Hey everyone. 

A friend of mine at work picked up his new to him X5 the other day and asked if I could improve the finish and add a decent amount of protection for him. So I got up bright and early and headed round to his to get this beast looking its best.

So Powermaxed TFR was applied at 10:1 and I set about the wheels, first with KKD Brakeaway and then Powermaxed Fallout remover. The barrels of the wheels need a bit of TLC, so at some point in the future we plan on whipping them off and getting some acidic wheel cleaner on them. After a pressure wash rinse the car was washed with G3 Bodywork Prep, clayed with an Angelwax Glide Decon Block using shampoo dilution and Fallout remover as lube. Then the car was rinsed and dried ready to be examined under a bright light source.

The car had already been mopped by the BMW garage as it was a real mess according to my mate when he first saw it. So I set about it with Sonax Perfect Finish on a green CG Hexlogic pad on the rotary.

A little bit better, but really it needs a couple of day spending on it with a two stage polish. The paint is ridiculously hard!

So on to the door.

Again, not perfect, but a definite improvement. So I made my way around the car. Then it was on to protection. So I gave the car a thorough wiping down with AW Stripped-Ease and then applied AW Ti-22 to provide a tough, durable sealant. Left that for 15 mins to cure then applied a layer of AW Fifth Element to add some serious gloss and further protection.

The wheels were protected with Arte de Shine Repelcoat and tyres dressed with Carchem Rubber Wax. Finally the exhausts were tidied up with Autosol and the door shuts protected with Sonax BSD. All in all, just under 8 hours hard graft. A few afters for you guys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope some of you guys find this useful. Thanks for looking everyone!!

Neil

Great thread Neil! As said on other platforms, cracking results on the solid BMW paint! Bet was well chuffed! 

Great work Neil - thanks for sharing and adding a good write-up buddy!

 

Hard BMW paint, very difficult to do justice with a single stage correction;

probably lucky you enjoy working with the Rotary by the looks of it!

 

It amazes me how some claim to do a correction detail in < 4hours.

This is a good example of the time, effort and attention to detail that SHOULD be invested!

 

I'm sure your mate was over the moon with the huge improvement!

 

If possible.... maybe share your thoughts on the Angel wax range.... here on in your Angelwax thread.

As said before... Ti-22 is of interest, or at least on my list to test out at some point.

 

Cheers,
Ste.

 

 

Thanks boys. Yes, BMW paint is crazy hard! I would have liked more correction but in a day, that was my limit!

 

Completely agree Ste. There is no way on earth I could half that time frame! I was machining for over 5 hours mate, and Sonax breaks down really fast, so to do it any quicker would leave holograms. And we all know how horrendous holograms look on a poorly polished car. 

 

Of course mate. I'll start up an Angelwax Thread rather than just a "Fifth Element" Thread and get my reviews of their range up in there.

 

But a quick heads up, Stripped-Ease is a really good wipe-down mate. Coats the panel well and doesn't instantly evaporate, mind it was cold!

 

Ti-22 is a really easy and quick to apply sealant. Very solvent heavy so would be a massive No No on a hot panel, but in the shade it it fast to apply and very Blingy! But it does flash very quickly, so you can't hang about and it doesn't spread as such. But I used next to no product, so a 250ml bottle will last a good while! 

 

I must also admit, the spray heads on the bottles are great. They deliver a very fine mist of product! Bang on for me!

7 minutes ago, Hunty278 said:

Thanks boys. Yes, BMW paint is crazy hard! I would have liked more correction but in a day, that was my limit!

 

Completely agree Ste. There is no way on earth I could half that time frame! I was machining for over 5 hours mate, and Sonax breaks down really fast, so to do it any quicker would leave holograms. And we all know how horrendous holograms look on a poorly polished car. 

 

Of course mate. I'll start up an Angelwax Thread rather than just a "Fifth Element" Thread and get my reviews of their range up in there.

 

But a quick heads up, Stripped-Ease is a really good wipe-down mate. Coats the panel well and doesn't instantly evaporate, mind it was cold!

 

Ti-22 is a really easy and quick to apply sealant. Very solvent heavy so would be a massive No No on a hot panel, but in the shade it it fast to apply and very Blingy! But it does flash very quickly, so you can't hang about and it doesn't spread as such. But I used next to no product, so a 250ml bottle will last a good while! 

 

I must also admit, the spray heads on the bottles are great. They deliver a very fine mist of product! Bang on for me!

 

 

 

Thanks for the quick heads-up on your initial thoughts Neil.

 

Sealant wise - i'm impressed with EZ Granite and ease of use... gives decent gloss and protection.

