Back for the Finest - 2000 BMW Z3 Paint Correction, CQuartz Finest Installation, Interior, and Engine Detail

[zmcgovern45]

This customer brought me this car last year shortly after he bought it for a full correction. It was in pretty poor shape, but then again it is an older car. He brought it back to me this year to take care of some rather minor swirls, scratches, and light water spots that had appeared. We also decided to coat it with CQuartz Finest to enhance the nicely polished paint and help protect it for many years to come.

The car is a very low mileage vehicle (41,000 original miles) and is really only driven in nice weather, so with some coaching from me - he should be able to keep it in near perfect condition for years.


Here is a quick flashback as to how the vehicle looked last year when I worked on it...

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/46495_171529806318480_1093125691_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/406965_171529872985140_643495477_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/44541_171529909651803_1053731410_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/30983_171530026318458_881857761_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/406937_171530296318431_1669998452_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/9219_171530909651703_767983441_n.jpg




... and now back to this year




Process

Exterior
- Wheels: Sonax Full Effect agitated with various brushes & wheel woolies
- Tires: Tuf Shine Tire Cleaner and Tire Brush
- Pre-Soak: CG Citrus Wash and Gloss via Gilmour Foammaster II Foam Gun
- Wash: CG Citrus Wash & Gloss with Sheepskin Wash Mitt
- Fallout Removal: CarPro Iron X
- Decontamination: DI Fine Grade Clay (only where needed)
- Dry: DI Waffle Weave Towels
- Tape: 3M Blue Painter's Tape
- Paint Thickness Readings Taken
- Spot Compounded RIDS: 3" MF Cutting Disks and M105/D300 Combo (M405?) via PC7424XP (speed 5-6)
- Polish: FG400 on 5.5" Orange LC Light Cutting Pad via Rupes LHR21ES (speed 4.5) and 3" & 4" Pads via PC 7424XP (speed 5)
- IPA Wipedown
- Wash: ONR (Gary Dean Method)
- Eraser Wipedown (CarPro Eraser)
- Coating Installation: CQuartz Finest (2 coats)
- Vehicle left to cure for 48 hours in garage
- Glass: Meguair's D120
- Tire Dressing: Meguiar's Endurance Gel


Engine
- Wiped down with ONR to remove dust
- Hoses/ hard to reach areas dressed with CG Black on Black
- Plastic covers dressed with 303 Aerospace Protectant


Interior
- Vacuum
- Dash, Trim, and Leather Protected with 303 Aerospace Protectant
- Floor mats treated with CG Fabric Clean (20:1), Scrubbed, and then extracted with hot water via Bissel LGM



Before

Typical dirty BMW wheels... covered with brake dust
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1378675_304830536321739_1557673373_n.jpg



Very minor swirls which is what I expected since I had done a full correction on this car last year.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1385563_304830506321742_1115314862_n.jpg



Some bug splatter
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1383500_304830539655072_1572521009_n.jpg



During


As always, the wheels and tires were cleaned first. I started by covering the wheels with Sonax Full Effect Wheel cleaner. This product starts as a bright green and turns purple as it reacts with dirt and contaminates.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/946036_304830579655068_394693943_n.jpg



You can see the wheel cleaner changing color as it starts to break down the grime on the wheels.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1374086_304830596321733_600585381_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/563673_304830599655066_1477051879_n.jpg



Sonax Full Effect does a great job breaking up that caked on dirt even before agitating it.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1391441_304830682988391_1105302851_n.jpg



After the paint was washed and decontaminated, I inspected it under the halogen lights. Swirling was minimal, but there were some deeper scratches and some water spots that needed to be addressed. I obviously could not chase down all of them, but the larger ones were corrected.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1234561_304830686321724_1601670733_n.jpg



This door had been repainted and was left in typical poor shape from the body shop. You can see how dull it is due to the poor polishing job. There are swirls and holograms all over the door.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1381245_304830689655057_2035081398_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/1374747_304830752988384_678122396_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1379948_304830759655050_852152706_n.jpg



I started by doing a test spot on the hood in an area that had more defects so I could be sure that I would be able to remove them.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1380483_304830756321717_792377349_n.jpg



