Preparing to machine polish the Z4C

[Cibbers]

Monaco blue is a gorgeous colour, but mine is looking a little tired due a few marks and a fair bit of swirling. Next thursday my Smart Repair man is coming to sort out all the annoying marks and chips etc so afterwards I want to get rid of the swirls.

I'm used to cleaning motorbikes to an extremely OCD standard, so I have no fear when it comes to detailing cars, but I want to properly get into paint correction, so today at work I had a spare fuel tank and side fairing panel, and decided to have a go at it in our paintshop using the 3-Stage Green, Yellow and Blue 3M system.

After about 10mins tuition from our painter and about 45mins actual work here are the results!

I reckon I'm just about ready to have a go on my car Watch out very soon for a full detail on my Z4C on these here pages!

 

[markeg]

Looking good there - look forward to seeing the results on the car

 

[a11y]

I've just bought myself a machine polisher and am too scared to try it on the car yet! But what you've done (using a spare panel) is what I'm planningto do, just haven't had time to head to a breakers to see what I can pick up for free/cheapness.

Thought about trialling my skills on the Mrs a11y's car but probably not the best idea...

 

[markeg]

Thought about trialling my skills on the Mrs a11y's car but probably not the best idea...

I did just that, but on the wife's Saab shed (used for dump trips, transporting the dogs etc). Which polisher did you go for?

 

[Cibbers]

Rather than going to a breakers, get yourself down to an insurance repair centre - they'll have lightly damaged panels lying around that they'll most likely give away for nothing or next to nothing.

I've been a bit apprehensive with getting a rotary in my hands, today I used a pneumatic one, which is quite aggressive, with only an ON and OFF setting - I need to get to grips with a heavier electric motored polisher next. I was really surprised when I quickly got the hang of it, gave me loads of confidence - you basically just need to jump in with both feet and do it!

 

[Stuart Truman]

How much pressure do you apply?

 

[Z4M-2006]

I have just done a 20 hr machine correction on my Z4M R..

Sapphire black is a bugger to do and get excellent results.
,i could have probably put another 10 hours in to get off all bits and bobs..

Hardly any pressure is to be used,let the pad and compound do the work. If you apply to much pressure to a DA,then you will stall the pad anyway...

Dont be frightened,start off light and gradually increase if your not getting the level of correction you require.you will soon pick it up!..

 

[sam1832]

I have just done a 20 hr machine correction on my Z4M R..

You must have arms like pop eye lol

Yea as said no pressure, just use the weight of the machine you arms are just to guide he machine no pushing down


Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Stuart Truman]

Cheers chaps

 

[Cibbers]

This was done using a air fed rotary, which is fairly small and light, you can use one hand but still need to use a fair bit of pressure.

Like I said, there's no speed setting either so it's just fast or, well fast, spit takes some getting used to.

I must say though I do like the lightness of the tool, but if you do apply any pressure it drags the pad all over the shop.

 

[Carol M]

You've done a grand job on that tank. Looking forward to the pics.
Out of interest, what compounds are you using?

 

[a11y]

Thought about trialling my skills on the Mrs a11y's car but probably not the best idea...

I did just that, but on the wife's Saab shed (used for dump trips, transporting the dogs etc). Which polisher did you go for?

Got mine from Chemical Guys (I'm a bit of a CG addict ) but basically the Kestral DA-6: http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/product_p/kestdual.htm

I got it as part of a package inc Hexlogic pads and posh polish: http://www.chemicalguysuk.com/Chemical_Guys_Dual_Action_Polisher_Starter_Kit_p/cgdua.htm. I heard very good things about the pads especially and the polish seemed to have decent reviews. I didn't want to end up with a massive range of stuff so went on their recommendation as the package.

Rather than going to a breakers, get yourself down to an insurance repair centre - they'll have lightly damaged panels lying around that they'll most likely give away for nothing or next to nothing.

Great suggestion


There's folk local to me who run machine polisher instruction courses but I'm always busy when they come up. I've heard really good things about the courses and was hoping to get myself on one before starting on my own car...

