[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

We're onto the home stretch. Pretty much all thats left is a re wash, and apply Last-Step-Product.


04/21/20 - Part 10 = post paint correct / polish ... the clean up (re wash)

-I was a sloppy and made a mess during the buff phase... that said I had to give the car a quickie foam bath, rinse down, to remove excess wax. It worked out, as I was able to use the dry step to inspect the surface. 60 mins, and not labor intensive.

Holy moley, do you get along with your neighbors? ha ha ha If you go through all that work on the exterior, you can't tell me that you don't detail your engine bay...C'mon, let's see it.

.

[Phil Devtec]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

We're onto the home stretch. Pretty much all thats left is a re wash, and apply Last-Step-Product.


04/21/20 - Part 10 = post paint correct / polish ... the clean up (re wash)

-I was a sloppy and made a mess during the buff phase... that said I had to give the car a quickie foam bath, rinse down, to remove excess wax. It worked out, as I was able to use the dry step to inspect the surface. 60 mins, and not labor intensive.














FOAMY

The Rinse

What foam cannon do you use? Are you using an electric pressure washer as well?

[pungo]

@evilchargerfan That's some serious foam, how many ounces of product did that take?

[evilchargerfan]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Holy moley, do you get along with your neighbors? ha ha ha If you go through all that work on the exterior, you can't tell me that you don't detail your engine bay...C'mon, let's see it

90% of the time, I am either not home or inside and silent. that said ... my neighbors dont hate me.... I think

I have yet to touch the engine bay. when we cross that bridge, I'll make ya proud

Originally Posted by Phil Devtec

What foam cannon do you use? Are you using an electric pressure washer as well?

I am using a gas pressure washer, I pref anything with a honda engine and 3000+ psi. If I could do it all over again, I'd go electric and skip the hassle associated with gas ... and I'd shoot for one that can flow 2.4 GPH

Foam Lance = I use anything that is priced $15 ish. I personally cant tell a diff in foam with cheap brand vs a MTM brand (which I bought, tried out, and returned)

They key to the shaving cream foam is the 1.1mm orifice. That is a MUST have. You can usually find those for $3-$5



link to the foam lance:
(4000+ reviews on amazon, you cant go wrong!)
https://www.amazon.com/DUSICHIN-SFL-...&rps=1&sr=8-15

the orifice I bought no longer exists on amazon, but any other brand will do

Originally Posted by pungo

@evilchargerfan That's some serious foam, how many ounces of product did that take?

I used a good 4-6 oz, which is overkill. But ... its all good, my soap is so cheap!

At the time, I found the soap for a steal. Possibly a pricing error? I picked up a 5 gal big gigantic jug for less than $22. To put things into perspective, another brand (chemical guys) have 1 gal soaps ranging from $21.99 to $34.99

[pungo]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

I used a good 4-6 oz, which is overkill. But ... its all good, my soap is so cheap!

At the time, I found the soap for a steal. Possibly a pricing error? I picked up a 5 gal big gigantic jug for less than $22. To put things into perspective, another brand (chemical guys) have 1 gal soaps ranging from $21.99 to $34.99

I don't know where you stole that soap @$22 for 5 gal. great deal!

[evilchargerfan]

Originally Posted by pungo

I don't know where you stole that soap @$22 for 5 gal. great deal!

walmart, of all places. shout out to google for helping me discover a random place that sells these jugs!








The super duper slow detail is in the home stretch folks. Just a glaze and last step product and we're done!

