BMW 745 Wet Sanding a Re-Paint

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imported_Totoland Mach

New member
The pre-owned BMW dealer I recondition cars for took this 745 on trade, after informing the owner that the car was repainted on both passenger doors. The owner, an elderly doctor was unaware and pretty mad that finding that out 3 years later.



So, up on the lift and break out the 2000 grit paper.



Here's a 10 foot shot of the car...I can see why the owner initially missed the repaint.



May07_745begin.jpg




Closeup shot of the orange peel



May07_745beginDoorCloseup.jpg




May07_745_StartOnRepaintedside.jpg




After wet sanding, I used a Meguiar's wool pad and started with 3M Extra Cut compound, then switched to Optimum compound. Here's one door compounded and the other sanded.



May07_745_wetsanded_plusCompounded.jpg




May07_745_wetsanded_compare.jpg




Another shot of 1 door with wool pad trails and the other door compounded after the wool with a polish pad



May07_745_OneDoorDoneOneWoolpad.jpg




Finally getting some nice finish!



May07_745_wetsanded_compare2.jpg




I'll finish up this side of the car today (polish + glaze + 3M Ultrafina SE), then flip the car to the other side which is just going to need wool and mild compound to level the paint.



Toto
 
Car is looking really good. I know you know what you are doing but I have always been told to color sand in one direction usually horizontal. Other than that everything is looking good!
 
jsatek said:
That repaint was dry.



Tip: try to get your sanding marks totally uniform. It lessens the chance of leaving a sanding mark in the paint.
Click to expand...



Thanks for the tip sir! I'll definitely use that info for the upper parts of the doors (crease line to window frame). This level of paint correction is still a learning process for me as I don't have any body shop experience. The dealer is a giant help because he's done these cars for 30+ years.



Yal: the doc bought the car as a "Certified" used car from the dealer. He has a pretty negative image of that place now.



Audicoupej: I started around 5:00pm and finished at 10:00pm last night. I keep my rotary speed around 1200-1400 rpm on the Metabo. That also included a wool/compound on the rear bumper. We turn the car around because of space limitations on one side of the shop. By doing this, I can have lots of lighting and space to do the work. Also, I cover the existing cars in the shop to keep compound dust off them as they are finished vehicles.



Toto
 
Totoland Mach said:
Audicoupej: I started around 5:00pm and finished at 10:00pm last night. I keep my rotary speed around 1200-1400 rpm on the Metabo. That also included a wool/compound on the rear bumper. We turn the car around because of space limitations on one side of the shop. By doing this, I can have lots of lighting and space to do the work. Also, I cover the existing cars in the shop to keep compound dust off them as they are finished vehicles.



Toto
Click to expand...



Thanks for the info. The wool doesn't burn through the rear bumper at those speeds? Do you move the rotary very quickly?

It sure is nice having a lift. :grinno: I had the privilege of doing a 328GTS with a lift.
 
Audicoupej: Actually, the wool pad works better on plastic panels than a cutting pad. The Meguiar's folks suggested that method because wool runs "cooler" and the heat generated by a foam pad. I've burned enough plastic parts to vouch for the heat generated by a cutting foam pad on plastic.



I typically work fairly slowly with wool, then follow that with a 3M glaze pad and polish. It works out to be the best combo and, above all, safest.



Toto
 
jsatek said:
That repaint was dry.



Tip: try to get your sanding marks totally uniform. It lessens the chance of leaving a sanding mark in the paint.
Click to expand...

exactly what i was thinking. the rear door didnt seem to look uniform or sanded enough for much peel removal, but hey if it worked :up
 
Accumulator: I used 3M 2000 grit wet/dry and a rubber block. Next time, I might try the 2000 grit pads for the air powered random orbital. I only have the TriZact 3000 pads for this machine, but it sure puts a nice uniform pattern in wet sanding.



Toto
 
Ryan: The bumpers don't need wet sanding, but I'll wool pad + compound them. I did the rear bumper last night as it was "in the halogens".



I'll post more pics after polishing/glazing.



I like the color as well. It's a little different from the standard BMW Black or Silver.



Richard
 
Thanks Scott! I'm learning more and more about the wool pads + compounds in a shop environment. I don't think I'd ever want to take this level of paint reconditioning to an on-site customer though. Lots more work/dust/steps involved. After doing approx. 55 BMW's in a shop environment, I've found the education to be enormous.



Toto
 
Finally finished the re-painted side and compounded the rest of the car. The results of the wet sanding/wool pad/compounding are remarkable.



Here's what I started with finish-wise:



May07_745_OneDoorBefore.jpg




Here's a reflection shot from the shop. The sanding and wool pad bought the paint to OEM quality.



May07_745_SideReflectionAfterCompou.jpg




Tomorrow, I'll glaze + Ultrafina SE the car, then apply Meguiar's #26 and start on the interior.



Later folks
 
toto - good work as usual, but I just noticed the pads on the cart. That is a no no in my book. Get some of those larger ziplock bags to store them.



Remember you are on autopia :D
 
My Bad Tdekany!!!!!!!!!!



We were using a bunch of pads today (both the dealer and I need this car finished tomorrow so the pressure is on).



Thanks for the "Autopia Warning" LOL



Toto
 
A great recovery work on the 745 and now the paint work looks crystal clear.



Btw, regarding the 3M products, should we use Ultrafina SE first than follow by glaze or the other way round ?
 
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