[2ndname]

This is a very nice guide. Thank you!

[david-m]

Wow some nice info here

[DH330]

great guide, thank you

[bimmernotbeamer]

You are all welcome! Glad you found the guide helpful.

[bgill76]

this is for my alpine white 08 328xi

hows this list?

-2x grit guard
-dual action hook and loop flexible backing plate 5" lake country
-6 inch lake country white polishing foam pad
-6 inch lake country orange light cutting foam pad
-menzerna intensive polish
-PC 7424
-mothers fx tire shine
-viking wash mitt
-viking waffle weave towel
-Z7 car wash
-ZPC
-Z2 Pro
-Z6 spray
-Z18 clay bar

(getting everything on amazon except the zaino stuff, and should i use the zaino or use the other stuff instead?)

[BenõrTheBMW]

Hey DavidN,

I have a PC Random orbital buffer but it seems to get bogged down and will stop turning. Is this because I bought the wrong one? Or am I pressing down to hard?

[bgill76]

Originally Posted by BenõrTheBMW

Hey DavidN,

I have a PC Random orbital buffer but it seems to get bogged down and will stop turning. Is this because I bought the wrong one? Or am I pressing down to hard?

from what ive read, its from pressing down too hard

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by bgill76

this is for my alpine white 08 328xi

hows this list?

-2x grit guard
-dual action hook and loop flexible backing plate 5" lake country
-6 inch lake country white polishing foam pad
-6 inch lake country orange light cutting foam pad
-menzerna intensive polish
-PC 7424
-mothers fx tire shine
-viking wash mitt
-viking waffle weave towel
-Z7 car wash
-ZPC
-Z2 Pro
-Z6 spray
-Z18 clay bar

(getting everything on amazon except the zaino stuff, and should i use the zaino or use the other stuff instead?)

List looks good. In terms of what to use when, check out the Q&A on the first page. (Sorry, just hate repeating myself!)

Originally Posted by BenõrTheBMW

Hey DavidN,

I have a PC Random orbital buffer but it seems to get bogged down and will stop turning. Is this because I bought the wrong one? Or am I pressing down to hard?

You're pressing too hard. Let the weight of the machine do the work. With that said, this philosophy is up for debate. Many users on some of the more popular detailing forms love pushing down on their machines as they believe it breaks the polishes down better. I never found this to be true. It's the speed and heat generated from the oscillations that will break down the various polishes.

[icecold21]

Hey David, thanks for all of the great info here, I'm sure it will be very helpful to me very soon...

It's been a few years since the original post, so I just had some quick questions about some of the products you had originally suggested.

As far as the Mothers QD, is this the same thing?

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/08224.html


Also, do you still recommend Klasse SG above all or is there any other comparable brand?

Thanks for your help.

[icecold21]

I've pretty much answered my own questions.

I see the QD comes with the clay bar.

As far as the Klasse, I'm just going to order some and do a full detail later.

[divisionbell77]

Just had a mtech bumper installed as my original stock e92 was bumped into and the person paid out of pocket.

I know not to wax/seal for 30 days, however I was wondering what is safe?

I use optimum shampoo and ONR as a quick detailer, wondering if those are 'safe' to use for the first 30 days?

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by icecold21

Hey David, thanks for all of the great info here, I'm sure it will be very helpful to me very soon...

It's been a few years since the original post, so I just had some quick questions about some of the products you had originally suggested.

As far as the Mothers QD, is this the same thing?

http://www.mothers.com/02_products/08224.html


Also, do you still recommend Klasse SG above all or is there any other comparable brand?

Thanks for your help.

Hi. Sorry for the late reply. That is the same Mothers QD.

In terms of Klasse, I no longer use it. I use Zaino now. It is #1 in my books.

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by divisionbell77

Just had a mtech bumper installed as my original stock e92 was bumped into and the person paid out of pocket.

I know not to wax/seal for 30 days, however I was wondering what is safe?

I use optimum shampoo and ONR as a quick detailer, wondering if those are 'safe' to use for the first 30 days?

Zaino is safe to use on fresh paint. It won't cause any issues. QD's and ONR is are also safe.

[moosiehm]

Anyone using the Swissvax Crystal Rock?

[fixedreality]

Great write up, thank you

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by fixedreality

Great write up, thank you

You're welcome. Glad you like it.

[icecold21]

Originally Posted by DavidN

Hi. Sorry for the late reply. That is the same Mothers QD.

In terms of Klasse, I no longer use it. I use Zaino now. It is #1 in my books.

Why the switch to Zaino now? I opted to go for Klasse because it lasts longer than Zaino which you said had to be applied pretty frequently, right? Ideally I'd like something that doesn't take up as much time.

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by icecold21

Why the switch to Zaino now? I opted to go for Klasse because it lasts longer than Zaino which you said had to be applied pretty frequently, right? Ideally I'd like something that doesn't take up as much time.

You must be mistaking me for someone else. I did not say that Zaino needs to be applied more frequently.

Basically, you have a choice of Klasse AIO + SG, or Zaino AIO + Z2. If you were to compare both in terms of ease of use and durability, Zaino would win.

I did not have time to detail my e36 this summer, and now have the same layer of Zaino from the summer of 2011. It STILL beads like a champ, and the car STILL looks great after a touchless car wash. And this is without any touchups (no new Z2 layers, no Z6 QD, no Z8 spray seal, and no Z7 wash).

Zaino is awesome stuff.

[icecold21]

Originally Posted by DavidN

You must be mistaking me for someone else. I did not say that Zaino needs to be applied more frequently.

Basically, you have a choice of Klasse AIO + SG, or Zaino AIO + Z2. If you were to compare both in terms of ease of use and durability, Zaino would win.

I did not have time to detail my e36 this summer, and now have the same layer of Zaino from the summer of 2011. It STILL beads like a champ, and the car STILL looks great after a touchless car wash. And this is without any touchups (no new Z2 layers, no Z6 QD, no Z8 spray seal, and no Z7 wash).

Zaino is awesome stuff.

Ha, I don't know where I got that from then, must have been someone else.

That sounds great, that it still looks nice after a year and a half. I've heard from others that Klasse can be a little difficult to deal with, sounds like Zaino is the way to go then. Thanks for the advice!

[Amini77]

I think we're all dying to see a picture of your car....

[bimmernotbeamer]

Originally Posted by Amini77

I think we're all dying to see a picture of your car....

Really?

Maybe I'll some post pics after I detail it this spring.

[CWysong]

Here is my plan for my new-to-me 335xi, and a few questions so I buy the right stuff...

Wash, then clay, then...

Menzerna IP and cutting pad for swirl marks.
Klasse AIO and a polishing pad
Klasse SG applied by MF? or can we use the PC on this too?

When applying wax over the Klasse, if i want to use the PC to apply this wax, whats the best type to buy? Most recomended waxes seem to be applied with the applicator, not a PC. Should I stick with these types, can i get a deep high gloss liquid wax for application with the PC. I wax so much, i would prefer to use the pc to speed things up.


*edit* I see Zaino is now recomended over Klasse but I used this last year and I enjoyed the results. Is there a good reason I should toss the Klasse and pick up Zaino? I was just thinking I would use up what I have left, then move on to try the Zaino in the winter or next spring.
Lastly, there are all these "black diamond" type waxes that are "perfect" for black cars. How much truth is in that? is there a type of wax I would prefer, having a black car?