Just purchased

[325i05]

I just purchased a 1998 Black BMW 328I yesterday. Just started to work on it tonight. I washed and clayed. Tomorrow in the bright sun I will evaluate the scratches and swirls. I traded a 1993 Mercedes 190E for it. I did the paint on the mercedes which was also black with DC1 Paint Cleaner, Scratch X on some areas and Color X then I polished with DC2 and LSP was NXT 2.0. It made the paint fabulous. The guy I traded it to could not believe it was original paint. I will post some befores and afters of this latest project. I was very impressed with the results using these products. The paint on the BMW is fairly good but if anyone has any suggestions I am open.

[Murr1525]

Re: Just purchased

Well, to save time, the procees really should like :

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Clean - DC1 / ScratchX as needed
4. Polish - DC2
5. Wax - Nxt
6. Wax - Nxt

or:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. ColorX
4. Nxt

Doing clay, then cleaning, then cleaner/waxing, then polishing, then waxing, is just repeating steps.

[vetterc5]

Re: Just purchased

Talk about perfect timing. 325i05 is in the same situation as I am, but my black beauty is a 2002 'vette. Just had the previous owner drive it into the garage yesterday, so I have not washed the car yet. Hope to tomorrow with M's crystal wash. I purchased the clay kit, paint cleaner, and polish as well as a roll of microfiber drying towels and a microfiber wash mit. Already had the NXT. I bypassed the scratchx, but after reading your posts, I may have made a mistake.

i have looked at the paint in the sun and there are no swirls marks, but a few straight line marks as well as a little graying only noticeable in the sun.

With the hood dampened with water, I moved my flattened hand over the surface like the video, and sure enough, many contaminants also. There are a few minor scratches in the clear coat on the curved surface on the fender above the rear wheels. Figure either a belt buckle or jean rivet when someone was taking of the top. Not too deep but a cleaner and/or polish may not be abrasive enough to remove it. Should I spring for the scratchx and do it now? I will pick up a bottle during the day just in case. Can always bring it back, but would like your input on the effectiveness and need for the scratchx.

one final question: I have a random orbital buffer/polisher that I bought several years ago. It is kinda idiot proof as if you push too hard, it stops spinning so there is virtually no chance of burn through. Would it be better to do the whole thing by hand, or would the results be more uniform with the buffer?

I am having a heck of time trying to upload photo's even admin. Mike's help. When I figure it out, I'll send pics. I'd like to see your 328i when your done.

Thanks for any input you might offer guys.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Just purchased

Talk about perfect timing. 325i05 is in the same situation as I am, but my

Not too deep but a cleaner and/or polish may not be abrasive enough to remove it. Should I spring for the ScratchX and do it now? I will pick up a bottle during the day just in case. Can always bring it back, but would like your input on the effectiveness and need for the ScratchX.

Spend some time here,

The Definitive ScratchX Thread Collection

We have a new product out that is primarily for use in body shops with a rotary buffer but it also works great by hand and it's faster than ScratchX, but you have to buy a quart at at time as it is a body shop size bottle.

How To Remove a Bird Dropping Etching by Hand using M105 Ultra Cut Compound

one final question: I have a random orbital buffer/polisher that I bought several years ago. It is kinda idiot proof as if you push too hard, it stops spinning so there is virtually no chance of burn through. Would it be better to do the whole thing by hand, or would the results be more uniform with the buffer?

Here you go... from Hot Topics...

This one has some pretty in-depth answers...
Rotary vs PC vs Regular Orbital Buffer

As does this one...
Please explain Pros/Cons between Rotary and Orbital Buffers

I am having a heck of time trying to upload photo's even admin. Mike's help. When I figure it out, I'll send pics. I'd like to see your 328i when your done.

Thanks for any input you might offer guys.

Just call me when you're behind a computer and I'll walk you through it. Once you do it once you'll see how easy it is.

You must first resize your photos to about 700 pixels wide.

From here,

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=154

Ta da!

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=879

[vetterc5]

Re: Just purchased

Thanks Mike. great info. i'll work my way through it then ring you up for the help on posting the pics.

I also found a small spider crack in the fiberglass just behind the removble top. never would have seen it except i had my reading glasses on. no amount of rubbing is going to fix this. perhaps a black pigmented/colored polish to fill in the fine cracks will hide it enough to wax over. any thoughts....the car is not new and this is expected but little things like this bug me and i try to fix them if possible.

tnx again for all of your help. much appreciated.

[Sal329]

Re: Just purchased

Nice purchase. I love the E36, great car. What color black is it? If it is non metallic (Jet Black code 668) then the paint is usually pretty soft. The Metallic paints are harder.