*ClearCoat OverSpray/=O\*

C

Chuckmotor

New member
I acquired a black 1992 BMW 325i a little over a year ago. At the dealership, it was detailed in and out, but that was a while ago. I've been washing it regurarly, but I have yet to detail it myself while I am rather a neophyte at the process. The BMW, being black, has a few small scratches on it, and in the sun I can see this dull haze on the doors, which may swirls (I do not really know because I'm new to the process but would love to learn!!). As for polish and wax, Meguairs #7 and #26 have come strongly recomended to me, and I have been using a Meguairs wheel cleaner that I really like. However, I don't know what to do about the swirls-in-question and the minute scratches, so can you help me there? Also, what a good tire cleaner/shine available?



I've been reading through these forums and been very intrested! You guys know your stuff! I hope you can help!



Also, what do clay bars do that polish doesn't? Would it help me for my situation? In advance, thanks for all your expert help!
 
I'm going to wait for someone else to comment on the "haze" that might be swirls you see.



As for getting swirls out, you can use 3M Swirl Mark Remover (SMR), and Finesse-It II. Do a search for swirls or 3m SMR and you'll get a load of info. Those two products are popular here, there are others. the SMR is less abrasive than FI-II, in general you want to start with the less abrasive and move your way up.



As for clay, it deep cleans the paint, getting out tar, bugs, and other stains, whereas polish smooths out the paint (sometimes), and adds oils to make it shine and prep it for a wax of your choice.



I too got my car from the dealership, used, and it has its share of swirl marks and scratches. I used clay, SMR, then FI-II (two coats of each) to get some of them out. They are still visiable in sunlight, but it made the car look better now that I have a couple coats of Klasse on there.



I suggest doing a search on SMR or FI-II when you have time to read... lots of time. :)



Josiah
 
Welcome to the forum! I previously had the exact car you had and have had great fun with it's high-potential performance. Great choice!



As far a swirls are concerned, use the gentlest product first, and work your way up to something more abrasive. Pinnacle PCL, Meguiar's Swirl Remover 2.0, and 3M SMR for Dark Cars are examples of gentle ones. If they dont work, try a more agressive polish like 3M Finesse-It. After the car has the amount of swirls you can live with, then stop polishing. You will no longer need to use these polishes anymore.



Clay bars basically grabs contaminates on the paint and pulls them onto the bar. They can not remove scratches.



Chemicals/some polishes chemically dissolve and remove contaminates. They may reduce the visibility of swirls, but only by a little. These products include AutoInt. ABC, Klasse All-in-One, and P21S Paint Cleansing Lotion.



Abrasive polishes abrade the paint until it is leveled, or smooth. These will remove major swirls completely, turning them into smaller swirls. An example of this kind of a product is 3M SMR.



A good tire cleaner is Eimann Fabrik Hi-Intensity. As far as a dressing, 303 Aerospace Protectant or Zaino Z-16 provide a low-gloss shine, Vinylex or NuVinyl will provide a bit higher gloss, and Turtle Wax Tire Wax will provide the highest gloss.



Btw, is the car clear coated? Some older non-metallic e36 do not have them. Check by using a polish and see if any paint comes off.



Good luck and have fun with the detailing!
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Chuckmotor [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>Also, what do clay bars do that polish doesn't? Would it help me for my situation? In advance, thanks for all your expert help! [/b]</blockquote>
As BW said, claybars grab surface contaminants and take them right off. These contaminants (or metal shavings) come from pollution, brake-dust, rail-dust (new cars only), industrial fallout, bugs & sap. These are generally contaminants which CANNOT be removed by washing, waxing, or cleansing lotions/polishes. Over time, especially when neglected, no car (that is driven regularly) is immune from the need to clay (or spot clay).
 
What can I do about these plentiful scratches I have on the doors? They range from minute to somewhat obvious.

Also, I'm pretty sure my car is clear coated, but I'm not certain. The haze (which maybe swirls) and the scratches combined make the doors look pretty crappy.
 
Polish them babies up and see what happens. Use the 3M SMR and FI-II, if it doesn't work, try FI-II with a machine, or get an orbital buffer and get good with it and try with that.



Best thing to do, without pictures, I would suggest polish away, apply your wax and see what happens.

Have fun,

Josiah
 
I need to emphasize what Josiah said in his last post: Fi-II and SMR are actually difficult to use successfully if you don't have an orbital or rotary buffer.

