Detailed: BMW 325 Ci. 56k warning.

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THis is my girlfriend's car. It's never been polished before (at least after she purchased it), so it had a lot of swirls. It been through automatic car washes a couple of times.

I started detailing engine first. I covered altenator, and all belts with plastic bags. Then rinsed the engine with a jet of water. I used ZEP Citrus Degreaser (thanks,for recommending this one, Justin) cut 1:1 and sprayed it liberally on all greased parts of engine. I let it soak for a few minutes, and sprayed a little more again. Then used Megs wheel brush to help remove stubborn grease. After cleaning/ degreasing I rinsed the engine off with a jet of water.

I used a terry towel to wipe any major spills, removed plastic bags, and sprayed AA tire foam on all plastic and rubber components. I closed the hood and cranked up the engine, and let it run for about 15 minutes.

Next step I cleaned tires and wheels with DP Gel Wheel claner and OXO brushes. I used EZ brush to clean insed of wheels. Love this brush!!!

Then I presoaked a car with a foam gun and Poorboy's SS&S solution. The more I use this wash, the more I love it!!! I washed the car with Shmitt and SS&S in a bucket. Working in a full sun, some soap actually dried on the paint before I was able to rinse it off. The car needed polishing anyway, so I didn't care. I clayed hood, fenders, roof, and trunk lid. It didn't feel very bad, but could use some clay. I clayed after I washed the car, but before drying it. I sprayed clay lubricant on wet paint and clayed. Then rinsed it off. Dried with a Guzzler.

Now onto the polishing. I still had LC pads, and wanted to tackle this one with them. Man, I was wrong. Paint is hard, even working with XMT4 (I started with Pinnacle ASR on orange pad), I was able to remove only abot 50% of defects. So I bumped speed to 6, and almost literally meled the backing plate. That's it! I'm not buying LC pads again.
I brough my E2K flat pads, and decided to give them a try. I was a little worried, so I worked with speed 5.5 on with prange pad and ASR. This combo was doing a better job, but I still expected a better bite. I did not want yellow pad, as I tried LC yellow pad and it really hazes paint up, especially black. So I tried ASR and green E2K pad. Man, I love this combo. Was able to remove 85-90 of scratches and swirls. Using Justin's technique, I lighten up the pressure on a pad, once polish was almost broken down. This was giving LSP ready finish. Hood, fenders, roof, and trunk lid I had to follow up with finishing polish. I used Menzerna PO106ff/Clearkote RMG 70/30 mix on a blue E2K pad. Man, I love this combo. Menzerna really break down well, while RMG gives longer working time. I still ease up pressure when polish was almost broken down.

Afterwards, I gave this car a coat of Pinnacle Souveran Paste.

Pics.

before:

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Engine before:

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Engine after:

[AUdakota]

I just want to post in the middle of your pictures :P

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And here is vehicle afters:

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Here is some more:

[scottgt]

awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeee

[Truls]

Niiiiice. She should be pretty pleased.

That engine looks like new again.

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No interior detail, I was way too tired. Took me about 7 hours total with a lunch break. wated too much time with LC pads.

Here is my advice to those of you who have a dilemma which pads to buy? Edge 2000 pads, all the way!!!

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Originally Posted by Truls

Niiiiice. She should be pretty pleased.

That engine looks like new again.

She is. She said from now on she want's me to maintain it. And engine, I took and old MF, and buffed everything under the hood to turn down the shine. I added a little 303 protectant on some plastic parts also.