04/22/20 - Part 12 = Glaze



In the past I've always used Chemical Guys Glossworkz Glaze, followed up with Chemical Guys JetSeal. This time around, I'm gonna try out some new (to me) stuff:

-Megiuars M305 Ultra Finishing Durable Glaze
-Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic Liquid Wax



The Glaze took 60 mins to apply. I waited until the next morning to buff off with a fluffy MF towel (that 2nd portion took 45 mins, which tells me I probably used too much glaze for my own good o_0)




04/23/20 - Part 13 = Last Step Product (Wax)



This whole "sio2" and "ceramic" thing is new to me. I've always used traditional wax or sealants in the past. This bottle supposedly is a wax, but has ceramic ish properties. We'll see how it holds up! 60 mins to apply last night. I'll prob buff off later today either on my lunch break, or after my shift. Fridays typically involve drinking beers on the job ... we'll see how many I consume, as that has a direct impact on my production in the garage

[pungo]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

This whole "sio2" and "ceramic" thing is new to me. I've always used traditional wax or sealants in the past. This bottle supposedly is a wax, but has ceramic ish properties. We'll see how it holds up! 60 mins to apply last night. I'll prob buff off later today either on my lunch break, or after my shift. Fridays typically involve drinking beers on the job ... we'll see how many I consume, as that has a direct impact on my production in the garage

Great job. With all that work you did with the paint correction, I would have applied a pure ceramic coat like Opti-coat, C.Quartz, Ceramic Pro instead of a ceramic wax. Not that there's anything wrong with the ceramic wax, but a pure ceramic coat is very hard, lasts a long time, protects the paint well and sheds dirt easily. I even use it on my rims, and mountain bike to easily shed the dirt.

https://www.exclusivedetail.com/cera...ting-for-cars/

[pdubq]

Installed aFe magnum intake!

[Phil Devtec]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

I am using a gas pressure washer, I pref anything with a honda engine and 3000+ psi. If I could do it all over again, I'd go electric and skip the hassle associated with gas ... and I'd shoot for one that can flow 2.4 GPH

I currently use gas as well, only because that's all I have. I was just wondering if you got that much foam from an electric...I don't know. My detailer uses an electric washer and gets awesome foam.

I think it's time to switch. My gas pressure washer is too heavy duty...too cumbersome to lug around.

Thanks man! You do a great job!

[evilchargerfan]

04/24/20 - Part 14 = sat around and drank beer. got nothing done to the car, but man it was a much needed break

Originally Posted by pungo

Great job. With all that work you did with the paint correction, I would have applied a pure ceramic coat like Opti-coat, C.Quartz, Ceramic Pro instead of a ceramic wax. Not that there's anything wrong with the ceramic wax, but a pure ceramic coat is very hard, lasts a long time, protects the paint well and sheds dirt easily. I even use it on my rims, and mountain bike to easily shed the dirt.

Thx for the kind words pungo. For the next car (hopefully an X3M), I plan to do this more proper, IE a 2 stage paint correction where I actually remove all scratches and swirls. Once that is achieved, I would be more inclined to ceramic coat the car.

For now, I'm rolling with my current plan = lazy 1 step paint correct, lazy wax products, and future lazy maint washes. I do love this x3, dont get me wrong .... but with the rise of B58/S58 ... I have this feeling this car wont be a "I'm gonna keep this car forever" kind of car ... know what I mean?

Originally Posted by Phil Devtec

I currently use gas as well, only because that's all I have. I was just wondering if you got that much foam from an electric...I don't know. My detailer uses an electric washer and gets awesome foam.

I think it's time to switch. My gas pressure washer is too heavy duty...too cumbersome to lug around.

Thanks man! You do a great job!

Thanks for the kind words Phil. This is my first gas pressure washer, and I must admit... its a hassle to own. I have to buy gas for it ... when it runs out... I have to re fill the gas tank. When my gas can runs out, I have to drive down the street to buy more gas ... and we wont even get into oil changes, spark plugs, etc.

Can you find out what kind / specs your detailer uses?

From what I've read online, it is def possible to get these results from electric, as long as it has good GPH ratings.... off the top of my head 2.4 GPH is the way to go. For my next one, I def wont be going gas ... I just want to simply plug to a wall outlet and get straight to washing .... much less hassle.

[evilchargerfan]

04/25/20 - Part 15 = Buffed off the wax (finally)

Did it quick because it was a 95 degree day for us ... 30 mins ish. Wanted to do more but... the heat was brutal.




