[worldsmart02]

Good morning all - So if you were going to go out to the local auto joint or search online for the basics needed to keep your BMW looking fantastic what would you buy? I just got my new toy and want to take care of this one myself and do not have a clue as to what the best 'initial buy' should be.

Basically I am looking to remove the swirl marks I have and seal it after its waxed so its protected for atleast few months.

[agentm]

First, get a polisher like a Flex. Clay. Then get yourself a mild polish like the Meg. M80 or 9. Then get some sealant or wax.

[picus]

Originally Posted by worldsmart02

Good morning all - So if you were going to go out to the local auto joint or search online for the basics needed to keep your BMW looking fantastic what would you buy? I just got my new toy and want to take care of this one myself and do not have a clue as to what the best 'initial buy' should be.

Basically I am looking to remove the swirl marks I have and seal it after its waxed so its protected for atleast few months.

Man...you have no idea the question you just asked. If it were a new car with no swirls the answer would be simple. We would tell you which soaps, mitts, towels and buckets to buy and link this: http://www.detailedimage.com/auto-de...and-drying.php and you would be set...

...but then you mentioned swirls. Removing swirls is to washing what driving a BMW on a highway is to F1 racing. I am not saying it's super hard, I am saying it is going to require some serious effort, research, and cash outlay.

So, let's start - how bad are you swirls? Do you have a pic? If not, find a picture on my site that resembles your swirls. Example.

Do they look like this? http://****************/pics/g35052808/images/e.jpg

or maybe this? http://****************/pics/vette092107/a.html ? or this?? http://****************/pics/is250042907/a.html

[jlspeed29]

autopia.org> forums

start there, end there

[addy85]

Originally Posted by picus

Man...you have no idea the question you just asked. If it were a new car with no swirls the answer would be simple. We would tell you which soaps, mitts, towels and buckets to buy and link this: http://www.detailedimage.com/auto-de...and-drying.php and you would be set...

...but then you mentioned swirls. Removing swirls is to washing what driving a BMW on a highway is to F1 racing. I am not saying it's super hard, I am saying it is going to require some serious effort, research, and cash outlay.

So, let's start - how bad are you swirls? Do you have a pic? If not, find a picture on my site that resembles your swirls. Example.

Do they look like this? http://****************/pics/g35052808/images/e.jpg

or maybe this? http://****************/pics/vette092107/a.html ? or this?? http://****************/pics/is250042907/a.html

damn it picus!! Why don't you live in texas

[328i]

Originally Posted by picus

Man...you have no idea the question you just asked. If it were a new car with no swirls the answer would be simple. We would tell you which soaps, mitts, towels and buckets to buy and link this: http://www.detailedimage.com/auto-de...and-drying.php and you would be set...

...but then you mentioned swirls. Removing swirls is to washing what driving a BMW on a highway is to F1 racing. I am not saying it's super hard, I am saying it is going to require some serious effort, research, and cash outlay.

So, let's start - how bad are you swirls? Do you have a pic? If not, find a picture on my site that resembles your swirls. Example.

Do they look like this? http://****************/pics/g35052808/images/e.jpg

or maybe this? http://****************/pics/vette092107/a.html ? or this?? http://****************/pics/is250042907/a.html

Picus is one of the best detailers around, and his advice is spot on. If you want to do it right I'd say you'll need at least $500 just to get started.

[BK]

Originally Posted by 328i

Picus is one of the best detailers around, and his advice is spot on. If you want to do it right I'd say you'll need at least $500 just to get started.

+1 on both counts. Although, and I've said it before -- I think it may be best for newbies to take their cars to a pro detailer (ask here or on autopia.org for recommendations) for a good polish and seal, then work on maintenance. As they get into it, they can purchase the RO, pads and polish, and so on, and do the stuff themselves. Certainly it will be FAR less expensive, time consuming, and frustrating that way, and likely with better initial results.

[328i]

Originally Posted by BK

+1 on both counts. Although, and I've said it before -- I think it may be best for newbies to take their cars to a pro detailer (ask here or on autopia.org for recommendations) for a good polish and seal, then work on maintenance. As they get into it, they can purchase the RO, pads and polish, and so on, and do the stuff themselves. Certainly it will be FAR less expensive, time consuming, and frustrating that way, and likely with better initial results.

Definitely a great recommendation here, it's probably the most cost effective and will give you the best results.

[picus]

Originally Posted by BK

+1 on both counts. Although, and I've said it before -- I think it may be best for newbies to take their cars to a pro detailer (ask here or on autopia.org for recommendations) for a good polish and seal, then work on maintenance. As they get into it, they can purchase the RO, pads and polish, and so on, and do the stuff themselves. Certainly it will be FAR less expensive, time consuming, and frustrating that way, and likely with better initial results.

I am biased, but I agree 1000%. Correcting a car the first time can be a nightmare for a novice. You will literally spend $500-$1000 on supplies, and probably 100 hours reading, and experimenting, and THEN you MIGHT get some results. So ya... I guess I am agreeing with you.

[agentm]

Originally Posted by BK

Although, and I've said it before -- I think it may be best for newbies to take their cars to a pro detailer (ask here or on autopia.org for recommendations) for a good polish and seal, then work on maintenance. As they get into it, they can purchase the RO, pads and polish, and so on, and do the stuff themselves. Certainly it will be FAR less expensive, time consuming, and frustrating that way, and likely with better initial results.

When I first started many years ago I used my hand for the first time. It might not be a perfect job but it is safe and understanding the procedure of detailing. I never brought it to a pro detailer, instead I rather use the money to classes and product. That is the way I learn for the first time. Practice and mistake is how I learn over the years. Bringing it to pro detailer and only give you a nice job but it will go away quickly. I think if WORLDSMART02 are very interested to learn, he should give it a try. As long he's not holding a rotory.

[SpecC]

Originally Posted by agentm

When I first started many years ago I used my hand for the first time. It might not be a perfect job but it is safe and understanding the procedure of detailing. I never brought it to a pro detailer, instead I rather use the money to classes and product. That is the way I learn for the first time. Practice and mistake is how I learn over the years. Bringing it to pro detailer and only give you a nice job but it will go away quickly. I think if WORLDSMART02 are very interested to learn, he should give it a try. As long he's not holding a rotory.

haha, can't argue with the practice part. I've jumped a lot of steps in my day though. Spending hours on the internet reading about technique and chemicals really pays off. Even though I didn't have the materials or the experience, I knew what to do. Then what really set me off was consulting pro detailers. I went from never handling a polisher (of any sort) in my life to a rotary. Practiced on a hood, then a car, then another car. And now here I am!

To the OP, i think picus has you covered pretty well. You've just got to put in the time and effort to learn every bit of it. No shortcuts. No half assing things because it'll just make your job harder later.

[worldsmart02]

They look like the first pic, I will try to take a pic of the marks. I was just afraid of buying all the stuff and making it worse .

[picus]

You should be able to get that kind of damage out with a PC or Flex. I would go that route. Get reading.

[ScheerSpeed]

once you get into it, detailing is worse than a drug addiction! be forewarned!

[TRICKE90]

Originally Posted by picus

I am biased, but I agree 1000%. Correcting a car the first time can be a nightmare for a novice. You will literally spend $500-$1000 on supplies, and probably 100 hours reading, and experimenting, and THEN you MIGHT get some results. So ya... I guess I am agreeing with you.

I am lucky that I have several vehicles that I can practice on. And thanks to pro's like Picus and LRG and others, the learning curve wasn't too bad. I love keeping all my vehicles looking better than new, (my neighbors think I'm nuts).