56 plate 2.5 sport. In need of a good clean

J

James48

Member
Hi

I collected my new Z4 last night. The car has one company owner so it's high on mileage but the deal was right. This is my second car (2010 White A6 Le Mans is my company car) so I'm keen to mint it. I've used a clay bar on my company cars over the years and I use Dodo Lime Prime and Diamond white hard wax which I apply and use by hand. The Z4 is dark blue with cream interior. The paintwork is dull but not damaged and the interior is very dirty but again not damaged. I have a machine polisher which I've never used which I got 8 years ago from Machine Mart. Cost about £120 at the time.

What method / products can you suggest to bring the paintwork back to life?

The same question with regards to the interior.

The split rim 18"s are very rough. Does anybody know of a good refurbisher near Hull / Grimsby?

One final question for now -- is there a method to remove the fine stone chips from the headlights?

Any feedback would be appreciated..

Thanks James
 
Try here for lots of tips http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/ or speak to scottbt http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22770
 
If you already have clay/lube, dodo lime prime and diamond white this will get you started.
Dodo juice developed the core 8 waxes and pushed the colour charging thing so users would have a more easier experince in choosing what was best suited to there cars finish.
You can use any of there waxes on any colour, some of the colour charged waxes give a bizzare yet nice richness to the finish, the main key is its protecting the paint.

System goes:

Rinse wheels
Clean wheels
Rinse wheels
Rinse car
Foam - If you like
Rinse
Foam again
Wash
Rinse
De-tar with dedicated tar remover
Rinse
Clay
Rinse
Dry
Cleanse
Wax

Lime prime will liven the paint up so its brighter and the micro abrasives will aid in slight removal of light swirling/scratches plus will give the best creaking clean bed for wax.

What is the polisher you have?
If its not variable speed then its not really of much use tbh.
If it is then I would consider starting with lime prime on a finishing pad to get a feel of the machine and how it works, also how lime prime works and reacts to usage with machine.
Once you have this down then you can progress to using a more slightly abrasive polish and pad combination.

Remember, Rome wasnt built in a day nor were detailers/valeters making cars look fantastic and flawless.
Each and every moment you work on a car its a new chapetr, new lesson and your always learning.
 
Thanks Scott

Some of the work shown on your website looks fantastic. My polisher is fixed speed. To get the best results I know that I’m going to have to invest in some new equipment and consumables. I’ll start with a through wash and clay and then I’ll figure / follow your proposed plan.

The interior is tan and it’s grubby but not damaged. Can you suggest the best method to bring it back to life?

The car is now on axel stands as I’m dropping the wheels of on Monday. The process has started!!

Thanks again. :thumbsup:
 
Planet polish pro leather foam and pro leather maintain are developed and manufacturered by LTT leather clinic but have the bonus of being super concentrarted so little gopes far and cleans real well.
Once cleaned with foam cleaner and protected you can give the leather a quick wipe down and clean/protect with the leather maintain as a stand alone product.

On some, all purpose cleaners clean heavier soiling but arent 100% the correct pH balance for the leather if used at incorrect dillutions.
You could get apc and use at 10:1 dillution then use PP leather maintain plus having apc will hel;p for cleaning fabrics and the soft top roof ( though this will need re-proofing if cleaned heavily )
 
Work completed so far;

Wheel refurbishment at WheelThemIn in Hull. They’ve done a great job. Cost - £280.00

A passenger airbag deactivation switch and inspection 1 service @ Auto Logic in Hessle. Great job done by the guys in Hessle. BMW airbag parts supplies and fitted for £260.00

This week I’ve spent a couple of days with the cleaning equipment that I already had. I’ve ran out of cash but will be buying some of the other products / machine polisher as suggested by other forum members (thanks guys) in a few months time.

Wash,
Bilt & Hamber Clay
Wash and dry with flymo leaf blower
Dodo Lime prime
Dodo diamond white polish
AG fast glass
AG leather cleaner
Rim wax for the wheels

I’m really pleased with the results so far. Had my first road trip with my two year old today. Fantastic!

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SL370236.jpg

SL370235.jpg
 
are you in the hull area? i am originally from hull but now live in manchester....

i also use autologic when i go back home to see friends, family etc and have always found them helpful. i will keep an eye out for you as i am always back in the hull area most weekends.

enjoy the car ! looks nice.
 
Hi

I live in Barton but from the North bank originally. I'm sure I spotted your car near Sainsburys / Priory Park a couple of months ago.

James
 
James48 said:
Hi

I live in Barton but from the North bank originally. I'm sure I spotted your car near Sainsburys / Priory Park a couple of months ago.

James
Click to expand...

you may well have done, a family member lives in the hessle area so always passing through.
 
Wondermike said:
Very nice, wheels look great :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

+1 good price for split refurb. Paint finish looks loverly. Congrats on getting the toddler out too, important part of growing up.

Ref the interior question... have a look at Liquid Leather Scuffmaster (colour matched) - just a suggestion for the steering wheel, but if you need it it works well on the seats too. Gliptone also do a good leather cleaner and conditioner. Or diluted APC to clean and then conditioner. Diluted APC on the buttons and spokes. A damp microfibre is the best thing I've found for the dash.
 
Looks very nice interior looks mint :thumbsup:

Wheels look nice

Re the wheel refurb have the outer lip been sprayed to match the spokes as i was going of have mine sprayed when i get them refurbed save all the hassle of them bubbling up again at a later date.
 
Thanks for the kind comments.

Ref the wheels --

I rang Stratstone in Hull to fine out who they use for wheel refurbishment. They but me onto their bodyshop who told me that they couldn't do split rim wheels but they use another company in Hull. I rang them and from memory he explaind the following process.

He splits them and then dips them. The spokes are a ford silver and the outers are a sparkle silver. I've an eye for detail and the finish is really good.

Thanks again..
 
Your front lights have water in them? Like mine........... arrrrrr! Its the only thing I ever look for now. It has become an obsession. I need new fog lights, you need new fog lights...we all need new fog lights! :headbang:
 
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