Jerez Black E90 BMW M3 - Detailed by Lawrence

[lawrenceSA]

I had been looking forward to this detail for some time now.... partly because it is an M3, partly because it is non VAG paint (which is the majority of my work) but mostly because it was black.... and I LOVE polishing black paint (and the last non-white car I did was early Nov :eek: ).... black really forces you to be on your A-game and I dig the challenge.

This detail spanned over 3 days. Friday from 08:30 to 18:30, Saturday from 06:00 to 22:00 and Sunday from 06:30 to 15:30, all of which were scorching hot and very humid (temps mostly in the mid 30's (degrees Celsius) and humidity >70%...this caused some issues in respect of compound dusting and admittedly slowed me down a little.... the heat was just so energy sapping.....I consumed copious amounts of water - a good tip to anyone detailing.... staying hydrated is very important.

So before we start looking at pictures, here is a the list of products used and the process followed.
Interior: Cyclo APC / various brushes / Glosswork Leather Conditioner / Smart Wax Smart dressing
Arches: Cyclo APC / Mothers Fender Well Brush / HP Rinse / Shield Sheen
Tires: Meguiars All Wheel and Tire Cleaner / Mothers Tire Brush / Optimum Optibond Tire Gel
Wheels: Meguiars All Wheel and Tire Cleaner / Autofinesse Oblitarate / Hot water rinse / AF Iron Out / Daytona Jnr / HP Rinse / Menzerna Powerlock
Door shuts, window rubbers, fuel flap, badges: Cyclo APC / Various Brushes / HP Rinse
Engine Bay: Cyclo APC / Various Brushes / HP Rinse / Shield Sheen
Wash: Chemical Guys Maxisuds II, Cyclo APC, white vinegar mix via foam cannon / Cyclo Polymer Car Wash and ONR mix / 2BM with Lambswool wash mitt
Dry: ONR at QD strength / WW Drying towel / Compressed Air
Tar removal : Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover / Hot water rinse
Iron removal : Autofinesse Iron Out
Remaining Contaminants : Autoglym Fine Grade Clay / Carways Mist and Wipe
Glass : Autoglym Fine Grade Clay / Carways Mist and Wipe
Paint correction : Menzeran FG400 / Meguiars MF pads / LC Orange pads, followed by Menzerna SF4000 / LC Green Pad, followed by Chemical Guys Black Light / LC Black Finishing Pad
Tail light correction: Menzerna PF2500 / LC White Pad / Menzerna SF4000 / LC Black Pad
Paint protection : Collinite 845 / Pete's 53
Door rubbers, plastic trim : Shield Heavy Duty Vinyl and Rubber Cleaner / Smartwax Smart Dressing
Exhaust tips : Mothers Mag and Aluminium Polish /Mothers Power Ball mini / MF Towels
Carbon Fiber : Chemical Guys EZ Creme

So, onto some pictures

Firstly, TOGW (The Other Guys Wax)....this is either wax or polish residue from someone who has previously 'detailed' the car, without paying attention to the details. :lol:

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4550_zpsbd98e0d5.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4553_zps75b7a859.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4559_zpse3880283.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4567_zps6000a5db.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4576_zpsdda70ff9.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4584_zps703776f6.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4600_zpsf874a72d.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4627_zpsebcd504b.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4636_zps3f706130.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4657_zpsb956db56.jpg

The car even came with some spare washing medium, in case I ran out :lol:

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4649_zps9ecf98de.jpg

Swirls, deep scratches and chips

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4781_zps321ecd97.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4778_zps408f9d79.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4771_zpsed2a6270.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4756_zps2aa98752.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4583_zps288fa2a2.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4595_zpsaf55efc9.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4613_zpsb76fd255.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4620_zps38a3117c.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4623_zps6ff56445.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4673_zps3238edbe.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4678_zps107f76f5.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4681_zpsa2216cf0.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4689_zpsa4ce3aae.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4692_zps64a95715.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4702_zpsfd7e07af.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4713_zpsedeb5aac.jpg

And some rather unsightly orange peel

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4607_zps4190107a.jpg

And water spots

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4827_zps91ffd251.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4824_zps9b828b78.jpg

Wheels

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4542_zpsbdeaeaa5.jpg

Built up dirt in the usual spots
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4574_zps9149b423.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4660_zps287e8f00.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4606_zpsc1bb8e10.jpg

During

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4793_zps42216e5e.jpg

After

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_5047_zps8d7a4bae.jpg

Leather

Poor maintenance caused the leather to dry out and become more susceptible to cracking
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4732_zps290abba7.jpg

During (the shiny side is the dirty side)
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4911_zps81ca1bde.jpg

After
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_5054_zps3b24e4ff.jpg

Engine bay

Before
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4754_zps46bd46c5.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4749_zps1608f1d9.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4743_zps492907a6.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4740_zps527cc6c5.jpg
After

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_5058_zpsa7941d26.jpg

Paint correction

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4829_zps68873118.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4880_zps33e20f45.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4852_zps60c1493f.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4842_zps7e3e1f36.jpg

]http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4875_zps2cbf9009.jpg

[lawrenceSA]

And finally the 'beauty shots'

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4919_zpsd5de168f.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4934_zps30c59e01.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4944_zpsc2e5e8f2.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4947_zps3e759648.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4976_zps353eeff2.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4985_zps1fd12795.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4988_zps869a8236.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4999_zps376d0b70.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_5004_zpsb38d41d6.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_5019_zpse142284d.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_5034_zps86ae3dea.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/20140216_161053_zps79bae40e.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_5068_zps3c86a743.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/20140216_161130_zps8833f575.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/20140216_161400_zps24218f1c.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_5083_zps7bad0566.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/20140216_161617_zpsb02984d2.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_5093_zps92251a40.jpg

Despite being Jerez BLACK, the paint has the most awesome blue tint to it...

