Paint type?

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KawBoy

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Hello Everyone,

So I was reading the forum and learned that there are different types of paint; acrylic, ceramic, hard paint, things like that. I have no idea what kind my car is, so I can buy a polish compound specific for it. Car is a 2012 BMW M3, Alpine White. I'd appreciate if someone could tell me what kind it is and also recommend a good polish compound. Car has some hard spots, but overall in very good condition.
Thank you much.
Brgds.
 
From what I have found it's single stage. If you take a dark microfiber towel and put a little compound or polish on it and rub on the car a little if white appears on the fowl it's single stage. If you don't get any white it's base/clear
 
Your car does not single stage paint. It has a clear coat on it. A good combo if you need to compound and polish is Menzerna FG400 (compound) and SF4000 (polish). The FG400 finishes so well that on a white car, you might not need the SF4000 polish step. This is what I have used on my Alpine White 335i.
 
Sbmin said:
Your car does not single stage paint. It has a clear coat on it. A good combo if you need to compound and polish is Menzerna FG400 (compound) and SF4000 (polish). The FG400 finishes so well that on a white car, you might not need the SF4000 polish step. This is what I have used on my Alpine White 335i.
Click to expand...

:iagree:The only thing I like better than SF4000 is SF4500 very little cutting ability and a "jeweling" Polish. But he is correct you have a base coat and clear coat. I agree with the Menzerna products regardless if you use SF4000 or SF4500.
 
DaveT435 said:
From what I have found it's single stage. If you take a dark microfiber towel and put a little compound or polish on it and rub on the car a little if white appears on the fowl it's single stage. If you don't get any white it's base/clear
Click to expand...

It is clear coated. So, what polish compound would you recommend?
 
Sbmin said:
Your car does not single stage paint. It has a clear coat on it. A good combo if you need to compound and polish is Menzerna FG400 (compound) and SF4000 (polish). The FG400 finishes so well that on a white car, you might not need the SF4000 polish step. This is what I have used on my Alpine White 335i.
Click to expand...

Paint is pretty good, I think (I know nothing) that a very fine polish thing would do it. I thank you much for your recommendation. I've heard a lot of Menzerna.
 
Forgot to mention; I am going to finally get a DA polisher; is the Menzerna all good for that kind of application? I am going to get a Rupes (not sure if a 21 or 15). It is time for me to get into this DA thing. Tired of hand wax my cars.
Brgds.
 
It depends on how hard the paint is. Even something that doesn't look very bad can be difficult to remove. The Menzerna line would be a great choice. FG 400 compound and SF 4000 or 4500 polish. Another great polish is Optimum Hyper Polish.
 
Well I have done a few of these now and have to agree on the choice of Menzerna FG400/SF4000 for a 2 step. I also used FG400 and as one step, and PF2500 as a one step

FG400/SF4000
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/83592-another-alpine-white-bmw-1m-detailed-lawrence.html

FG400 only
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/81407-alpine-white-bmw-1m-detailed-lawrence.html

PF2500
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/75320-alpine-white-bmw-135i-detailed-lawrence.html

Hope this helps a little....
 
Congrats on the M3 purchase!

BMW's coming off the line in the last few years all have clear coat on them.

As for polish, Menzerna and Wolfgang are your best options. Seeing that you are going for the RUPES machine I recommend the Wolfgang polishes as they should perform better with a free floating DA than Menzerna which are more formulated for a rotary or the gear driven Flex 3401.

Here is an article put together by Mike Phillips on the Wolfgang four. These products should tackle any issues you may run across on your M3.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/74198-wolfgang-four.html
 
DaveT435 said:
It depends on how hard the paint is. Even something that doesn't look very bad can be difficult to remove. The Menzerna line would be a great choice. FG 400 compound and SF 4000 or 4500 polish. Another great polish is Optimum Hyper Polish.
Click to expand...

It looks like Menzerna is the way to go.

Thank you much.

Brgds.
 
lawrenceSA said:
Well I have done a few of these now and have to agree on the choice of Menzerna FG400/SF4000 for a 2 step. I also used FG400 and as one step, and PF2500 as a one step

FG400/SF4000
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...er-alpine-white-bmw-1m-detailed-lawrence.html

FG400 only
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/81407-alpine-white-bmw-1m-detailed-lawrence.html

PF2500
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/75320-alpine-white-bmw-135i-detailed-lawrence.html

Hope this helps a little....
Click to expand...

