New (to me) BMW - any hope?

rms64

rms64

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New (to me) BMW - any hope?



Hi folks - long time lurker, first time poster. Amateur detailer at best, and coincidentaly I'm in Orlando - scary close to Autogeek in Stuart :props:

Recently I bought a used BMW 335i convertible which is in decent shape but as I've washed, clayed, compounded, polished, etc (by hand - ugh) I've become familiar with every flaw.

So far nothing terrible with the following exception. There was obviously some sort of clear bra protection up front and there is a noticeable "dividing line" on the hood. Behind that line, there is what appears to be some sort of etching / streaks that are "buried" under the clear. The surface in the following pics is glassy smooth and I've tried compounding like crazy - again by hand - but no luck.

Interested in your collective wisdom regarding what this is and how to attack, if it's even attackable. Time for a DA?
 
rms64 said:
There was obviously some sort of clear bra protection up front and there is a noticeable "dividing line" on the hood. Behind that line, there is what appears to be some sort of etching / streaks that are "buried" under the clear.
Click to expand...

Place a tape-line across the dividing line and then only work on one side of the tape-line. This will tell you if you can "affect" the defects or not, it's a way of troubleshooting.

If the defect is topical, that is on the surface, it's possible you can remove it.

If the defect is sub-surface, then you cannot remove it and this might be a sign the car has been repainted?


rms64 said:
Time for a DA?
Click to expand...


Always....


Join us for tomorrow night's show car makeover to a 1987 Corvette and you can play with all kinds of tools and I would be happy to take a stab at working on your car with you.


Sign up: 1987 Corvette Show Car Makeover




:xyxthumbs:
 
Mike,

Thanks a zillion for the uber-speedy reply, and the invitation. Unfortunately I won't be able to make the trip tomorrow evening but may head that way Friday / Saturday to grab a quick order.

Thanks again!
 
Congrats on the 335i from a fellow 335i owner and BMW nut in Las Vegas.

Your best bet is to take it down to AG and talk with Mike in person about it and get some hands on evalaution on the paint.
 
smack said:
Your best bet is to take it down to AG and talk with Mike in person about it and get some hands on evalaution on the paint.
Click to expand...

Smack, thanks - and I'd have to agree. To be so close to the center of the detailing universe is both super-cool and very dangerous for someone like me.
 
Good news!

Mike, I took your advice and taped off about a six inch section of one area of the problem and hit it hard by hand with some Ultimate Compound. Yahtzee!! The problem is fixable!

Yes, I'm stupid excited about this. Looks like a trip to Stuart Friday to pick up a DA and a bunch of other stuff then get to work. Woo!!
 
Uh oh, now you're hooked..........in a good way!
Using a DA will be so much easier too.
Have fun keeping it shiney.
Nice Beemer
 
Thanks and yes I'm hooked. Just haven't had anything to go nuts on since I sold my 02 Saleen S281. Horrible decision lol but let the obsession begin!
 
Welcome, and nice looking E90. Some good advice in this thread, and 'hell yes' to getting a DA :xyxthumbs:
 
smack said:
I think AG would become my primary home of residence if I was that close... Lol
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I don't think your wife would appreciate it!
Too bad you couldn't get a transfer to Patrick AFB.
 
rms64 said:
Good news!

Mike, I took your advice and taped off about a six inch section of one area of the problem and hit it hard by hand with some Ultimate Compound. Yahtzee!! The problem is fixable!
Click to expand...


Yeah buddy...

Once you do a little testing and a little troubleshooting you can at least come to a conclusion as to whether the problem is fixable and then go from there.



rms64 said:
Yes, I'm stupid excited about this. Looks like a trip to Stuart Friday to pick up a DA and a bunch of other stuff then get to work. Woo!!
Click to expand...


When you get here let me know I'll do my best to show you a few things in the studio. So park your car in front of the studio door when you arrive...



The door to the right of the garage door is the entrance to our TV Studio, my
red Jimmy is usually parked right in front of the entrance door.
OpenStudio011.jpg



:xyxthumbs:
 
Mike, thanks so much - that would be great. I may have to make the trip Saturday - not quite sure yet. Maybe I'll just shoot you a PM.

Regardless, thanks so much for your help and responsiveness. Awesome.:dblthumb2:

Rob
 
bmwohio said:
Welcome, and nice looking E90. Some good advice in this thread, and 'hell yes' to getting a DA :xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Thats an e93 boss. After the e46 the Chassis codes changed to identify a specific model. e90 sedan, e91 touring, e92 coupe, e93 convertible

cartman57 said:
I don't think your wife would appreciate it!
Too bad you couldn't get a transfer to Patrick AFB.
Click to expand...

Lol. Well I did get a notice of a transfer back to Germany next August....
 
smack said:
Thats an e93 boss. After the e46 the Chassis codes changed to identify a specific model. e90 sedan, e91 touring, e92 coupe, e93 convertible



Lol. Well I did get a notice of a transfer back to Germany next August....
Click to expand...

I know that, that's what you get for posting from your phone
:doh:
 
Is that E93 Monaco Blue, looks like it from the pics. If so I have a MB E90 335, an 08. Best products IMO are MENZ 203/106/85, seal with either BFWD or DG 105 depending on what the durability you want is and I top with Poor Boys Natty Blue for looks or maybe DODO Blue velvet if the sample pots go on sale(as a topper you really don't need much). Flake pops really well with these combos, you get more of the blue than the black or purple look at night under lights.
MB does not mar as bad as say Jet Black, last 2 (E36 and E46) were JB lot of work, but still can get a good result like black. It's a color that gets not a lot of love in the bimmer world but it's a classic BMW color for many years. Looks fanatastic over a light interior color, buddy has it on an F10 5 with osyster leather looks fantastic when I clean it up for him.
Have fun and maybe get on the forums for any mechanical questions.
 
Bobble, thanks and yes it's Monaco Blue with a very light (oyster?) interior. Really a good lookin' car and it'll be fun to experiment a bit with different products. Thanks much for your insight and recommendations.

I'm crossing my fingers mechanically speaking - have good service records, etc. Definitely have checked out some o the BMW oriented boards for mechanical stuff.
 
Gorgeous E93 rms! Best of luck with it. I have an 07 E92 in black sapphire and rit next door over in Tampa. I absolutely love the Menzerna line for maintaining it. Unfortunately i am still trying to retire my Zaino order i placed a few years ago and when that stuff is gone i am switching to Blackfire. I love the sealant approach in our climate for protection. Not as perishable as the natural carnaubas but i do "top" for love bug season.

Enjoy the ride fellow Bimmerhead and watch the tickets!
 
rms64 said:
Mike, thanks so much - that would be great. I may have to make the trip Saturday - not quite sure yet. Maybe I'll just shoot you a PM.

Regardless, thanks so much for your help and responsiveness. Awesome.:dblthumb2:

Rob
Click to expand...


Hey Rob,

It was nice to meet you and spend a little time going over techniques for machine polishing. I really think the stains in your car's hood are pretty deep but if you massage them a little with your new Griot's DA Polisher you should be able to improve them enough to live with them while removing all the swirls.

Rod01.jpg


Rod02.jpg




Have fun!


:xyxthumbs:
 
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