 

[aquazi]

Thats some job on that tank... I'd love to have the time to learn to do this.

The gf already thinks i am insane spending 3+ hours cleaning it.... Says i should just let the guys in tesco do it


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[Cibbers]

You've done a grand job on that tank. Looking forward to the pics.
Out of interest, what compounds are you using?

Thanks, the 50/50 really helps represent the difference!

I used the 3M system, green compound with green pad, yellow compound with yellow pad and finally blue with the blue pad.

On the blue Plastic side panel I really worked in some heat with a lot of pressure just to see if I could burn through it, you certainly know about it when you do, but if you catch it early enough it's easily rectified. I just wanted to see just how far you have to take it before you do some serious damage.
As far as I'm aware the paint on BMW's is know to be very hard, so hopefully that will help me even more

 

[Z4M-2006]

The 3M system is great,very self explanatory and works a treat..What could be simpler..

I use Menzerna pads and polish,but im gonna use 3M when my current stock runs low..

Just to add,with a variable speed DA always start at the lowest setting to evenly spread the polish out and stop the compound/polish from slinging..
Do a couple of passes at low speed,2 passes at mid speed and then 2-3 passes at higher speed to really work the product..

No real pressure is needed at anytime unless you wanna concentrate on the cut in certain area's..

Remove residue and stand back and admire your handiwork..


Different products react differently,but as a rule of thumb 6-8 passes on each panel then polish/glaze then LSP...

Its highly satisfying and addictive..

 

[p28msc]

The 3M system is great,very self explanatory and works a treat..What could be simpler..

I use Menzerna pads and polish,but im gonna use 3M when my current stock runs low..

Just to add,with a variable speed DA always start at the lowest setting to evenly spread the polish out and stop the compound/polish from slinging..
Do a couple of passes at low speed,2 passes at mid speed and then 2-3 passes at higher speed to really work the product..

No real pressure is needed at anytime unless you wanna concentrate on the cut in certain area's..

Remove residue and stand back and admire your handiwork..


Different products react differently,but as a rule of thumb 6-8 passes on each panel then polish/glaze then LSP...

Its highly satisfying and addictive..

im desperate to try this and everytime a post a question people seem to try and put you off but your write up has given me the confidence to try it - thanks a lot

 

[Cibbers]

It really is that simple really great post ^

LSP - what is this?

EDIT - LSP = Last Step Product i.e. wax/sealant etc.

 

[Z4M-2006]

Great to know i can help...

If your close i would whip over a panel and show you how to do it so you can continue..

LSP...

I have tried loads of waxes/sealants...... I currently have at least a dozen.

It all depends what you want to achieve,if ultimate longevity is what you want then i can recommend Collinite 845 insulator wax,beading is great for around 4 months before it drops off..

I also like Optimum optiseal for ease of use,it doesnt last as long but is super quick..

Glazes/polishes...........I love using poorboys black hole and Primo amigo for dark cars inc red and blue...You can easily apply with hand but both are superb when applied with DA on a super soft pad...

Wetglaze 2.0 is my current favourite product...Adds superb depth and colour to any paint,needs to be prepped nicely first though..

The only thing about adding an LSP is it does tend to dull the shine,but you can wetglaze over any LSP and it gets the deep shine back....

Great

 

[original guvnor]

I use Menzerna polish but I ditched Menzerna pads (found they disintegrated far too quickly) for Sonus, which are great.

Might have to give the 3M stuff a go.

 

[Cibbers]

That's it, my Bank Holiday weekend starts today!

This weekend is the big one, major correction detail starting tomorrow. All major stone chips have been filled this morning with Monaco Blue touch up paint, small dent on NSR wing removed has also been removed this morning by my Smart Repair man. I stripped all the wax off the bodywork last night with a double hit of snowfoam and a strong shampoo so the repairs wouldn't be hampered by the wax, so the car's fairly clean now.

Amazingly, ALL my detailing equipment has squeezed into the boot of the Z4C, so it's off to my GF's mother's tomorrow morning to commence work. (she has a large garage)

It's going to take me most of the weekend, so I'll let you know how I get on!