BMW 745Li Black Metallic Ugh to Great

P1et: those wheels are different from the X5 I think...getting so I can't remember with the Bimmers rolling thru the shop LOL!

Woob: The Ultrafina SE definitely is expensive ($35 approx) and the accompanying pad is high too ($18), but the dealer wanted to try out the system as he favors 3M products a lot. We are probably going to use this on black BMW's as the finish is critical for showing where silver is much more forgiving.

Toto
 
Totoland Mach said:
P1et: those wheels are different from the X5 I think...getting so I can't remember with the Bimmers rolling thru the shop LOL!

Woob: The Ultrafina SE definitely is expensive ($35 approx) and the accompanying pad is high too ($18), but the dealer wanted to try out the system as he favors 3M products a lot. We are probably going to use this on black BMW's as the finish is critical for showing where silver is much more forgiving.

Toto
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Yes 3M is trying to gear up their polish finishes, I honestly think they're a bit behind on development. Very shop friendly, and when used right will work on alot of clearcoats. Is the pad any good? Pic? #18 is alot, basically 1 Edge pad. Do you even get 32oz for the Ultrafina?
 
Woob said:
Yes 3M is trying to gear up their polish finishes, I honestly think they're a bit behind on development. Very shop friendly, and when used right will work on alot of clearcoats. Is the pad any good? Pic? #18 is alot, basically 1 Edge pad. Do you even get 32oz for the Ultrafina?
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The pad is a light blue waffle stype 8" pad which is very think and soft...softer than the Meguiar's #9006 unit.

Yep..the Ultrafina is 32 oz for that price.

I'd looking at the Ultrafina to replace a glazing step in order to save some time on the dark Bimmers.

I'd like to try the Menzerma line sometime...I hear good things about it.

Toto
 
Totoland Mach said:
The pad is a light blue waffle stype 8" pad which is very think and soft...softer than the Meguiar's #9006 unit.

Yep..the Ultrafina is 32 oz for that price.

I'd looking at the Ultrafina to replace a glazing step in order to save some time on the dark Bimmers.

I'd like to try the Menzerma line sometime...I hear good things about it.

Toto
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Hmm not bad for the price, but Ultrafina I heard was pureply as a Finishing Polish (Not Flexible). I personally use Blackfire Scratch Resistant Polish, which is rebottled Menzerna 106FF. 106FF you can use to cut as a medium abrasive, then finishes out as equal to Final Polish 2 or better, and it finishes better than Optimum Polish.

106FF or Opt Polish. The new Dark BMW's are such a pain, pad/machine dependent as well as product.
 
Woob said:
Hmm not bad for the price, but Ultrafina I heard was pureply as a Finishing Polish (Not Flexible). I personally use Blackfire Scratch Resistant Polish, which is rebottled Menzerna 106FF. 106FF you can use to cut as a medium abrasive, then finishes out as equal to Final Polish 2 or better, and it finishes better than Optimum Polish.

106FF or Opt Polish. The new Dark BMW's are such a pain, pad/machine dependent as well as product.
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That's good to know and you're right about Ultrafina not being a final product. I usually finish up the Bimmers with Meg's #26 because it doesn't dry white (which drives the dealer nuts).

I might try a sample of 106FF. I've seen some nice forum write-up's and pics.

Toto
 
Totoland Mach said:
That's good to know and you're right about Ultrafina not being a final product. I usually finish up the Bimmers with Meg's #26 because it doesn't dry white (which drives the dealer nuts).

I might try a sample of 106FF. I've seen some nice forum write-up's and pics.

Toto
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If it's either 106FF (Straight Menzerna) or the Blackfire SRC, this is what I recommend via Rotary:

Heavy Compounding - Opt HC via Cutting/Polish Pad (Anything Heavy anything that would require at least 2 buffing stages)
106FF Via Polishing Pad.
Wax/Seal

That's the beauty of it, the fact that you can cut at a medium abrasive level and not need a finishing polish. Add also that it's one of the top, if not best finishes you can see.
 
Thanks for the info Woob! I think I'll get a small bottle to sample. I've got another bunch of Bimmers coming to the shop in the next few weeks, and I'll give that process a try.

Toto
 
ToTo, great job on the Bimmer. Working on a lift makes it alot easier doesn't it. No bending over and standing up. Glad I don't have to do BMW rims all the time, since most are a pain in the butt.
I have a sample of the 3M Ultrafina, haven't tried it yet. From what the guys at the shop say it works very well. You do need the light blue pad with it too.



Ed
 
HighEndDetail said:
ToTo, great job on the Bimmer. Working on a lift makes it alot easier doesn't it. No bending over and standing up. Glad I don't have to do BMW rims all the time, since most are a pain in the butt.
I have a sample of the 3M Ultrafina, haven't tried it yet. From what the guys at the shop say it works very well. You do need the light blue pad with it too.



Ed
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Thanks for the compliment Sir! The lift is a real asset in productivity. The BMW's are notorious for brake dust and the dealer has a wheel acid for them (but lots of care has to be taken using acid).

We have 2 of the light blue Ultrafina pads and they work well...word of caution, is they are so soft that hitting any edge will tear some of the waffle pattern.

I'm still going to give Menzerma a shot to guage finish/speed of use/etc.

Toto
 
Toto....have you tried the 3m SRC polish yet..it is for the ceramic clear..It is suppose to be a very good final polish..I am curious to see real time results before I spring for a bottle of it..if its close to Menzerna then its a cheaper alternative..

AL
 
AL: the shop has the 3M Swirl Remover (can't remember the part number), but it's not the SRC product which is for the ceramic clear coats. I'll check tonight to make sure.

The 3M folks have a big lead in the pro-body shop environment. I honestly think some of the pro-detail products like Menzerma or Pinnacle XMT or Optimum are just as good. The toughie is convincing the owner of this shop.

Toto
 
Al-53 said:
Toto....have you tried the 3m SRC polish yet..it is for the ceramic clear..It is suppose to be a very good final polish..I am curious to see real time results before I spring for a bottle of it..if its close to Menzerna then its a cheaper alternative..

AL
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Go for the Menzerna, SRC Polish is still a step behind in terms of removal/total polish action from what I've read. But then again, these are new polishes and user reviews are low in number. Ultrafina/SRC are different in terms of application style I believe. I personally hate all the numbering and name assocations.

Toto, really should give Menzerna/Optimum a whirl with the dealer. Alot easier to work in a shop environment, low clean up & very fast effective.
 
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