Black 545i that has been trashed!

[Totoland]

This qualifies for one of the worst finishes on a car I've seen in a long time. The car came off BMW Leasing and I/we started detailing 2 nights ago....the used dealer I detail for chipped on this monster!

I mistakenly filed them as a 745 instead of a 545. The 745 is the next car up for detail.

My starting points:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_Scratches1.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_Scratches2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_Scratches3.jpg

The front bumper was peppered with stone chips, so I sanded it with 3000 grit and an orbital air sander

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_BumperSanded.jpg

I also sanded the front fenders, hood, and heavily scratched areas

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_FenderSanded.jpg

Here's some work-in-process pics. I haven't glazed or waxed the car yet (probably tonight or tomorrow)

Bumper compounded using a Festool Rotex and a polish pad

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_BumperCompounded2.jpg

Rear bumper compounded

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_RearBumperCompounded.jpg

Doors

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_DoorCompounded.jpg

Finally, an overall shot of the car compounded.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BlackBMW745_RearViewCompounded.jpg

I'm fortunate to have a well-equipped shop to work in. I would probably have turned this car down in a "driveway detail" setting.

Totoland

[joyriide1113]

Did you finish the detail. I see a lot of haze after the compounding... Did you finish it like that or did you follow with a light polish?

[Totoland]

Did you finish the detail. I see a lot of haze after the compounding... Did you finish it like that or did you follow with a light polish?

No, I am still working on it. I'll be glazing today followed by polishing & waxing. Then, I'll start the interior (which is in similar poor condition).

I posted to show graphically what abuse of a finish can look like and what steps I am taking to correct them.

Totoland

[Totoland]

Decided to add some glaze this afternoon. We're having an awful winter storm in Kansas City...so this was a perfect time.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BMW545i_Glazed_reflection.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BMW545i_Glazed_frontpic.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BMW545i_Glazed_Lightreflection.jpg

I've got to make some room in the shop to start the interior cleaning and detailing. That's gonna be a challenge.

Totoland

[beauport]

I'll be glazing today followed by polishing & waxing.

Totoland

Some instruction for a novice please. When you say you'll be glazing followed by polishing and waxing, what exactly is the "glazing"? Thanks.

[beauport]

.

[Totoland]

Some instruction for a novice please. When you say you'll be glazing followed by polishing and waxing, what exactly is the "glazing"? Thanks.

Glaze is a product that adds oils back to paint after compounding with a rotary buffer. I work glaze into the paint and it also adds a lot of depth to the appearance. Some shops either don't use this process or leave a lot of buffer marks and think the glaze will fill in the swirls, but I don't.

After glazing, I apply polish to finish the paint to a scratch/swirl free surface, then apply wax to protect all the work.

To do it right, it's pretty labor intensive, but the results are a great finish that will last a long time.

Because BMW's tend to be enthusiast cars, the owner's are far more demanding than a typical daily driver and we meet or exceed their expectations at the shop where I work.

Totoland.

[ortoman]

And good pictures also, thanks for the description of the process.:thumbup:

[beauport]

Yes, thanks for the thorough explanation. The process sure makes sense for a surface like you're showing here, especially about adding depth to the finish.

[Totoland]

Well, I finally beat the beast! I ended up putting a coat of Meguiar's NXT with a random orbital (Festool) and a finish pad. Buffed out with a microfiber and let sit overnight. Came in today and added a coat of Pinnacle Souveran. Souveran adds a lot of depth to the paint and gives a carnuba brilliance.

Here's the pics

Overhead shot shows the depth of the black

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BMW545i_Finished_Overhead.jpg

Hood reflection the new owner will be proud of!

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BMW545i_Finished_Hood.jpg

What black Bimmers should always look like (fat chance in this winter weather!)

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BMW545i_Finished_Pinnacle.jpg

A decent door reflection without tripod or flash

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20BMW%20745/BMW545i_Finished_DoorReflection.jpg

Tomorrow, I'll detail the interior and I'm done with this bad boy!

Totoland

[AB]

VERY impressive! Unbelievable job! :thumbup:

[beauport]

Wow - the before and after finish is incredible. Frankly in the before finish I'm not sure who would want to buy the car. Terrific work. Must be gratifying to see your work in such a tangible way.

[jeff330i]

that is absolutely amazing. I just picked up a bright red Z4 last week and it's full of swirleys. This thread makes me want to take it to a detailer.

[Totoland]

that is absolutely amazing. I just picked up a bright red Z4 last week and it's full of swirleys. This thread makes me want to take it to a detailer.

Jeff: You'd certainly do the right thing to take it to a pro detailer. There are several in your area (Excel Detail comes to mind (805) 341-9452). You can review his work at www.exceldetail.com.

Using a pro detailer once or twice per year is a good investment in the car. They can apply the correct products to keep your car swirl-free and the finish protected. All you need to do is apply the correct wash techniques and keep the finish shiney with a quick detailer product (Adama, Meguiar's, etc).

Totoland

[Boxboss]

How long was the lease on this car? I'd like to know how long it took to go from showroom to "thrashed". Someone obviously didn't care how their car looked. I don't understand how they could let that happen - or cause it. :dunno:

[Totoland]

How long was the lease on this car? I'd like to know how long it took to go from showroom to "thrashed". Someone obviously didn't care how their car looked. I don't understand how they could let that happen - or cause it. :dunno:

The car came off a 3 year lease with only 46,000 miles. I suspect the leasor just used the local brush-O-matic car wash most of the time.

Usually when I see those types of scratches, they are from a brush wash or a very bad towel dry. Obviously, flash pics bring out the worst appearance in a finish (or the best). In the shop, I use banks of flourescant lighting plus 4 halogen lights. Weather permitting, I always inspect the finished car outside, especially the interior.

Totoland

[Elvis530i]

How long was the lease on this car? I'd like to know how long it took to go from showroom to "thrashed". Someone obviously didn't care how their car looked. I don't understand how they could let that happen - or cause it. :dunno:

Take your car to the local hand car wash long enough, you too can have a finish like that. Typically, those guys keep using the same towels over and over without washing them--they just toss them in a dryer when they get too wet. What you end up with is a lot of abrasive dust impregnated into the fabric, which gives you the ideal tool for applying swirl marks.