BMW X3 Black Metallic - Recon by Toto

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imported_Totoland Mach

New member
This turned out to be one nice SUV for the dealer. There were some serious scratches that I had to use 2000 grit and compound out, plus the usual car wash swirls.



Most of the vehicle looked like this



X3_MetBlack_SwirlsDoor.jpg




X3_MetBlack_FenderScratches.jpg




I also tried some masking tape that has a 12 inch plastic apron. Worked well for this SUV because of the volume of flat black plastic.



X3_MetBlack_OnLiftStartTaped2.jpg




Ok...on to process. The car was wetsanded where needed and I used 3M Extra Cut to start.



X3_CompoundSwirlsOnDoor.jpg




Power washed the compound dust off the car and racked it again for 3M Swirl Remover. This shot shows the Swirl Remover results



X3_OneDoorSwirlRemoverOneDoorNot.jpg




X3_BothDoorsSwirlRemover.jpg




Following the swirl remover, I used 3M Ultrafina SE, then a final power wash and Meguiar's #26.



The results show up well. The black plastic was wiped down with apc, then applied Auto Magic's Dressing and wiped off excess for an OEM look.



BlackMetallicX3_DoneOutside.jpg




BlackMetallicX3_DoneOutsideFullView.jpg




This shot shows the metallic flake well...



BlackMetallicX3_DoneShowingMetallic.jpg




Finally, a hood reflection inside the shop



BlackMetallicX3_DoneInsideHood.jpg




On to another black SUV....a 4.6 X5



Toto
 
Awesome shine and wetness Toto! It's so great to have a lift, so you don't have to hurt your back and knee's. The BMW looks better than new.:2thumbs:
 
Pats300zx said:
Awesome work Toto. Yes..I think you should be doing this full time :)
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I talked it over with my wife and she thinks I should go for it on a full time basis. My only concern was winter months in Kansas, but the dealer said he would keep in in cars and I'd never lack any work. That's refreshing and knowing I have the shop for indoor detailing in the winter is a BIG plus.



Thanks all for the compliments....much appreciated!



Toto
 
Great correction work! I just did a modified X5 4.6is in Estrol blue and the clears are bullet proof, but come out superb when done right. I should have pics of it up tomorrow.



Are you using the 3000 series extra cut compound and swirl remover? I tried the ultrafina on a couple of cars and it does work great, especially on black..



Have you used Menzerna 106ff?
 
rydawg said:
Great correction work! I just did a modified X5 4.6is in Estrol blue and the clears are bullet proof, but come out superb when done right. I should have pics of it up tomorrow.



Are you using the 3000 series extra cut compound and swirl remover? I tried the ultrafina on a couple of cars and it does work great, especially on black..



Have you used Menzerna 106ff?
Click to expand...





Rydawg: yes, it's the 3000 series on both products. Prior to the Swirl Remover, I was using their older Glaze for Dark Cars and our supply diminished, so we switched and it made a big difference in finish time. Ultrafina is a nice product for dark cars....brings out a lot of depth to the finish.



I have Menzerna 106FF and tried it on an AMG with excellent results. One thing I noticed about the Menzerna line: It doesn't finish out completely like 3M. There always seems to be a haze to wipe. Maybe I'm not using it correctly. On black cars, I power wash between process' and avoid buffing until I hit the Ultrafina stage.



Do you work the Menzerna 106FF with a polish pad? finish pad? I've also got their IP, Glaze, and Compound...but haven't tried them yet.



Toto
 
Totoland Mach said:
Rydawg: yes, it's the 3000 series on both products. Prior to the Swirl Remover, I was using their older Glaze for Dark Cars and our supply diminished, so we switched and it made a big difference in finish time. Ultrafina is a nice product for dark cars....brings out a lot of depth to the finish.



I have Menzerna 106FF and tried it on an AMG with excellent results. One thing I noticed about the Menzerna line: It doesn't finish out completely like 3M. There always seems to be a haze to wipe. Maybe I'm not using it correctly. On black cars, I power wash between process' and avoid buffing until I hit the Ultrafina stage.



Do you work the Menzerna 106FF with a polish pad? finish pad? I've also got their IP, Glaze, and Compound...but haven't tried them yet.



Toto
Click to expand...

I use the 106 via polish pad or finish pad if the paint is soft. The only thing I notice with the 106 compared to the ultrafina is the 106 makes a tremendous gloss where the ultrafina removes the ultrafine swirls. I will use the ultrafina on those easy to marr pain black cars though.



106 does polish almost forever and it aloows you to work it to the max if you want to. I sometimes will work a panel with 106 for 10 minutes lightly just to bring it to a whole new level of shine. It does finish off 100% swirl free via polish pad on a rotary which is very nice.



How aggressive is the swirl remover polish. I want to import the real 3m polish extra fine cut compound which is suppose to be there best stuff ever.
 
Toto, one more question... How long can you work the swirl remover polish and does it remain creamy or does it dry up? I was going to buy some but I do have a ton of swirl remover polishes. I am currently using Menzerna SIP and the UK version 3.02 which is excellent, but does have it's crappy moments and is harsh on my rotary. But when it does work great it is the best out there for sure.
 
rydawg: You can work 3M Swirl Remover to disappearance (as in Picture Number 6 above). That picture was taken right after application. I don't buff out Swirl Remover, I finish it down completely and move on. The benefit is you will see your work and not have a haze to remove.
 
You are the man Richard, beautiful work as usual! Really enjoyed this one, thanks for posting...
 
Great job!!! Wow, I am very impressed. I have been thinking about trying the new 3M series (per Rydawg). Great work!!!
 
Toto: are this the same 3M products sold thru AG? also i used the 106FF on a white Toyota and had a few spots of hazing too, but on a PT Cruiser i did last week (metallic wine color) it didn't haze at all and color was popping out at me.
 
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