2002 Jet Black E46 M3

[Audios S6]

This car came to me from a coworker. I do not make a point to advertise at work as it is against the company policy (the girl scouts can get away with it, but no one else). We are both into cars and frequently take friendly jabs at each other over BWM and Audi. He will be putting his car away for winter soon and wanted to know what wax I use. After recommending BFWD and mentioning that it would be tough for him to go through a bottle even with 3 cars, he asked how I go through a bottle and realized that I do detailing.

I frequently park next to him in our ramp, but it's underground, quite dark and I never really got a good look at the paint. When it arrived at 11pm I only got a look at it under the fluorescent lights, but it was clear there was a lot of work to be done. Swirls, scratches, marring, chips, rubber transfer, etching, you name it this car had it.

The owner was most concerned with the swirls and chips. This would be the main focus of the effort, although there was plenty that needed to be done, just to get to the swirls and chips.



Couple shots on arrival:

Swirl city
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1753_zpsc29ac7ad.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1753_zpsc29ac7ad.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1754_zps80de752d.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1754_zps80de752d.jpg.html)

Paint Chips and etching
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1756_zps1a1e1f55.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1756_zps1a1e1f55.jpg.html)

rubber transfer from bike handle
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1757_zpsacb2608a.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1757_zpsacb2608a.jpg.html)

etching from something dumped out the window presumably
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1758_zps056625bb.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1758_zps056625bb.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1759_zpsf318d66b.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1759_zpsf318d66b.jpg.html)

etching and rubber transfer
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1760_zpsfd332cdd.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1760_zpsfd332cdd.jpg.html)

Nasty RID
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1761_zpsc2b0affb.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1761_zpsc2b0affb.jpg.html)

Due to the timing and touch-ups needing time to dry, I jumped right into a rinseless wash of the hood and trunk, then iron-x and the nanoskin autoscrub. Chips were filled in and allowed to dry over night. A test spot was also performed on the trunk before turning in for the night.

Clay after a small portion of the hood
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1751_zps0da5775e.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1751_zps0da5775e.jpg.html)

Test spot
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1764_zps442f5db7.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1764_zps442f5db7.jpg.html)

Next morning is was time for a proper inspection under the sun along with another look at the test spot.

Faded Trim
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1770_zps9b594ed9.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1770_zps9b594ed9.jpg.html)

old bugs
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1771_zps37ddbd2c.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1771_zps37ddbd2c.jpg.html)

bugs, dust, dirt, water spots
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1769_zps71eb3323.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1769_zps71eb3323.jpg.html)

At least the wheels weren't completely caked with brake dust and the side marker isn't terribly hazy
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1768_zpsae1c8b50.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1768_zpsae1c8b50.jpg.html)

waterspots, haze and general filth
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1772_zpsd7b98f68.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1772_zpsd7b98f68.jpg.html)

More filth
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1773_zps5aea055e.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1773_zps5aea055e.jpg.html)

exhaust and bumper probably not cleaning in 12 years
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1778_zps3afc9ead.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1778_zps3afc9ead.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1777_zpsa6db90eb.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1777_zpsa6db90eb.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1776_zps7893885b.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1776_zps7893885b.jpg.html)

We probably can't find any other type of defect can we? SURE WE CAN!!!! what was maybe gum on the trim (or something else from a mammal's mouth)
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1779_zps147e56a2.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1779_zps147e56a2.jpg.html)

Horror show now over, and checking the test spot in full sun. Meg MF cutting disk and D300 on rupes followed by LC gray and Menz sf4500 on rotary followed by prep sol wipe down.
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1795_zps73756e8c.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1795_zps73756e8c.jpg.html)

Foam bath - Ultimate snow foam presoak
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1786_zpsb3bf7373.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1786_zpsb3bf7373.jpg.html)

Wheels with Ardex Proper & permanon platinum
Tires with Megs D108 & Car pro PERL
Exhaust with 0000 steel wool followed by P21S polishing soap
2BM with CG Citrus wash + gloss
Decon with Iron-x, mother yellow clay, nanoskin autoscrub and ONR lube
Chips wetsanded with 1500 and 3000 grit on HF 2" air sander
Paint Correction as noted above
LSP - based on forum feedback: BFWD
Trim - new and old UTTG+. I think I prefer the old formula on this plastic.


