What Pads, Compound, Wax and Extra's- Z4 Coupe Ruby Black?
- Thread starter mgrlane
- Start date
[ref]Angelus666[/ref],
That looks an excellent job you have done. I love the bonnet on your M. I think I need a M.
How long did it take you all in all? I need to get mine out in the sun and get some decent photo's of it so you can see it properly.
I prepped with the attached an then used Meg's Ultimate paste wax (two coats).
I did the windows with Halford window cleaner and then two passes of rain-x. I am looking at getting some copper wool as not 100 happy with my windows (need to do some more research into wool) as they are not perfect as I want them to be despite the full clean- what do you do with yours?
That looks an excellent job you have done. I love the bonnet on your M. I think I need a M.
How long did it take you all in all? I need to get mine out in the sun and get some decent photo's of it so you can see it properly.
I prepped with the attached an then used Meg's Ultimate paste wax (two coats).
I did the windows with Halford window cleaner and then two passes of rain-x. I am looking at getting some copper wool as not 100 happy with my windows (need to do some more research into wool) as they are not perfect as I want them to be despite the full clean- what do you do with yours?
Attachments
[ref]Angelus666[/ref],
That looks an excellent job you have done. I love the bonnet on your M. I think I need a M.
How long did it take you all in all? I need to get mine out in the sun and get some decent photo's of it so you can see it properly.
I prepped with the attached an then used Meg's Ultimate paste wax (two coats).
I did the windows with Halford window cleaner and then two passes of rain-x. I am looking at getting some copper wool as not 100 happy with my windows (need to do some more research into wool) as they are not perfect as I want them to be despite the full clean- what do you do with yours?
That looks an excellent job you have done. I love the bonnet on your M. I think I need a M.
How long did it take you all in all? I need to get mine out in the sun and get some decent photo's of it so you can see it properly.
I prepped with the attached an then used Meg's Ultimate paste wax (two coats).
I did the windows with Halford window cleaner and then two passes of rain-x. I am looking at getting some copper wool as not 100 happy with my windows (need to do some more research into wool) as they are not perfect as I want them to be despite the full clean- what do you do with yours?
This was taken after the polish but before the wax on a decent camera at around sunset. Can really see the Ruby in it (I have had to compress the 14mb file to 4mb to get it on here).
I dont know why its moved the photo sideways- I have uploaded it twice now and it stays that way
I dont know why its moved the photo sideways- I have uploaded it twice now and it stays that way
Attachments
Yeah, the M is a bit of different beast to the 3.0....the S54 engine is a bit more temperamental (takes a full 15 mins to warm up) but it does give you that extra special 10% that don't get the other Z's. If you can afford it then I'd definitely recommend it, the on paper figures won't justify it, but the driving experience is worth it. The MR right now is a bargain car for the money.
When I did that it was in a pretty poor state, and it took me the best part of 20 hours to get an 80% correction done. I used Menzerna, which I felt gave more cut than 105 and 205.
Ref the windows, I'd suggest having a go with the Ceriglass with a rayon pad and see what results you can get. It's a bit of a chore and takes a while to get any form of result but it will get rid of the crap that glass cleaners simply cant budge.
The problem with getting into detailing is that you then only see the imperfections, no matter how small, you see them and it annoys you. Normal people think you're crazy (which of course we are)
When I did that it was in a pretty poor state, and it took me the best part of 20 hours to get an 80% correction done. I used Menzerna, which I felt gave more cut than 105 and 205.
Ref the windows, I'd suggest having a go with the Ceriglass with a rayon pad and see what results you can get. It's a bit of a chore and takes a while to get any form of result but it will get rid of the crap that glass cleaners simply cant budge.
The problem with getting into detailing is that you then only see the imperfections, no matter how small, you see them and it annoys you. Normal people think you're crazy (which of course we are)
To be fair I have been leaving the 52 for 15 odd minutes to warm up before I go full throttle or above 3.5k so it wouldn't make much difference to me.
I have the money but I don't want to spend it (if that makes any sense at all...) I am fortunate that this car has had some great owners who have really looked after it so I would be reluctant to let a near perfect (for a 13 year old car) go. But I think it would be easy to justify getting one as it is so clear they are undervalued and I think they are going to sky rocket.
I think I am going to have to test one and then think about what to do.
In terms of the bodywork anything other than light swirl marks are still on mine. When I put a light on it I can see that I have removed all the swirls and the lighter end of the scratching which don't get me wrong is awesome but I would say there is a load more work to be done yet.
I didn't want to go messing around with the 105 an stronger pads without getting a feel for it 1st- I will only cock it up. I think I am going to give it 6 months and attack with the pad's you recommended and do a two stage but I am going to split it down over 4 weeks and do a side at a time so I am not rushing and dont feel like I need to get it all done.
Thanks for the tip on the Ceriglass and Rayon pad's. I will look them up. My house sitting room window is starting to annoy me when the sun shines on it so it would be nice to kill both birds with one stone.
I have the money but I don't want to spend it (if that makes any sense at all...) I am fortunate that this car has had some great owners who have really looked after it so I would be reluctant to let a near perfect (for a 13 year old car) go. But I think it would be easy to justify getting one as it is so clear they are undervalued and I think they are going to sky rocket.
I think I am going to have to test one and then think about what to do.