(No pics, bcuz heat)

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

04/25/20 - Part 15 = Buffed off the wax (finally)

Did it quick because it was a 95 degree day for us ... 30 mins ish. Wanted to do more but... the heat was brutal.

(No pics, bcuz heat)

Geez, you got 50 degrees on me here in NY, we're freezing.

[pungo]

Found a pair of these hidden in the storage bin in the back. The original owner never installed them, the box was still sealed. Included a few other images, but the X seemed the most appropriate.

[evilchargerfan]

04/26/20 - Part 16 = cleaned the glass, cleaned door jambs, sprayed a little air freshener inside, I think this is it .... we're done?! (didnt bother with vacuum or cleaning interior, since that was done not too long ago)

The car has sat for almost a month, so I took her for a spin around the block for about 10 mins, and 3 miles. And put it on the battery maintainer overnight

Marty in NY - heres that long overdue engine bay shot. nothing special, its pretty dirty ... lol

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Geez, you got 50 degrees on me here in NY, we're freezing.

I'll take 50, at least I can throw on a sweater and just work up a sweat in the garage. when its 90+ , productivity just tanks in the garage and motivation goes out the window, lol. Times like these made me with I had extra funds laying around for a sweet garage AC setup

Originally Posted by pungo

Found a pair of these hidden in the storage bin in the back. The original owner never installed them, the box was still sealed. Included a few other images, but the X seemed the most appropriate.

Attachment 2296553

that is pretty neat. not only do they look cool, they seem to light up the ground pretty well too

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by evilchargerfan

04/26/20 - Part 16 = cleaned the glass, cleaned door jambs, sprayed a little air freshener inside, I think this is it .... we're done?! (didnt bother with vacuum or cleaning interior, since that was done not too long ago)

The car has sat for almost a month, so I took her for a spin around the block for about 10 mins, and 3 miles. And put it on the battery maintainer overnight

Marty in NY - heres that long overdue engine bay shot. nothing special, its pretty dirty ... lol

I'll take 50, at least I can throw on a sweater and just work up a sweat in the garage. when its 90+ , productivity just tanks in the garage and motivation goes out the window, lol. Times like these made me with I had extra funds laying around for a sweet garage AC setup

evilchargerfan, what I meant was that we had 45 degrees when you had 95...and by the way, at least you don't have high humidity to go along with your 95. Even 75 here on a humid day is down right horrible, its a sweaty sticky mess.

I bet it felt good to take it out for a spin around the block, for some reason when mine is clean, I feel better behind the wheel of it.

Ok, now, let's get to your engine bay. Remove all the covers you can and your cold air intake and lets get that engine to match the rest of the car.

[rcsummers]

I finally de-badged the trunk, still need to do the doors.

Put some lamin-x on the fog lights, still need to do the rear taillights.

And I have spacers sitting around waiting to go on as well.

[pdubq]

Originally Posted by rcsummers

I finally de-badged the trunk, still need to do the doors.

Put some lamin-x on the fog lights, still need to do the rear taillights.

And I have spacers sitting around waiting to go on as well.

Clean!!

[rcsummers]

Originally Posted by pdubq

Clean!!

thank you, im shooting for a clean OEM+ look on this thing.

[gomichigan]

rcsummers looks good! do you have a full back shot of the trunk? I also have the same colour M Sport and considering debadging mine.

[Rdavenport89]

Originally Posted by willywi

Retrofitted rear halogen tail light to led.

What was you process for doing this? Were the new lights just plug and play, or did it require coding or new wiring?

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by rcsummers

thank you, im shooting for a clean OEM+ look on this thing.

very nice, love the clean uncluttered look!

[willywi]

Originally Posted by Rdavenport89

What was you process for doing this? Were the new lights just plug and play, or did it require coding or new wiring?

I posted a retrofit guide on this you can check it out in my post.