap of the process I did using Blackfire products.


1 Two bucket Wash with Two mitts & strainers using BF Wash
2 Clay Bar the whole car using BF Clay Kit. I could not believe I had to clay a new car but was shocked when I did the sandwich bag test.
3 I applied by hand BF Gloss Enhancer that was some work as I think the PG would come in handy here.
4 Appied BF Crystal Seal this stuff is amazing! I applied Two coats 4 hours apart.
5 final step after 10 hours to let the BF Crystal Seal to cure I applied the BF Black Ice paste wax.

The next step from here is learning how to use a porter gable in place of doing by hand. I had 1000 watt lights in the garage & its amazing what the light shows in the paint. I regret letting the dealer Prep the car I mean burn the car with thie buffer I guess live & Learn.

Thanks again to all that talked me out of taking the car to the dealer & giviing me the confidence to do this myself!

sorry pics are taken with an iphne

Tom

[KBsToy]

Looks great !!!!wish it was a sunny day in the burgh

[mikstr]

I know these pics were taken during a 5 min break from the rain. Just another day in Da Burgh!

Thanks!

[fostarica]

That looks awesome!! And you get more satisfaction doing it yourself than having someone else do it. The addiction is just beginning!

[Stokdgs]

Beautiful job, Tom !!!

Even on an overcast day - Wow !!!

Wait until you see her in the bright sun !!!

And think about what you learned along the way - priceless...

Great job !!!

Merry Christmas !!
Dan F

[mikstr]

Thanks guys!

My wife is telling me that I am obsessed & I think she is right!

But also you have to be to with Jet Black!

Dan the Man! Have a nice Christmas as well!

[silver2kws6]

Looks great ! Good luck keeping it fresh in pittsburgh !

[Accumulator]

mikstr- Glad it turned out so well!

Keep an eye on it, and continue to refine your wash regimen.

[mikstr]

Yes is all about the wash! One thing I have to say is after you put in all the hard work you pay more attention to washing, detailing etc....

I had no idea the world I was entering with Jet Black?

[Billy Jack]

Congratulations, Tom!
You`ve taken the big first step. As others have posted, pay close attention to improving your wash technique and your upkeep will be much easier. I tell a lot of people to clay a new car and most feel it`s useless. Those who decide to do it are always impressed. I highly recommend purchase of a polisher and a pad assortment in the future. I grew up in the car business and have used a rotary for 40 years, but acquiring a Griot`s polisher was one of the wisest moves I`ve made. Any type of final polishing is so much easier and I rarely spread wax by hand anymore. If I can be of any help to you, I live in Upper St. Clair, probably not far from you. Don`t hesitate to PM.

Bill

[Ecrissman]

Looks great! Unfortunately living here in Pittsburgh you have to cherish the days it isn`t overcast and raining. Think of it this way, better to rain on a clean protected car than on a dirty one.

[Billy Jack]

Looks great! Unfortunately living here in Pittsburgh you have to cherish the days it isn`t overcast and raining. Think of it this way, better to rain on a clean protected car than on a dirty one.

How true!
I tend to choose my DD waxes for more than half the year based on how well they shed dirt. For the past couple years, DG has been my go-to, topped by one of the Collinite pastes. My daughter`s car got an Opti-Coat this fall and I`ll likely do some type of coating on my wife`s car next fall.

Bill

[pwaug]

Looks great! Unfortunately living here in Pittsburgh you have to cherish the days it isn`t overcast and raining. Think of it this way, better to rain on a clean protected car than on a dirty one.

You`re not kidding!!! Last winter I swear it snowed a half inch to an inch every day for 3 months, now this winter has been some rain so far every day or so. I think I liked it better in New Hampshire--get pounded with 12+ inches, but then it was nice and sunny for a week or two before you got pounded again.

DG 501/601 as a first coat and DG 105/601 as a second gets me through the winter with an occasional coat of Aquawax, but think I`m going to try Sonax Polymer Net Shield in the spring. There`s a thread over on AG and people have been raving about it`s ability to shead dirt like a coating and it lasts as long as DG products.