1997 BMW 528i Aubergine (Egg Plant)

W.S. · Jun 13, 2007

After 14 hours with the P/C 7336, all the Edge cutting pads, and Optimum Compound and Polish.

This car will be 11 in August, 96 build date. Spent most of its life in NY/NYC. I bought it last fall for a song and have been waiting to detail it. It does have some dents, but the reflection is AMAZING! Optimum sure beats Z-PC polish, which had an extremely small work time.

Process:

Dawn Wash

Meg's Gold Class clay

Optimum Compound on the entire vehicle (w/ various cutting pads)

Optimum Polish on entire vehicle (light cutting pad)

S100 (P21S) wax.

I love the S100 wax! I swear that stuff could be a religous experience! I have used Zaino on some other cars, but the S100 is so much simpler.

Here are the pics:

Thomas Dekany · Jun 13, 2007

No see pictures???????????????

W.S. · Jun 14, 2007

I'm working on it the site didn't like the size. I will try and host them somewhere else and link.

Wade

White_07_G6_GT · Jun 14, 2007

Wow 14 hours can't wait to see the pics!

coupe · Jun 14, 2007

dude photobucket.com

W.S. · Jun 14, 2007

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

View my photo at PhotoLava.com

W.S. · Jun 14, 2007

I had a pretty bad finish to start with. I bought the car from a Nissan dealer in NJ which had gotten it at auction. You probably realize that auction places enjoy lots of rotary with wool pad action. The car was a swirled mess. The trunk lid and sunroof have been repaited, the sunroof with one stage. I spent a majority of time getting those to look decent, as you can see, they do now.

I am certain that my car has not looked this nice for a long, long time. Guess the mileage?

Wade

W.S. · Jun 14, 2007

mikebai1990 · Jun 14, 2007

What the heck? Why the Michigan plates in the front and Penn in the back?

Anyway, nice car!

W.S. · Jun 14, 2007

Boy, heat from both sides. the Bimmer forum member have been asking the same thing. I put that on since I don't have the money to buy a nice BMW plate. I found it in my basement (michigan plate) and put it on. the plate is from 1979, so it is by no means recent. Is there a law against that in PA?

Thanks for the complement. I finally saw it in the sun today and there are still some minor swirls but I reduced the swirls that were there by about 80-90%. Not bad considering that is my first time on hard german paint with the P/C, second time with the P/C polishing.

Wade

Scottwax · Jun 14, 2007

I'm guessing it is very against the law anywhere to have two different license plates on a car.

Looks pretty good otherwise.

W.S. · Jun 14, 2007

Thanks Scottwax. You're seal of approval makes me feel great! I will take that plate off tomorrow.

What does everyone else use to get the swirls out of BMW paint? Should I just buy a good filler/glaze (one grand comes to mind)?

Wade

Ben Kenobi · Jun 14, 2007

I'd say you achieved excellent results for your first time on that paint Wade. I'd lose the front plate too as it'll look cleaner and you don't need it. I'm guessing the mileage was low, mmm say about 30K? The interior looks very clean, how was it when you picked it up? Nice Apple sticker by the way! :goodjob

W.S. · Jun 14, 2007

Ben Kenobi,

Thanks for the positive feedback. As I said I will take the plate off tomorrow.

I search the tri-state area for four moths to find a 528i/5m that was in my low price range (hint, hint...). I did a major interior cleaning about a month a ago. I have a secrect leather cleaning forula that broghut it back. (hint, hint...). The car was sold at auction to Ramsey Nissan in Upper Saddle River, NJ. It then sat on the dealer lot for about 4-6 months. Had I not come along a swooped it up, it surely would have gone back to auction.

Although your guess is nice, and very flattering, try again (multiply).

The apple sticker is from my iPod Video, I put it on because one of my friends put it on their car. (peer pressure)

Had I taken pictures of the car before my work, you would have cried. I suspect the auction house used cheap wax on wool pads.

Wade

Ben Kenobi · Jun 14, 2007

Good detective work Wade. You're right I would have cried if I saw it. I hate when people don't take care of cars as they cost a lot of money. I'm sure you're the same when you see a nice BMW (or any other vehicle you like) that has been neglected or abused. I'll leave it to you to tell us the mileage, if I'm in your part of the state I'll want to see your pride and joy. Did you detail the engine bay yet? :hifive:

W.S. · Jun 14, 2007

Ben,

I have not detailed the engine bay yet, because I am very werey of spraying water on all those electroinics. If someone could give me instructions, or a link that would be quite helpful.

As she stands now (I named her Helga, she is quite strong) the odometer reads 156,500 miles (approx.).

I still need to do some work but she looks many times better. The day I went to look at her it was pouring rain, so I couldn't look at the paint. We I went back for delivery, I finally saw the damage and neglect. More swirls than you could poke a stick at (as though that would help). My goal is to polish almost all of them out, them glaze and apply several more coats of S100.

Wade

Ben Kenobi · Jun 26, 2007

Wade, there are a few threads about detailing engine bays, have a peek. I'm sure you find you don't have much to worry about. Helga will look better and probably run even faster!

You never do know what you'll find when you look at paint up close do you? Hope you've been out enjoying the weather and taking some scenic drives.

W.S. · Jun 26, 2007

I bought some 3M engine bayer degreaser, so I will read up on engine bay cleaning. Actually I have gone on a few nice drives. Man, I fall in love with this car over and over. anyway, today I got some trimbrite tape and changed the aluminum trim to "shadowline" black. I promise it does not look corny, quite fetching actually.

I gave her her first wash post initinial detail yesterday. I used the 2 bucket meathod and an absorber towel to dry. First time I have used both, and I like both of them. I noticed some micro-marring from the OC so I will eventually go back and remove all the swrils and micro marring. Certainly better than it was.

I'm excited for tomorrow's detail, a black Z3 convertible.

Wade

itb76 · Jun 26, 2007

Scottwax said:
I'm guessing it is very against the law anywhere to have two different license plates on a car.

Michigan issues one plate, to be mounted on the rear. Many people put a plate from a different state or country, or even an old Michigan plate, on the front for decoration or whatever. I have never heard of anyone being hassled over this. I'm not sure but I believe it's legal here.

Other states of course have different requirements. I remember Texas has two plates plus those #$*&@ stickers they make you put on the windshield. Don't know about PA, check with the locals.

For detailing the engine, I had really good luck cleaning with Black Magic engine cleaner then dressing with CD2 Engine Detailer. I meant to post my results but haven't gotten to it yet.

Ben Kenobi · Jun 26, 2007

itb76 said:
I remember Texas has two plates plus those #$*&@ stickers they make you put on the windshield.

I hear you Lenny, they sure make those stickers large enough. I don't know how the Virginia drivers can handle them in the middle of the windshield. It would drive me around the bend.

1997 BMW 528i Aubergine (Egg Plant)

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I hear the '55s are in

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I hear the '55s are in