Todays detail, 91 BMW 525i (Black, yeah, again)

a.k.a. Patrick

New member
I took this one on, without any pre-inspection. I dont know why I do this, (All the time) I guess the majority of details I do are not too close too home, and sometimes its just difficult to get over and take a good look. So last night when I confirmed the appt., I asked again what color it was. Mind you I had just finished up a black Altima from H***. The last thing I wanted was another "BLACK" car. Well, you guessed it, black again. And guess what my next appt's cars color is? A black Carrera......I never win do I?!

Anyway, when I pulled up to the driveway, I said to myself, "Why does it have to be 90 today?" Cuz this was going to need some work.

The current owner purchased it in August, and it was rather obvious, it was not well cared for, even up to that point. I dont think I have ever seen black in poorer shape. Matter of fact, it could still use some additional work. Im not sure this thing even has a clear coat. I dont believe it does being such an early model, and the fact that I went through (last count) 8 pads, that includes 4 orange light cutting pads, 2 green light polishing pads, and 2 finishing pads.

My first attempt was with 1Z PP, followed up with 1Z MP. It was decent, but I threw in Optimum, as I did yesterday, and had (as you'll see) some pretty decent results. I kept the 1Z PP as my first go to, then finished with Optimum Polish. Sealed up with DG #111. The paint Im afraid to say is pretty shot with scarring, stains, and deep oxidation that hasnt really surfaced yet. By that I mean all throught the hood, the black is discolored, and spotty.

Here, take a look!

Before:

swirlsbefore2-1.jpg


swirlsbefore.jpg


After:

swirlsafter.jpg


Before:

frontrightbefore-2.jpg


After:

frontrightafter-3.jpg


Before:

leftrearbefore-2.jpg


After:

rearleftafter-3.jpg


Total time, 5 hrs. Minimal interior work other then door panels, dash cleaning and protection, and a thorough vacuum. The owner is getting new seats, so i did manage to save some time on the interior.
 
Dang that thing turned out great. Even those nasty wheels look good.

You think your day was bad I spent 10 hours with Anthony detailing cars. LOL
 
Fantastic turnaround, you brought it back to its original grandeur! I am just amazed you could do this in only five hours, vac and all. Do you use PC, Cyclo, or rotary?
 
Heres some pics that my son captured.....Look at the paint (pic 4), and all the crap in there real deep! Im looking for opinions and explanations, as I have never seen it before........

uglypad.jpg


Badbadswirlsbefore.jpg


BrandonHoodafter.jpg


spots.jpg
 
On the black BMW paint... under the bonnet you will see a sticker with the factory paint color. The 2 common colors for the States were Schwarz and Schwarz II. They had Cosmos and Diamondite black, but these are more common in Europe.

Schwarz was a one stage paint, no clearcoat.

Schwarz II was 2 stage with clearcoat.

I have Schwarz II, and it will probably take me 3 or 4 thorough all-day events to correct the paint to my satisfaction. 1st go 'round is done and I am constantly critisizing my work. It is so easy to see errors on black.

Fine job, by the way. Fine job!
 
Hey Pat, my family has a similar car ('89 525i) that is gray. It's pretty much in the same condition as the black one you did but I haven't had any paint transfer to my pads. I've used all my Propel pads, especially orange and yellow, with SSR 2.5/3 and OP.



Hopefully I can do a better job with those 4" pads I ordered from ya.



Anyway, I think the work you've done turned out really good and it's better than what I did!
 
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