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Thread: detailed a '99 z3 jet black (from swirled to shiny)

  1. #1
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    detailed a '99 z3 jet black (from swirled to shiny)

    detailed a '99 BMW Z3 jet black today

    I thought i'd share some pics and tips. These tips apply to those who are familiar with the PorterCable orbital buffer ("PC") and rotary buffing machines. For the novices out there, please don't try buffing with a rotary unless properly trained or have gained enough experience using one.

    process:

    1. washed car with Meguiars NXT car wash (highly recommend as it doesn't spot as easily)
    2. Clayed the car with Sonus Clay (mild version)
    3. semi-swirled panels received Meguiars #83 speed glaze via PC and polishing pad
    4. (for the technically advanced...read the following, if a newbie...none of the following will make sense)
    nasty-swirled panels received #84/Rotary/speed2/w7006 + #83 via PC (speed 5). Note, I had to really work the 83/pc combo very well to remove the micro-abrasion that #84 left behind. If I were to redo the detail, I'd #83/rotary then #80/PC.
    5. Meguiars NXT tech wax by hand
    6. tires received hotshine tire dressing

    time: ~5 hours

    before pics:
    Swirls I'm sure you black car owners can relate!



    half-trunk test (#83 w/rotary @ Speed 2 + #80 via PC)



    reflection shots:








    finale:

    '03 E46 M3 SMG Silver Gray
    ///Performance: AFE stage II intake, Magnaflow cat-back ///Interior: Silver CF Royal style paddles ///Suspension: Eibach pro-kit

  2. #2
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    Well done!!

    Why not PC/NXT/Polishing pad speed 2 and nooks/crannies by MF applicator? Was the finish that soft or an advanced technique with NXT?

    Sunny

  3. #3
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    potato
    Dang! very slick - I gotta mine detailed soon too - black shows every little scratch!

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    Looks great! What was the owners reaction when he saw it.

  5. #5
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by JaguarXJ6
    Well done!!

    Why not PC/NXT/Polishing pad speed 2 and nooks/crannies by MF applicator? Was the finish that soft or an advanced technique with NXT?

    Sunny
    hahaha...i usually apply NXT with the orbital. But, my hands were really numb at the time.
    '03 E46 M3 SMG Silver Gray
    ///Performance: AFE stage II intake, Magnaflow cat-back ///Interior: Silver CF Royal style paddles ///Suspension: Eibach pro-kit

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by David
    Looks great! What was the owners reaction when he saw it.
    '03 E46 M3 SMG Silver Gray
    ///Performance: AFE stage II intake, Magnaflow cat-back ///Interior: Silver CF Royal style paddles ///Suspension: Eibach pro-kit

  8. #8
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    Looking at an E36 M3
    Looks fantastic.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by hamanncheese
    hahaha...i usually apply NXT with the orbital. But, my hands were really numb at the time.
    LOL!! I've had that once or twice so I know how you feel. Excellent work!

    Sunny

  10. #10
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    really good job, car looks nice.

  11. #11
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    great job!!!!

    when black is clean, it really is an awesome color!

    i noticed the orangepeel-less paint... interesting. i thought all bmw's had orangepeel?

    -mike

  12. #12
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    thanks for the comments! There's some orangepeel in the paint. Surprisingly, a very little amount of orange peel (my cosmos black has more orangepeel in it).
    '03 E46 M3 SMG Silver Gray
    ///Performance: AFE stage II intake, Magnaflow cat-back ///Interior: Silver CF Royal style paddles ///Suspension: Eibach pro-kit

  13. #13
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    Four-eyed box
    It's not really 'orange peel' it's more 'texture' than anything.

    Anyway, about the NXT....nice stuff, for a day or so without rain. Give it a couple days in the rain and it'll be back where it was before.
    Trevor Ely
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  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by bmwm3n528
    It's not really 'orange peel' it's more 'texture' than anything.

    Anyway, about the NXT....nice stuff, for a day or so without rain. Give it a couple days in the rain and it'll be back where it was before.
    Are you talking about NXT's longevity?
    '03 E46 M3 SMG Silver Gray
    ///Performance: AFE stage II intake, Magnaflow cat-back ///Interior: Silver CF Royal style paddles ///Suspension: Eibach pro-kit

  15. #15
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    WHOA!!!! GOOD JOB ERIC!!!
    My car was swirled like that too (if you guys rememeber at the Meguiar's thing).
    But I fixed most of it...I dont have a rotary and I would too scared to mess up my paint using one

    Everybody in Socal, if you need a detailer, this is the guy.
    He got me all into detailing too.