I got my process dialed in and was able to remove the defects. The paint was quite hard, as I already knew from working on it last year.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1394471_304830812988378_365489108_n.jpg



Again, this door was repainted a few months ago and this is how the body shop left it.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1209297_304830829655043_143946909_n.jpg



You can see how much clearer the left hand side is after proper polishing.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1384253_304830856321707_1202555692_n.jpg



50/50 shot showing my work on the left vs. the body shop's work on the right.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1390673_304830872988372_1114586895_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1375838_304830889655037_1399245495_n.jpg



Here is a 50/50 on the side skirt without any direct lighting, you can tell that the left side is darker than the right.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/960019_304830926321700_649431495_n.jpg



Here is that same 50/50 on the side skirt lit up with the brinkmann to see the difference in the polished area vs. unpolished area.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/994336_304830959655030_963327492_n.jpg



Fender before correction.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1393719_304830969655029_429006556_n.jpg



Fender after correction.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/988711_304830986321694_240183985_n.jpg



I always love seeing the ridiculously glossy paint as I work my way around the car.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/988724_304831016321691_1692639470_n.jpg



Trunk before correction.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1383538_304831026321690_1157555485_n.jpg



Trunk after correction. (scratches removed, but apparently my towel wanted to leave a lot of lint :) )
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1381418_304831056321687_317988929_n.jpg



Fender before correction.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1381228_304831159655010_1588867279_n.jpg



Fender after correction.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1380177_304831169655009_201129390_n.jpg



A slightly different angle shows that there is a section of RIDS that were not removed.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/579163_304831192988340_906967662_n.jpg



After several passes with a 3" MF Cutting pad and M105 I only made a slight improvement. Since wet sanding wasn't on the work order for this one, I had to let them go. Luckily they aren't noticeable without intense direct lighting.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1234349_304831216321671_437329132_n.jpg



CQuartz Finest being applied.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1386010_304831226321670_2099272242_n.jpg



Pause for product shot - CQuartz Finest Premium Paint Coating
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1384107_304831239655002_465776735_n.jpg



After Finest was applied, I pulled the car out to check for any high spots... I had to admire the intense gloss as well! Looks amazing! Since the owner was in no rush to pickup the car, it was then left to cure in the garage for 48 hours.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/559453_304831302988329_1612956866_n.jpg



While the coating was curing, I turned my attention to some of the interior details that still remained. Here is the passenger floor mat before the stains were removed. While it isn't in bad shape for its age, it definitely detracts from the beauty of the interior.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1390706_304831336321659_1880035073_n.jpg



The floor mat was treated with fabric cleaner, scrubbed, and then extracted with hot water. Looks great!
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1393761_304831339654992_1420010745_n.jpg



The same process was performed on the driver's mat, but unfortunately I failed to get a before picture... as you might expect, it was much worse than the passenger mat because this one sees a lot more use.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1383398_304831366321656_1237477209_n.jpg



Here is what my water looked like after cleaning the 2 mats... not such a pretty sight.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1382154_304831379654988_431232428_n.jpg

[zmcgovern45]

After



Checking my work in the sun. At this point the coating had cured for a little over 48 hours. The car was deep, dark, and very glossy. Definitely doesn't look 14 years old!
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1379237_304831429654983_1621391207_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/1391955_304831456321647_1167951127_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1393684_304831466321646_893757707_n.jpg



Interior has a nice classic look to it.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1378846_304832176321575_120134551_n.jpg



Wheels and tires cleaned up very nicely.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1383213_304832016321591_2028657306_n.jpg



I put the top down and drove down the street to try to find a spot to take some photos.
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1390708_304831552988304_746938825_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1377029_304831866321606_1696091561_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1381669_304831966321596_1117176637_n.jpg



I found this nice secluded street to get a few good shots as the sun was setting. CQuartz Finest turned this car into a mirror on wheels. Looks great!
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1185391_304832336321559_1433434594_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/64216_304832429654883_1165935685_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1378029_304832562988203_1081252394_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1375702_304832732988186_1184295472_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1378497_304832839654842_131092457_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1375882_304832896321503_446486427_n.jpg



As always, thanks for looking! Questions and/or Comments are greatly appreciated!

