2013 BMW 328i: Full Detail + Coating with Pinnacle Black Label

[Tato]

Dear Friends,

This week I had the pleasure to work on a beautiful 2013 BMW 328i. After inspecting the vehicle with customer we agreed on a full detail (in and out), paint polishing and coating.

To meet the needs I've invested my time in cleaning and decontaminating the vehicle first, then performed a 3-step polishing and finally coated all surfaces with Pinnacle Black Label series of coatings (Wheel, Glass and Paint) whetter they fitted.

The decontamination step consisted in a formal wash using Meguiar's Hyper Wash + CG Bug Tar Wash followed by Iron-X, Tar-X, Spotless, and finally a claying step to get the paint squeaky clean, smooth and free of contaminants, ready for polishing.

The polishing step was performed using Rupes 21, Meguiar's Xtra Cut Microfiber Discs and Menzerna SHC300 for the first cut, followed by Flex 3401, LC Hybrid foam pads and SHC300 or PF2500 and SF4000 to accomplish the polishing and finishing steps.

I've decided on this setup based on test spot results which revealed the paint on this car to be on the 'very' hard side, that associated with neglected condition put me on an intensive polishing routine.

Let's see the pictures,

Here's how it arrived,
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-1.png

And how it was delivered:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-2.png

Paint was tacky and picky, feeling like 40 grit
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-3.png

I risk saying no one ever took proper care of this engine bay:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-4.png

With credits to my dearest friend Sonus Trim / Motor Kote for dressing after total cleanup.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-5.png

Interior also needed some love, (although I don't have many detailed pictures - work was performed by my Co-Worker)
Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-6.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-7.png

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-8.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-9.png

General view (cleaned, steamed, leather cared and all interior plastic protected using 303 Aerospace Protectant):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-10.png

Then we tackled the Wheels,
Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-11.png

After being washed, decontaminated / tar removal and coated with PBL Wheel Coating. Tire dressed using Sonax Tire Gel
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-12.png

Paint was so dirty it was looking matte finished,
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-13.png

Bugs also played a role,
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-14.png

TOGWA too!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-16.png

Here and there, mostly on every cranny
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-17.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-18.png

Well, I'll stop the TOGWA series here because I'd spend an entire workday just to capture the pictures where it existed.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-19.png

This picture from Glass may show how much embedded dirty was presented
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-15.png

After washing, I've performed an extensive decontamination step. Here you can observe Iron-X in action
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-20.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-21.png

From dirty, stained, swirled (not shown on pic) and old looking
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-22.png

To a much improved condition:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-23.png

Although looks simple, it took several hours to achieve the desired results throughout the entire vehicle.

Here's what I was left after decontamination step:
Stain on pillars
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-24.png

Fender
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-25.png

Roof
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-26.png

I frequently try to inspect the paint using different light conditions:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-27.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-28.png

After, from another light source:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-29.png

More on the roof, without any direct lighting, notice how defects were showing up:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-30.png

Swirl finder light:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-31.png

And Gone:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-32.png

Taillamp Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-33.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-34.png

After:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-35.png

Before:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-36.png

Afters:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-37.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-38.png

Going down, I'd stop the TOGWA series up above but he insisted ahahah
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-39.png

Exhaust tips, before (do I need to say?!)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-40.png

After, needed a Dremel tool to work my polish since it was really, really slow to be performed by hand
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-41.png

I've polished the whole car and left the hood to the end.
How it looked after washing and thorough decontamination:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-42.png

Here's what I've started with:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-43.png

In very bad shape, although this paint color is very 'good' in hiding minor defects like swirls and holograms.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-44.png

Here's what I ended up with:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-45.png

Inspected using the swirl finder light:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-46.png

And reinspected with customer under the sun, hope he enjoyed the view:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-47.png

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-48.png

Ready to shine again on the road:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-49.png

To end, I'm repeating the second picture from this thread for you to watch it after seeing some of what was done:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/328i-2.png


----------------

Thank you very much for watching!

Please, feel free to leave comments, critics, suggestions, questions, you're always welcome.

Although I could only capture and share part of what was done, I really wish you to enjoy watching as much I've enjoyed working on this one.

Kind Regards.

[davey g-force]

Very nice work as always Tato!

That BMW was in pretty bad shape but you saved it :xyxthumbs:

[Sicoupe]

Very well done my friend! Looks fantastic:)

[Rod73]

Very impressive!

[Aaryn NZ]

:dblthumb2:

Beautiful workmanship there mate. Really nice results from a pretty neglected BMW. Outstanding!!! :props:

Aaryn NZ. :xyxthumbs:

[VISITOR]

love the color, nice job cleaning it up. how did you like the mf xtra-cut discs?

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Outstanding work as always my friend. That 3 series was in serious need of your TLC and you made sure that every square millimeter was properly taken care of.

I hope the owner books a maintenance program with you to keep that BMW looking pristine.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one on my MacPro/Retina with my morning coffee.

Thanks for sharing.

[Swift]

Tato, before you show the car to customer, make sure he/she stands on soft surface. That way, their jaw wont break (when it falls on the floor after seeing your work). Excellent work.


One question though (like always haha!!), how do you detail tail lamp? Which pad/product?

[Rod73]

Tato, before you show the car to customer, make sure he/she stands on soft surface. That way, their jaw wont break (when it falls on the floor after seeing your work). Excellent work.


One question though (like always haha!!), how do you detail tail lamp? Which pad/product?
Ditto on the tailamp. Although all of it is impressive.

