First Clean

[Nova2k7]

well today saw me giving the Z its first clean since coming into my ownership!

in my view the paint work was in extremely poor condition with swirls and RDS all over. Unfortunately with the light running out and what felt like almost freezing temps i didn’t take any during pictures!

Process was

Wash with 2 bucket method using a lamb’s wool mit
Then clayed the whole car, the clay bar was incredible, im unsure if the paint was ever clayed before but there were lots of contaminants! Car was then rinsed again and dried

Polishing stage was done using the 3M range

First stage was Fast Cut Plus followed by Extra Fine Compound and finally Ultrafina SE Polish. Whole car was then rinsed again and dried before apply Autoglym HD was ;-)

PS I’ve never been as cold in my life lol!

 

[wantanM]

Looking shiny fella

Ps I like your wheels.

 

[Nova2k7]

Looking shiny fella

Ps I like your wheels.

such a shame about the poor pictures ;-( yeah i love the wheels although i think they they need some work, not sure where to get chrome repaired??

 

[wantanM]

I've used The Wheel Specialist (franchised all over) in the past and they did a mint job. But wasn't cheap IIRC.

 

[Nova2k7]

I've used The Wheel Specialist (franchised all over) in the past and they did a mint job. But wasn't cheap IIRC.

ah ill keep that in mind thanks! nothing with these cars are cheap lol, am i mad in wanting them chrome with a black lip lol??

 

[wantanM]

Each to there own. A contrast can be good. They do almost unlimited variations of finishes, smoked chrome, gunmetal, black chrome etc. The guy at the branch I went to was really enthusiastic for his work and keen to discuss loads of options.

 

[Nova2k7]

Each to there own. A contrast can be good. They do almost unlimited variations of finishes, smoked chrome, gunmetal, black chrome etc. The guy at the branch I went to was really enthusiastic for his work and keen to discuss loads of options.

wow thats really good to know, ill sure keep them in mind! when you say exspensive though, how exspensive lol? if you dont mind me asking???

 

[wantanM]

It was a few years ago. I think I paid something like £500 for BBS split rims in a custom finish. Chrome outer rim and silver inner. The price was a bit higher than a standard wheel due to being split rim, had separated then re-torque all nuts etc.

Good result tho.

 

[Nova2k7]

It was a few years ago. I think I paid something like £500 for BBS split rims in a custom finish. Chrome outer rim and silver inner. The price was a bit higher than a standard wheel due to being split rim, had separated then re-torque all nuts etc.

Good result tho.

wow thats not bad, seems worth the money! ive requested a quote anyway ;-)

 

[Newff]

Very nice work. I liked it especially because it's the color of my Z4

Have you ever used a Porter Cable on a Z4? I bought a Porter Cable and Meguiars M105 and 205 last year but have not gotten around to using it. Do you think the Porter Cable is good enough to do the job on light swirls and scratches?

 

[Nova2k7]

Very nice work. I liked it especially because it's the color of my Z4

Have you ever used a Porter Cable on a Z4? I bought a Porter Cable and Meguiars M105 and 205 last year but have not gotten around to using it. Do you think the Porter Cable is good enough to do the job on light swirls and scratches?

tbh ive been using a DA polisher and although i got a good level of correction, i wasnt happy really, i feel i need a rotery polisher to get the full level of correction.

ive used Megs 205 myself and found it to be quite good and easy to use, although i believe this product is "pad" dependant.

 

[andysat]

Looks good!

 

[Nova2k7]

Looks good!

Thanks ;-D

 

[Paza3]

Looking great Rob , looks like your hard work has really paid off... I really have to get involved with this claybar/detailer side of things

 

[Nova2k7]

Looking great Rob , looks like your hard work has really paid off... I really have to get involved with this claybar/detailer side of things

im really starting to think i need to move from using a RO polisher and move onto a roatery polisher, just didnt seem to be getting the correction levels i wanted to, on top of BMW paint being stupidly hard! the RO polisher doesnt seem to be able to get the heat required for a full correction,

Still a big improvement though, and nothing like walking up to your Z in the morning and seeing all the water beading on the huge bonnet!