2003 BMW M3 Vert - AutoLavish goes to Puerto Rico

[jlb85]

The owner of the MR2 and this M3 gathered a few other clients and sent us down to detail their cars. The MR2 was going to start in a new race series, but he really wanted to get his M3 properly detailed and protected. Yesterday we did the MR2, and it was hot. Today was even hotter! I took some paint temperature readings on various colors. The results are discussed further down.

This M3 was purchased at auction in 2007 with under 3000 miles on the odometer. 'Nuff said!

Upon arrival, the M3 was in decent shape. Not very dirty, hardly used :(

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03653.jpg


OK, so I know this will make for a boring thread, but the finish was in great shape! Almost no swirls and just minor RIDS:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03656.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03657.jpg


Wheels needed love:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03658.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03659.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03660.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03662.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03663.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03666.jpg


Time to take it out and start with the chemicals. But before, lets see what the paint temperature is. In the shade on the Metallic Grey M3: 86

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03672.jpg

On a black Jeep after sitting in the sun for about 20 minutes: 171F

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03673.jpg

Red MR2 sitting im the sun all day (it is about 11am): 141F

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03674.jpg

Yellow MR2 sitting next to the red one all day: 114F

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03675.jpg

Concrete floor is 101F

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03676.jpg

The M3 about 3 minutes in the sun: 132F and rising quickly

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03684.jpg

So, if you have a dark car, know your paint is getting fried on a daily basis if it sits outside all day. Also, know your waxes will last much less than a lighter colored car. It isn't a color, its a part time job! Make sure the car is cool before washing!


Starting with the wheels using P21S Gel and various brushes. Tires hit with APC 4:1, fenders hit with Super Degreaser 4:1 and the schmit:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03677.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03679.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03681.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03682.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03683.jpg


With the temp raising, lets get the car washed ASAP: Foam'ed...

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03685.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03686.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03687.jpg


Clay after one lower portion:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03688.jpg


Working the clay:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03690.jpg


After clay we typically wash again. I decided to wash in the shade. It would be easier dealing with foam over everything in the garage (and my supplies) than deal with the sun's abuse on the paint (and my head):

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03691.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03692.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03693.jpg

[jlb85]

(...continued)

Finish was in great shape! Before:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03695.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03696.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03697.jpg


Polishing was simple: 3M UK Ultrafina. The RIDS would get corrected next year, or as soon as the car reaches 10,000 miles... On a car in this condition you do not want to thin out the paint for very minor defects. Stock paint on BMWs is in the 130 micrometer range.

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03698.jpg


Finished up late at night:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03707.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03708.jpg


Wheels and calipers sealed with Zaino CS (sorry for the crappy pics):

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03713.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03717.jpg


http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03719.jpg

a RIDS!

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03721.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03723.jpg


Now in the sun. LSP was Blackfire Wet Diamond applied by PC:

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03800.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03801.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03802.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03803.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03805.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03806.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03807.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03811.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03812.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03815.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03817.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03818.jpg

http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/jacobbunyan/2004%20BMW%20M3%20Vert%20Detail%20Sept%202009/DSC03820.jpg

This car is used so rarely that I doubt it will have any more defects in Spring. We went to the local AutoZone and bought a bunch of stuff for the owner to properly wash the vehicle to keep it like this: Megs Gold Class car wash, some drying MF towels, Some NXT 2.0 for the maintenance waxing between details, and some Ultimate Quick Detailer. We were able to get it all in one place, locally. But quality Microfiber is much more of a challenge. We ended up leaving a few towels for Quick Detailing. We told the owner this is my way of paying back the ride at the track in his MR2 ;)

[Matt]

Uh oh something's happened to your pictures.

[jlb85]

FIXED!!!

Thank for the heads up!

[Matt]

Wow nice job!

What did you do with the fabric top as I see you didn't foam it during the wash?

I'm going to assume some sort of specialized cleaner and protection was used rather that just leaving it as is?

I'm glad to see those wheels looking beautiful now! I always love seeing before, during and after pictures of dirty wheels. Just gives me a good feeling looking at that dirt washing away:xyxthumbs:

[Dibbuz]

Nice detail! I love the wheels but what a job to keep them as new...

[jlb85]

Wow nice job!

What did you do with the fabric top as I see you didn't foam it during the wash?

I'm going to assume some sort of specialized cleaner and protection was used rather that just leaving it as is?

I'm glad to see those wheels looking beautiful now! I always love seeing before, during and after pictures of dirty wheels. Just gives me a good feeling looking at that dirt washing away:xyxthumbs:

Thanks!

The owner had used TONS of soap to clean the top before. and it is fabric, which means the stuff just stayed in there forever. It took me about 30 minutes of just rinsing the top to get almost all the soap out. I would keep getting soapy foam when spraying the top. But I did this in the shade. The reason I tried not to wet the top in the first couple washes was because it was too hot! The top will stain very easily. Once rinsed all I had to do is use some protector... but I didn't have any on hand for a fabric top :/ The owner would follow up with some protection next wash (this car gets more washes than miles!)



Nice detail! I love the wheels but what a job to keep them as new...

These look simple, but they took a long time to clean up! And they are big. Add the heat and it was no treat. They sure look good on the car, though! :xyxthumbs:

[HHIslander]

Great work.. I love E46 M3's.

I really want a client(s) who will fly me to tropical destinations...

[sullysdetailing]

Nice I love the M3's

[Bigfoot]

Duuuuuuuuude!

You were here and didn't contacted me? I would've shown you some nice places down here! Great job on that baby!

[SRHTX]

Very nice work, as usual. :props: How long does it take you to detail these vehicles? Also, is it just you or do you have others working along side with you?

Stephen