JSATEK - 1988 BMW 635CSI - got swirls? part 2

[imported_Detailing Technology]

I was contacted by the owner of this vehicle a few weeks ago. He recently purchased this Cirrus Blue 1988 BMW 635CSI in perfect mechanical condition. The body is in excellent shape other than the paint. I believe it to be all original with the exception of the passenger fender and possibly the hood. Not bad for a 20 year old car.



I tried wet sanding a few panels with Meguiars 2000 grit paper to see if this would assist in restoring the finish. Unfortunately It did not. This paint had marring and staining like none I have ever seen. The previous owner must have washed this car with a rake for its entire life.



These are only BEFORE and DURING shots, tomorrow I will post the completed shots as I am still working on the vehicle.



I got going at 7am with Meguiars 105 and a yellow LC pad on the Makita. After 2 passes at 2.5, I realized I was doing NOTHING to the paint. I moved to wool and Menzerna IP. Some improvement. By 4pm, I finished 2 passes of the painted surfaces with woll and Menzerna IP. I followed up with Menzerna 106ff on an orange LC on the Porter Cable to help in removing the hologrammig I installed, no charge... The roof was sanded with Meguiars 2000 paper and compounded 2x with IP and wool on the Makita. This paint was NOT coming back to life so easily. BEFORE:

A few process shots:



That is smoke....

AFTER SHOTS WILL COME TOMORROW

 

[teck]

what did you do to make that pad smoke:wow:? Looks better already:bigups

 

[imported_Detailing Technology]

That was a brand new 5.5" Lake Country CCS pad. I TRASHED 3 on this car.



2 full passes on a 2'x2' door and Menzerna IP, it started to smoke. I was leaning into it THAT hard.

 

[David703]

AMAZING!!!!!! I'd run away from a car that looked like that!!!! GREAT JOB!



Instead of IP I only use SIP!! HUGE difference.

 

[Chris@Optimum]

That's your new logo: Smoking Hot Details. Great turnout!

 

[Thomas Dekany]

Fantastic after shots, but are you saying that 105 wasn't cutting it but IP was?????????

 

[David Fermani]

Fantastic after shots, but are you saying that 105 wasn't cutting it but IP was?????????

And 2000 grit sandpaper didn't help? That finish is messed up! Looks like it's checking/cracking in some pictures? I thought you concentrated on high-end exotics? I'd love to see a write up on one of those too.

 

[blake_jl1]

I can sleep better at night after seeing those swirls.

 

[imported_Detailing Technology]

And 2000 grit sandpaper didn't help? That finish is messed up! Looks like it's checking/cracking in some pictures? I thought you concentrated on high-end exotics? I'd love to see a write up on one of those too.

The 2000 grit paper didnt cut into that damage. Here is an after 2000 and 105 shot. I think most of the damage was at the basecoat. That satining you see (the drips) didnt come out with sanding either. I agree with the checking / crazing.

105 was not as effective as IP or SIP on this car.



The last 2 cars I did were not exotics, the people are coming with all types of cars now. They want the same service as the Lamborghini and Ferrari owners. This guy just bought this car because I believe he always wanted one. He also has an M Coupe.

 

[Pats300zx]

Wow..I can't wait to see the final out come of this. The smoke coming off of the pad is unreal.

 

[imported_Moutee]

You are working on the Bimmer from Hell! I'm very anxious to see the afters!

 

[ScubaStevo]

For what I'd charge for a detail on that thing, the owner could have had a 1/4 of a decent paint job. That is easily a 500-600 dollar detail...

 

[imported_Detailing Technology]

The idea was to save it from a $6,000 paint job. I think I came up with a good band-aid until he chooses shoot it.

 

[imported_Detailing Technology]

It's cloudy, but here are some indoor COMPLETE shots. -owner requested

The wheel wells need a shot of flat black spray paint, thats not dirt in there.

 

[imported_Denzil]

WOW, those are some amazing after pictures!!! I'm having your same problem on a 1989 525i as well. That's SS paint correct? Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm thinking they're all SS paint around that year range no?

 

[imported_Detailing Technology]

This was a 2 stage. If you have SS, it is a breeze to correct.

 

[imported_Moutee]

What a transformation! That car is beautiful. What condition is the interior in?

 

[Accumulator]

jsatek- WOW, great work :bow



Makes me feel :hairpull about the work I'm doing on my '97 e36...by the time I do that level of correction I've overthinned the clear. You're sure doing *something* especially well :xyxthumbs Maybe doing the wetsanding first helped a lot :think: Anyhow, my compliments and thanks for some good food for thought. That is one very nice car all right!

 

[imported_Detailing Technology]

jsatek- WOW, great work :bow



Makes me feel :hairpull about the work I'm doing on my '97 e36...by the time I do that level of correction I've overthinned the clear. You're sure doing *something* especially well :xyxthumbs Maybe doing the wetsanding first helped a lot :think: Anyhow, my compliments and thanks for some good food for thought. That is one very nice car all right!

Thanks. This was a pre paint job last ditch effort, so I removed plenty of clear. If I didn't sell the Positest, I'd give some measurements. I STOOD on this paint. The panels were so hot, I felt the heat coming off of them on my hands a face. The black plastic brush holders on the sides of the Makita were so hot to the touch I had to stop or risk losing the machine for the day.



This site has ruined me, my only objective was to make a 1998 look like a 2008.

 

[ScubaStevo]

I must say that looks stunning. Only have one question, is that section under the trim on the rear quarter panel a bit of wax, or a pin stripping, or did it just happen to sand through in that spot.