Three Letter Coupe to her pristine again - another car detailing guide by KC's

[kc's]

Bimmer is backed by a history that is not only long, but full of a passion for perfection. You will see just how elite these cars are esp when you own one. You definitely won't regret it.

Every time my buddy see these cars, he melt. Finally he got himself a beautiful gift a E46 coupe.



He asked to help him to detail her. with one condition I agreed, that he will have to stick around to see what I am doing & taking part of it

Sharing with you a simple guide & how you can get her youthful looks restores yourself:-




Great looking Coupe

some residues from the previous detail

kinda dull looking leathers


worn out door panels


dirt collected...


the most contaminated part of the car

handle with care by all means -


this ride boosted a powerful straight-6, further helped by aluminum body panels and aggressive spoilers, lighter body earned an unmatched status in BMW’s history!

before


sprayed on Aliens juices & agitating



Brush off with soft bristle brushes - inexpensive and safe brushes for the ultimate wheels


I choose to do a safe way to wash - Cleaning with ONR


Put your older clay to work,
moving on to clays, the outer coat contamination - lube with alien's juices


pls use a separate clay for wheels & body, as it is highly contaminated - with brake dust, asbestos & metal flakes from the rotor

ta da - the finish results


how an ugly ducking...


turning into a beautiful swan


from this


ta da



good looking ride


under the sea - hood





more dirt



opc -


opc at work


cleaning the 3 power words


ta da



before the ugly


after 30 minutes with 1 brushes & OPC
ta da


before


ta da


now


simple & effortless - no power spray jet or acidic - super degreaser or chemicals - I just won with 1 brushes & OPC (1:5 ratio)

[kc's]

__________moving to interior________

the most unrewarding area


continue cleanning - the side steps


now here comes the hardest to detail
the sticky part - back arm rest console - velco glue peels off


so much so the heats of the day - melts even the Araldite Adhesive


so much so it was transferred to the arm rest console mmmmmmmnn :-(




and i took another hour - to clean up this mass -
I took some thinner to further soften the residue & all mighty power clean to clean up

ta da


from this


to beautiful swan again



no more sticky thing - from this experience I found that OPC is the best antidote against it



this really get me coup me up....fighting with the time loss - quickly move on to interior



tada - after opc - wipe down - Leather protectant applied (to protect against heat & UV)


Moving on to the most dangerous part of the ride
the steering - before


OPC agitate & brush off


where it should be



moving to the leathers (a 50/50% area set )


the bucket water collected just from this tiny little area - after OPC (1:5 ratio) and rinse off with MF



look at the dirt & oil remove


moving to the rear seats


close up -


before leathers conditioned





a 50/50 comparrision



________________________________________________ Decontaminations & Disinfection__


rear foot area - steam to kill the or dour & disinfecting too - a great way to clean without chemicals



front driver foot area


rear seats - a great way to clean & by opening up the leathers pores with steamer



the most unrewarding area of detailing


to be hidden + magic is perform behind this holy smokes


steam it up


ta da - simply effective

[kc's]

more top steaming


more
below



more


ta da - now is decontaminated & ready to serve his rightful owner


after cleaning - most oily residues is remove & cleaned by the steamer


conditioning & protection applied


spread with applicator - all you need to apply is 3-4 times a year & keep yr leather plushy all the way - protect against premature wears & UV rays


after cured


looks & feel satins -
look at the 50/50 comparrision


quick test


not the oily greasy & easily trapped dust - type dressing



look at the side panel door - judging form this whitish stains - the previous owner is a lady

"we need bricks to build wall" - sherlock Holmes

the lotion residue stains - where she always uses her arms to push open this heavy coupe door ....... remove with OPC

how she is suppose to be


now protected with Leather protectant


before


ta da 50/50%



remember before oily & dry leather


ta da


the console restored


no more sticky stuff





__________________________________________________ _________ paint corrections_____

clay - before work


after - worked


contaminants picked up from the glass


paint - with water spots


closer look - as it camouflage itself well just like the camelion



swirls is almost impossible to view



but closer look - lots of scratches


more paint defects


a 50/50% area mark


ta da


effortlessly - level by optimum Hyper spray compound with wool & finish off of optimum hyper spray polish

[kc's]

another 50/50%


how to choose the correct pad n size


strongly recommended - it takes a cobbler to Knows his tool


choose the correct pad size for correct size


before


ta da


more defects - rear boot


hard to view at but certain angle - tada - pls pay attention to the paint chip


tada


after




before



ta da



always work with proper lighting & ONR clean after every compound & polish & look out for holograms or trails of buffing swirls on the paint

a final inspection before the rubber hit the road again




closer to the universe - flakes of paint




now the owner put his hand to work


nothing sweeps - under the carpet


gloss & reflection restored
\

I only finish it off with Makita - probably a rotary that you ever need in life

[kc's]

a ride fit the king



well detail


silky feeling console





remember this



dawn of the new hope
ta da


bigger picture


now her youthful is restored


once before


now


clearer


remember before


paint redefine again





beautifully yours


detail & protected by OPT leather protectant


against UV


leaving behind u the 3 powerful words

tools i need to turn this around
Optimum No rinse wash (ONR)
optimum power clean
optimum leather protectant
optimum opti seal
Optimum Car wax

Paint correction
Optimum Hyper spray Compound + Double sided wool + Cutting pad + Makita M9227
Optimum Hyper spray Polish + Polishing pad with Makita M9227 (speed 1 to spread + 2 to polish & back down to speed 1 to finish off)


thanks again for viewing another detailing adventure


hopefully you will find pleasure to work on yr own detailing as much as i post

Have a great time out!!!!

[Ted S.]

Show 'em how it's done, kc. Great job.

[kc's]

Show 'em how it's done, kc. Great job.

Thank you sir - for your kind words

[sohail99]

Great work Kc!!

Love the finish!!

[kc's]

Great work Kc!!

Love the finish!!

thank you sir for your kind words again

Cheerios SOhail99

[03IS300GGP]

You did a great job bro!!! Nice work!!! Take your time and do it right.. no rushes.