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safaripete

New member
Hi, retired from NYPD. Last day of work 9/11. Many, many back surgeries later, I bought a 04 BMW 645CI with 10,555 miles.
Has been garaged but paint doesn't feel "glassy". My son bought me a PorterCable buffing machine. I just ordered a variety of pads and bonnets. I've been using Zymol custom waxes since 1986. I've ordered some clay and lube and hope that claying my car doesn't re-injure my back. Any tips on claying would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Peter - safaripete
 
Peter -
Welcome to the Forum !
Congratulations on your Retirement - thank you for serving the public all those years..
I have 2 sons-in-law in Law Enforcement, and pray for them daily.

I am a lifelong BMW lover and have been a member of the BMWCCA for over 13 years, since I first bought my new 3Series...

You will want to use lots of lube to claybar this car.. What color is it ?

Please tell us exactly what brand claybar and lube you have..

Have always loved the 6Series cars ! They look so beautiful especially in Jet Black !

You have a very low mileage one ! That is so lucky !

Know all about Zymol since I was in High School in the middle 60's.... Loved their stuff.. absolutely smells great...

There are lots of products today that have taken the technology farther and made things better. Your Zymol products will also work great as well..

Tell us more about what you have, what you want to do and we can all help ! If you want to tell us where you live, perhaps there is someone close by that can help you too!
I believe BigAndrew lives in NY....

Dan F
 
howdy

Claying shouldn't re-injure your back

Clay use is simple,
Wash car
Use lots of lube
GLIDE clay across paint DO NOT PUT PRESSURE ON IT

there are lots of how to's on the site, so ck em and shout if ya got questions.

Pads for pc are great, not a fan of bonnets though. IMHO removal should be done with quality microfiber

Also not really a fan of zymol waxes. plenty of other great stuff cheaper and easier to use, but if ya got it and like it, great.

enjoy the site, people and info....

fair warning, detailing becomes addictive. (least ya don't have to pee in a jar)
 
welcome pete, we're glad you are here. i'm a retired officer also and have a few friends that are retired nypd.
the only real problem i can see for your back is detailing the wheels and sides of the vehicles. get yourself a good rolling seat/chair or just sit yourself down on the ground while working those areas and avoid standing and bending over for long periods. long handle brushes may help too. check out the many reviews our members do on different products. we have many very knowledgeable folks here who are happy to share their experience. glad you made it through your career a little bent but not broken. :welcome:
 
Hi guys, The color of my car is Stratus Gray.
This car is one of 50 sold through the 2003 CHRISTMAS
CATALOG OF NEEDLESS MARKUP ( NEIMAN MARCUS)
They were sold out in under 7 MINUTES. GETTING REAL TIRED
SO I WILL GET BACK TOMORROW. I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF BMW CCA SINCE
MY FIRST BMW, a 325es 1986. Well all, thanks for the kind words and ill try to
Write more tomorrow. Good night!
 
Hi again. I ordered Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay and pinnacle lube. I was thinking of ordering both Blackfire Paint Protection and BLACKFIRE BlackICE Hybrid Montan Sealant Wax. What do you think?? Good choices over the Zymol custom products.? Thank you all in advance for your opinions.
 
with proper surface prep, you can really make just about anything you use look good, but i'm a little partial to bf products. very high quality, great results and very easy to use, so you can't go wrong with any of their products imo.
if you find your back is going to be a problem for you, you might consider using a more permanent finish like opti coat after a proper surface prep. looks great too.
 
Welcome aboard, Peter.

I can't clay anything. I don't even have a PorterC...Heavens. (I am not a pro detailer.)

I've had a bad back for the last 15+ years (no surgery though). My last three cars have not had big "skin issues", so most of the time,... starting over with a good stripping product, or shampoo, and then applying good Black Fire (yes,..I'm a fan too) products, or Migliore Cima Sealant as a LSP, makes cars look great, and fairly easy to maintain. Wheels are not easy, but once well sealed, they become easier to clean/maintain. Working "sides" can be eased by using good product, and supreme microfiber. If your ride doesn't need major correction (low mileage, but it depends on its previous Habitat?), use the newer products to simplify the end to a beautiful car.

Do you really need to clay?
 
Well, I don't know if I NEED TO CLAY, but this cars finish hasn't been touched since 2004. It was kept clean to a point.....washings....no wax or sealants. I think a light claying with lube will put the paint at a great starting point for fine, constant care. It was kept in a barn, uncovered, where much woodwork was done. When I first saw it it had to be blown off with a leaf blower. I would think that being covered with sawdust and small wood pieces would most probably have sap/ resin particles in on the surface. It will be nice to feel a glassy smooth finish on a car that looks good but feels sort of gritty to the touch.
 
safaripete said:
Well, I don't know if I NEED TO CLAY, but this cars finish hasn't been touched since 2004. It was kept clean to a point.....washings....no wax or sealants. I think a light claying with lube will put the paint at a great starting point for fine, constant care. It was kept in a barn, uncovered, where much woodwork was done. When I first saw it it had to be blown off with a leaf blower. I would think that being covered with sawdust and small wood pieces would most probably have sap/ resin particles in on the surface. It will be nice to feel a glassy smooth finish on a car that looks good but feels sort of gritty to the touch.
Click to expand...

my opinion - as long as you are careful, claying can't hurt (using correct clay)

these are pics of clay on a one day old bmw



 
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