[Envious Eric]

so I get an email from a guy asking about correcting the paint on his jet black BMW. Long story short, the dealership washed it, then tried to "buff out" the massive amount of swirl marks instilled...they cant and give it back to him saying "thats how black cars are"...full of holograms at this point.

so then he talks to the service manager and he tells my client to go to another shop to get an estimate. This shop works on lambos and high end cars and they know what they are doing...ummmm....ok! (here is the kicker, the place apparently didnt even prep the panel to give him a demonstration prior to polishing - right there I said RUN). He looks at the car and honestly cant tell a difference between the "high end place" and the dealership detailer....he leaves unsatisfied.

now between the emails back and forth, and a couple phone calls, I explained what needed to be done to the car, and that a full wetsanding was not needed like the "high end" place wanted to do. I mean, if you cant polish out swirl marks, how the heck can you wetsand a car? I explain the proper steps to paint correction and how most places are looking for faster turn around, etc...he feels confident in dropping the car off with me and letting me have at it.

When he arrived to my house, I could see the car was dirty and that was fine. But, as I got closer to the car, it looked like it had a gray hue to it! Yep, holograms and wool pad marks all over the car. I showed him an area on the fender where there was heavy wool pad compounding marks, not just swirl marks and showed him the difference, and he immediately said to me, "that is the area where the "high end shop" did a demo and said to take that to the dealership to show them the difference....IT LOOKED WORSE!!!

after washing it down and getting the car prepped, I turned on the lights and was not really shocked at the condition as this is how most of the black car I do come in prior to me getting my hands on them. I mean, it was bad, really bad, but I knew what could come of it after I was done with it. Its fine I told the owner, I got this! I gave a time estimate of 12 hours or so...15 hours later I was finally done, good thing I had it overnight!

I started out with the trusty 105 and orange pad and didnt get the solid correction that I wanted, so I finally broke out the 5.5" surbuf pads I had been wanting to try out for a while...BINGO. That combo knocked everything out in one pass in most cases, some took two passes. There were a few RIDS left in the paint, but those were blended quite well and hardly noticeable!

Process: 15 hours later
dawn wash
detailed image fine grade clay
meguiars tape up
alcohol wipedown
PC/M105/surfbuf
PC/menzerna 203/DI white
PC/85rd/DI black
PC/CGEZCG/DI black
PC/BFWD/DI blue






this is really what kills me. How can you possibly say this is how all black cars are and its just the nature of the paint??? That damage wasnt there PRIOR to the man behind the machine so its not the paints fault!



Here are the only during shots I took of this car. You can see the before/starting damage in the paint and then in the side by side or cleared up shots, only 105 and 203 have been done, no final polishing. I didnt have the time to sit there and document the whole process like I would have liked to do, but it portrays the correction done pretty well I think.

[Envious Eric]

Its been a good ride Mr redbull, but I fear our time has come to an end...time for me to get healthier and kick you out of my life....at least for a while because I really like the taste! Last redbull of 2010!!!


Here are the after shots, and a few that the owner has given to me.

















And a pretty cool after shot with the clouds in the hood!

[Bullet]

Lookin good Eric always use you on my car

[Detailed Image]

Do you know CPR, because I think you just revived that car's paint from the dead. That's one of the worst jobs I've ever seen from a dealership. Very nice work bringing that paint back to life I'm sure the owner was thrilled.

[fisherbln]

I've seen bad dealer buffing, but that is a whole new level! Great job bringing the car back to life, I'm sure the owner ecstatic!

[Jgcdude1]

Yeah I have heard about the terrible service at Monrovia BMW! I truly felt bad for that poor car! outstanding job bringing back that 1 from the dead!

Can you pm a quote for a new car treatment? I just took delivery of my E93 335!

Again amazing job!

Originally Posted by fisherbln

I've seen bad dealer buffing, but that is a whole new level! Great job bringing the car back to life, I'm sure the owner ecstatic!

[VWtoBMW]

Wow. A true testament to the capabilities of a detailing God !

This touched me as much as those stories I hear of an abused puppy being rescued and adopted by a loving happy home!

Keep up the good work!!!!

[lopealle]

looks awesome

[BayMoWe335]

What do you charge per hour? PM if necessary.

[MuttGrunt]

Perfection as expected from Envious. Great work Eric

[Envious Eric]

Thanks guys! it was tedious work, but worth it in the end! I finally was able to tell the client a time I would end and I didnt go over!!! maybe thats because I thought I would go under, but gave myself some extra time "just in case"...lol OCD!!