Manda Mew
07-30-2015, 11:57 PM
Hello all!
My name is Manda and I am detailing addict...
My fiance and I bought a 2012 E92 M3 (mainly for me) and one of the conditions for me to be the primary driver was to take care of it like its the Taj Mahal. He also pushed me to make an account on M3post (forum) which ended up becoming quite ridiculous (many haters and non-believers). Then the thread turned into a detailing thread so I decided to go onto here too. Please don't respond with 'this is bs' posts because it really pissed me off on that forum and I don't want a repeat of that.
I have always detailed cars with him (I would get interior, he would do exterior), but it wasn't until recently that he showed me how to do everything, such as machine polishing, how to layer different products and so on. He also forced me to watch 100000000 youtube videos (mainly from AMMO NYC) We spent a week turning a used M3 into one that had better paint condition than new. He also does photography as a hobby and uses me as his model so a lot of the detailing pics are staged (I didn't like the faces I was making in his action shots!).
Note, I mention chemical guys a lot because most of my products are by them, but I don't work for them or anyone. I am a vet school student and am not involved in any detailing for money stuff. I did try to become a brand ambassador for Chemical Guys but they never emailed me back! Those jerks.. JK! Oh well I'm still gonna use their products as well as other brands.
Step 1: Washing
I used Mother's Gold Car Wash, and it was not that foamy. I have since then purchased wash + wax (the purple one) and its much better, but not as good as I want it to be. Our next big purchase is a pressure washer and a better foam gun.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/Car%20Wash/Amanda%20Car%20Wash_zpsvbqzwhgy.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/Car%20Wash/Amanda%20Car%20Wash_zpsvbqzwhgy.jpg.html)
Step 2: Clay
I first used Meguiers clay bar kit that you find at every store. I went over the entire car, then felt the surface, and while there was an improvement from before I clayed, it was not even slightly close to being as smooth as paint should be. I then used CG medium clay, which is pretty difficult to use. It makes a lot of clay marks on the paint and the clay itself sticks to your fingers a lot. I had to keep spraying both sides of the clay with the detailer spray to keep my fingers from sticking. But it did the job!
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/Car%20Wash/DSC_1002_zpssdpuk39b.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/Car%20Wash/DSC_1002_zpssdpuk39b.jpg.html)
Oh and I don't recommend detailing with your dog. Hair sticks onto the paint!!
Step 3: Buff
I read somewhere that you should do a dawn dish soap wash before buffing to remove any wax that may go in between the polish creams and the paint. Not sure if that's right or not but I did it anyways, with a spray bottle and sponge (not entire wash all over again). I used Chemical Guys V36 with an orange pad (I forgot from who) on a Porter Cable buffer. Either the cream or the pad wasn't strong enough because it didn't correct everything. V36 is still a polish (V34 is the compound), so I kind of blame myself for not using the right stuff. I ended up using Meguiers ultimate compound, which seemed to work better. I had to repeat several panels multiple times. It was not that fun for me. The porter cable buffer, in my opinion, sucks. I hate it! It vibrates so much (not sure if they are all like that, but it was very uncomfortable for me) and stops spinning unless you put it on at least 5. Its to the point that I think I have a dud. Maybe I'm just not that good with it. I went over it with V38/white pad and with flashlight inspection, appears I got 90% of the swirls out, with the exception of the roof, which seemed to be really stubborn. Oh and in between panels I would clean the pad. I could tell it worked better right after it was cleaned.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/Car%20Wash/DSC_1192_zps2fncjjqn.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/Car%20Wash/DSC_1192_zps2fncjjqn.jpg.html)
Step 5: Opti Coat
I used Opti-Coat 2.0, which apparently is discontinued now. My fiance bought it awhile ago and never ended up using it. His loss is my gain! At first I was worried about wasting too much product on doing the initial soak with the applicator, so I tried finding different application methods. I think anyone who uses a shop towel over a sponge is silly. I tried that, as well as a super thin cloth polish remover, a makeup sponge remover, a bikini liner pad (yes really lol) and nothing worked as good as the yellow foam pad that came with it. I wish I had purchased their bigger black (lol) foam applicator, which would have been even better. Don't try to be cleaver, buy that foam applicator or chemical guys' foam applicator. Also the instructions say use a couple drops per panel. WHAT??? I was spraying that stuff like a stream onto the pad. DONT BE STINGY WITH IT! I covered the entire car being very generous and I had 13cc left. I used a CG micro fiber sponge to buff out high spots, and used a flashlight to find the high spots. It was definitely a learning experience and could have gone better, so the next day after a full 24 hours, I did another coat (not for double protection but for even coverage). I then ended up with 7 cc, (enough for my rims when I get them powder coated I hope).
