EDIT: Additional "after" pictures added about 1/2 way down. History: This client's 2001 Jet Black 325i was in pretty bad shape. Swirls everywhere, RIDS abound and tons of pitting. My guess is this had never been properly detailed since it came off the boat from Germany. The goal was an 80-85% paint correction and laying down JS109 and Pete's 53. Overall it was a successful detail, but a lot of work. NOTE: The sun was gone after the JS109 and Pete's 53 was laid down so the "after" pictures below are just shots after polishing. I hope to add some final overall pictures soon. PROCESS: Wash: ONR (2 bucket method) Clay: Sonus Green with ONR clay lube Polishers: PC7424 and PC7424XP (4" and 5.5" pads) Polishes: M105 or Menz PO83 as needed (which was several) - LC Orange Pad Menz P106FA on all panels (x1) - LC White Pad Menz PO87MC on all panels (x1) - Uber Black Pad Final Surface Prep: Menzerna Final Inspection (MFI) on all panels. Sealant: JS109 x 2 - Uber Black Pad (speed 2.5-3) Wax: Pete's 53 x 2 - By hand via CG Red APS Applicator The Lineup: Clay: The majority of the panels had expected levels of contamination, but the lower panels behind the wheels were in pretty bad shape. (Sorry for the out of focus shot, but you can probably get the idea). Engine Bay: P21S TAW followed with CD2 Engine Detailer. (No before pix since the battery in my camera died). A Couple Pre/Post Correction Shots Bonnet I (Before): Bonnet I (After): Bonnet II (Before): Bonnet II (After): Bootlid (Before): Bootlid (After): I was chasing a setting sun for the "after" pictures in these next 3. Badge (Before): Badge (After): Rear (Before): Rear (After): Roof (Before): Roof (After): Bonnet (Inside-Before): Bonnet (Inside-After): FL (Inside-Before): FL (Inside-After): Tips (Before): Tips (After): Mother's Mini-Powerball, Mother's Billet and Grade #0000 steel wool ************************************************** Below are a few pictures taken with the new Canon XSi DSLR (the previous shots were taken with a P&S Casio). The following pix are ~6 weeks after the initial detail plus an ONR wash the day of (props to the owner as he has been washing it properly). ************************************************** Overalls: Extra Reflection Shots: Right Rear Badge Roof Bootlid Right Door Right Side Bonnet E46 Brothers: A few fun pictures of the 325i and my ride in Chicago. Thanks for looking!
I have a question is my PO85RD a diminishing abrasive? I have SIP and I know that is and works well, but is a single pass enough for it? BTW outstanding work!
Great work on that 3 series! I just finished one myself after 20 hours. I found the clear was as hard as granite! Nice job correcting yours...love the sun shots.
Yea, PO85RD is a diminishing abrasive. One pass? I think I usually do about 8-9 when using PO85RD, it's probably one of longest-taking polishes to break down. You can work it for many more passes, but I usually find 8-10 to suffice.
Like darkstar752 mentioned ... po85rd has a decent working time. It's not longer than 203, but it's about 8-12 passes depending how wet your pad is. I usually prep my pad with QD and I usually get 10-12 passes at speed 5 on my PC.
Thanks! I may have misstated my OP. I used a single application of the Menz P106FA and Menz PO87MC, not a single pass. As Darkstar stated, the Menz finishing polishes take a good 8 to 12 passes with the PC in order to break down. Sorry for the confusion (I amended the OP).
