black e34 detail questions

[Boone.Msi]

ok guys a few quick questions...

Im getting $50 for my birthday to get my cars exterior detailed. Im new to detailing/buffing/polishing, so what can and should be done for that amount?

I have black paint in good shape, no chips and i want to get that new car shine back, swirls removed.

a guy on a different forum said he would wash/wax/vacum and use meguirs liquid wax with orbital buffer for $30. should i just get this done or go to a shop?

i want the best i can get for $50.

[Digita1 Ecstasy]

getting your car professionally waxed and polished is a 150$ endevour.


And I wouldn't let Ameteurs touch your car unless you've seen their work. 30$ is really cheap though. Bet he will leave you with more swirls and streaks than you started with lol


Imo detailing is a diy. If you love your car you will clean it yourself.

if you refuse to do it yourself, save some more cash because no detailer beyond amateurs will do it for only 50$. I'll do it for 120$!

[jbraswell]

If you drive it up here to cobb county I'll hook you up. You aren't going to get all that done for $50 though regardless. I usually charge friends $100 for a full cut/polish/seal. Depending on the condition of your paint though, I might be able to help you out a good bit. I could probably one step and seal it (menzerna/blackfire)..plus MAYBE vac/windows for $50, and that is a bargain my friend. Just because I like helping fellow BMW owners out, and I hate seeing black cars with swirls

[Boone.Msi]

yea, i had no idea what the price range was, i tried doing it myself when i got the car, 4 hours later i barely could tell.

supposedly this guy has done over 40 cars and is trying to make some side money.

[jbraswell]

That sounds like an amateur to me. I bet he is planning on using megs spray on wax if he's only charging you $30. That would definately not solve any of your problems.

BTW.. check my other threads for pictures of my work, I too own a black e34

[Boone.Msi]

jbraswell-

i have seen your work and would definantly drive it up there, so your saying you would one step and seal it (menzerna/blackfire) and wash/vacum for $50? if your being that kind i will at least give you $75. Im just on a budget and trying to figure whats the best i can get for the money.

[RallyD]

I detail cars as a side endeavor.
Exterior only for an e34 I would charge $100
If you want a full int/ext steam clean the carpets, no swirls type of job, it's going to run you between 150-200.

I would never trust anyone with my paint. The wrong equipment/materials in unexperienced hands could lead to disaster.

[Digita1 Ecstasy]

Braswell, you use black fire? What are all the products you use, id be interested to know.

[Boone.Msi]

also theres no need for interior work, id rather spend all the money on exterior.

[jbraswell]

I use mostly 3M and megs at work (because thats what out vendor carries)

On the side I use 3M (only extra cut and ultrafina), menzerna IP, blackfire SRC FP and wet diamond sealant. I'm about to venture into the zaino world as well, but from what I see/hear, I really don't think I will really gain much over the blackfire. Kind of a matter of opinion

[Boone.Msi]

jbraswell are you gonna help me out? Just give me a price, an address and a time, and il be there. PM me the details if you want, and i really apreciate what your doing for me.

[Digita1 Ecstasy]

what!? Dude!

If you want to try Zaino I will mail you a few free bottles. I bought too much Z6.

I've tried blackfire, and it smeared really bad and I had to rebuff. Meguires was okay. Zaino is great to work with and I find to have the upmost longevitey of all the things ive tried.

I use
P21S Paint Polish shampoo
Z5
Z6
Z7
Z8

I also use 3M Finese it swirl mark remover for dark cars, 3M is awsome


post some pics of your ebony beaut.

[GoldenOne]

you wanna mail me some zaino lol??

[jbraswell]

Damn, I'll take some if you've got extra. I want to try the ZPC fusion and zp2 pro. I found that you have to use very small amounts of the blackfire, it hazes pretty easily. I usually have to spritz with water after waxing,but it looks great.

boone: I'll be out of town until after the first... When are you wantin to drive up?

These are the only pics I have right now:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=658085

[Boone.Msi]

il pm you when im sure, im meeting up with BMVV4Life for some car parts; so im gonna try to make it a one day trip for both of you guys. can you pm me an address so i can print out a map from his shop to yours? Should be sometime in the first week of january. you want me to come by morning or afternoon?

Il post some pictures of the car tomorrow so you can see how the paint looks.

[Boone.Msi]

you cant tell exactly how the paint looks from these pictures but they will atleast give you an idea. This is my car this morning, hasnt been washed for 2 weeks.


http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o226/disgustipated13/DSCN0051.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o226/disgustipated13/DSCN0050.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o226/disgustipated13/DSCN0048.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o226/disgustipated13/DSCN0046.jpg

[Boone.Msi]

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o226/disgustipated13/DSCN0048.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o226/disgustipated13/DSCN0047.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o226/disgustipated13/DSCN0049.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o226/disgustipated13/DSCN0052.jpg

Im removing the pinstriping today

[shrike071]

Just as an aside, since it looks like you've located a reputable person to do the work, buffers can ruin paint in short order... The damn dealer I bought my car from burned through the paint on the hood. It's quite easy to do and takes a skilled hand to avoid damage.

