First detailing effort: 2004 MB c320

skins333 · 09-05-2012, 08:38 PM

Although I've read all the posts on these detailing forums (e90post/m3post) for a few years now and loaded up on detailing supplies, I finally got the motivation and courage to take a crack at polishing. Literally, I've owned a porter cable w/ accessories for about 3 years and this is my true effort with it.

I got this car from my dad last year about the time I bought my m3 and use it to haul around kids and for inclement weather, etc. It is a 2004 w/ 117k miles and was totally abused. Almost biweekly carwashes for years and had tons of scrapes and scratches...and every square inch covered in swirls.

Sorry didn't have any energy to take before/during pics, although incredibly rewarding, this was brutal process, that took several hours (~5 just on exterior), even with plenty of shortcuts.

Process:
-dr.color chip (love this stuff, but always run low on the seal-act solution)
-washed/clayed/masked
-polished using porter cable and one-step process with menzerna power finish and orange pad (I planned on following up using the power gloss p085rd with finishing pad, but it looked so incredibly good w/o any haze I decided to skip it)
-IPA wipedown
-sealed w/ opti-seal (this was easiest part, took only about 5-10 minutes)
-waxed with poorboy world's natty blue

Thanks for looking!

6spdg37s · 09-05-2012, 08:42 PM

you did a good job lol .. i wish there were some before pics but i can imagine what it looked like going thru car washes and stuff and with 117k miles !

skins333 · 09-05-2012, 08:48 PM

Thanks man! I was sweating my a$$ off in the hot/humid garage, and just wanted to get done. It looked horrendous before though, I could hardly stand to look at it.

rjd598 · 09-05-2012, 09:05 PM

wow that's amazing for a one step!!! your hard work paid off for sure

skins333 · 09-05-2012, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjd598

wow that's amazing for a one step!!! your hard work paid off for sure

Thanks man!!

StealYourFace · 09-13-2012, 06:39 PM

I'd be proud to be seen in that car, nice work.

skins333 · 09-16-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

I'd be proud to be seen in that car, nice work.

Thanks man, appreciate it!!

positiveions · 09-19-2012, 08:03 PM

you can tap yourself on the back. Did a good job.
I'm getting to that point where I can't stand looking at my DD MKV Jetta. But, I'm waiting for the weather to cool off.

jpan08 · 09-19-2012, 11:34 PM

Those look like some bigass wheels. Awesome job on the merc. Want to get the courage to do the same thing

flipm3 · 09-22-2012, 12:15 PM

Great work! The reflection is very nice!

Time to tackle the E92

skins333 · 09-25-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by positiveions

you can tap yourself on the back. Did a good job.
I'm getting to that point where I can't stand looking at my DD MKV Jetta. But, I'm waiting for the weather to cool off.

Thanks man, do it, very worthwhile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpan08

Those look like some bigass wheels. Awesome job on the merc. Want to get the courage to do the same thing

16's!! Gotta make up for the 20's on the m3 and need it to be my snowmobile in the winter. Thanks, what are you waiting for..do it! Lots of good info on here to keep you out of trouble.

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipm3

Great work! The reflection is very nice!

Time to tackle the E92

Thanks man!! Did the m3 few weeks ago before MPACT. Took more pics for that one, will post soon.

Raja Ventureshield · 10-28-2012, 08:15 PM

Awesome job. Detailing takes a lot of time and patience

09-05-2012, 08:38 PM	#1
skins333 Captain Drives: '08 E93 BMW M3 MR/'12 x5d SG Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 787 iTrader: (2)	First detailing effort: 2004 MB c320 Although I've read all the posts on these detailing forums (e90post/m3post) for a few years now and loaded up on detailing supplies, I finally got the motivation and courage to take a crack at polishing. Literally, I've owned a porter cable w/ accessories for about 3 years and this is my true effort with it. I got this car from my dad last year about the time I bought my m3 and use it to haul around kids and for inclement weather, etc. It is a 2004 w/ 117k miles and was totally abused. Almost biweekly carwashes for years and had tons of scrapes and scratches...and every square inch covered in swirls. Sorry didn't have any energy to take before/during pics, although incredibly rewarding, this was brutal process, that took several hours (~5 just on exterior), even with plenty of shortcuts. Process: -dr.color chip (love this stuff, but always run low on the seal-act solution) -washed/clayed/masked -polished using porter cable and one-step process with menzerna power finish and orange pad (I planned on following up using the power gloss p085rd with finishing pad, but it looked so incredibly good w/o any haze I decided to skip it) -IPA wipedown -sealed w/ opti-seal (this was easiest part, took only about 5-10 minutes) -waxed with poorboy world's natty blue Thanks for looking! Attached Images
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09-05-2012, 09:05 PM	#4
rjd598 Brigadier General Drives: 10' M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA Posts: 3,176 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW M3 [4.50] 2000 Nissan Maxima SE [0.00]	wow that's amazing for a one step!!! your hard work paid off for sure __________________ 10 E90 M3/dct/ztp/zpp/heated seats/eps/19'/iPod retired- 08 535i/nav/prem./L7/ipod retired- 06 325i/nav/prem./sat/xenons/style 128

09-13-2012, 06:39 PM	#6
StealYourFace Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330i sport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY Posts: 476 iTrader: (1)	I'd be proud to be seen in that car, nice work. __________________ 330i ~ BMW Perf. Susp. ~ M3 Front Control Arms ~ BMW Perf Exhaust ~ 3.38 lsd ~ 230s ~ Pilot Super Sports

09-19-2012, 08:03 PM	#8
positiveions Major General Drives: 09 MKV JETTA 2.5 & E90 M3 :) Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 8,826 iTrader: (1)	you can tap yourself on the back. Did a good job. I'm getting to that point where I can't stand looking at my DD MKV Jetta. But, I'm waiting for the weather to cool off. __________________

09-22-2012, 12:15 PM	#10
flipm3 E46 + E90 Drives: E46 M3 + E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,470 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00] 2002 BMW M3 [0.00]	Great work! The reflection is very nice! Time to tackle the E92 __________________ 2002 E46 M3 6MT \| Jet Black . Black Nappa \| My Build Thread 2009 E90 M3 DCT \| Melbourne Red . Speed Cloth

09-05-2012, 08:42 PM	#2
6spdg37s Captain Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: dirty jerz Posts: 738 iTrader: (2)	you did a good job lol .. i wish there were some before pics but i can imagine what it looked like going thru car washes and stuff and with 117k miles !

09-05-2012, 08:48 PM	#3
skins333 Captain Drives: '08 E93 BMW M3 MR/'12 x5d SG Join Date: May 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 787 iTrader: (2)	Thanks man! I was sweating my a$$ off in the hot/humid garage, and just wanted to get done. It looked horrendous before though, I could hardly stand to look at it.

09-19-2012, 11:34 PM	#9
jpan08 Private First Class Drives: e36 and e92 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: MA Posts: 185 iTrader: (0)	Those look like some bigass wheels. Awesome job on the merc. Want to get the courage to do the same thing

10-28-2012, 08:15 PM	#12
Raja Ventureshield Brigadier General Drives: BMW M3 coupe Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,543 iTrader: (6)	Awesome job. Detailing takes a lot of time and patience

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