[haris300]

Awesome transformation. I love how detailed your posts are. Tons of close ups and nothing hidden by tricky photography. This is what I like to see. Keep up the great work Tato :)

[lawrenceSA]

Beautiful work and an enjoyable read, as always,

Well done my friend :dblthumb2:

[RPM_BR]

Another excellent work, my friend! Perfect, to say the least. Rupes 21 with mf for cutting seems the best way to start correction on hard paint. Why Meg's mf intead of Rupes mf? I'll be at shop this week, despite carnival, let's FT.

[FrankS]

Excellent work as always Tato!

Another job well done :dblthumb2:.

[HUMP DIESEL]

Another excellent work, my friend! Perfect, to say the least. Rupes 21 with mf for cutting seems the best way to start correction on hard paint. Why Meg's mf intead of Rupes mf? I'll be at shop this week, despite carnival, let's FT.

I can't answer for Tato, but I know that the Megs disc just seem to last and last. I think that will be one of the reasons.

I love them

HUMP

[Tato]

Very nice work as always Tato!

Thanks for comment, glad you enjoyed!

That BMW was in pretty bad shape but you saved it :xyxthumbs:

I appreciate your thoughts, thanks for sharing.


Very well done my friend! Looks fantastic:)

Thank you!


Very impressive!

Thanks for taking your time sharing your opinion.


:dblthumb2:

Beautiful workmanship there mate. Really nice results from a pretty neglected BMW. Outstanding!!! :props:

Aaryn NZ. :xyxthumbs:

Thank you 'so very much' Aaryn!


love the color, nice job cleaning it up. how did you like the mf xtra-cut discs?

Thank you for comment.

I'm used to use Meg's MF discs and like them all, being the Cutting disc my favorite. When I've ordered the Xtra Cut discs I had 2 things in mind: For DAs, 'Thin is In!', and wondered if the added cut would ease up like providing faster results in less passes, or even decent results with less speed and almost no pressure (reducing heat and pad abuse).

In my opinion, Meguiar's hit it out of the park releasing the Xtra Cut disc. The absence of a foam core makes the pad virtually indestructible (if used and cared properly, sure). Being that thin, they will spin like there's no tomorrow. They also run smooth as butter, definitively a pleasure to work with.

On the 'Con' side, being that thin makes it difficult to use on complex curved panels, because you don't have almost any cushion when compared to foam cored MF discs. You can workaround this by frequently repositioning the tool but definitively you won't be able to handle the trickiest spots in a safe manner.

What really sold me on those pads are the increased cut at lower speeds than maximum (talking about 4-5) correcting in few passes (3-4 in average), spinning really easy with the polisher going smooth, and the finish provided was haze / mar free, being very close to LSP ready (or ready to many standards).

It benefited from foam pads finishing steps, but I also used a finer polish with the foam so it's not a comparison worth being made.

During my test-spots, it showed a lot more cut than the orange foam pad with much less work and offering the same finish. A truly winner IMO.

Please, feel free to ask if you need further info.


Outstanding work as always my friend. That 3 series was in serious need of your TLC and you made sure that every square millimeter was properly taken care of.

I hope the owner books a maintenance program with you to keep that BMW looking pristine.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one on my MacPro/Retina with my morning coffee.

Thanks for sharing.

Dear Mike, thanks for comment, means a lot. We agreed on a monthly maintenance program, I'm looking forward for it!


Tato, before you show the car to customer, make sure he/she stands on soft surface. That way, their jaw wont break (when it falls on the floor after seeing your work). Excellent work.


One question though (like always haha!!), how do you detail tail lamp? Which pad/product?

Thank you for comment and question! Taillamp polishing starts on test spot since (like paint) it offers different hardness and finishing capabilities. I recommend you to start low (least aggressive) and see what you achieve then.

In this case I've dialed a system where I've used Hybrid Orange Cutting Pad and SHC300 for the first step, however finished a bit hazed and needed some improvement. This one finished out with white polishing pad and SF4000. In some cases you may need even more cut (like MF / wool pads), on another you may need even more finish (like black/gray finishing pads).

Be sure to check overheating during work (to minimize this I like working both lamps, few passes on a side, stop/check/inspect with light, few passes on the other side, then keep working one followed by another till I'm done). Keep inspecting results until you're satisfied with the outcome. It was then coated with Pinnacle Black Label Diamond Surface Coating.


Ditto on the tailamp. Although all of it is impressive.

Thank you so much!


Awesome transformation. I love how detailed your posts are. Tons of close ups and nothing hidden by tricky photography. This is what I like to see. Keep up the great work Tato :)

Thank you Harris, I appreciate your thoughts and plentiful agree with you about how it's to be honest sharing our work here.

It's not like 'Look how good I am', but 'Please, take a look at what I'm doing and help me improving, share you thoughts, critics, opinions'. For this we need to capture and share the reality we're facing, we all know a true detailer will give due value to such small improvements, there's no need to play tricks on anybody here. This is a detailing forum!

Thanks a lot.


Beautiful work and an enjoyable read, as always,

Well done my friend :dblthumb2:

Thank you Lawrence, I'm happy reading from you and looking forward to see what you'll show us this year!


Another excellent work, my friend! Perfect, to say the least. Rupes 21 with mf for cutting seems the best way to start correction on hard paint. Why Meg's mf intead of Rupes mf? I'll be at shop this week, despite carnival, let's FT.

Thank you very much my friend. I decided on Meg's Xtra Cut MF for the reasons already stated above, increased cut without being aggressive, I know it may sound controversial but that's how it works.

I definitively don't like to be struggling on the cutting step (using Maximum Speed, Maximum Pressure), instead I prefer stepping up products and pads but lowering the way I approach the paint. Clearcoats doesn't like heat, neither me. It's like letting the pad and product do the work while we 'smoothly surf over the paint'.

Thank you everyone for comments, means a lot,

Kind Regards.