[swanicyouth]

I'm amazed your getting this results with just FG400 as a one step. Is that correct? Looks awesome!

[zmcgovern45]

I'm amazed your getting this results with just FG400 as a one step. Is that correct? Looks awesome!

^Yup - I usually wouldn't use it for a 1 step on a black vehicle, but this paint was particularly hard. I did a test spot on the hood with hyper polish after the FG400 and saw absolutely no difference when inspecting under the Brinkmann, my 1000W halogens, or in sunlight... so I said "OK" and just did the 1 step with FG400. Now I did work the FG400 for a while which helps it finish down even better.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Beautiful work as always Zach! That little black BMW roadster looks great now.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

FG400 has always finished down rather well for me even though it's a compound.

[drbll]

Beautiful! Love the car, love the color, love the shine! Question, when you extract with the LGM you are using straight up water? no additives?

[Dr_Pain]

^Yup - I usually wouldn't use it for a 1 step on a black vehicle, but this paint was particularly hard. I did a test spot on the hood with hyper polish after the FG400 and saw absolutely no difference when inspecting under the Brinkmann, my 1000W halogens, or in sunlight... so I said "OK" and just did the 1 step with FG400. Now I did work the FG400 for a while which helps it finish down even better.

I've done a few one step with FG400 and was thoroughly impressed, but as you mentioned, it may not be suited as a one step correction for all.

To be honest Zach, I should just have a cut and paste for your work. I end up just repeating myself!! Great work :xyxthumbs:

Quick question. What did you end up coating or not coating? ....paint, lenses, trim, windows?? (only assuming!)

[Lanceb028]

wow! great work!

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

To be honest Zach, I should just have a cut and paste for your work. I end up just repeating myself!! Great work :xyxthumbs:

I feel the same. I'm running out of things to say to his great work. I really admire his photography skills.

[KMG]

Great work as usual Zach.

[zmcgovern45]

Beautiful work as always Zach! That little black BMW roadster looks great now... FG400 has always finished down rather well for me even though it's a compound.
^Thanks! I agree - FG400 with an orange pad is one of my favorite combos and finishes down fantastically on average > harder paints. Softer paints, obviously, usually still need some refinement afterwards.


Beautiful! Love the car, love the color, love the shine! Question, when you extract with the LGM you are using straight up water? no additives?
^Thanks! Yup - just hot water in the extractor. Absolutely no chemicals. I pretreat the stains with chemicals, scrub them, and then use the water to lift the chemicals and dirt out of the fabric. This way I can be sure I am not leaving any chemicals in the carpet since I am simply using hot water. Hope that makes sense.


I've done a few one step with FG400 and was thoroughly impressed, but as you mentioned, it may not be suited as a one step correction for all.

To be honest Zach, I should just have a cut and paste for your work. I end up just repeating myself!! Great work :xyxthumbs:

Quick question. What did you end up coating or not coating? ....paint, lenses, trim, windows?? (only assuming!)
^haha good advice is always worth repeating :dblthumb2:

My Finest jobs typically include 2 coats on all painted surfaces and 1 coat on the faces of the wheels and trim. This particular job was a bit of a special circumstance since I had some remnants of other Finest applications left over that I used to do this car so I did not have enough to do the wheels. 2 coats was applied to the paint, the door handles and other trim around the windshield were coated, and the headlights were as well.

If someone wants their glass coated, I will offer to use Fly By 30 instead of Finest.



wow! great work!
:dblthumb2:


I feel the same. I'm running out of things to say to his great work. I really admire his photography skills.
^I appreciate your compliments... and your repeating my comments just justifies that I am not delusional and that I am in fact doing something right :) thanks guys!


Great work as usual Zach.
^Thanks Kevin

[kantonburg]

How many coats of the endurance gel do you put on your tires? They look great as does the whole car!

[zmcgovern45]

How many coats of the endurance gel do you put on your tires? They look great as does the whole car!

I don't use EG very often, but for this car, I applied 2 coats - 24 hours apart, and then after the 2nd coat had been on for about 24 hours, I gently wiped away any excess with a MF towel.

[Sicoupe]

I'm am truly amazed how awesome your work is, you are very gifted my friend! Keep the photos coming PLEASE:)