2008 BMW M3 (Jet Black)
A sleek 2008 M3. Still difficult, but not as hard as the Jerez Black M3. The hood and front fenders are wrapped in a plastic coating.

 


The Process

--Chemical Guys Maxi Suds II
- --Microfiber Chenille Washmitt

Wheels and Tires:
--P21S Gel Wheel Cleaner
--Detail Brush
--Boars Hair Brush

Engine Bay/Door Shuts:
--P21S Total Auto Wash for door shuts and engine bay.
--Meguiars Boars Hair Brush

---Clay Magic's Claybar and Meguire's Final Inspection for lubrication.

--Citrus based adhesive remover & lacquer thinner on lower rockers and rear bumper to remove road tar & road paint.

Paint:
--Menzerna SIP
--Menzerna Nano Polish
--Meguire's NXT wax

Pads:
--Lake Country foam pads

--Ultra Plush Detailing Microfiber Towels

--Milwauke HD Polisher 5440 0-2800 RPM
--Cyclo Twin head Dual Orbital - Final Polish

Glass:
--RainX
--Stoner Invisible Glass

.

Start. Looks just a bit dirty... Watch the plastic wrapped hood and front fenders for an unusual water drop issue.

Testing one area for possible issues.

M3

Example of door scratches.

Swirls M3

Getting a pre-polish front shot.

Lot's of swirls and scratches. (zoomed)

Nearly finished with this panel.. Rechecking each panel with a spotlight.

Notice the two streaks on the lower right..(extra polish)

Front fender with unusual water spotting on plastic wrap.

Highly unusual water spotting after client took car to a local high-end hand washing facility. Manager said to
get it "buffed out" on his own. Turned out pretty well considering the issues of polishing plastic wrapped cars.

Example of the scariest polish session in several months. The lightest polish, the lightest pad with the lightest of pressure
and speed. After a test the right combination was found and allowed a little more pressure as
the plastic actually held up to the process. This could have turned out much worse if....

 

 

 

Engine Bay after.

Final shots. A fine 2008 M3...Gotta love Black Cars...

 

I apologize for the photos.
This one took a different tactic to accomplish a swirl free surface due to the odd water spotting on the clear bra pieces.

Here is an excellent reason to hand wax your black paint surfaces often.
The moment your wax has dissolved you will encounter swirls. Usually a carnuaba dissolves within 90 days.
Please don't base your timing on how well the paint surface seems to reflect.