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First clean-up

Claying, polishing, waxing... share your secrets in here.
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Z4_Newbie_007
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First clean-up

Post by Z4_Newbie_007 » Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:22 pm

So I picked up the Z between Christmas & NY, when I first went to see it before Christmas I noticed that the paint was pretty shabby, swirls, tarspots and 4 years of general grim embedded in the paint. I asked to dealership to give it a once over as best they can with the intention of doing a proper 2 stage correction and ceramic coating at some point by myself. It looked pretty decent on collection and since I've just been enjoying driving it. :driving:

Today I decided to clean it up and take a proper look at the paint work, its not as bad as I first thought, they've used an abrasive polish at the dealership and taken a lot of the swirls and scratches out already but there is still a way to go as well as some minor car-park dings that need sorting on both doors.

I've noticed that the alloys have been pretty poorly refurbed, you can see some sanding marks where they've tried (and failed) to remove scuffs, and the paint job is pretty naff - they'll need dipping and properly powder coating in the future. I think I'll bin the RF's at the same time as I do the wheels, having not had a car with RF's before I wondered what all the fuss is about, but they're bloody awful - I want rid asap!

As there are still a lot of scratches and swirls that need taking out of the paint, I intend to do this in the spring after all of the salt etc. on the roads has been washed away. So I thought I'd make a thread to post up the jobs as I tackle them in the coming months.

So here is how she looks today at a distance. I'll get shots of the damage before & after pics as I do them. Still, not a bad starting point, albeit at a distance!

EDIT: Oh - and as a bonus the logbook turned up whilst I was cleaning, so the private plates have gone on too, finished it off nicely!
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Marlon
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First clean-up

Post by Marlon » Mon Jan 07, 2019 3:35 pm

From the pics the car looks in great condition, I'm sure in the flesh and close up you see a different picture but sounds like you've got plans to tidy it all up. Car looks stunning - love the silver wing mirrors and alloys (even if they're not perfect close up) :thumbsup:
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Trav
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First clean-up

Post by Trav » Mon Jan 07, 2019 4:37 pm

The dash and centre console look really good in that tan leather and wood combo. Old and new done well. Something that if you said to chose from a brochure I wouldn't have the guts. But it looks smart, nice car. I'm sure you'll get the paintwork the way you want it.
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ihadablackdog
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First clean-up

Post by ihadablackdog » Wed Feb 20, 2019 10:29 pm

Looks brilliant!!!!

One question....does the wood trim around the gear stick (or is it selector on an auto?) have lots of swirls on it? I have wood trim and it has loads, ok, its a 2011 car but it really lets the interior down. How to fix that?
2011 E89 sDrive20i

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buzyg
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First clean-up

Post by buzyg » Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:19 pm

Nothing better than seeing a shiny Zed parked on the drive. 8) :thumbsup: Then climbing in a ragging it. :driving: :D
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Mr Tidy
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First clean-up

Post by Mr Tidy » Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:32 pm

Looking good OP. :thumbsup:

"firebobby" will love your trim. :lol:
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
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Smartbear
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First clean-up

Post by Smartbear » Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:38 pm

ihadablackdog wrote: Wed Feb 20, 2019 10:29 pm Looks brilliant!!!!

One question....does the wood trim around the gear stick (or is it selector on an auto?) have lots of swirls on it? I have wood trim and it has loads, ok, its a 2011 car but it really lets the interior down. How to fix that?
The wood trim is lacquered i believe, so a damp microfibre & polish should get some swirls out after some elbow grease application :P
Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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Smartbear
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First clean-up

Post by Smartbear » Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:40 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:32 pm Looking good OP. :thumbsup:

"firebobby" will love your trim. :lol:
I’m partial to a decent wood trim as well :thumbsup:
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Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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Mr Tidy
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First clean-up

Post by Mr Tidy » Wed Feb 20, 2019 11:50 pm

Sorry Rob, I had forgotten about your timber. :lol:

It seems to feature more on E89s than E85/86s for some reason. Maybe we need a poll...……!
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

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First clean-up

Post by firebobby » Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:04 pm

Looks lovely and so nice to see BMW kept the fantastic wood trim option. Pledge will sort out your wood, oh and a whippy too :thumbsup:
BMW Z4 30i 2003 auto 107's Whippy Toledo Blue
Beige M sport seats, wood dash
Toyota MR2 NA 1995
Triumph GT6 1972 (project)
Land Rover Discovery 1994 TDI (Tow car)
Mini 1000 1981

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