Petrucci Detailed: 1999 BMW Cosmos M3

[Petrucci_M3]

Petrucci Detailed: 1999 BMW Cosmos M3

Wash:
Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss
Gilmour Foam Gun

Clayed:
Meguiar’s Medium clay
Chemical Guys Synthetic Quick Detailer

Paint Correction:
Flex 3403 rotary
3M Backing Plate
Menzerna Powergloss
Menzerna Super Intensive Polish
Menzerna Nano Polish
50/50 alcohol/water wipe down
CM5300
Fenix TK10
Purple LC wool
Orange LC pad
White LC pad
Grey LC pad
Detailer Domain Uber Towels
Highline Paint Gauge Meter

Protection:
Jetseal109

LSP:
Pinnacle Souveran

Trim:
Meguiar’s Exterior trim (At owner’s request)

Glass:
Stoner’s Invisible Glass

Wheels:
EZ Detail Brush
Swissvax Wheel Brush
Chemical Guy’s Grime Reaper
Surfcity Tire Shine


What can I say this is my fourth Cosmos E36 M3, including my own, I’ve done to date. I seem to have mastered it because I fell in love with this color over again. Starting off, I measured the paint’s clear all around and had readings as low as 177 to the highest of 214, seemed right for the age and condition of the car.

Started with the wheels and then proceeded to work on the body. After washing with ##’s citrus wash I lubed up the car and clayed the surface. It was in a great shape and didn’t require too much attention.

Then I tested a section of the spoiler to see what combo would work with the paint. The magic formula was one hit of Powergloss combined with my purple wool pads. Then finished it up with 106ff on a white pad, and in some areas you can see that SIP and a orange pad was required to get the remaining RID’s out of the paint.

Once I was happy with the panels I gave the panel a final wipe down of my alcohol solution. I then sealed the paint with Jetseal 109 and then I choose Pinnacle Souveran to give the paint that healthy glow we all love. I’ll let the pictures do the talking, once again thanks for looking through my write ups. Happy detailing!


Wash

Spoiler/Trunk - Before

50/50

Passenger Rear - Before

50/50

Passenger Rear - After

Before

After

Passenger Door 50/50

Passenger Door - After

Passenger Fender - Before

Passenger Fender - After

Scratch Before

 

[Petrucci_M3]

Scratch After

Hood - Before

50/50

Driver Fender - Before

Driver Fender - After

Mirror Before

Mirror After

Driver Door - Before

50/50

Final Shots

 

[Petrucci_M3]

[video=youtube_share;fqLaSVUyuJI] - 1999 BMW M3 detail walkthrough[/video]

 

[ryandamartini]

beautiful m3 man.

Must have been a real bear if powergloss had to get involves! how was it? was there alot of dusting ?

i love those e36's. nice job.

 

[agpatel]

Great job! Made her look better than new. How do you like JS, what durability are you able to get out of it.

 

[Petrucci_M3]

Thanks guys!

One thing that makes me laugh is Powergloss says to store in 55 to 88 degrees. Well, in Arizona 88 doesn't exist in May through October. So my PG is pure liquid when it should be a paste in the cooler months. Just have to prime the pad when using it otherwise it turns into concrete on the panels. I find that SIP is the one that dusts the most out of all my Menzerna.

JS is great, it doesn't last as long due to the heat here in AZ but works great for the price. I'm looking to start trying some other things as well.

Thanks again guy!

 

[jdrumstik]

I love BMWs and great job. Although I think his Clear Corners look a little tacky.

 

[Matt]

WOW!!! Beautiful turn around.

Personally I can't stand those cars ,YUK! But that one, you made it look so good I wouldn't mind driving it :cheers:
SOOO Glossy!

 

[A4 1.8tqm]

Great work! That is a good lookin '99, those reflection shots are beautiful!

Out of curiosity... what are your experiences with wet sanding?

 

[BenzDetailer]

Very nice work & Great Pictures ! 1st Class JOB !

 

[sh4dowfax]

Very nice work!

 

[Petrucci_M3]

I love BMWs and great job. Although I think his Clear Corners look a little tacky.

Thanks man, the corners are OEM and they sorta stick out like a sore thumb. A lot of us E36 guys will put on smoked corners so that they blend better with our headlights.

WOW!!! Beautiful turn around.

Personally I can't stand those cars ,YUK! But that one, you made it look so good I wouldn't mind driving it :cheers:
SOOO Glossy!

Nothing wrong with the E36 M lol

Thanks again dude.

Great work! That is a good lookin '99, those reflection shots are beautiful!

Out of curiosity... what are your experiences with wet sanding?

Thanks man, very little experience with wet sanding to be honest. This is my next task to "master."

Very nice work & Great Pictures ! 1st Class JOB !

Very nice work!

Thanks guys! :cheers:

 

[loudog2]

Great job!! Those were some nice 50/50 shots.

 

[SRHTX]

I agree with what you said about the temp. Down here in Harlingen, TX, we too have the heat but, we have the HUMIDITY that Arizona does not have. Lucky you. LOL

I too am afraid to try using the paste wax. :iagree: I like to use Menzera and/or Four Star, depending on where I'm at on the vehicle.

Stephen

btw - very nice job on the M3. I too like doing work on black cars since I bought the Flex. he he he....

Thanks guys!

One thing that makes me laugh is Powergloss says to store in 55 to 88 degrees. Well, in Arizona 88 doesn't exist in May through October. So my PG is pure liquid when it should be a paste in the cooler months. Just have to prime the pad when using it otherwise it turns into concrete on the panels. I find that SIP is the one that dusts the most out of all my Menzerna.

JS is great, it doesn't last as long due to the heat here in AZ but works great for the price. I'm looking to start trying some other things as well.

Thanks again guy!

 

[conan777]

Awesome turn around! THE car looks Fantastic!

 

[killrflake]

Very nice turn around. I'm sure you get great sastisfaction bringing a 10 year car back into such beautiful condition. Thanks for sharing all the pics with us.

 

[Petrucci_M3]

Great job!! Those were some nice 50/50 shots.

Thank you sir!

I agree with what you said about the temp. Down here in Harlingen, TX, we too have the heat but, we have the HUMIDITY that Arizona does not have. Lucky you. LOL

I too am afraid to try using the paste wax. :iagree: I like to use Menzera and/or Four Star, depending on where I'm at on the vehicle.

Stephen

btw - very nice job on the M3. I too like doing work on black cars since I bought the Flex. he he he....

Exactly I couldn't be able to survive in that part of the country. My dad's whole side of the family live in Oklahoma and that's hard to endure during the summer, not to mention living there for two years is about all I could do. San Diego is where it's at :cheers:

Thanks again

Awesome turn around! THE car looks Fantastic!

Very nice turn around. I'm sure you get great sastisfaction bringing a 10 year car back into such beautiful condition. Thanks for sharing all the pics with us.

Thanks guys! I'm in love with these cars, shame they didn't ship over the correct engines, but what can you do. One of these days I'm going to find a way to import a true euro E36.