Post Reply 
 
Thread Rating:
  • 3 Votes - 4 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
21-02-2011, 10:40 PM
Post: #1
Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
I haven't done much in the way of detailing work since late November last year. Christmas time is usually total chaos at the office due to the forced December shutdown and last year proved to be no different. I've also had a few other things going on which required my attention, leaving precious little time for detailing. Now that things have somewhat returned to normal, it's time to get stuck in again Clap

This vehicle belongs to a new client who has been patiently waiting for me to attend to his "baby". He is also the first customer for 2011 to take up one of my newly revised service options including a complete maintenance contract for this, as well as his other new 'toy' that is being delivered next month! More details on the 2011 service options will be revealed shortly Thumb


Righty then, lets get started. Seeing as this vehicle would be having everything done (paint correction, interior, engine bay wheels and arches), I elected to only give the wheels and arches a quick rinse seeing as they would be removed shortly for a more in depth clean.

With the wheels tidied up I set about snapping a few quick pics of the general state of the car. Overall it was in good shape, aside from a few weeks worth of road grime...


Tailpipes were filthy
[Image: IMG_2046.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2048.jpg]

Back boxes would need some TLC
[Image: IMG_2049.jpg]


Typical road grime
[Image: IMG_2050.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2051.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2053.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2056.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2061.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2057.jpg]

Neat looking front end...
[Image: IMG_2065.jpg]

Bird bombs
[Image: IMG_2052.jpg]

Trim
[Image: IMG_2058.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2059.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2060.jpg]


The first step involved foaming the car with a mix of APC and CG's Citrus Wash Clear to strip as much muck from the surface as possible.

Foam doing it's thing
[Image: IMG_2067.jpg]

Dirty runoff
[Image: IMG_2069.jpg]


After rinsing the vehicle down it was time to attend to all the small details prior to washing. Shuts, emblems, panel gaps and trim all got cleaned and scrubbed with APC and various brushes...

[Image: IMG_2070.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2071.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2072.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2073.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2075.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2076.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2077.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2078.jpg]

With the odds and ends all cleaned and scrubbed the car was rinsed before being re-foamed and then washed using the 2BM. After another rinse I applied a generous amount of Carpro's IronX to dissolve any embedded metal particles...

[Image: IMG_2081.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2083.jpg]

After the IronX finished working it was time for another rinse before I started claying the paintwork. Clay of choice was Automagic's medium grade clay, which made short work of removing the numerous bonded contaminants from the surface. Before drying the car I used some Sonax liquid tar remover to remove a whole host of tar spots from the vehicles right hand side (sorry no pics of these stages)!


With the car dried and pulled back into the garage it was time to get cracking on the paint correction side and see what sort of state the paintwork was in.

Overall the paintwork appeared to be in relatively good nick and largely free from fine swirling. There was however a large amount of RIDS and other defects that would require some work to correct.

Couple of pics from the test spot on the bonnet (ignore the yellow tinge, I forgot to set the white balance!)
[Image: IMG_2091.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2095.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2098.jpg]


With a few PTG readings taken and a healthy amount of clear coat to work with, it was time to find a suitable combination of products to restore the paintwork to it's former glory!

[Image: IMG_2102.jpg]

In the end the paint turned out to be quite hard, typically requiring an initial hit of 3M's FCP on a green 3M pad, followed by a lenghtly pass with SIP on another green 3M pad before being finished off with a light pass of 85RE on a yellow pad to add that last touch of gloss and clarity to the paintwork. Because I will be working on this vehicle monthly I elected not to chase every last swirl and RID, but rather restore the finish to 90+% initially, with further refinement on future visits Thumb

Quick 50/50
[Image: IMG_2103.jpg]

And a couple of afters of the test section...
[Image: IMG_2111.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2115.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2116.jpg]

Completed bonnet
[Image: IMG_2113.jpg]

With the bonnet out of the way I turned my attention to the front bumper and drivers side fender.

A few befores showing the defects
[Image: IMG_2117.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2118.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2123.jpg]

Some nasty marks on the front corner of the bumper!
[Image: IMG_2121.jpg]

Front Vorsteiner CF lip was looking rather sorry for itself...
[Image: IMG_2124.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2127.jpg]

Few small defects on the fender
[Image: IMG_2128.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2129.jpg]


I started off with the CF lip, hitting it 3 times with SIP on a various Meguiars spot pads at low speed to restore some clarity and gloss. Overall it came up pretty well, but unfortunately there were a few deeper defects I was unwilling to chase at this point in time.

After
[Image: IMG_2133.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2137.jpg]


The front bumper was next and was corrected with a similar method to that as used on the bonnet. Once again there were a few RIDS that proved too deep to fully remove, but the majority were removed leaving an almost perfect finish...

[Image: IMG_2197.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2194.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2196.jpg]

Scuffs on the front corner of the bumper came out well!
[Image: IMG_2190.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2191.jpg]

As did the front fender...
[Image: IMG_2193.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2140.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2143.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2183.jpg]

With the larger portions of the fender completed, I decided to remove the faux side vent to gain better access. This proved to be worthwhile as an 80mm spot pad fitted perfectly into the concave fender indent...

[Image: IMG_2229.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2232.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2237.jpg]


With the fender completed I and the machine setup with spot pads I decided to tackle the A-pillar, mirror and gloss black plastic trim.

