I recently acquired a used 2009.5 M3 with only 28,000 miles on it. The previous owner had cared for it judiciously but there was the usal wash induced marring and major swirling. Turned out pretty good. I don't have as much time these days with a two year old as I would have previously, so I didn't go chasing every all the RIDS like I would have in my old days, ha ha. For Polishing I first tried a uber green pad and Menzerna P203 and the swirls laughted at it. I then tried an uber yellow pad and SIP and the swirls and rids laughed again. I was hoping to get a way with a one step but there was no way, so the compounding phase was handled with M105 and a surbuf pad in places or a microfiber cutting disc and 105 in others. I then tried using a green pad and menzerna 203 vs a yellow pad and SIP and there was no visible difference in the test areas, so I finished it with SIP and a yellow pad, burnishing the paint a little at the end of each section pass. This paint is hard as limestone. When I polished my old E46 M3 and my buddies phoenix yellow 2004 e46 m3 (also on this forum) I was able to get away with SIP and a yellow pad for the majority of the correction. Not so here. I wonder if BMW changed its paint formulation or something with the E90 cars or maybe it's the AW paint? Exterior: CG CWC 2oz/gal Two BM Dread Lock Microfiber Mit WW Drying Towels Uber yellow/ricardo clay with ONR Clay Lube Rinse Dry Tape Glass cleaned with stoner's and a blue surgical towel. License plate cleaned up Exhaust tips polished with optimum metal polish. Wheels/Wheel Wells: Mini EZ Detail Brush OPC 3:1 for fender wells and tires Sonax Full Effect Wheel Cleaner Daytona Full Size Brush for the barrels CG CWC Uber fender Brush Tires Dressed with Adams VRT Wheels Spray waxed wtih Optimum ar Wax Polish/Protectant: Inspection with LED light, and in direct sunlight. Flex 3401 speed speed 6 with surbuf and M105. PCXP with 4" surbuf and M105 on bumpers, c pillar, and other tight areas 50/50 IPA Wipe Down Menz SIP on uber yellow pad IPA Wipe down Menz power lock first time using Flex speed 1 with Black uber pad, and 24 hours later 2nd coat applied by hand with yellow wax applicator pad. The chrome kidney grills and front air intake were in good shape and just cleaned. Headlights and tail lights were polished with flex VRG yellow uber pad and SIP, and were in good shape. Lights sealed with Menzerna Power lock x 2. Engine: Later date, lol. Interior: Vaccuum Einzett cockpit Wipe Down OK some pics. I think overall it turned out really well for a days work. Took about 10 hours in total. I don't have too many befores since I was pressed for time. Thanks for looking. Wheels with Sonax Wheels after Water still beeding :-/ Tough to get the defects but you can see a few here. The SLR wouldn't focus like I wanted so a few are iphone 5S pics. Tools of the trade Passenger Rear Quarter After Rear Bonnet After Hood Carbon Fiber Roof After One section with yellow pad and SIP And one with Menz 203 and green pad. I couldn't tell a difference so the second step was SIP and yellow pad for more defect correction. Some Powerlock Hood after powerlock Crappy garage light The next day it rained and was cloudy all today. Today it was cloudy most of the day but I got lucky and got a few semi sun shots in outdoors with the SLR. Was also able to get some good reflection shots. This is one of the better reflection shots. Good DOI Having the rolled edges of the exhaust tips I feel is a total fail by BMW since it is impossible to keep clean for any longer than the next time you turn the engine on. I preferred the sharp edges of my e46 exhaust tips. Much better looking and easier to keep tidy. Thanks for looking. Have a great weekend.
Thanks Andy! Yeah only manuals for me. Rowing a six speed behind an 8400 rpm v8 in my opinion is the only way to go. Long term More reliable too.
Hi Jordan. Thanks so much! White cars aren't the easiest to showcase the shine but overall it turned out pretty well.