It did help! Wonderful job. I wish you were in SE FL.

thank you.

Brgds.
 
Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
Congrats on the M3 purchase!

BMW's coming off the line in the last few years all have clear coat on them.

As for polish, Menzerna and Wolfgang are your best options. Seeing that you are going for the RUPES machine I recommend the Wolfgang polishes as they should perform better with a free floating DA than Menzerna which are more formulated for a rotary or the gear driven Flex 3401.

Here is an article put together by Mike Phillips on the Wolfgang four. These products should tackle any issues you may run across on your M3.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/74198-wolfgang-four.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for the congrats Mike, but I have had the car since 2012; it is now time to take a really good care of her!

I will definitely take a look at the link you sent on Wolfgang; I do have a few Wolfgang products that I have used by hand. I like them.
Thank you much for your reply and congrats.
Brgds.
 
Another question, if I may: I have Pinnacle Black Label Surface Cleansing Polish and Diamond Paint Coating; would they be something I could also use?

Thanks again.

Brgds.
 
KawBoy said:
Thanks for the congrats Mike, but I have had the car since 2012; it is now time to take a really good care of her!

I will definitely take a look at the link you sent on Wolfgang; I do have a few Wolfgang products that I have used by hand. I like them.
Thank you much for your reply and congrats.
Brgds.
Click to expand...

About time! lol

KawBoy said:
Another question, if I may: I have Pinnacle Black Label Surface Cleansing Polish and Diamond Paint Coating; would they be something I could also use?

Thanks again.

Brgds.
Click to expand...

No problem. These products can also be used in place of a sealant or wax.

Here is a review I did on the coating.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ct-review-pinnacle-paint-coating-synergy.html

Here is a review I did on the maintenance products for the coating.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/82129-product-review-pbl-maintenance-3-way.html

Best Regards,
Mike
 
Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
About time! lol



No problem. These products can also be used in place of a sealant or wax.

Here is a review I did on the coating.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ct-review-pinnacle-paint-coating-synergy.html

Here is a review I did on the maintenance products for the coating.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/82129-product-review-pbl-maintenance-3-way.html

Best Regards,
Mike
Click to expand...

One word, AMAZING! Thanks for sending this Mike.

It is now time to learn which polishing pads to get with the Rupes. But I will get there!

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and for having the patience answering me.

Brgds,
 
KawBoy said:
One word, AMAZING! Thanks for sending this Mike.

It is now time to learn which polishing pads to get with the Rupes. But I will get there!

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and for having the patience answering me.

Brgds,
Click to expand...

Thank you sir!

If you don't go with the OEM RUPES pads and liquids, I would go with Lake Country's new HD orbital pads as they were designed for the long throw characteristics of the RUPES style polishers. Pair that with the Wolfgang polishes.

However I must say that I have never used a RUPES machine. My above recommendation is based on the LC HD pads being designed for RUPES and Wolfgang working with whatever tool you use. Now if you were getting a Flex its a different story.

Best Regards,
Mike
 
I wouldn't recommend a Rupes for your first DA for the simple fact that you will be locked into >\ 5.5" pads. This is assuming your not buying a Mini to go with it - then your talking $$$.

Once you get into this, you will realize most cars have smaller areas that require 3-4" pads to polish successfully. IME you would be better served with getting a Griots 6" DA with a 2 & 7/8" / 3.5" and 5" BP.

Some of these areas are:

- window pillars
- bumper covers
- head/tail lights
- around door handles
- around emblems
- trunk key area

That will give you what you all the sizes you need to tackle all the areas on all cars. You will obviously need pads as well.
 
Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
Thank you sir!

If you don't go with the OEM RUPES pads and liquids, I would go with Lake Country's new HD orbital pads as they were designed for the long throw characteristics of the RUPES style polishers. Pair that with the Wolfgang polishes.

However I must say that I have never used a RUPES machine. My above recommendation is based on the LC HD pads being designed for RUPES and Wolfgang working with whatever tool you use. Now if you were getting a Flex its a different story.

Best Regards,
Mike
Click to expand...

Mike,
I wasn't thinking about using OEM RUPES pads and liquids; rather Wolfgang or Menzerna. I thought about the RUPES just because I've heard they are one step above the others, which may not be true. Do you use a Flex?
Thank you again.
Brgds.
 
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