2005 BMW M3 - 1 Step Correction - PBL Surface Coating

**10secdream** · 07-14-2014, 10:02 AM

A few weeks ago a member of a local Subaru Club contacted me looking to get his 2005 BMW M3 detailed. Overall the vehicle was well kept with some light scratches, swirls, tar and some cone scuffs (from racing).

The goal of this detail was to remove as many of the defects as possible, bring out the shine in the paint and to protect the paint. A 1 step correction and paint coating were chosen for this detail.

Process
Exterior:
Wheels: 1z Colortec Wheel Cleaner with various brushes
Tires: Zep Formula 505 Cleaner & Degreaser
Wheel Wells: Zep Citrus Cleaner (4:1)
Pre-wash: CG Citrus Wash & Gloss via foam cannon
Tar/Bug Removal: Auto Finesse Oblitarate, Poor Boy’s World Bug Squash
Wash: Optimum No Rinse using Gary Dean Method
Decontamination 1: CarPro IronX
Decontamination 2: Nanoskin Autoscrub Speedy Prep Sponge (Fine)
Dry: Waffle Weave Towels
Tape: 3m Automotive Tape
Paint Thickness: Taken using Digital Coating Thickness Gauge
Polish: HD Adapt w/ Orange Buff n Shine Pads via Rupes LHR15ES (5.5” pads) and GG6 (4” pads)
Surface Prep: Detailers Pro Prep Polish
Paint Protection: PBL Surface Coating
Glass Protection: PBL Surface Coating
Wheel Protection: Blackfire Crystal Seal
Tire Dressing: CarPro PERL
Trim Dressing: Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant
Glass: Sonax Clear Glass via Glass Towel
Exhaust Polishing: P21s Polishing Soap

Before Photos:

Here is the vehicle upon arrival. The front end was covered in bugs but I removed majority of them the night before.

During Photos:

Started with the wheels, tires and wheel wells first.

Gentle foam pre-soak to help loosen the dirt

Since I was washing the car during the heat of the day I brought the vehicle back into the garage and did a rinseless wash. After the vehicle was washed I decontaminated it using IronX and Nanoskin. Now that the vehicle was washed and decontaminated I took the vehicle back into the sun to view the true condition of the paint.

For some reason I wanted to do the exhausts tips first. Here is a 50/50

Here is my test spot on the trunk lid. I was very happy with the amount of correction and the finish so I continued to do the rest of the vehicle with this combination.

Here is a scuff behind the drivers side front fender

Scuff is barely noticeable now

Drivers side door correction

Another scuff behind the drivers side door

Rear Fender 50/50 shot

I always find taillights hard to photograph but here is a 50/50 shot after correction

After Photos:

Thanks for viewing and enjoy!

**WRAPT C5Z06** · 07-14-2014, 10:05 AM

Beautiful job!!!

**Mike@DedicatedPerfection** · 07-14-2014, 10:12 AM

Outstanding work on that M3! That blue really pops now!

**Paul A.** · 07-14-2014, 10:23 AM

Great looking work and i love that color. Well, i do now! Do you know why his wheel lug bolts are so long?

Stunning looking 50/50's too!

**KneeDragr** · 07-14-2014, 10:33 AM

Incredible job for a 1-step, he got awesome bang for the buck with this treatment.

Im also wondering about the wheel bolts, but I am guessing at some point the car had aftermarket wheels that were much deeper, necessitating longer bolts.