E46 M3 Alpine White detail

mikenap

mikenap

New member
The owner of this Alpine White M3 was introduced to me by a fellow E46 M3 owner at a recent Charlotte Cars&Coffee. After a few conversations, we settled on a time this past weekend to get his car cleaned up for an upcoming M3 get together. Since time was a definite factor, I managed the interior work on Saturday and returned on Sunday to wash/clay/one-step polish the exterior. Between both days, this car took about 14 hours to complete.

Starting in the trunk

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Moving inside


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Amazing what one 5-year old can do to an interior

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Almost got it all

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Once again, sunblock applied via 5-year old.

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Interior afters:
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Returned the following day for a wash

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Hard to see but this car had the most contamination and rust blooms of any car I've seen yet. Claying took FOREVER, and really had me wishing for some Iron-X.



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Proceeded with taping

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Tried capturing some defects, 50/50s and after shots, but it was hard to do on this color, plus my photography skills are sad.

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Looks like sanding marks, but the owner didn't know where they would have come from.


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The trunk was a carbon Vorsteiner CSL "bootlid" so I took it easy. The paint seemed thin, but my Highline II won't read carbon. So better safe than sorry, I stepped down to 205/tangerine to be safe. Took out most swirls but left some obvious RIDS. Also, from certain angles you could actually see the carbon weave under the paint. Weird.

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Afterwards, we pulled the wheels and cleaned them inside and out. Also cleaned the calipers and wheel wells. This is while cleaning the custom-painted calipers. After this, I steamed the wells and applied Hyperdressing.

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The exhaust tips were painted, so no steel wool here. Cleaned up as best I could with DG501.

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Great job, BMWs are my favorite cars. Question though, what did you use on the shadow line trim? Did you polish as well or use a trim product?
 
DieselMDX said:
great gloss for white


sick car
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Thank you!

Jay's128i said:
Great job, BMWs are my favorite cars. Question though, what did you use on the shadow line trim? Did you polish as well or use a trim product?
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Thanks Jay. Isn't Shadowline glossy? I have an E46 M3 also, and my trim is gloss black. This one was matte for some reason. No polish or wax, just a good clean with ONR.

Pats300zx said:
Incredible work Mike.
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Thanks Pat!

Ron-M said:
Looks very nice. Nice car. Nice work.
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Thank you Ron. Haven't seen you post since the forum change-over! Then again, I haven't been around as much either.
 
The vehicle looks great. Nice shots on the reflections. I've always been a fan of the late 80 early 90's M3(less computers). I'll have to say though that style is very nice.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron-M View Post
Looks very nice. Nice car. Nice work.

Thank you Ron. Haven't seen you post since the forum change-over! Then again, I haven't been around as much either.
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I took a bad fall a while ago. Tore my rotator cuff and severe back injury's. I couldn't walk but a few feet for a while. Just getting back into it in the last few weeks.

Good to see a lot of the TID folks here.

What year was the M3 or did I miss it?
 
Ron-M said:
I took a bad fall a while ago. Tore my rotator cuff and severe back injury's. I couldn't walk but a few feet for a while. Just getting back into it in the last few weeks.

Good to see a lot of the TID folks here.

What year was the M3 or did I miss it?
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Sorry to hear that Ron. Hope you're feeling better.

I believe the M is a 2003.
 
Yes, shodow line trim is a gloss black.. Did the M3 have a compatition package, if so, that would explain the matte finish. I hate on my shadow line how it discolors a little bit. I am going to buff when I get home with the 7424xp and see how it handles it.
 
Great work Mike and don't knock your photography skills. So of those reflection shot for a white car are awesome.

Can you share what product you used for the one Step?
 
Mike you out did yourself with this one, awesome correction when needed and great care on the M3. Just looks so sweet and wet! :drool: Thank you for sharing it here with us!:yourrock


P.S. Ron it's great to hear your heath is improving and great to see here. Take care:bigups
 
broker99 said:
Great work Mike. That is some great gloss for white. Love the M's
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Thank you Chad. I have a soft spot for these myself, especially for one particular one that resides in my garage 360 days out of the year!

Jay's128i said:
Yes, shodow line trim is a gloss black.. Did the M3 have a compatition package, if so, that would explain the matte finish. I hate on my shadow line how it discolors a little bit. I am going to buff when I get home with the 7424xp and see how it handles it.
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No Competition package on this model year, but that doesn't mean the previous owner didn't upgrade or swap out the trim. I guess mine is shadowline, and it polishes out well.

TID10 said:
Solid work! I love that car.
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Thanks bro!

rurocking said:
Great work Mike and don't knock your photography skills. So of those reflection shot for a white car are awesome.

Can you share what product you used for the one Step?
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Thanks, and the GOOD photography was by the owner! The one-step was D300 and MF cutting pads for the whole car, minus the 205/tangerine on the trunk. PS, take a peak at that super cool Mazda3 in the background. That's my "detailing wagon!"

Rocket said:
Nice job. I really think you did a great job with pics too
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Thanks man!

Don @ Migliore said:
Great work!
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Thank you Don!

zoomzoom mazda5 said:
Mike you out did yourself with this one, awesome correction when needed and great care on the M3. Just looks so sweet and wet! :drool: Thank you for sharing it here with us!:yourrock


P.S. Ron it's great to hear your heath is improving and great to see here. Take care:bigups
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Thank you Angelo, how've you been?:)
 
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