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/Car%20Wash/DSC_1585_zpsp9rqt6k9.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/Car%20Wash/DSC_1585_zpsp9rqt6k9.jpg.html)
I also opti coated my carbon fiber parts
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/M3/DSC_1776_zpszukvgukc.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/M3/DSC_1776_zpszukvgukc.jpg.html)
Step 6: Toppers
Honestly, I did not know I was going to be so into detailing. I did opti coat because I thought it would protect it enough to go through drive through or hand washes at the gas station. I now regret it because I really enjoy detailing the car and applying glazes, sealants and waxes. Now it can't bond, but honestly that doesn't stop me! I let the car sit for 10 days when my fiance and I went on vacation, and came back to top it off with a black pad and CG Blacklight (already had it since my fiance's 911 is dark blue, but I will be buying Whitelight and comparing). I applied this by machine in case there were any high spots, and no I wasn't worried I was removing the opti-coat, and I doubt it even could have buffed out high spots. It was always on low speed and really it just made the application easier. I hand applied it on the clear bra on the front bumper. The blacklight is pretty cool! It makes the color of the white a little cooler, and a little deeper. I parked it next to another white BMW, and I could tell my white was not as bright, but had an interesting glow to it. Having nothing bond to opti coat allows me to try many different toppers and see their effects. I normally layer blacklight with sonax polymer net shield or Optimum spray wax AFTER EACH WASH. Yes, I apply blacklight after each was, with the porter cable. Its super easy and removing it is even easier.
I can't say enough positive things about sonax polymer net shield. Blacklight doesn't allow water to bead that well, which is a problem as I dry using an electric leaf blower. Sonax allows me to do a touchless dry the next wash. I apply it using a foam pad, again super easy application. Optimum spray wax makes the surface super slippery (btw, opti coat is soooo grippy without toppers), but its application isnt that great. It does have a wet look, but you have to apply so little at a time and make sure it buffs out. If you use too much then it becomes very difficult to remove the streaks.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/Car%20Wash/DSC_1638_zpsk55xfgxi.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/Car%20Wash/DSC_1638_zpsk55xfgxi.jpg.html)
Step 7:
I then used CG silk dressing on tires and plastic trim inside, and AMMO leather cleaner and conditioner on the inside. I used a rough sponge (with light pressure) when using the cleaner to get all the dirt out. I LOVE AMMO NYC products. Seriously theyre amazing (but expensive). The conditioner soaks into the leather instantly and you almost never even have to buff it dry. Its not shiny and never oily. Its smell is AMAZING. Your car will smell like a genuine new car for a week after application. I condition (not clean) the leather constantly now mainly just for the sent. Its that amazing.
I also use Chemical Guys stripper scent on the inside! Lol this is an interesting product. I have figured out the smell btw. From order of strongest scent to least, it smells like:
1. Warm vanilla
2. A woman's musk (not body odor, more like boob sweat, its not bad but it keeps the scent from being too 'clean')
3. Baby powder
4. Brandy
5. Fresh tobacco/cigar
I really love it, but have changed it up. I have put in 1/4 amount of CG leather scent, and a few dashes of Victoria Secret Gorgeous perfume (which makes the entire smell last longer). It smells great, for guys or girls. I spray my passenger floor mat 3 times early in the morning or late at night and it lasts the whole next day. I can't wait until I get in my car and take a big whiff. Its that good.
Here's some more pics my fiance took:
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/M3/DSC_1690_zpsjxumr92d.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/M3/DSC_1690_zpsjxumr92d.jpg.html)
Ignore the different colored headlights. They were for a contest for free LED lights on the forums.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/M3/DSC_1539_zpswkiom6qp.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/M3/DSC_1539_zpswkiom6qp.jpg.html)
Thanks guys and I can't wait to contribute to this forum!
