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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wash, Wax, Detailing and Cosmetic protection/repairs > detailing tips



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      02-21-2013, 10:05 PM   #1
junitos
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detailing tips

my car is ready for a full detail
a good wash
clay bar
wax
polish
sealint
anything else im forgetting, ive never done one before and dont know the proper order which goes first feel free to educate me throw some knowledge my way and get some good karma in return
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      02-21-2013, 10:15 PM   #2
junitos
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This detail is for a 2008 e93 jet black
ive found some older threads on detailing but didn't find the answers im looking for. Your help on what goes first even what you guy's are using is greatly appreciated
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      02-21-2013, 11:00 PM   #3
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The order is

Wash
Decontaminate
Corrections
Polish
Sealant
Wax

How are you doing this? By hand or by machine?
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      02-21-2013, 11:22 PM   #4
junitos
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i bought DA power system from meguiars for $50 bux's
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      02-21-2013, 11:32 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psnt1ol View Post
The order is

Wash
Decontaminate
Corrections
Polish
Sealant
Wax

How are you doing this? By hand or by machine?
.
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      02-22-2013, 02:36 AM   #6
psnt1ol
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I don't know the current condition of your paint but Jet Black is generally very soft. You challenge will be trying to finish down. If you never done any paint corrections then I would recommend you use products that will be more user friendly (ie Meg Ultimate compound with a cutting pad then Meg Ultimate Polish on a soft polishing pad to finish down).

I own several machines from Flex, Griot's Garage, to Porter Cable but I am not familiar with this Meg. Judging from the size of the pad, I say it should be fine for spot polishing. To do the entire car with this will take lots and lots of time. My best recommendation to you is to do one panel (start to finish) at a time. You might also want to invest in a good inspection light to check your work at the end of every stage.

Read up on the best practices of handling a DA polisher (Pressure, hand speed, size of the work area). You will find volume of information on this subject on a dedicated Detailing forum such as AutoGeekonline.net and Autopia.org. There are many Pros as well as enthusiasts who are members at those sites.
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      02-22-2013, 11:53 AM   #7
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One of the site sponsors, Detailed Image, has an awesome "Auto Detailing Guide" that will occupy you for hours of learning
http://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-Detailing-Guide/

As for the polisher I am no expert but I hope you have a corded drill - cordless won't have enough sustained power to polish a whole car (and even if you can manage make sure you have batteries on constant readiness). The Porter Cable 7424 is the 'standard' for beginners (like myself). You might find a good deal locally, maybe used.

Hope this helps!
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      02-22-2013, 03:38 PM   #8
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My suggestion is to invest in a Porter Cable instead of the drill powered polishing application because the consistency won't be the same throughout the car when polishing due to the battery life of the drill dying out. Return that, get your $50 back and spend another $100 or so to get a Porter Cable with different pads that will be necessary for cutting, sealing, waxing, etc etc. You can sell it on the forums if you'd like down the line, that's what I did and take about a $20-$30 loss but it was well worth it. Just my .02 cents
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      02-22-2013, 09:10 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psnt1ol View Post
I don't know the current condition of your paint but Jet Black is generally very soft. You challenge will be trying to finish down. If you never done any paint corrections then I would recommend you use products that will be more user friendly (ie Meg Ultimate compound with a cutting pad then Meg Ultimate Polish on a soft polishing pad to finish down).

I own several machines from Flex, Griot's Garage, to Porter Cable but I am not familiar with this Meg. Judging from the size of the pad, I say it should be fine for spot polishing. To do the entire car with this will take lots and lots of time. My best recommendation to you is to do one panel (start to finish) at a time. You might also want to invest in a good inspection light to check your work at the end of every stage.

Read up on the best practices of handling a DA polisher (Pressure, hand speed, size of the work area). You will find volume of information on this subject on a dedicated Detailing forum such as AutoGeekonline.net and Autopia.org. There are many Pros as well as enthusiasts who are members at those sites.
good stuff
thank you
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      02-22-2013, 09:14 PM   #10
junitos
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gig103 View Post
One of the site sponsors, Detailed Image, has an awesome "Auto Detailing Guide" that will occupy you for hours of learning
http://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-Detailing-Guide/

As for the polisher I am no expert but I hope you have a corded drill - cordless won't have enough sustained power to polish a whole car (and even if you can manage make sure you have batteries on constant readiness). The Porter Cable 7424 is the 'standard' for beginners (like myself). You might find a good deal locally, maybe used.

Hope this helps!
thanks for you
recommendation
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      02-22-2013, 09:16 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by e92LuNaTiC View Post
My suggestion is to invest in a Porter Cable instead of the drill powered polishing application because the consistency won't be the same throughout the car when polishing due to the battery life of the drill dying out. Return that, get your $50 back and spend another $100 or so to get a Porter Cable with different pads that will be necessary for cutting, sealing, waxing, etc etc. You can sell it on the forums if you'd like down the line, that's what I did and take about a $20-$30 loss but it was well worth it. Just my .02 cents
porter cable seems like my next purchase thanks for your advice
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