1500 sanding
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1788_zpsb97f67b0.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1788_zpsb97f67b0.jpg.html)

3000 grit sanding
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1789_zps4edf54d5.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1789_zps4edf54d5.jpg.html)

Light at the end of the tunnel. About 14 hours total.
http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1810_zps1e8c34ec.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1810_zps1e8c34ec.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1807_zps2073ddb3.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1807_zps2073ddb3.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1809_zps19421374.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1809_zps19421374.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1811_zps740db130.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1811_zps740db130.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1812_zps83714545.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1812_zps83714545.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1813_zps85cb59df.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1813_zps85cb59df.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1814_zps0900e174.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1814_zps0900e174.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1804_zps4366ab6c.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1804_zps4366ab6c.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1816_zpsb6ee2d38.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1816_zpsb6ee2d38.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1815_zps75ee72a8.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1815_zps75ee72a8.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1817_zps628373cf.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1817_zps628373cf.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1818_zps08bbcd74.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1818_zps08bbcd74.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1819_zps67fb9a05.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1819_zps67fb9a05.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1820_zps4f1ec7c3.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1820_zps4f1ec7c3.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1821_zps3bf2a3af.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1821_zps3bf2a3af.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1806_zpsfb6e079f.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1806_zpsfb6e079f.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1800_zps4ea94bd7.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1800_zps4ea94bd7.jpg.html)

http://i1371.photobucket.com/albums/ag290/detailedcreationsmpls/IMG_1808_zpseb4317ab.jpg (http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/detailedcreationsmpls/media/IMG_1808_zpseb4317ab.jpg.html)

Thanks for reading. Questions and comments welcome.

[sparkism13]

Amazing transformation. I bet the guy was stoked!

[Sicoupe]

Fantastic job buddy!!

[jamesboyy]

Excellent work turning that BMW around he will definitely be having you do more detailing work

[DetailedByPrecision]

Great job on the chips. Wish you had close ups of it though...

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Beautiful transformation!

[Paul A.]

Stellar work! Nicely done. And maybe he'll keep that rocket sled from getting back to how it arrived.

[Moldavite]

Good job :)

[Heisenberg]

Awesome work.

What is your preferred method of getting sanding discs the size of your 2 inch sander? That's something I've wanted to do but never been able to find discs that size and I didn't want to get a box of Trizact discs for one job.

[Audios S6]

Amazing transformation. I bet the guy was stoked!

Thanks. He was very happy. He didn't think a lot of the defects would come out.


Fantastic job buddy!!

Thank you.


Excellent work turning that BMW around he will definitely be having you do more detailing work

Thanks. Yes he will. He drove over some road paint this morning. It will be back for some more work if he can't get it off himself.


Great job on the chips. Wish you had close ups of it though...

We just changed parking ramps and I think he is in a different one now, but I can still get some close ups. You wanted to see close up of the chip repair?


Beautiful transformation!


Stellar work! Nicely done. And maybe he'll keep that rocket sled from getting back to how it arrived.

Thanks. He needs to get his 3 kids and himself in check. Hopefully this was all he needed.


Good job :)

Thanks


Awesome work.

What is your preferred method of getting sanding discs the size of your 2 inch sander? That's something I've wanted to do but never been able to find discs that size and I didn't want to get a box of Trizact discs for one job.

I get 6" discs in the 800, 1500 and 3000 and cut them down myself. The 800 and 1500 don't last long, but the 3000 do last quite a while for me. I only detail a couple days a week and wetsand maybe a couple times a month so I'm not going through a lot of discs.

I get single 3000 trizact discs from o'reilly; I'm sure other auto parts stores have them, they are not cheap individually though. The 800 and 1500 I can get at the local auto paint supply store nearby.

[rms64]

Great job! :xyxthumbs:

Picture # 13 looks like you're giving birth to ummm...yourself :eek::eek:

[Sizzle Chest]

Very, very nice transformation! Co-worker must've been stunned at the results!

[Paul A.]

Picture # 13 looks like you're giving birth to ummm...yourself :eek::eek:

That, right there, is freakin hilarious!!!

[530inv]

Very nice work! You turned that bad boy around!