Finally got to detail first car. Mixed results... :-(

[Deutsch Marques]

So... if you remember, I was doing all my research on what to buy and how to do it several months ago. Well, my order from DC has been sitting on my workbench for months, and I finally got around to detailing the M3 last weekend before going to a car show with lots of Ferraris, Porches, BMWs and more.

Anyway, I'm happy the car is clean, and it looks quite a bit better than it did before I started. But... it just doesn't meet my expectations. First of all, the car is a 2002 and had 40K miles when I bought it last summer. Should be mint, eh? Not really. I think the previous owner pretty much neglected the car.

I washed the car with Meg's Gold Class using a synch mitt and a single bucket with a wash screen. Figured since I was about to polish the entire car, the second bucket was overkill. Clayed with Clay Magic blue and realized just how bad the paint was. Lots of scratches, water stains, and a TON of tiny pockmarks and chips!

Next up was the PC with an orange LC pad and Meg's 105. It cleaned up the swirl marks and holograms very nicely. Some of the lighter scratches too. But many of the scratches and water stains remained. Running out of time, patience and knowing I'd have to come back and do it all over again, I skipped the Meg's 205 and just slapped on a coat of PB's EX Sealant.

Mind you, this was my first time detailing a car. Ever. The most I've done before was a wash and dry, maybe a quick detail spray, and once upon a time, a cleaner wax applied by hand. So it won't be perfect.

So... what next? A more agressive pad and another go with the 105? What about all the pockmarks and chips? I'm almost thinking I need to have the hood, front fenders and bumper resprayed.

Overall, completed:

Before:

After:

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After:

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After:

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Before:

After:

All pictures here: Paint Problems pictures by VWOB5ESSION - Photobucket


And in case you're interested, the pictures of the exotic cars event I went to: 2009 AVF pictures by VWOB5ESSION - Photobucket

 

[JaredPointer]

TON of tiny pockmarks and chips!


I'm almost thinking I need to have the hood, front fenders and bumper resprayed.

Before I'd think about that, I would look into the Dr. Colorchip system. From the reviews I can find and the before/after photos, it looks like it is a miracle product for leading edges with road rash/chips.

I am thinking about buying a kit to try on a couple chips on my truck instead of doing the touch up paint/wetsand routine and see if it gives as good or better results.

 

[Redwings97]

Maybe a good paint cleaner like PB's PwC Blue or PP would help with the water staining.

The BMW paint is tough. If you think you got most of the swirls out, and would like to try to level some of the heavier scratches out, then you must do the orange pad and M105 again. Then I would finish with 205 and a polishing pad and then PB's EX.

 

[JaredPointer]

Also - one thing that has helped me tremendously in the last two years or so is realizing that a daily driver is not ever going to be 100% perfect. I started trying to live with the small things, and auto care has become a lot more enjoyable for me. Perfectionism is good, I suppose, but on a DD you'll beat yourself to death over too many small things.

FWIW coming from me, the car looks great.

 

[POPPAJ]

Looks pretty good for a first attempt. A second pass, or more, with the 105 and a follow up with 205 would have improved things. As far as the chips etc, Jared has a good idea. Try to get them filled at least so they don't accumulate wax and show up more. I have adopted the 10 foot rule when it comes to daily drivers, just too hard to try for near 100%. Keep pluggin at it each attempt will get better. With only 40K the previous owner must have been following a gravel truck most of the way!

 

[tmacsad]

Also - one thing that has helped me tremendously in the last two years or so is realizing that a daily driver is not ever going to be 100% perfect. I started trying to live with the small things, and auto care has become a lot more enjoyable for me. Perfectionism is good, I suppose, but on a DD you'll beat yourself to death over too many small things.

FWIW coming from me, the car looks great.

1x :exactly: Looks good.

 

[Deutsch Marques]

Problem is... the M3 is not my DD. The VW Passat Wagon is my DD. I pretty much take the 'vert out only for nice weekends or the occasional evening drive.

I'll look into that chip system. I was originally thinking of the touuch up paint pen, but with the number of chips, I think that would be a 100 hour job!

So... just use the orange pad again? Don't get a more aggressive pad? Should I clay over again or do something else to remove the EX first?

 

[tuscarora dave]

it would be a shame to have spent all that money on all those products just to do a half a detail, why not finish it down and see what it looks like then before going more aggressive?

 

[Pander5]

DM, those are great results for your FIRST ever paint correction detail! Don't despair and keep trying. I understand you were trying to punch it up a level or two for a show but when you get more time go at it again with the orange pad and M105 using the KBM. You will get increasingly better results and then as others have suggested finish it with 205 then wax or seal again. I wouldn't think you would need to clay again if you have done that recently. I only clay about once a year. The EX will come off with the 105 again and the orange pad with 105 is aggressive enough. Just continue that combo until you're happy with the results. I have personally experienced absolutely PHENOMENAL results with 105 and the KBM method. From the photos this looks like a perfect candidate.

Once you've done that you can then assess what chip repair or repaint you might want to pursue. I like taking it to the highest quality level I can before saying "ok, now I need this or that". You might be surprised that you then discover you don't need something you thought you wanted before i.e. respray etc. Then again you might be a perfectionist like me and decide you want it near perfect. That's fine but you know you've brought it to the best of your own abilities and that feels good by itself.

From those pics it looks MUCH better.

 

[njcarting1]

The first good thing you said is you don't drive this car every day. That said, you should work the car in stages and do everything by the numbers to completion.

Wash and degrease,de tar,de bug,and all the cleaning necessary for the paint cleaning stage. yes this will take some time but remember no guts no glory, you gotta spend the time to get the shine. I also see the headlights and front chrome has taken a beating also. You can Make this car perfect if shows are what you are into, just pick away little by little on her.

