Optimum Finishing Polish on BMW BSM

[swanicyouth]

Somehow, I put some marring on my trunk yesterday while washing my car. It looked like grit was caught in the mit. The scratching was isolated to the far LH corner of the trunk.

I knew removing it would be no problem. However, I always used DAT products on this car, as I figured some say it finishes better than SMAT polishes on dark cars.

I've used Optimum polishes before, but never on this vehicle. Car in question is a 2008 Black Sapphire Metallic BMW M Roadster. This car is garage kept and driven about 8k miles yearly. About 9 months ago I buffed the whole car out with the Wolfgang Twins, it came out glossy and in great shape.

So, my instinct was to buff out the trunk with Wolfgang Finishing Glaze. However, I thought I try something different. I wanted to see how a SMAT polish would finish on this black BMW.

I planned on starting with a grey 5.5 LC CCS style Smart Pad from AG. The machine was an original 7424 ( it won't die) with a Euro Shine 5" backing plate, using Optimum Finish polish for my buffing liquid. However, I really didn't think the finish polish would take out the scratch, but figured I try the least aggressive method first. I was also curious how this polish would work on the black BMW. I figured it would finish OK, but doubted it was aggressive enough to remove the defects.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any before pics, because I really didn't expect a finish polish would remove the defects. I was planning on bumping it up to Polish II with a white LC pad. I was going to be surprised.

Not only did the Optimum Finishing Polish remove the defects, but it finished beautifully and kept on buffing wet in my hot garage. I primed the grey pad with a very light coat of polish and divided the trunk mentally in thirds. I used 3 pea size drops and ran the 7424 at speed 5.

I know this Optimum polish doesn't have a glaze component to it. I still cleaned the polish off with Eraser to prep it for LSP. However, this was my first time using Eraser and it felt like it was missing lubrication. Anyone else notice this? It seemed like if you weren't careful you could instill towel marks.

Some pics:

My stuff:



Some "after" pics (clean surface cleaned with Eraser - no LSP) in different lighting:









LSP:



Surface with LSP;

[smack]

The finnished product looks great. I am suprised that that mild approach took care of the issue as well.

What are your opinions on the Wolfgang twins? Thinking about getting the twins myself.

[HotRodJoe]

Did you put the WG under the Glasur or over?

[swanicyouth]

The Wolfgang Twins are excellent. Quite frankly, the TSR on an orange LC CCS pad finishes almost perfect for me. I don't think they would work well if your finished was trashed, but on an average Or better car they are great.

I really like the Optimum polishes. They are not oily, but seem to have a very long work time. They have no extra stuff to hide defects (except GPS) so you can tell your true results. Also, they are reasonably priced and come in smaller bottles. They also stay "wet", so there is little (if any) dust, and this helps them wipe away easy.

I put a coat of Wet Glaze 2.0 above and below Zymol wax. The manufacturer says you can do this, and it really adds gloss and wetness to the finish. I love that product. I wish AG would carry it, it's very difficult to find, I can't find anywhere that currently has it in stock and the manufacturer is no help. I don't use it to hide defects, just to boost gloss. I'm fact, the manufacturer calls it a "pure gloss enhancer".

[RMM]

Originally Posted by swanicyouth

...
I put a coat of Wet Glaze 2.0 above and below Zymol wax. The manufacturer says you can do this, and it really adds gloss and wetness to the finish. I love that product. I wish AG would carry it, it's very difficult to find, I can't find anywhere that currently has it in stock and the manufacturer is no help. I don't use it to hide defects, just to boost gloss. I'm fact, the manufacturer calls it a "pure gloss enhancer".

Since AG doesn't carry it, I can tell you that a British website has it: Wax Attack. But probably it is too expensive to ship it "across the pond"...