Unlikely i will move from that any time soon.... its a no brainer; and a bottle lasted me all 2016 and still 75% full.

 

Ti-22 sounds like it could be tricky dependent on conditions - but you know your stuff.

 

5+hours on a rotary isnt too bad, although perhaps a heavy beast i'm sure.

But the same effort or longer on a DA (albeit lighter machine) is a really tiring experience.

2 minutes ago, samuir1974 said:

 

 

 

Thanks for the quick heads-up on your initial thoughts Neil.

 

Sealant wise - i'm impressed with EZ Granite and ease of use... gives decent gloss and protection.

Unlikely i will move from that any time soon.... its a no brainer; and a bottle lasted me all 2016 and still 75% full.

 

Ti-22 sounds like it could be tricky dependent on conditions - but you know your stuff.

 

5+hours on a rotary isnt too bad, although perhaps a heavy beast i'm sure.

But the same effort or longer on a DA (albeit lighter machine) is a really tiring experience.

 

Yes mate, I think during the summer, on a black car, Ti-22 could prove difficult to apply! But for spring and winter prep details it's perfect. I will do the Superb with it later in the year and let you guys know.

 

It's getting to the lower panels that's the issue. A car jacking system in a unit would be a saviour for my back! Haha. Alas, I don't have that luxury. Yes mate, time-wise 5 hours is fine, but the vibration from the DA would be a different kettle of fish!

16 minutes ago, Hunty278 said:

 

Yes mate, I think during the summer, on a black car, Ti-22 could prove difficult to apply! But for spring and winter prep details it's perfect.

I will do the Superb with it later in the year and let you guys know.

 

It's getting to the lower panels that's the issue. A car jacking system in a unit would be a saviour for my back! Haha.

Alas, I don't have that luxury. Yes mate, time-wise 5 hours is fine, but the vibration from the DA would be a different kettle of fish!

 

Totally agree Neil.

 

The lower panels and bumpers on modern cars can be a real killer for me too.

One of the reasons i dont machine polish that often - my back cant handle it!

 

There have been a few threads recently on Facbook DA/DC forums about the portable/unit/scissor jack option.

Still far too expensive for the hobbyist though - but they seem ideal and do look like a god send!!

 

As you said earlier - it is a test of your physical fitness/condition to be on a car for upto 8hours.

 

Neil, I think you certainly managed to achieve your mate's criteria of improving the look and adding great protection, great results there with some great products!!

 

When we put our detailing heads on we always strive for perfection but I bet your pal was over the moon with the results, certainly within the day!! I'm assuming too he's not a detailer so would view it with s different eye.

 

I'm certainly not wanting to take away your great results and I feel for you regarding intensive labour; the lower half of the car being a back breaker, especially if you're tall like me!

 

If all my Christmas Days came at once I'd be wishing for a scissor lift for sure!!

 

Looking forward to seeing your thoughts on the AW products, keep up the amazing work!!

 

regards

 

David

Thanks David. I appreciate the kind words. I think I was a little over confident when speaking to my mate and falling fowl of not managing expectations. But he's an engineer too so understands the principals. After a quick chat today he was more than happy, and I think after he sees it in better light (the sun when it decides to appear) he will be even happier! 

 

I'll get on the AW thread at some point. Maybe another day as I'm coming down with something.

 

Again, thanks for the positive comments everyone!!

Good stuff Neil, sun at Marham that'll be rare 

9 hours ago, Bud said:

Good stuff Neil, sun at Marham that'll be rare 

 

Thanks Bud! I take it you've had the pleasure of Sunny Marham!? Not to everyones taste, but we like Norfolk (much sunnier than Wigan! Haha)

Same paint on my 3 series, Black Sapphire. When I got mine last month it was in similar condition having probably visited too many £5 hand washes leaving swirl marks everywhere along with a large and deep scratch across the bonnet that carried onto the wing, a couple of scuffs on the rear bumper. Gave the car a thorough wash and should have de-iron the paintwork and clayed it but it was freezing and day light was short. Used DAS-6 Pro Plus with Chemical Guys V32 (12-1500 grit) on the worst of the scratches then V34 (15-2000 grit) all over and finally a V36 (25-3500 grit). I was worried about using the V32 but the paint is that tough you could literally hear it laugh saying "is that best you got?".

