[freeforall]

Hello everyone,
6 months ago I became the proud owner of a 2007 335i with just 44K Km, before that I drove a 1992 320i, which i accumulated about 380,000 km, and the salt finally caught up with the body.
While the 335i had all maintenance records and is in excellent mechanical shape, the body is not in as good a position as it should be, given the low mileage, and the maintenance the previous owner had put into it.
There are light swirls and light scratches in the hood and passenger side front panel.
While I am not much of a DIY person, the scratches are too small to take it to a body shop, and would like to do it myself. What do you guys recommend in terms of products to use, and procedures?

Thank you!

[mike3000fl]

what color car?

anyway, there is a dedicated wash,wax,detail forum on this site...

heres a link (yesterday we had someone who can't navigate get upset no one held his hand)

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

basic process though is to clay, correct swirls, wax or seal. the paint correction can be broken down into several applications of different products from high abrasive to very fine abrasive as needed. you are going to want to invest in a portacable polisher (cant remember what model, but there is one that is worshipped, 7506 perhaps), and the proper pads for the product you are using.

lot of good info in that forum.

the key to no more swirls is washing correctly, should be some good info in there about that.

[freeforall]

Thanks Mike,
the car is Deep Sea Blue

[fdriller9]

Yea check out the detailing section. There are some great vendors in there that sell packages with the random orbital buffer, pads, polishes, clay bar, waxes, etc.

[dcat151]

Yeah, I think a good claying followed by a polish and wax will take care of most, if not all, of the swirls.

[freeforall]

Thanks for the tips. Since winter is around the corner the wax will not hurt.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by freeforall

Thanks for the tips. Since winter is around the corner the wax will not hurt.

Go for sealant. It last around 3 months compared to a month for wax. It doesn't give that really deep gloss look of wax but it still looks nice and protects and still plenty glossy.

I normally do sealant after clay and polish, then wax on top of that. Then after washes I use a spray wax.

[drewh130]

wash the car
clay bar the car
polish with Menzerna Super intensive polish on orange lake country pad on Porter Cable 7424
Polish with Menzerna 106fa polish on black lake country pad
Seal the paint with Wolfgangs or Blackfire Wet diamond sealant

maintain the paint by washing it using the 2 bucket method

[mike3000fl]

Originally Posted by drewh130

Porter Cable 7424

that be the one...

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by *********

Go for sealant. It last around 3 months compared to a month for wax. It doesn't give that really deep gloss look of wax but it still looks nice and protects and still plenty glossy.

I normally do sealant after clay and polish, then wax on top of that. Then after washes I use a spray wax.

I got told the opposite last week by detailersdomain.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by Leaker

I got told the opposite last week by detailersdomain.

That sealant isn't as glossy as wax?

I may be getting it wrong, it maybe the other way around.

[freeforall]

This Thursday will be a detail and clean the car day than.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by *********

That sealant isn't as glossy as wax?

I may be getting it wrong, it maybe the other way around.

Yea, I was surprised. He said sealants are glossier.
Hey OP, be careful. For the cost of all of that stuff you could have car rubbed out by a pro instead of you learning on it.

[2011328xi]

Originally Posted by Leaker

Yea, I was surprised. He said sealants are glossier.
Hey OP, be careful. For the cost of all of that stuff you could have car rubbed out by a pro instead of you learning on it.

There's no problem "learning" on your car especially with a DA. My first experience machine polishing was on my new black 08 Vette. My wife said "if you fuck it up, we are not getting it repainted !" hahaha Well I didn't and gained a lot of experience on that car. I have done numerous vehicles since then including our Harleys. You have to start somewhere..

To the OP, there are some great videos on Autogeek that show you exactly how to polish with a DA. Good luck and post some before and after shots..

[Envious Eric]

order from www.eshine.ca I met the owners at SEMA, cool people!

sealants are not as deep and glossy in my opinion, but look great still! BFWD is a "wet" look, there might be a subtle deeper look with a carnuba wax...some might be able to tell, some wont. But you should plan on a sealant first to better protect the car, then lay on waxes a week later if you want (figure every 3-4 times you wash the car, or every month of driving). sealants are easy on and off, so there really is no reason not to use one

[freeforall]

Thanks for the great advice. I will try it as soon as is warms up a little, as the water is freezing as i wash the car. Will post some pics for sure.