2011 BMW 128i Convertible - redux

mjlinane

My name is Mike
Returning after 2 years (http://www.autopia.org/forums/the-detailers-showcase/41479-2011-bmw-128i-convertible.html?highlight=) - 2011 Deep Sea Blue BMW 128i Convertible. It has taken on a fair bit of battle damage in that time.

Started with the wheels and tires. My kung fu was not good enough to fully recover the front wheels: 2x PWB Spray & Rinse (with agitation), Dodo Juice Supernatural, IronX Paste, Sonax FEWC, steam, clay and 2 hours of swearing could not remove all of the baked on brake dust from the front wheels. Oh well... the tires did clean up well and TW Jet Black Tire Coating did them up right.

Stripped the paint with my mix of CG Citrus Wash + OPC and followed with IronX Snowfoam and traditional wash. SM Arnold Speedy Prep Pad + Pinnacle Clay Lube revealed a lot of work ahead of me.

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After Griot's BOSS G21 + Optimum Polishing MF + Megs D300 (with a little something special extra), RUPES 21 + CG Hexlogic White + Blackfire SRC Finishing Polish and GG6 + 3" BP + 4" RUPES UHS pad + Menzerna Power Finish action, it looked like this. LSP was DP Paint Coating.

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Want more? Oh no!! Not another @#$% video. (I know, I know - same music?!? If you don't want ads or to be muted or to have it blocked in certain countries, your choices are very limited.)


On a side note, I had originally intended to coat with BF Crystal Coat. But for the second time in 2 attempts, epic fail. It goes off too quickly for me to level it - even on 1' x 1' areas. If anyone has unlocked the secret, please let me know. OTOH, DP Paint Coating is pretty much foolproof. Even I can use it. ;)
 

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I have heard other people having problems with BF Crystal Coat. Seems like it has gone through two formulations. I would just toss it and stick with something that works. That must have been some fierce brake dust to stand up to Iron-X paste. Thanks for the write up and the pics.
 
You Killed It, Mike !!!
Absolutely beautiful perfect gloss and clarity !!!
Owner had to be stunned, right ???

Here are a couple of really good wheel cleaners for BMW wheels that I have used with great results ---

For the absolute worst wheels --- Amazon.com: BRAKE OFF WHEEL CLEANER: Automotive

For really bad wheels---- Meguiars Detailer D140 Wheel Brightener

As you already know, cleaning Bimmer wheels is an exercise in patience and not giving up on it... :)

I have had great results by first, pressure washing (just water) the wheels, then spraying them down carefully with the Meguiars D140, letting them dwell while I pressure wash(Just water) the rest of the car, then coming back before the wheels dry, and hitting them with the pressure washer, letting that wide fan nozzle just work on the embedded brake dust..

Then coming back again with the same product, gloves, and the really nice long brushes that will get all the way back to the other end, and by now, I have it all off.. Sometimes, this step is all that's needed if they are not too badly embedded with brake dust...

I have never damaged a wheel doing this either...

Thanks for the great post, pics and editing -
Dan F
 
Nice work Mike! Thanks for sharing.

That is one of my fears. Letting either of my BMW's wheels get to that point.
 
Thanks Pat, Marc, Mike and Steve.

You Killed It, Mike !!!
Absolutely beautiful perfect gloss and clarity !!!
Owner had to be stunned, right ???

Here are a couple of really good wheel cleaners for BMW wheels that I have used with great results ---

For the absolute worst wheels --- Amazon.com: BRAKE OFF WHEEL CLEANER: Automotive

For really bad wheels---- Meguiars Detailer D140 Wheel Brightener

As you already know, cleaning Bimmer wheels is an exercise in patience and not giving up on it... :)

I have had great results by first, pressure washing (just water) the wheels, then spraying them down carefully with the Meguiars D140, letting them dwell while I pressure wash(Just water) the rest of the car, then coming back before the wheels dry, and hitting them with the pressure washer, letting that wide fan nozzle just work on the embedded brake dust..

Then coming back again with the same product, gloves, and the really nice long brushes that will get all the way back to the other end, and by now, I have it all off.. Sometimes, this step is all that's needed if they are not too badly embedded with brake dust...

I have never damaged a wheel doing this either...

Thanks for the great post, pics and editing -
Dan F

Thanks Dan. Will definitely try those.

I have heard other people having problems with BF Crystal Coat. Seems like it has gone through two formulations. I would just toss it and stick with something that works. That must have been some fierce brake dust to stand up to Iron-X paste. Thanks for the write up and the pics.

Thanks.

Not quite ready to toss it yet (I have 2 bottles) but not too many attempts left though. I do have faith in PBMG products.
 
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