Final steps for BMW Monaco Blue paint

[andrew b]

Hi folks,

Just got an '07 BMW with Monaco blue paint. Previously had a Lexus LS with really, really hard paint, and not sure how this BMW paint compares.

The paint is in pretty good shape, except for the hood that has pretty evenly distributed "type 2" water spots. I've gotten the swirls and most of the RIDs out using Meguiar's DACP, and that also knocked down the water spots to the point that I think I'm ok with them, you can only see them from one angle, and I'm afraid to go too much further without a paint meter.

I think I've got a bit of hazing though - in almost every light, from every angle, the paint looks awesome, but under the sodium lights in a local parking lot, it looks like there is a blotchy haze in a few places.

I have a PC 7424 and an assortment of pads.

First question, any pointers or feedback on this specific paint?

Second, suggestions on whether I should try a finish polish and if so, what one and what pad (would assume white or grey). I have some Optimum Finish Polish on the way...have a variety of other stuff, but most of it is in the medium to heavy range (i.e. the DACP, 105, Pinnacle Advanced Swirl Remover, Pinnacle Swirl Remover (from right before the advanced came out!), Meguair's Ultimate Compound. I just never needed the finer cut polishes....guess I might be entering a new learning curve.

And any other thoughts/suggestions appreciated. I'm pretty sure I'm going to use DGPS as the LSP, maybe top with Souveran.

Andrew

 

[andrew b]

hmm, no one?

 

[Time 2 shine]

Start with the least aggressive polish/pad combo first. Try the ultimate compound polish and a polishing pad (white)or the Optimum finishing polish. If the results do not please you there, then try that same polish with a light cutting pad (orange). If its still not enough then try the advanced swirl remover and a orange light cutting pad. Your gonna have to do some trial and error to achieve the results your looking for. What other pads do you have?

 

[andrew b]

Start with the least aggressive polish/pad combo first. Try the ultimate compound polish and a polishing pad (white)or the Optimum finishing polish. If the results do not please you there, then try that same polish with a light cutting pad (orange). If its still not enough then try the advanced swirl remover and a orange light cutting pad. Your gonna have to do some trial and error to achieve the results your looking for. What other pads do you have?

Thanks - I figured I'd start with the Optimum finishing polish (the meguairs is the compund, not the polish) and a white or grey pad, and as you suggest, if that doesn't work, move to an orange pad.

All I have in pads are those three - grey, white, and orange....several of each...

Part of my problem is the haze is so hard to see - you really have to be exactly at the right angle, with the right light. Most of the time the finish looks awesome, with just a few RIDs. Can't see it with my heavy-duty LED flashlight, and only sometimes with the halogen work lights. I figured I'd set them up to the side and mark off a spot on a quarter panel, find the haze, and then experiement a little bit...

 

[Time 2 shine]

Did this haze show up after you used a compound on the car?

 

[andrew b]

Did this haze show up after you used a compound on the car?

Not sure if it was there prior to the DACP buffing or not. I'd never noticed it, but I wasn't out looking for it either, since I knew there were swirls that needed to be removed. Until the first buffing, I just washed it well and did a layer of Klasse AIO to remove whatever wax/etc was on it and seal it well. After that, it got good washing and QD'd with FK425 or UWW+ concentrate.

It may have been there under the swirls, or it could be the DACP needing a second step. The paint had minor (spider web) swirling, some fine RIDS, some type 2 water spots (minor etching) on the hood, and some old wax buildup. The DACP with a white pad was the least aggressive product that got the swirls/spiderwebbing out. It also cut the water spots down, removing probably 60-75% of them, and the ones remaining are much less noticable.

And haze is probably too strong - it's more like a light fog in some areas, and as I said, you can't see it in daylight (at least, I haven't been able to), only under strong, distant lights (like the sodium lights in the parking lot), and my halogen work lights if you get at just the right angle. Any other place and the paint has great reflection and depth. When I saw it in the parking lot, I thought there was a light fog of condensation on my hood, but that wasn't it.

Is it perhaps just the way the metalics are reflecting the light? I'm pretty sure the clear is not failing or too thin (I did have to wet sand one small chip area, and it came out fine). In most light and at most angles the paint just glows.

 

[andrew b]

Maybe some photos will help. Looking at these, maybe I'm being hyper-critical?

First is a test spot when I was using the DACP - Taped off a spot to keep track, you can see the minor spiderwebbing.

Next is the same spot post-buffing. Spiderwebs are gone.

Closeup of the area. The smudge to the left of the light circle is a reflection in the garage, the white spots are DACP dust I haven't gotten off yet...

Ok, some taken tonight. Grabbed these in the garage as it sits, so not much room around it and no work lights. Couldn't isolate the LED light like I wanted to without the DSLR, and didn't want to mess with it, so...

Handheld LED, and incandescent bulb on the ceiling. I've uploaded the full size image for this one, if you look at it actual size you can see the texture in the the ceiling clearly in the reflection (look near the light bulb). I angled the LED away from the lens to illuminate the paint, thus the blue spot. I *think* the spots around the LED light are refractions from water spots.

Reflection shots, all incandescent light. The light is blown out in the image, but in real life you can make out the slots on the screws mounting it to the ceiling...and the above-mentioned ceiling texture.

Maybe I'm being hyper critical?? The more I look the more I wonder if it's just the way the metallic reflects that particular light in that parking lot....while the light sources in these look blown, in real life they aren't...no haze/fog to be seen under these conditions.

 

[andrew b]

One more - the thing that looks like a scratch in the middle-upper-right is actually a yellow labrador retriever hair

 

[Time 2 shine]

Doesn't look bad to me at all. The reflection of the the light bulb looks nice and clear, so that parking lot light might just be playing tricks on your eyes. Although i have never used DACP i would just say make sure you start with a nice clean contaminate free surface before any polishing or compounding (wash, clay, removing all previous LSP). Make sure to Keep your pad and area on the paint your working on clean as well. Some polishes will create a hazy look if it hasnt been worked long enough or if your using to much product.