[rickm]

PLEASE use someone who knows cars. One of my former coworkers purchased a new VW sedan. A very pretty light silver. One of the janitors at work was a "detailer" on the side. Took her car and when it came back it looked like it had been through hell. Apparently his experience was with cars that didn't have clearcoat because he totally f*cked up her car. (I don't usually drop the f bomb but what he did had her crying).

When it doubt try new products on a part of the car that isn't overly visible. :)

[Venus4NU]

I am no pro on this and totally inexperienced, however, I can tell you what was just done to my car. I am a new BMW owner and my car had a yucky dull finish. My brother-in-law who has been in love with cars for the past 50 years asked if he could polish it for me. He used McGuiers #1 on it (used electric buffer) to remove all the buildup on it. (He said something about oxidation and pollution building up on old wax blah blah blah). Next he used McGuiers #7 on it (again used electric buffer). The difference was unbelievable. My car is red and it went from a dull reddish pink color to a brillant dark red that is blinding with how shiny it is. It cost us under $20 and makes it look like a new paint job.

DISCLAIMER: I don't endorse or say not to do this. This was just our experience. We were so impressed that I bought my husband his own orbit buffer for Christmas and he has planned to do the same thing to his jaguar.

[jbraswell]

Venus: Your car was probably single stage. single stage paint tends to oxidize very severely, but it is easily fixable. All it takes is a light to medium cut to bring back the luster. Some people actually prefer the look of clean single stage paint to that of clean base/clear.

Example: Don't mean to pic whore, these pictures are in the other thread that I posted, but this is my old mans 325is (alpine white single stage) I recently detailed. I cut it probably a little deeper than it needed, but I actually got some depth out of white relatively easily

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a238/jbraswell/DSCF1270.jpg?t=1167430499

Damn, I am definitely a pic whore :)


Boone: Your car doesn't look that bad, but then again all black looks good when not in direct sunlight. I will surely be able to help you out. We'll figure out a schedule when I get back in town

[Boone.Msi]

The car was garage kept, but then it sat at a dealership for over a year when the guy traded it in for an e39. I believe thats where most if not all of the oxidation came from.

Ive seen your pics, the cars look great. especially your black 540/0:D im pretty open on weekdays so just let me know.

[Booster]

First up.....get a heatgun and remove all of that fractured pinstriping...nasty eyesore....lol.:p
Then microfine (1500-3000 grit)wetsand the raised paint thats swollen under it from heat/chemical reaction over the years.
Claybar the whole cars paint , then polish it out.Or have it done by a Pro.
Then you'll be doing something in the right direction.
..........Vinny

[MTechnik540i]

I'd definitely purchase a quality Random Orbital buffer. I've been using a Porter Cable 7424 for some time, and am pleased with the results. It's an excellent way to learn how to polish.

Here's the effects of the PC 7424 matched with Griot's Garage's Machine Polish 1, 2 and 3. Clay barred, and finished off with a couple coats of Griot's 'Best in Show' wax...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/7/6/5/Sharkfest069.JPG

http://www.r3vlimited.com/gallery/files/7/7/6/5/Sharkfest068.JPG

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/bmwm3n528/Petit%20LeMans/2006/Petit069.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/bmwm3n528/Charlotte%20Autofair/Fall%202006/autofairfall0617.jpg

[RallyD]

agreed, the PC7424 is a great tool.
with so many pad selections, it is very versitile.

[Digita1 Ecstasy]

again dont buy a griots garage PC because they just over charge 100$ for basically the same product found at CMA.

[MTechnik540i]

again dont buy a griots garage PC because they just over charge 100$ for basically the same product found at CMA.

They no longer sell the 7424, but when they did their excuse for the extra expense was their special backing plate which puts the spindle farther from the pad, thus creating less heat...And, even less chance of too much heat/friction.

Can't say it was completely worth it, but if you're super cautious.

[Boone.Msi]

Just wanted to let everyone know know that Jbraswell did a great job detailing my car last weekend. It was a bit of a rush job since i had to be somewhere later that evening, but even thought it was rushed it looks great! Im planning on having the 3 dents i have pulled next weekend, then il post some good pics. Anyways, thanks jonathon for your work.

[Phatty5BMW]

I swear on 2 hours and a bottle of Meguires Cleaner Wax...... Works wonders!!!