Only thing Blacker than this BMW 530i is Deep Space!

[Totoland Mach]

This 530i with 96,000 miles was a challenge for extreme BMW makeover! Due to the request of the dealer, I'll only give you a representative shot of the scratches and swirls I encountered.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20530i%20TradeIn%20Rough/530iBlackLowerDoorScratches.jpg

So, I decided to wetsand the car from bottom to top. Used 2500 grit by hand (not as harsh as 2000 and maintains the integrity of the clear coat), followed by 3M Trizact pads on an air powered DA. Using Trizact preps the surface for a pretty easy go with compound.

I did make some mistakes during the process: I thought I had compounded out the sanding "haze" thoroughly and found that I missed a bunch of areas after the power wash showed the spots. I forgot my dealer's lesson: do a panel start-to-finish (using ONR to remove dust), use a Brinkmann light to check for haze removal, THEN move to the next panel. The frustration of having to return to many areas is unreal and adds to the detail clock negatively.

Anyhow, after 3000 Trizact, I compounded with a foam pad as the wool didn't work as good. Then it was polish time with 3M Dark Glaze followed by 3M Ultrafina and a final power wash.

Compounding pics

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20530i%20TradeIn%20Rough/530iBlackLowerDoorCompounded2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20530i%20TradeIn%20Rough/530iBlackLowerDoorCompounded.jpg

Compounding thoroughly will set a good stage for polishing and waxing...no doubt about it

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20530i%20TradeIn%20Rough/530iBlackDoorCompoundLightsOff.jpg

Ready for final power wash after Ultrafina SE

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20530i%20TradeIn%20Rough/Black530iB4finalwash2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20530i%20TradeIn%20Rough/Black530iB4finalwash.jpg

Back inside for final step: Meguiar's #21 2.0 applied with a rotary and finish pad. I let the wax sit for 2 hours to insure a good bond and did other items like apply tire dressing, clean the shop floor, etc.

After pics:

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20530i%20TradeIn%20Rough/Black530iAfterMeg21.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20530i%20TradeIn%20Rough/Black530iAfterMeg21Hood.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20530i%20TradeIn%20Rough/Black530iAfterMeg21_2.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o212/Totoland/Black%20530i%20TradeIn%20Rough/530iAfterUltraFina.jpg

This car is now Black....deep black and ready for interior cleaning.

Final note: if the dealer permits, I can post some pics of the wetsanding process.

Toto

[sal329]

Looks amazing Toto. E39 is still my fav BMW

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

A pool of black ink... NICE!

Just out of curiousity, why does the dealer tell you what you can/cant share? Just wondering...

[Totoland Mach]

A pool of black ink... NICE!

Just out of curiousity, why does the dealer tell you what you can/cant share? Just wondering...

The dealer feels that a prospective owner might see the pics and "panic" or feel distressed at the process (which he may/may not no a thing about). It actually happened on a 6 Series scratch and the prospective buyer bought it to the attention of the dealer.

So, I'll abide by his wishes. After the car is sold, I will probably be able to post the pics.

Toto

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

The dealer feels that a prospective owner might see the pics and "panic" or feel distressed at the process (which he may/may not no a thing about). It actually happened on a 6 Series scratch and the prospective buyer bought it to the attention of the dealer.

So, I'll abide by his wishes. After the car is sold, I will probably be able to post the pics.

Toto


Ahh gotcha... I hope you didn't take offense to my question I was just curious..

Thanks!

[Totoland Mach]

Ahh gotcha... I hope you didn't take offense to my question I was just curious..

Thanks!

Not at all sir! The dealer is super dedicated to appearance reconditioning (he's more enthusiastic than I am) and one of the best teachers I've ever encountered....very unusual for a car dealer.

Toto

[conan777]

Not at all sir! The dealer is super dedicated to appearance reconditioning (he's more enthusiastic than I am) and one of the best teachers I've ever encountered....very unusual for a car dealer.

Toto
Very..Very! unusual for a car dealer!! Great Job Toto! as usual. The car looks fantastic! Did you remove the badging?

[SweetJazz]

Absolutely liquid black............:cheers:

[rwisejr]

Another Toto masterpiece !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Liquid pool of black !!!!!!!!

[imageautodetail]

Not at all sir! The dealer is super dedicated to appearance reconditioning (he's more enthusiastic than I am) and one of the best teachers I've ever encountered....very unusual for a car dealer.

TotoI picked up the exact car today, 02 black e39, same wheel package, tan interior, Ill make sure to get pix so you can critique for me

[Totoland Mach]

I picked up the exact car today, 02 black e39, same wheel package, tan interior, Ill make sure to get pix so you can critique for me

Clay: be sure to tape the side molding trim...it's painted plastic and won't take a lot of heat. After compounding the metal, I removed the tape and finished the trim with #83 and light pressure.

Toto

[killrflake]

Another top drawer detail by the Grand Master Toto. While understanding how your boss feels, I would be more then happy to know that the dealer I am doing business with cares enough to bring the car to "as new" condition as you have. Without a doubt your employers reputation must be very good in your area of the country, he is certainly not one of those used car dealers that put sawdust in the transmission to quite it down and like stunts that some of the old time dealers used to do. I would consider buying a car from him if I were in the market, and would love to have the pictures of all the work being down prior to delivery.