Two E46 M3s get "the treatment." (56K = click elsewhere)

[CMT]

The 01 LSB M3 was in kinda rough shape. The paint had a good amount of wax on it, but it was still a swirl and scuff/scratch nightmare so I had to spend a lot more time with the Fine Cut Cleaner than I would have liked for a relatively new car. In the end, it came out nothing short of spectacular.


Before:









Fine Cut Cleaner:





Einszetts Paint Polish:






Summer wheel install:



KlearKote's Vanilla Moose:





Next day EX-P coat:










































Next was the 04 M3. Very easy in comparison. Clay bar, polish, VM, EX-P, and then a topper of S100 which actually added to the overall "wet" look of the car. In the end, while the pics do little to show how slick and reflective the Titanium silver became, I was very happy with how the car turned out. I was able to get some decent reflections from the paint, something usually tough to do with silver:

[///M3Driver]

Chris...the pics really can't show how much of a shine is on the cars. All I have to say is WOW. It is worth the time...I'd tell anyone to invest the time and money into this. Again, LOOKS GREAT!!!

[Zeke]

nice!

[Kompressor]

Looks damn good!

[Greg]

Looks great Chris-
I am suprised you still use Fine Cut because it was designed for single stage paints. The #80 series polishes- #80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 were designed for clear coat finishes. Can't argue with the results though.

[pomsaeng]

woo perrrrty...

[CMT]

Originally Posted by Greg

Looks great Chris-
I am suprised you still use Fine Cut because it was designed for single stage paints. The #80 series polishes- #80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 were designed for clear coat finishes. Can't argue with the results though.

This is a great question - and I guess I stay with the FCC because I know I can get the results I want. However I learned the hard way that if you do not break it down, and work the product long enough, the result is a very noticeable haze that will develop and look for all the world like burned paint. This means that I have to take extra time with the FCC, and make sure that it has been completely worked before finally wiping it off. :/

What would you suggest for these newer paints that has an FCC-like abrasion? Something that would be a bit easier to use, but that would yield similar results? I am open to every suggestion.

[Greg]

The 1Z Ultra Paint Polish is a pretty aggressive polish, it will leave a slight surface haze, but it stays wet for so long that you can really break it down. What I do is either on the rotary or PC, I do some 1Z UPP and some 1Z PP on the same pad. I find the orange pad is perfect for this combination and it really cuts, but finishes it off nicely. Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish is also a very good one, you have to break it down until its dust like most polishes or else it won't come off. If you are really feeling crazy, the Menzerna polishes are very good as well. They are water based and filler free (the 1Z polishes have fillers/oils/waxes, but they are so easy to use and get great results that I really don't care.) Menzerna Final Polish is very unique. It has almost no cut to it, but it burnishes the surface for the best depth and clarity I have ever seen. I use it with the PC on a finishing pad on the highest speed and just let it burnish the paint. It's also very compatible with Zaino since its filler free if you ever decide to return.

[SilvaBimma]

#83 DACP would be the Meguiars Product that could replace Fine Cut Cleaner. FCC is supposedly recommended with a rotary

If you want to keep the Poorboy's lineup, get SSR2 (less as abrasive as 2.5, but very good) or the upcoming SSR2.5 (rated same abrasiveness as DACP).
The super swirl removers are amazing easy to use and usually don't have to be followed by a finer polish.

I highly recommend Spray and Wipe from Poorboy's. Great waterless wash

Nice details!

[Sendittoryan]

Very nice job, the cars look great!

[dieselnuts]

damn, those rides look fresh. great job

[CAP-E-TAN]

the leguna seca blue................bbbbbbbbbuuuuuuuuuttttttttteee eeeeeerrrrrrrrrr
very nice
no offense but silver is a tough color to get super shiney( and i am sure someone will post a pic of their silver bmw and prove me wrong)