Pillar before and after...Nothing serious
[Image: IMG_2220.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2227.jpg]


Mirror before...
[Image: IMG_2199.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2202.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2205.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2206.jpg]

And after...
[Image: IMG_2212.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2213.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2207.jpg]


[Image: IMG_2217.jpg]

Gloss black plastics that couldn't be reached by machine were polished by hand using SIP and a BF Ultimate applicator pad (trim will be cleaned with IPA later)
[Image: IMG_2218.jpg]


Gloss black plastic trim before
[Image: IMG_2150.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2153.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2157.jpg]

And after once again
[Image: IMG_2164.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2158.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2159.jpg]


With the small bits and pieces cleaned up I turned my attention to the CF roof. Once again 2 quick befores and then afters. Process was similar to the other CF bits and involved a long, slightly slower pass with SIP on a green 3M pad, followed by a quick hit with 85RE on a yellow polishing pad.

[Image: IMG_2146.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2148.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2169.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2171.jpg]


Finally before calling it quits for the weekend I polished out the drivers side door and side sill.

Side sill all cleaned up
[Image: IMG_2239.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2243.jpg]


Final few quick reflection shots of the completed areas...
[Image: IMG_2253.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2247.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2250.jpg]

[Image: IMG_2179.jpg]


Next weekend I will return to continue with the correction work, before finishing off the exterior and turning my attention to the rest of the car Bluebiggrin

Total work time so far 17 hours.

As always, thanks for looking Thumb

David : 083 642 2118
www.mobileimage.co.za

[Image: header2.jpg]



Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
21-02-2011, 11:09 PM
Post: #2
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
White can be so unrewarding, so I guess it was thoughtful of BMW to put on a nice carbon roof.
Write ups are great as usual
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
22-02-2011, 07:30 AM (This post was last modified: 22-02-2011 07:31 AM by Woodie.)
Post: #3
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
Good to see you back in the saddle again Dave Thumb.

Excellent, detailed write up as usual Dave - the quality of work is a given.

If my experience on the red M is anything to go by, the bonnet is a bitch to get sorted and the fenders are detailing heaven. I wished the whole car was made of the fender material.

I am however disappointed that you reached for the Sonax to sort out the tar - why no Eucalyptus Oil Iono.
Bluebiggrin
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
22-02-2011, 07:53 AM
Post: #4
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
Awesome work on the vehicle and write-up/pics Carn Thumbsup2
17 hours .. Eish !!!
Worshippy

Everytime I see tailpipes like that it reminds me to do mine ... Hammerhead
Any tips/recommendations?
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
22-02-2011, 10:24 AM
Post: #5
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
Great work David......looking forward to part 2
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
22-02-2011, 11:09 AM
Post: #6
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
That was quite the hiatus Dave!
Awesome as usual, look forward to seeing the end result Clap

Finishing off with wax or sealant?

[Image: Waxonwaxoff2.jpg]
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
22-02-2011, 12:21 PM
Post: #7
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
WOW.... phenomenal work as per normal David!!! Looking forward to seeing the end result!!! ClapClap

[Image: eofeuw2ndrlkzzw51p5e.jpg]
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
22-02-2011, 01:40 PM
Post: #8
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
Very nicely done! Clap Can't wait for part II!
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
23-02-2011, 06:59 AM
Post: #9
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
Thanks for all the comments guys, much appreciated!

(22-02-2011 07:30 AM)Woodie Wrote:  Good to see you back in the saddle again Dave Thumb.

Excellent, detailed write up as usual Dave - the quality of work is a given.

If my experience on the red M is anything to go by, the bonnet is a bitch to get sorted and the fenders are detailing heaven. I wished the whole car was made of the fender material.

I am however disappointed that you reached for the Sonax to sort out the tar - why no Eucalyptus Oil Iono.
Bluebiggrin

I only use EO for odd things like removing sticker residue, etc. I find the Sonax tar remover works faster and is easier to remove afterwards Thumb


(22-02-2011 07:53 AM)Jughead Wrote:  Awesome work on the vehicle and write-up/pics Carn Thumbsup2
17 hours .. Eish !!!
Worshippy

Everytime I see tailpipes like that it reminds me to do mine ... Hammerhead
Any tips/recommendations?

As I mentioned in my Z4M thread, I will do a more detailed writeup on exhaust cleaning when I next have some really filthy ones Bluebiggrin


(22-02-2011 11:09 AM)onyx Wrote:  That was quite the hiatus Dave!
Awesome as usual, look forward to seeing the end result Clap

Finishing off with wax or sealant?

Thanks Zee. Will be going 2 layers of Powerlock when finishing off the exterior this coming weekend Thumb

David : 083 642 2118
www.mobileimage.co.za

[Image: header2.jpg]



Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
23-02-2011, 03:36 PM
Post: #10
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
Awesome Detail Dave.Clap
thanks for sharing
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
23-02-2011, 05:50 PM
Post: #11
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
nicely done david. can't wait for the next part Clap
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
13-03-2011, 05:59 PM
Post: #12
RE: Mobile Image : E92 M3 - Part I
WOW!!!
Find all posts by this user
Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread: Author Replies: Views: Last Post
  Mobile-Image : Ingolstadt's finest... Carn 22 170,346 03-08-2011 01:11 PM
Last Post: Carn
  Mobile Image : 25 hours with a Z4 ///M Carn 21 64,389 22-03-2011 06:14 PM
Last Post: Carn
  Mobile Image : On the front cover... Carn 15 45,083 13-03-2011 06:01 PM
Last Post: Torres1

Forum Jump:


User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)