    -Randy
    Straights are for fast cars, turns are for fast drivers. -97 Schwarz II Black 318ti Sport- Goodtimes 318ti -99 TiAg Dinan 323is -13 Scion FRS 10 Series

    Now Featuring: Hartge Exhaust, 325is Vented brakes with Goodridge SS lines, clear fronts/sidemarkers (1/2 mod), Blacked out kidney grilles, Bilstein Sports with H&R Sports, E46 RSMs w/ Z3 reinforcement plates, OEM E46 M68 17" rims, 18x8.5 Hartge Classics,Gen IV DEPOs w/ 4500k HIDs and city lights
    Coming soon:IF YOU HAVE A 318TI SPORT FS IN SOCAL, TELL ME!...DASCed 2.1 maybe?...or the new car mod...ALL IN ONE CAR!

  16. #16
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    thanks randy!
    '03 E46 M3 SMG Silver Gray
    ///Performance: AFE stage II intake, Magnaflow cat-back ///Interior: Silver CF Royal style paddles ///Suspension: Eibach pro-kit

  17. #17
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    Awesome job

  18. #18
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    Four-eyed box
    Quote Originally Posted by hamanncheese
    Are you talking about NXT's longevity?
    Bingo.
    Trevor Ely
    '13 JSW TDI
    '05 Elise
    '96 328is
    '91 318is
    '90 325is
    '89 325is
    '88 535is
    '95 M-Sport 540i (1 of 200)
    '85 190E 2.3-16 ECE
    '70 Honda N600
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  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by bmwm3n528
    Bingo.
    I think what you're experiencing is the degradation of slickness. I too experience this with NXT (after a few washes), but IMHO it doesn't affect its ability for maintaining gloss and depth. The wax is still there, just not as super slick as when first applied. The paint still beads for me, even when there is a lack of slickness.

    If the slickness is what you are looking to maintain, there's a product called NXT spray wax (booster wax) that you use along with NXT tech wax to enhance durability and appearance.

    Also it is important to apply NXT correctly, use a thin layer and let haze (10-15 mins) to allow proper bonding to the finish.
    '03 E46 M3 SMG Silver Gray
    ///Performance: AFE stage II intake, Magnaflow cat-back ///Interior: Silver CF Royal style paddles ///Suspension: Eibach pro-kit

  20. #20
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    95 Jetta, 81 733i(gone), E39 540i/6 here I come!
    What are your opinions of Zaino, P21s, and Klasse? I was reading a couple places online, and what they show doesn't look near as good as what you do. I feel confident in doing my car myself, but I was just wondering how you felt before I spent the money. The car absolutely looks awesome. I would post some pictures of my work if I knew how. Thanks!

    Brian

  21. #21
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    Thoughts on the following:

    P21/S100 (same stuff but cheaper): super slick finish, and great gloss on dark colors. Not much longevity. If you like applying waxes after every wash, then this wax is for you.

    Klasse AIO: awesome synthetic polish! Does not have much cutting ability (i.e ability to remove swirl marks). But, a great cleaner polish for removing oxidation, surface contamination, etc. Requires the use of the Klasse SG to seal in the shine and slickness.

    Zaino: no experience, but the zaino users swear by it!
    '03 E46 M3 SMG Silver Gray
    ///Performance: AFE stage II intake, Magnaflow cat-back ///Interior: Silver CF Royal style paddles ///Suspension: Eibach pro-kit

  22. #22
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    That is amazing. Ive got a 525i to work on tomarrow - i hope i can get that kind of depth on the blue.

    Great Work

  23. #23
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    Nice job, looks great!

    I don't know how you did it all in 5 hrs though...

    I washed, clayed, washed and polished with Meguiars # 9 today on the 540i and it took 7+ hours and I am not even done. I probably have another 3+hours to finish polishing, AIO and SG.

    I wish I lived in Cali to get some hands on pointers from you guys...
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  24. #24
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  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by psychocandy
    Nice job, looks great!

    I don't know how you did it all in 5 hrs though...

    I washed, clayed, washed and polished with Meguiars # 9 today on the 540i and it took 7+ hours and I am not even done. I probably have another 3+hours to finish polishing, AIO and SG.

    I wish I lived in Cali to get some hands on pointers from you guys...
    z3 vs. a 540... that's why it took less time.

    -mike

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