2001 BMW 740iL Black - 6 years of neglect

Totoland Mach

Totoland Mach

New member
Joined
Mar 3, 2006
Messages
1,142
Reaction score
0
Whew! This is a bad one...'nuff said

Outside Inspection Shot

Mar07_740iL_TradeInStart.jpg


These scratches belong in the Swirl Hall of Fame! Lower rocker panel abused from brush washes I guess...I've never seen them this bad!

Mar07_740iL_RockerPanelScratchesClo.jpg


Mar07_740iL_RockerPanelScratches.jpg


Festool plus Optimum compound and cut pad to the rescue. These panels are plastic and won't take the heat of a rotary.

Mar07_740iL_RockerPanelFestooled.jpg


Mar07_740iL_RockerPanelFestooled2.jpg


Rear bumper scratched and gouged...gee, I just did one of these in my last post LOL.

Mar07_740iL_RearBumperScratches.jpg


Festooled again..I use this tool to complete all the plastic on one side + bumpers before I move on to the rotary for the metal.

Mar07_740iL_RearBumperFestooled.jpg


Hood Swirls

Mar07_740iL_HoodSwirls.jpg


Hood Compounded

Mar07_740iL_HoodSwirlsCompounded.jpg


I'll turn the car around on the lift tonight to finish the other side + roof. The paint on this BMW is very soft and I have to use a gray 3M finish pad with compound. The cutting pad just produces more swirls.

Toto
 
Looks like they use 320 gritt as a wash mitt:eek: After seeing this, I feel bad that I complain at work. Lucky you, get all the nice ones don't ya. Just think of the work out your arms will get. I don't see how you can lift your arms after working a buffer all day. How long to bring this one back, 3-4 days?
 
Totoland Mach said:
Mar07_740iL_RearBumperScratches.jpg

Toto
Click to expand...

When I read the heading for this post I imagined terrible swirls and when I started looking at the pictures the heading is just right for the pictures Toto. Man you got your work cut out, hey that bumper looks good...how do you do that...the bumper was gauged and you turned it around quite nicely...did you use any tuch up paint?

Well, I got a little gouge of my own with the Volvo and so far I've been ignoring it but I think I'm going to have to just bite the bullet and do it :(

Looking forward to your magic tuch Toto...post lots of pictures please :D well you know...the usual...:righton:
 
Craig said:
Looks like they use 320 gritt as a wash mitt:eek: After seeing this, I feel bad that I complain at work. Lucky you, get all the nice ones don't ya. Just think of the work out your arms will get. I don't see how you can lift your arms after working a buffer all day. How long to bring this one back, 3-4 days?
Click to expand...

I get some not-so-bad ones, then I get this trade-in on a 745Li that I did. This one is definitely one of the "baddies".

Actually, with the lift, I can bring the car to a comfortable working height and that makes all the difference. If I didn't have that lift, I probably wouldn't even get close to finishing those rocker panels and lower doors.

Toto
 
That is one of the most awful things I've ever seen!!! Cannot wait to see the finished result...

Question: on the plastic painted bits, are you taking extra care of those? I always wondered if I could use my PC on that...
 
Wouldn't it be nice to spend that kind of money on a car and not give a damn about it. What the hell buy a new one.
 
you are doing some nice work out there, Toto. Keep it up! :applause:
 
You wernt kidding that really is super bad!
 
P1et said:
That is one of the most awful things I've ever seen!!! Cannot wait to see the finished result...

Question: on the plastic painted bits, are you taking extra care of those? I always wondered if I could use my PC on that...
Click to expand...

P1et: the plastic pieces: bumpers, rocker panels, mirrors, etc. require a lot of careful work. Like I said, I tried the rotary on previous cars and ended up with some plastic "burns"...it doesn't take but a couple of seconds to generate heat with a rotary and cutting pad. Heck, even the Festool could do the same thing, but it would take a lot longer because it isn't a true rotary.

Typically, I use the Festool and light compound (Optimum) or Meg's #83 in both random orbit and rotary modes. By switching, the plastic doesn't get hot and create damage. Also, the pads and the unit itself is smaller allowing me to work in compound curve areas.

Toto
 
Man that is one swirly bimmer, and that bimmer is one lucky german that got to the place you work.

You should get your name in BMW hall of fame Toto, you are truly a great detailer.
 
Truls said:
Man that is one swirly bimmer, and that bimmer is one lucky german that got to the place you work.

You should get your name in BMW hall of fame Toto, you are truly a great detailer.
Click to expand...

Thanks Truls. The dealer I work for is simply outstanding! The shop is great, any equipment I need is ordered and delivered. I even got a great deal on some new wheels and tires for my 330Xi (pic below)...they really make this model look more sporty and the tires are unreal sticky.

BMW330Xi_NewWheelsPlusTires.jpg


Plus, the finished BMW's always get positive comments from the new owners!

Toto
 
Thats some nice wheels, looks great on that silver 330ix That car is on my whish list, always liked BMWs, but in winter time here rwd dont rule, (brother in law got a M3, and he dont want to race me from november to april;)) So if i ever buy me a BMW, its a 330IX for sure.
 
Looking good Toto, what do you use on the trim for your Xi? Get some clear turn signals to replace the amber, looks really clean!
 
Toto am assuming that that's your BMW...very nice buddy.

Love those rims...got any more pictures?
 
Nica said:
Toto am assuming that that's your BMW...very nice buddy.

Love those rims...got any more pictures?
Click to expand...

Thanks folks...the car is in remarkable shape for a 2002 with 80,000 miles. It has the remaining warranty and maintenance until 100/k or May 2008 which was the deceision maker for me...

The dealer gets this trim dressing from a company that sells to body shops and detail shops...I don't even know their name except it's called Magic Dressing. It's very nice stuff and lasts a long time.

Nica: here's another pic of the car

BMW330Xi_NewWheelsPlusTires2.jpg


I worked on the Black 740iL until 1:00 am this morning finishing up the compounding/glazing/swirl removal...final power wash tonight + #26 will complete the outside and I can start on the inside.

Toto
 
Progress Shots of the finish now.

Here's a couple of good "After" shots. The paint is done, correction-wise, and I'll be power washing tonight. Then it get's a final coat of #26.

Mar07_BMW740iL_GlazedRockerPanelVie.jpg


Mar07_BMW740iL_GlazedSideViewLow.jpg


Mar07_BMW740iL_GlazedSideView.jpg


See you later...gotta hit my regular job hard today!

Toto
 
Amazing before and after pics, Toto!! You really turned that car around and not being able to use the rotary on the plastic panels really shows off your prowess as a detailer! I'm sure the new owner will be very pleased! :applause:On a side note, that lift you have at work is just too cool! You have such a great set up! Awesome work my friend! :cheers:
 
Toto, very nice pictures of your own vehicle...I really think those rims go with the vehicle, it gives is a nice look and very nice contrast. I'm sure feel the same way otherwise you wouldn't have purchased them hehehehe.

Toto gets compliments of that lift every time, but I agree he does great work and that lift amazing.
 
Thanks for the compliments folks! The dealer likes my work so far...and he pitches in occasionally to help (especially if he has someone interested in buying the car right away).

Without that lift, I would probably never treat the rocker panels and lower doors with the same effort. I'd have to be one the ground to work that area and would probably slap some thick filler product and keep going. Now, the new owner will have a total paint correction that should last a long time (unless he likes those brush car washes).

Toto
 
Toto is this the Magic Dressing you where referring to? Thanks JoeD
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top