I use both products with success, but only by machine. (I try EVERYTHING first by hand, and with these products on my black car I was really discouraged.) These products must be worked and worked and worked, preferably in the presence of some heat from the friction. They start out with bigger abrasives that cut/level 9and tgherefore remove, as opposed to hide, swirls) and work down to finer abrasives that ultimatly polish out the scratches the coarser stuff left. I think it is very difficult to get this to happen by hand.

If you are going to do this by hand, i strongly recommend the Meguiar's Swirl remover 2.0, which is much easier to use without hazing than the 3M stuff - I've used both a lot. Also, Meguiar's scratch-X is an excellent product to use on the deeper scratches by hand.

If these don't work for you, buy yourself an orbital and learn to use it - or take it to a pro and have them polished out for you.

For a complete write-up of using these products successfully on a black car, please take a look at http://www.autopia-carport.com/forum/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=4686&highlight=Back+Black+Detailed+360
 
Meguiar's Scratch X never did anything for me. It is a nice filler product, it seemed, and a good prep for some of their waxes. But I don't see it removing mild/deep scratches.



Maybe I had an older version? It was 6 months ago that I last used it.



Josiah
 
Morning Guys/
Well I had my SC2/Saturn spot painted and blended w/clearcoat about a month ago,due to vadalism.The body shop I have always gone to
said it would do a *Nice Job*,'cause the Wife and I are good customers...Yeah-OKAY!/:StarWars:.
Neddless to say,this was the biggest job they've done for us.They had overspray,all over the Glass/Partia Headlight hazel/Body Pannel Spot Hazes,all around,/Inside Door Jambs/Etc.What a Cluster-F*** job/:huh:.They have White Tape Lines on the inside door edge jambs where they ended the Clear.I tried some Mineral Spirits,thinking it may have been just Tape Resdidue...NOT!
So last night,I ordered some Pads *Pick Your 3 CCS High-Gloss 4 Inch Combo Pak*,and a Smaller Backing Plate:3-3/4 Inch,for my Makita/9227,from PAC.
The Colors are:*Orange/White & Green*.I read the descriptions for each,and am hoping I made the Right Choices.I also sent a *Message* to PAC,describing what I need [HopeFully] can correct.I also asked if the Saturn needs to be:WetSanded*.So,I hope they'll LMK,about that...
I never WetSanded any Auto Finish,but am willing to give it a shot/:).I most definately would get some Ultra-Fine [2000-2500 or Higher] Sandpaper and will go very slowly w/this process.The SC2 paint is:*Dark Blue Metallic*...Anyways,do you guys feel I chose the Right Pad Colors for this nightmare?
I also have some Stoners *Light Duty* Synthetic Compound,to try and correct the paint.I love to detail,but,as said in the past,I'm a far cry from a Pro Detailer like most here....
Thanx In Advance for your:Time/Help & Response.Have a Great WeekEnd Everyone/:).
Best Regards/
Raymond
 
*;O]*/Thank You

Flash Gordon said:
Red Clay Bar :wink:
Click to expand...
************^^^^^^^^^^^^^^*************
Mornin' Flash/
Thank You,Sir/:wizard:/:).That Red Clay Bar will get rid of the OverSpray and Hazes...? I'm assuming I'd still have to Light Duty Compound after that? Correct?
I do not mind doin' that at all,as I'd like the paint to look nice.I appreciate your Time & Help for your intial response.
Regards/
Raymond
 
*MustangGT/25YRS* said:
************^^^^^^^^^^^^^^*************
Mornin' Flash/
Thank You,Sir/:wizard:/:).That Red Clay Bar will get rid of the OverSpray and Hazes...? I'm assuming I'd still have to Light Duty Compound after that? Correct?
I do not mind doin' that at all,as I'd like the paint to look nice.I appreciate your Time & Help for your intial response.
Regards/
Raymond
Click to expand...

Director Good Morning to you also Raymond

Yes, you will have to do a semi minor/major correction if you use the red stuff. I would first try a milder clay, but if you wanna get that stuff off in a hurry, I would just reach for the red. All the bodyshops here include a fresh coat of overspray with all there jobs they preform :clap:
 
*Clay Bar*

Hi Flash/
I didn't see a Red Clay Bar Listing here...Maybe I didn't type it in Correctly.What I did see was *Meguiar's 200/Gram Clay Bar* in either the
Mild or Aggressive form.
The *Aggressive* Clay decribes itself as being able to eliminate *Severe OverSpray* from the paint surface.Plus other contaminates also.I'm thinking
maybe this would be as good as the Red Clay Bar? Or is this the Bar you mentioned.It didn't tell what color it is,but did say it's for the *Pro Detailer* and NOT the *WeekEnd Warrior*/:( ....I'd love to give it a try,only because,I know that I have to go carefully,and have patience.
Would I have to use the Clay Bar Lubricant and the Extender that they recommend,Flash? Or can I use a Mothers *ShowTime Spray Detail Wax*? $$$'s is alittle tight [But am not Broke],is why the last question.If I have to,well,I'll have to get it...Thank You,Again,for Your:Time/Help/Info and Recommendation.
Regards/
Raymond
 