My name is Manda and I am detailing addict...
My fiance and I bought a 2012 E92 M3 (mainly for me) and one of the conditions for me to be the primary driver was to take care of it like its the Taj Mahal. He also pushed me to make an account on M3post (forum) which ended up becoming quite ridiculous (many haters and non-believers). Then the thread turned into a detailing thread so I decided to go onto here too. Please don't respond with 'this is bs' posts because it really pissed me off on that forum and I don't want a repeat of that.
I have always detailed cars with him (I would get interior, he would do exterior), but it wasn't until recently that he showed me how to do everything, such as machine polishing, how to layer different products and so on. He also forced me to watch 100000000 youtube videos (mainly from AMMO NYC) We spent a week turning a used M3 into one that had better paint condition than new. He also does photography as a hobby and uses me as his model so a lot of the detailing pics are staged (I didn't like the faces I was making in his action shots!).
Note, I mention chemical guys a lot because most of my products are by them, but I don't work for them or anyone. I am a vet school student and am not involved in any detailing for money stuff. I did try to become a brand ambassador for Chemical Guys but they never emailed me back! Those jerks.. JK! Oh well I'm still gonna use their products as well as other brands.
Step 1: Washing
I used Mother's Gold Car Wash, and it was not that foamy. I have since then purchased wash + wax (the purple one) and its much better, but not as good as I want it to be. Our next big purchase is a pressure washer and a better foam gun.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/Car%20Wash/Amanda%20Car%20Wash_zpsvbqzwhgy.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/Car%20Wash/Amanda%20Car%20Wash_zpsvbqzwhgy.jpg.html)
Step 2: Clay
I first used Meguiers clay bar kit that you find at every store. I went over the entire car, then felt the surface, and while there was an improvement from before I clayed, it was not even slightly close to being as smooth as paint should be. I then used CG medium clay, which is pretty difficult to use. It makes a lot of clay marks on the paint and the clay itself sticks to your fingers a lot. I had to keep spraying both sides of the clay with the detailer spray to keep my fingers from sticking. But it did the job!
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/Car%20Wash/DSC_1002_zpssdpuk39b.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/Car%20Wash/DSC_1002_zpssdpuk39b.jpg.html)
Oh and I don't recommend detailing with your dog. Hair sticks onto the paint!!
Step 3: Buff
I read somewhere that you should do a dawn dish soap wash before buffing to remove any wax that may go in between the polish creams and the paint. Not sure if that's right or not but I did it anyways, with a spray bottle and sponge (not entire wash all over again). I used Chemical Guys V36 with an orange pad (I forgot from who) on a Porter Cable buffer. Either the cream or the pad wasn't strong enough because it didn't correct everything. V36 is still a polish (V34 is the compound), so I kind of blame myself for not using the right stuff. I ended up using Meguiers ultimate compound, which seemed to work better. I had to repeat several panels multiple times. It was not that fun for me. The porter cable buffer, in my opinion, sucks. I hate it! It vibrates so much (not sure if they are all like that, but it was very uncomfortable for me) and stops spinning unless you put it on at least 5. Its to the point that I think I have a dud. Maybe I'm just not that good with it. I went over it with V38/white pad and with flashlight inspection, appears I got 90% of the swirls out, with the exception of the roof, which seemed to be really stubborn. Oh and in between panels I would clean the pad. I could tell it worked better right after it was cleaned.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/Car%20Wash/DSC_1192_zps2fncjjqn.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/Car%20Wash/DSC_1192_zps2fncjjqn.jpg.html)
Step 5: Opti Coat
I used Opti-Coat 2.0, which apparently is discontinued now. My fiance bought it awhile ago and never ended up using it. His loss is my gain! At first I was worried about wasting too much product on doing the initial soak with the applicator, so I tried finding different application methods. I think anyone who uses a shop towel over a sponge is silly. I tried that, as well as a super thin cloth polish remover, a makeup sponge remover, a bikini liner pad (yes really lol) and nothing worked as good as the yellow foam pad that came with it. I wish I had purchased their bigger black (lol) foam applicator, which would have been even better. Don't try to be cleaver, buy that foam applicator or chemical guys' foam applicator. Also the instructions say use a couple drops per panel. WHAT??? I was spraying that stuff like a stream onto the pad. DONT BE STINGY WITH IT! I covered the entire car being very generous and I had 13cc left. I used a CG micro fiber sponge to buff out high spots, and used a flashlight to find the high spots. It was definitely a learning experience and could have gone better, so the next day after a full 24 hours, I did another coat (not for double protection but for even coverage). I then ended up with 7 cc, (enough for my rims when I get them powder coated I hope).
