Neglected 04 bmw 545

**DjbuddyPL** · 03-20-2016, 12:51 AM

Car has not seen a wash for over a year, I bought it 5 months ago and it's been in n out the mechanic shop all this time. I Am getting it back next week and I need it to get it back in good shape. I don't have access to a polisher or high end products do to recent budget decline from repair bills and baby on the way. Anyways the car out side and inside is very dirty. What can I get otc to make everything look like almost new? For paint outside I know I will not get the scratches and imperfections out without the proper tools, but I would like to clean it up best to my abilities. Here is what I have and please tell me what else I can use. For the paint of the car I have the fallowing. Meguiars color x, eagles nanowax, meguiars ultimate quick wax, poor boy natty blue. Meguiars gold class car soap. For interior I don't have anything, I've been told to clean the dirty leather seats with scrubbing bubbles and brush then seal it with a leather conditioner? For the hard plastics what can I use? The interior plastics have lots of scuffs and stains? Brushes or pads for the inside? Sorry for this long post but i never had a car in this bad of a shape! I would like to buy everything otc no online orders!

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**jamesboyy** · 03-20-2016, 01:24 AM

For the interior I would suggest you use an all purpose cleaner (APC) such as LA awesome found in most dollar stores or Zep citrus cleaner found at your hardware store to clean all surfaces, lexol leather conditioner is a good OTC choice for leather conditioner, also try looking into folex to clean your carpets also found in hardware stores lastly look around in the auto stores, hardware stores, etc and you may find assorted brushes, microfiber towels, and even applicator pads that can get you through a few details until money is more available

**bym007** · 03-20-2016, 02:19 AM

Would get more detailed responses, if you can share some pictures of the damage that needs cleaning up. GL.

**DjbuddyPL** · 03-20-2016, 10:51 AM

I will get some pictures when I pick the car up. The apc do I have to dilute them? Use a brush one door panels, consoles? Or just rag?i used rags the day I got it. But it didn't make a big difference?

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**bym007** · 03-20-2016, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by DjbuddyPL

I will get some pictures when I pick the car up. The apc do I have to dilute them? Use a brush one door panels, consoles? Or just rag?i used rags the day I got it. But it didn't make a big difference?

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The APC needs to be diluted for interior jobs. I have 3D Orange Degreaser, which can be diluted 1:10, and Chemical Guys AllClean+ can be diluted 1:20 for interior jobs.

The best approach I have found is to spray the diluted APC on to the dash etc, whilst avoiding any plastic trims, which can discolor.

I have an E60 myself, and I learnt that the plastic trim on door handles can discolor easily, which agitating. For delicate surfaces, you can wipe the APC solution on the microfiber cloth and then wipe the surfaces clean.

Use a slightly stiff bristle brush, stiffer than a cosmetic brush and softer than a hard plastic bristle brush to agitate the dirt etc. Next use a microfiber to wipe the surface clean.

Last step would be to use a trim protectant to protect the dash and other interior surfaces. I personally use Mothers Protectant for Rubber, Vinyl & Plastic for this task and love the result.

**briarpatch** · 03-20-2016, 12:32 PM

For a trim protectant, I'd pick up some Meguiars Natural Shine....right around 5.00 at Wal-Mart. Leaves a nice low gloss on surfaces...can't beat it for the money