*lol*/;o]

Flash Gordon said:
Director Good Morning to you also Raymond

Yes, you will have to do a semi minor/major correction if you use the red stuff. I would first try a milder clay, but if you wanna get that stuff off in a hurry, I would just reach for the red. All the bodyshops here include a fresh coat of overspray with all there jobs they preform :clap:
Click to expand...
****************^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^******************
Hi Again/
What the Hell ever happened w/*Quality and Pride in Some People* when they do have a Business?? Wouldn't one feel *Pride and the Sense of Accomplishment* when doin' a job for someone???.The way I personally see it anymore.It's *ALL ABOUT THE ALMIGHTY $$$ AND BS* with Pride/Caring & Quality wasyyyyyy behind!It's really ashame to see this anymore.I do not trust people the way I use to.And that's sad.Oh,Almost forgot,Who makes this Red Clay Bar,Flash?
Thanx Again for your Time & Help.
Best Regards/
Raymond
 
*Meguiar's Clay Bar*

Mornin' Guys/
Would the Meguiar's Aggresive Clay Bar,be as good as the Red Clay Bar
for my problem? Has anyone here used this Meguiar's for OverSpray on their
own Cars or Customers Cars/Trucks/SUV's/Etc.?
*Many Thanx In Advance* for your Time/Help/Recommendations and Responses.Take Care/:wizard:
Best Regards/:Dancing Dot:
Raymond
 
It was great to talk to you this afternoon Ray, Let me know how it turn's out. I also got the clay bar in your order going out to you. Have a great weekend!
 
*;O]*/Thank You

zoomzoom mazda5 said:
It was great to talk to you this afternoon Ray, Let me know how it turn's out. I also got the clay bar in your order going out to you. Have a great weekend!
Click to expand...
***************************************************
Hello Angelo/
It was a pleasure also/:).I appreciate your Help and Tips.I'll LYK how it turns out.
Thank You for getting that Clay Bar in the order too.
Hope You and Yours have a *Great WeekEnd* also,Angelo/:Dancing Dot:
Best Regards/
Raymond
 
Sorry for just getting back to you Raymond. I've been busier then a one tooth man in a corn cob eating contest :Snowman:

The aggresive clay is the one I would reach for on a job like this. As far as saying its for profesional use...Well, I consider you a profesional :soldier:

The term "profesional use" is thrown around way to much, why just yesterday I heard a guy on the news that goes around picking up dog poo out of peoples yards for a fee. He was stating that you should really have a profesional preform this task as dog poo carries deseaes :rolleyes:

As stated earlier, I would try the least aggresive clay first just to see how it preforms. I wouldn't worry to much though if you have to reach for the strong stuff. It will marr the paint more, but nothing 105/SIP can't cure :sarge

Good Luck and keep us posted on your results :Car smiley:
 
*lol*/=o]*

Flash Gordon said:
Sorry for just getting back to you Raymond. I've been busier then a one tooth man in a corn cob eating contest :Snowman:

The aggresive clay is the one I would reach for on a job like this. As far as saying its for profesional use...Well, I consider you a profesional :soldier:

The term "profesional use" is thrown around way to much, why just yesterday I heard a guy on the news that goes around picking up dog poo out of peoples yards for a fee. He was stating that you should really have a profesional preform this task as dog poo carries deseaes :rolleyes:

As stated earlier, I would try the least aggresive clay first just to see how it preforms. I wouldn't worry to much though if you have to reach for the strong stuff. It will marr the paint more, but nothing 105/SIP can't cure :sarge

Good Luck and keep us posted on your results :Car smiley:
Click to expand...
*******************^^^^ROFLMAO^^^^*****************
Morning Flash/
Never heard that Expression before/:thumbup:...I understand about not enough time to respond..I appreciate your response just the same.
I spoke w/Angelo yesterday,on the phone,and he also gave me some great tips about my overspray and the Red Clay Bar.
I'll definately go easy w/it,to keep any marring to a minimum/;). I'll let people know how I did w/it.
Thanx again,Flash/Angelo for taking your Time & Efforts to help and advise.*I always appreciate the help I get here/:thumbup:*
**Have a Nice WeekEnd All**
Best Regards/
Raymond
 
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