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/Car%20Wash/DSC_1585_zpsp9rqt6k9.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/Car%20Wash/DSC_1585_zpsp9rqt6k9.jpg.html)
I also opti coated my carbon fiber parts
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/M3/DSC_1776_zpszukvgukc.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/M3/DSC_1776_zpszukvgukc.jpg.html)
Step 6: Toppers
Honestly, I did not know I was going to be so into detailing. I did opti coat because I thought it would protect it enough to go through drive through or hand washes at the gas station. I now regret it because I really enjoy detailing the car and applying glazes, sealants and waxes. Now it can't bond, but honestly that doesn't stop me! I let the car sit for 10 days when my fiance and I went on vacation, and came back to top it off with a black pad and CG Blacklight (already had it since my fiance's 911 is dark blue, but I will be buying Whitelight and comparing). I applied this by machine in case there were any high spots, and no I wasn't worried I was removing the opti-coat, and I doubt it even could have buffed out high spots. It was always on low speed and really it just made the application easier. I hand applied it on the clear bra on the front bumper. The blacklight is pretty cool! It makes the color of the white a little cooler, and a little deeper. I parked it next to another white BMW, and I could tell my white was not as bright, but had an interesting glow to it. Having nothing bond to opti coat allows me to try many different toppers and see their effects. I normally layer blacklight with sonax polymer net shield or Optimum spray wax AFTER EACH WASH. Yes, I apply blacklight after each was, with the porter cable. Its super easy and removing it is even easier.
I can't say enough positive things about sonax polymer net shield. Blacklight doesn't allow water to bead that well, which is a problem as I dry using an electric leaf blower. Sonax allows me to do a touchless dry the next wash. I apply it using a foam pad, again super easy application. Optimum spray wax makes the surface super slippery (btw, opti coat is soooo grippy without toppers), but its application isnt that great. It does have a wet look, but you have to apply so little at a time and make sure it buffs out. If you use too much then it becomes very difficult to remove the streaks.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/Car%20Wash/DSC_1638_zpsk55xfgxi.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/Car%20Wash/DSC_1638_zpsk55xfgxi.jpg.html)
Step 7:
I then used CG silk dressing on tires and plastic trim inside, and AMMO leather cleaner and conditioner on the inside. I used a rough sponge (with light pressure) when using the cleaner to get all the dirt out. I LOVE AMMO NYC products. Seriously theyre amazing (but expensive). The conditioner soaks into the leather instantly and you almost never even have to buff it dry. Its not shiny and never oily. Its smell is AMAZING. Your car will smell like a genuine new car for a week after application. I condition (not clean) the leather constantly now mainly just for the sent. Its that amazing.
I also use Chemical Guys stripper scent on the inside! Lol this is an interesting product. I have figured out the smell btw. From order of strongest scent to least, it smells like:
1. Warm vanilla
2. A woman's musk (not body odor, more like boob sweat, its not bad but it keeps the scent from being too 'clean')
3. Baby powder
4. Brandy
5. Fresh tobacco/cigar
I really love it, but have changed it up. I have put in 1/4 amount of CG leather scent, and a few dashes of Victoria Secret Gorgeous perfume (which makes the entire smell last longer). It smells great, for guys or girls. I spray my passenger floor mat 3 times early in the morning or late at night and it lasts the whole next day. I can't wait until I get in my car and take a big whiff. Its that good.
Here's some more pics my fiance took:
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/M3/DSC_1690_zpsjxumr92d.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/M3/DSC_1690_zpsjxumr92d.jpg.html)
Ignore the different colored headlights. They were for a contest for free LED lights on the forums.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll33/RoshDawg/M3/DSC_1539_zpswkiom6qp.jpg (http://s284.photobucket.com/user/RoshDawg/media/M3/DSC_1539_zpswkiom6qp.jpg.html)
Thanks guys and I can't wait to contribute to this forum!