The results were similar to yours but the scratch across the bonnet although much less noticeable with only around 1/3 now visible unless you get your head right down on the bonnet but the bumper scuffs and swirls were gone. The bonnet/wing scratch needs a paint touch up which can wait until the summer when it's warmer and fingers can perform at the level of detail required. It was given a generous coating of Autoglym High Definition wax to give it some protection until I have more time to spend on it. It is hard work getting the BMW paint work right but the colour really pops out now just a shame the roads are so dirty and barely lasts a day after cleaning before it's filthy again.

 

You've done really well to get the X5 to such a standard with so much bodywork to cover and in such a short time.       

4 minutes ago, CWARD said:

Same paint on my 3 series, Black Sapphire. When I got mine last month it was in similar condition having probably visited too many £5 hand washes leaving swirl marks everywhere along with a large and deep scratch across the bonnet that carried onto the wing, a couple of scuffs on the rear bumper. Gave the car a thorough wash and should have de-iron the paintwork and clayed it but it was freezing and day light was short. Used DAS-6 Pro Plus with Chemical Guys V32 (12-1500 grit) on the worst of the scratches then V34 (15-2000 grit) all over and finally a V36 (25-3500 grit). I was worried about using the V32 but the paint is that tough you could literally hear it laugh saying "is that best you got?".

The results were similar to yours but the scratch across the bonnet although much less noticeable with only around 1/3 now visible unless you get your head right down on the bonnet but the bumper scuffs and swirls were gone. The bonnet/wing scratch needs a paint touch up which can wait until the summer when it's warmer and fingers can perform at the level of detail required. It was given a generous coating of Autoglym High Definition wax to give it some protection until I have more time to spend on it. It is hard work getting the BMW paint work right but the colour really pops out now just a shame the roads are so dirty and barely lasts a day after cleaning before it's filthy again.

 

You've done really well to get the X5 to such a standard with so much bodywork to cover and in such a short time.       

Thanks mate. The speed that the rotary can cut was a blessing to be honest. And the Sonax finishes down so well after having such a bite to it initially. It saves a lot of time compared with my old DA. it is a shame the cars get so dirty, especially in between all the farmers fields over here, but it will be so much easier to clean now, as my mate has pre wash and a pressure washer. 

 

Thanks mate, she came up well, but it was a lot for one day. I enjoyed it though!

I don't have the confidence to use a rotary so I'll stick with a DA for the safety margin it allows me. Washing is much quicker but I still wish I could get away with a bit more time between washes but black is very unforgiving and shows up any dirt quickly.

1 hour ago, CWARD said:

I don't have the confidence to use a rotary so I'll stick with a DA for the safety margin it allows me. Washing is much quicker but I still wish I could get away with a bit more time between washes but black is very unforgiving and shows up any dirt quickly.

 

I feel our pain there bud. I've got two black cars. The next ones preferably won't be, but they do look great when done properly!

 

That's a good way of looking at it, DA's do give you a safety margin, and rotary takes a bit of getting used to (can be a handful at first controlling the machine), but once I'd got used to balancing the machine to control the direction of travel and stopped fighting it, the lack of vibration is heaven!

I'd forgotten how dirty black looked compared to other colours even though I used to have black XR4x4 a long while ago. I'm looking to a nice bright blue probably be getting another BMW so Estoril Blue would be just the ticket. 

37 minutes ago, CWARD said:

I'd forgotten how dirty black looked compared to other colours even though I used to have black XR4x4 a long while ago. I'm looking to a nice bright blue probably be getting another BMW so Estoril Blue would be just the ticket. 

 

That's a lovely colour mate. One of my favourites!

Nice improvement there chap, time well spent.

 

Judging from the reg it's more than likely an ex-BMW UK car so well spec'd in decent colours but would have not necessarily seen the safest of washes in its early life.

 

cheers

 

Chris

7 minutes ago, Chris_VRS said:

Nice improvement there chap, time well spent.

 

Judging from the reg it's more than likely an ex-BMW UK car so well spec'd in decent colours but would have not necessarily seen the safest of washes in its early life.

 

cheers

 

Chris

 

Thanks Chris. Definitely not had the safest wash routine, I'm pretty sure it was brush washed judging by the amount of deep random scratches. But I got it to a standard that my mate was happy with. Sean is all over the wash routine, so it will stay as it is for a good while now. The bonnet may get a respray as it has random pitting on it, I'm guessing from bird droppings.

13 minutes ago, Hunty278 said:

 

Thanks Chris. Definitely not had the safest wash routine, I'm pretty sure it was brush washed judging by the amount of deep random scratches. But I got it to a standard that my mate was happy with. Sean is all over the wash routine, so it will stay as it is for a good while now. The bonnet may get a respray as it has random pitting on it, I'm guessing from bird droppings.

It's all about the safe wash routine