In terms of the bodywork anything other than light swirl marks are still on mine. When I put a light on it I can see that I have removed all the swirls and the lighter end of the scratching which don't get me wrong is awesome but I would say there is a load more work to be done yet.
I didn't want to go messing around with the 105 an stronger pads without getting a feel for it 1st- I will only cock it up. I think I am going to give it 6 months and attack with the pad's you recommended and do a two stage but I am going to split it down over 4 weeks and do a side at a time so I am not rushing and dont feel like I need to get it all done.
Thanks for the tip on the Ceriglass and Rayon pad's. I will look them up. My house sitting room window is starting to annoy me when the sun shines on it so it would be nice to kill both birds with one stone.
It's a tricky one on the future values of the MC....one part of me thinks, it must go a similar way to the Z3MC, as it's a better car in every way apart from the quirkiness.....but the other part says that almost all petrol cars will all be worthless in 10 years time as 100% of all new cars will be EV's. I genuinely think the market for ICE cars could literally disappear over the next few years...who will want to put £100 every other day into a slow, noisy, unconnected car? :?
[ref]Angelus666[/ref],
I think over the years the petrol car will become the new horse. People will have them because they love them but in terms of their contribution to society they will really have no practicable use.
If not already your MC in 10 years will become a cherished weekend toy and you will drive around all week in your soulless EV.
If you want an out- you and me can agree the current market rate for your MC now for a deal in 10 years time? 8)
I think over the years the petrol car will become the new horse. People will have them because they love them but in terms of their contribution to society they will really have no practicable use.
If not already your MC in 10 years will become a cherished weekend toy and you will drive around all week in your soulless EV.
If you want an out- you and me can agree the current market rate for your MC now for a deal in 10 years time? 8)
Haha...I'll happily take your £18k now and then let you have the car in 10 years time. 
Angelus666 said:
Hello Buddy,
Its coming to that time of the year again so looking to follow your advice rather than going maverick like last year.
I have been looking at MF cutting and polishing pads and wondered why there was such a big difference in price from the Meg's and the others?
Am I just paying for the name or are they that good?
https://www.slimsdetailing.co.uk/search?q=da%20microfibre
https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/paint-correction/polishing-pads/microfbre-pads
[ref]Nictrix[/ref],
I have gone for Shinemate MF's and bought more pads so will swap out more- I will let you know how I get on with some cheaper pads.
Went for the following also rather than Meg's
MENZERNA HEAVY CUT COMPOUND 400
MENZERNA SUPER FINISH 3500
Still managed to spend over £100 all in all. I thought after buying the DA last year things would get cheaper... :?
I have gone for Shinemate MF's and bought more pads so will swap out more- I will let you know how I get on with some cheaper pads.
Went for the following also rather than Meg's
MENZERNA HEAVY CUT COMPOUND 400
MENZERNA SUPER FINISH 3500
Still managed to spend over £100 all in all. I thought after buying the DA last year things would get cheaper... :?
In my experience, I'd always pay for the better pads, as the whole cutting and refining process is so time-intensive you want the best pads to work with. I've tried the cheaper ones and you can feel the difference, also they lose their shape and fibres after a few washes. If you can afford the Megs then go with them.
Angelus666 said:
Cheers, Yet again I didn't follow your advice (in my defence I did buy the pads before you replied)- Third time lucky?
I bought 2* 5inches Cutting MF's and a 3inch Cutting MF and a 2* 5inches Finishing MF's and a 3inch Finishing MF. They were only 20% cheaper than the Meg's pad so hopefully not to bad.
Going to approach it slightly different this year after doing the 1step last year and then a two step on the Mr's 1 series.
The plan is to do 2 hours a day, each day until it's done. I think in winter I rushed it over two days last year and I was rather disappointed with the result.
Knowing what I know now it's clear that going at the BMW paint with a Hex logic yellow pad I was never going to get any major swirls out with Meg 205.
I think I need a decent tar remover now and I am all good to go. The car plan one I have kicking about is rubbish.
AnilS said:
Nice one! Thank you.
That name rings a bell but in a good way.
I will look to get some I have only done 3k since the last time I removed the tar so fingers crossed there isn't much tar on there.
It was so easy to spot on the Mrs red car but on my black it was tough.
Microfiber Pads working very nicely.
Here is an update of some of the progress so far.
Full decontamination of the car- 3.5 hours (Spray, hit with Built Hamber APC at 10%, touch wash, Built Hamber Korrosol Iron Remover, tar remover, clay)
Front bumper took 2.5 hours for a Cut, Polish and wax
Rear Bumper and rear face of boot 3 hours for a Cut, Polish and wax
Pictures attached are the rear bumper. I am really pleased with the process. Can't wait to get all the fiddly bits done (sides of the boot and top of arches) and move onto some big panels!
Here is an update of some of the progress so far.
Full decontamination of the car- 3.5 hours (Spray, hit with Built Hamber APC at 10%, touch wash, Built Hamber Korrosol Iron Remover, tar remover, clay)
Front bumper took 2.5 hours for a Cut, Polish and wax
Rear Bumper and rear face of boot 3 hours for a Cut, Polish and wax
Pictures attached are the rear bumper. I am really pleased with the process. Can't wait to get all the fiddly bits done (sides of the boot and top of arches) and move onto some big panels!
