2013 BMW 328i new car prep + Opti Coat

T

Thomas Dekany

New member
Customer contacted me awhile back and after clear bra and some other installs, the car was ready to be prepped properly. Initially the owner opted for a 1 step plus opti coat, but seeing how badly the paint looked, I ended up doing a 2 step detail, removing most imperfections.

As you can see, this car gets driven in rural areas in Oregon (which means dirt roads) a lot and needed a durable coating pronto!


_2091616.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr


_2091617.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr


_2091618.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr


_2091619.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr

Process

Dawn foam bath #1, rinse = nothing
Degreaser foam #1 = better
Let it soak
Wheels cleaned with degreaser and wheel woollies
Rinse whole car
Degreaser foam bath #2
Rinse
Dawn foam bath #2 to aid washing
Wash with dawn and 2 bucket method, grout sponge
Rinse
Clay towel with dawn solution
Rinse

Result


_2091623.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr


_2091620.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr


_2091622.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr

Once the car was inside I dried it, and spent some time drying the wheels.

GG6 with MF pads and D300 to correct, followed by 205 and also used Perfect Finish. The rear bumper was very stubborn so I switched to HD Cut to level. On the paint, Cut was hazing up too much. I must have a bottle from the first batch.

After D300 & 205


P2090004.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr

And after Perfect Finish


P2090010.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr

Just one decent after shot - Ended up being a long day and not enough light in the garage at 11:00pm


P2090020.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr

However, the customer was kind enough to pull the car out the next morning for a few shots.

Glass and wheels were also coated of course. License plates were coated as well.

Tires have 3D tire shine


IMG_1681 by savingspaces33, on Flickr


IMG_1680 by savingspaces33, on Flickr


IMG_1677 by savingspaces33, on Flickr


IMG_1675 by savingspaces33, on Flickr

Thank you for checking out the detail!
 
Great work! Big transformation indeed.
I noticed you used dawn quite a bit, have you ever tried Citrus Wash & Gloss?
 
Thank you guys for your nice replies.

1 - the owner didn't want holes in the front bumper.

2 - never tried citrus wash and gloss. - I do like an APC foam/soak before polishing though. :)
 
Hi,I also want to use opt coat. But this will be on a brand new car. I want to keep it simple. So my plan is to; 1.wash,2.clay,3.meg 205,.4. Griots prewax cleaner.5. opti coat 2.0. How does sound to you. jimflutes
 
Great work Thomas!
jimflutes said:
Hi,I also want to use opt coat. But this will be on a brand new car. I want to keep it simple. So my plan is to; 1.wash,2.clay,3.meg 205,.4. Griots prewax cleaner.5. opti coat 2.0. How does sound to you. jimflutes
Click to expand...

Hey Jim, after your steps sound good but you need to do an IPA or Carpro eraser wipe down right before application for proper bonding or OC. Hope it helps.
 
Looking good!! :bigups

It's amazing how nice a car can look with some knowledge, skill, and effort..:yourrock
 
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