I am sure you can get what you have now 100% better with more time and effort. The vehicle looks good now but can be tuned up and look better. I am sure the previous owner was happy to run up and down the mass pike all winter and use the local car wash. You have a nice car there so spend some time and really get the thing puffed up. :howdy


AH, Steve at PB'S is having a detail weekend at his shop 1 week from today you should drive that 1 down and spiff her up. You will get hands on and lots of help getting on the right track. I am sure you will have a whole different outlook on things on your drive home.

 

[Deutsch Marques]

it would be a shame to have spent all that money on all those products just to do a half a detail, why not finish it down and see what it looks like then before going more aggressive?

I'm not sure I understand. I don't plan to waste any of the materials/tools I purchased. I just ran out of time so I didn't get a chance to really do multiple tries with the 105, nor finish it off with the 205. I just put on some EX and went to the show.

I understand you were trying to punch it up a level or two for a show but when you get more time go at it again with the orange pad and M105 using the KBM. You will get increasingly better results and then as others have suggested finish it with 205 then wax or seal again...
...The EX will come off with the 105 again and the orange pad with 105 is aggressive enough. Just continue that combo until you're happy with the results. I have personally experienced absolutely PHENOMENAL results with 105 and the KBM method.

KBM?

So... just keep at it with 105 and orange pad instead of jumping up a pad strength? I'm guessing just work the 105, wipe it off, check the results, and repeat until happy?

I also see the headlights and front chrome has taken a beating also...
..I am sure the previous owner was happy to run up and down the mass pike all winter and use the local car wash.

Yes, the headlights are in need of a polish Can I get away with the 105/205 and my PC with pads, or do I need a particular compound made for headlights?

Actually, the car started off in MO for 1 year and 10K miles. Then baked in the FL sun for 30K miles and 6 years. I think it was the second owner in FL that just let the thing bake and never really cared for it. Believe it or not, it was a "company car" for a chiropractor.

 

[tuscarora dave]

just my way of encouraging you to run a pass with the 205. In my experience I am sometimes amazed at how much better a car's paint looks after that second pass. Sorry I should have been a little more clear in my reply. Some of my reply was just a bit of ribbing humor too. No disrespect intended. TD

 

[Bellydawg]

I am still a novice at this yet I hope to add some value. Follow the advise of continuing to work with the orange pad and see what happens. Don't make my mistake. Early on I jumped up to the yellow LC pad and preceded to put major swirls in the paint. I knew that it would need followup with the orange LC pad anyway yet did not realize the extent of the additional swirling. Needless to say, I believe I spent more time removing the new swirls than if I had taken my time with multiple passes.

Good luck.

 

[lonewolf525]

i did not see anyone recommend something for the water spots. there are a few good products out there that will help you remove them. do a google search for water spots. i think the best advice was to work in sections. when i detail my car i only have a few hours to work so, i wash tires,wheels, wheel wells, clay, dry car, seal and wax. then next day interior vac interior, windows, dress interior, and treat leather. i take a few days to detail my car. it works at really good.

 

[black bart]

You probably already know this but before all those chips are repaired you have no chance of getting an award at a show.

Park the car and spend what ever time it takes to correct it.
The best looking cars comes from the prep not the LSP.
If you just want to make it look real nice repairing the chips will do but to win at a show I believe you will need to repaint the front.

I don't know about where you are but here the judges are very critical about paint, I know I go to shows every weekend through the summer months.
Here in northern Indiana the show season is over.

 

[Pander5]

KBM = The Kevin Brown Method. Kevin put forth a unique way to use Meg's 105. M105 uses NON diminishing abrasives meaning they don't break down like other conventional abbrasives. His method involves loading up your pad with more product than normal and really working it into the pad. You, in effect, saturate the pad with M105 and then work in any excess. Then apply a small bead of M105 to the setion and work away. You then stop after a short work time and apply a mist of water to the surface. This reactivates more of the saturated product to the surface of the pad and it finishes amazingly brilliant. Because they use non diminishing abrasives the longer you work it the more it cuts imperfections out of the paint. After a couple sections I then start over with either a new pad or clean out and re saturate the same pad (if not too bad).

Kevin's method has gotten a LOT of play on some of the other detailing forums I visit and many of the pure pro's have subscribed to this technique and have posted up some unreal photos after.

Since this technique has come out I have been using it with absolutely phenomenal results on some harder clears or those really trashed paints. I mainly use it with an orange LC pad. I then finish down with Menz PO85RD and the finish looks astounding, expecially on black. It is a great time saver.

I will say that from your pics the KBM WILL reduce if not completely remove some of the harsher imperfections. It does work well the first time you try it and provided you keep the swirls and scratches off during your routine wash and dry's you only have to do this maybe once a year, maybe less as it's not your DD.

 

[Deutsch Marques]

You probably already know this but before all those chips are repaired you have no chance of getting an award at a show.

Oh, the car is a long way from being a show car. Not just the paint... and I don't really intend it to be a show car. I bought it because I always wanted a top-down cruiser for nice drives and to unwind. The fact that it is a balanced and powerful M3 is just a bonus.

The most I "show" the car is when I go hang out with other enthusiasts. But there's no judging. It's pretty cool hanging out with guys in BMWs, Ferraris, Audis, Benzes, Nobles, Ducatis, Alfas, classic American, GTRs, Vipers, Vettes, and more! Best thing is in our group... there is no snobbery or one-upmanship. The Ferrari guys have welcomed a trickesd out Maxima before.

KBM = The Kevin Brown Method.

I'll have to look into that and give it a try!