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4884_zpsd604e4a9.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_4883_zps0adc65cf.jpg

2 Random cell phone pics
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/20140216_121248_zps25ade1e9.jpg

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/20140216_121131_zps872e8dd5.jpg

And my favorite shot

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd393/polo_playa/Detailing%20-%20Brandon%20M3/IMG_5012_zps3aff574d.jpg

Total time spent = 32 hours

Thanks for looking and as always any questions or comments are welcome

:hi:

[CarolinasFinestDetailing]

Ugh.....looks so amazing. As much as I love my VW and want to upgrade to an Audi soon.....a part of me really wants a BMW!

[hamlyn]

My favorite M color... looks awesome.

[HD.Detailing]

sexz

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Beautiful work and top notch execution Lawrence. Those detailed pictures really tell your story.

So what did you think of the BMW paint?

[lawrenceSA]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. Really do appreciate them.

Mike....

A little difficult to explain.... in terms of how hard it was to cut.... pretty much the same as most VAG paint actually... I was expecting it to be a little harder but for the most part FG400/LC orange sorted out the issues (which is a common 'go-to' for me on VAG clears).... there were some really bad spots where I changed to a MF pad to try speed things up a little (for example the bootlid and some of the bonnet, which had what looked like really deep swirls caused by 'scrubbing' something off the paint).

But....

It then did tend to mar quite easily.... I noticed this during claying (fine grade clay) and again when at one point I got a little over-zealous removing polish residue (in the heat/humidity it was 'gumming up' / dusting quite a bit) ..... nothing that the SF4000 couldn't remove, but yes.... kind of like 2 different paints in one

Relatively hard to cut, but marred easier than VW' generally tend to, IMO.

Overall though I quite enjoyed working on the paint.

The owner was so happy he booked in his other M3...a black (not sure which one yet) E46, and his silver M Coupe so I will get some more practice on BMW paint in a few months time. ;)

He also booked his wife's '12 Range Rover Evoque.:thumbup:

[281]

Excellent job! You really brought that M3 back to life!

[Sicoupe]

Fantastic work! Love reading your write ups:)

[Radarryan]

Great job, Lawrence! That blue tint really popped when you got done with it! I always enjoy your work. Looking forward to your next one!

[lawrenceSA]

Excellent job! You really brought that M3 back to life!
Thank you very much. It is such an amazing feeling to transform someone's ride and watch them 'fall in love' again with their car.


Fantastic work! Love reading your write ups:)
Thank you very much. I appreciate knowing you (and others) enjoy reading them:xyxthumbs:


Great job, Lawrence! That blue tint really popped when you got done with it! I always enjoy your work. Looking forward to your next one!

Thank you so much. I too am looking forward to the next one.... I think it is one of the advantages of only doing this on weekends.... it never feels like a 'job' and the week in between details gives me time to a) recover from the last one but more importantly b) start getting excited about the next one....

It doesn't really matter what car the next one is, it is the anticipation of seeing the before/after pictures and owner's expression when he/she sees their car for the first time that gets my detailing juices flowingIm the MAN:buffing:

[GreatAvalon]

Wow!!! Lawrence, you're the man! Awesome job with it, that blue metallic color is a great color, especially after you got your hands on it! Impressive!

[lawrenceSA]

Wow!!! Lawrence, you're the man! Awesome job with it, that blue metallic color is a great color, especially after you got your hands on it! Impressive!

Thank you so much for your kind words. They really mean a lot.

Sometimes I am truly overwhelmed by the responses and positive feedback I get from all of you.

Detailing over here in South Africa is still very much in its infancy and to therefore get such acknowledgement from this forum by people who are more well versed in detailing in general than the people over here, is truly humbling.

Thank you all again very much!

[GreatAvalon]

Thank you so much for your kind words. They really mean a lot.

Sometimes I am truly overwhelmed by the responses and positive feedback I get from all of you.

Detailing over here in South Africa is still very much in its infancy and to therefore get such acknowledgement from this forum by people who are more well versed in detailing in general than the people over here, is truly humbling.

Thank you all again very much!
Oh I have been lurking on this forum for months before I joined up yesterday. You always added valuable insight to the conversations and your opinion on products was highly regarded by me when I was making decisions on what to order. Of course seeing your "Show and Shine" threads speak for themselves, even though that is your excellent technique more than it is the products you use :props:

Looking forward to seeing more!

[iBoost]

Amazing job!