Help me with some balls to the wall detailing

[Bill 84 318i]

Okay. My car has some wicked brushmarks from the hundreds of automatic car washes the PO treated it to. I've had it professionally detailed once like 4 years ago, and they all but disappeared...for a month or so.

So I want to go crazy. Rubbing compound with an orbital buffer, or random orbital. know the general order is wash, rubbing compound, wax/polish or whatever. I'm in for taking off some paint, but I want to leave a fair amount of clear left. I don't know how deep these scratches are, so I'll take small steps if necessary.

So what products do you guys recommend? Any tips on techniques?

I'm not going for some super shiny or wet look (read: I'm not out to spend ridiculous amounts of money). I just want to do a cut and polish kind of thing.

EDIT: I knew (know, heh), that you can burninate the paint using rubbing compound and a buffer. So yeah.

[Jand3rson]

The best detail shop in town here charges $330 for a complete cut-and-polish.

How good are you at this kind of thing? I know I'm not, so I would probably have a professional do it. But if you know what you are doing, cool. :up:

[Bill 84 318i]

$330 is totally new rear suspension bushings (if you haven't learned, mods/repairs = currency, at least in my book).

I've done small parts of cars, but never an entire thing. I'm very willing to learn.

[Jand3rson]

He he he, trust me, I know that modding money can be tight.

Maybe see if you can get yourself a book on detailing, or do you know anyone that knows how?

[bimmerphile]

Have a look over here, bill:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-swirls.html

Autopia Carcare's site has some good stuff on there. Cheers.

[318daily]

check out these threads:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158378

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/detailing/3579628-1.html

[Bryson]

$330 is totally new rear suspension bushings (if you haven't learned, mods/repairs = currency, at least in my book).

that's 660 tacos

speaking of mod money being tight, i just finished major work to my e30 and can't drive it because I have no gas, or money for it :oops:

[aaron_silva]

Have a look over here, bill:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-swirls.html

Autopia Carcare's site has some good stuff on there. Cheers.

Thanks for the link. I think I might try some of that stuff. Are the products they recommed the best for the job?

Aaron

[Bill 84 318i]

$330 is totally new rear suspension bushings (if you haven't learned, mods/repairs = currency, at least in my book).

that's 660 tacos

Best post ever.

[bimmerphile]

Have a look over here, bill:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-swirls.html

Autopia Carcare's site has some good stuff on there. Cheers.

Thanks for the link. I think I might try some of that stuff. Are the products they recommed the best for the job?

Aaron

Partially biased because that's what they sell, but it's still good stuff.

[e30sam]

What have you guys found that works best on vinyl interior? Dashboard? Procedure?

I didn't do my seats and dash for a while so I did it with Magueres Vinyl and Plastic cleaner. I let it sink in for about 10 hours. seats turned out great, but dash not so great.

[Jand3rson]

$330 is totally new rear suspension bushings (if you haven't learned, mods/repairs = currency, at least in my book).

that's 660 tacos

Yes, that should suffice for the Dr. Who marathon...

Anyone who knows what that's from ROCKS.

[boom-monkey]

Simpson's, Comic book guy buys 100 tacos for $100, and Bart becomes upset because he has to deposit it.

[bimmerphile]

What have you guys found that works best on vinyl interior? Dashboard? Procedure?

I didn't do my seats and dash for a while so I did it with Magueres Vinyl and Plastic cleaner. I let it sink in for about 10 hours. seats turned out great, but dash not so great.

I've always used armor-alll on the dash, and Vinylex (Lexol's stuff) on seats.

[AndrewBird]

I cut and polished my MG with this stuff that Myguirar's (Yes, I suck at spelling.) makes. It's called diamond cut. It's both a cutting commound and a polish in one and as you use it more, it begins to polish and take off less and less. About $15-20 for a bottle big enough to do my car, might need 2 on an e30.

Andrew