Attempted to detail a BMW 330

[Harpham]

I attempted another detail over the past couple of days. For the sake of being easy, ill just copy my thread from ClioSport.net...

JP. asked me to have a go at detailing his BMW. I took up the challenge... and what a challenge it was for an amateur like me.
Due to work and the weather today (raining on and off, and not having a usable garage, ffs), I couldn't spend as much time as I would have liked to on this and I think the finish suffered because of this.

So, here is the car beforehand:


BMW Detail - Before by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - Before Swirls by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - Before Swirls by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - Before Swirls by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - Before Swirls by Harpham y0, on Flickr

Probably one of the swirliest cars ive ever seen. The previous owner must have used a wire brush to clean it. Many of the swirls were alot deeper than usual. Some very deep.

Reflection before. Some sort of fading down the door too. I managed to get rid of alot of this, but not enough imo.


BMW Detail - Before Reflection by Harpham y0, on Flickr

Im sure you all know the process, so im just going to go ahead with the good photos now. (I didn't take many photos during due to wanting to use the time it wasn't raining wisely).

Snow Foaming:


BMW Detail - Snow Foaming by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - Snow Foam by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr

Reflection of my Clio 200:

BMW Detail - After Reflections y0 by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr


BMW Detail - After by Harpham y0, on Flickr

(Unfortunately no shots after of the paint condition, as rain kept coming)

More photos in here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/harpham/sets/72157626868664064/

Overall, this was the hardest and most challenging details ive ever had the pleasure of doing (even worse than the white paint). Although I never expected to get close to 100% correction, I wasn't happy at all with the finish. I probably managed around 70% correction. There was alot of marks that were totally out of my skill range imo though. Alot deeper than your usual swirls. I wish I had more time with it to have a better crack at it.

Hope you've enjoyed reading.

 

[Foxspeed]

still looks a great job :thumbsup:

 

[DanT]

Awesome work dude! Does look like good work need to get myself some DA action going soon!

 

[SarGara]

Your neighbours red car has flower stickers on it?!

I didnt even realise JP was rolling in a BMW! Looks nice, good job!

 

[Harpham]

Your neighbours red car has flower stickers on it?!

They aren't fortunately. They're little signs for their sons motorbike team.
Still looks awful though.

 

[RussZS]

Good job! Any pics of the paintwork after correction?

Joe did ask me to do this for him, but I said it'd need two days given how hard the paint is and how bad it was. Needs a really good session with some wool to sort out tbh, over a couple of days.

I've stopped quoting a day on hard German stuff now, you just can't get a decent level of correction and finish down well enough from one product. I had a Leon Cupra on Sunday and wasn't happy with the results I could get in a day so promised to return and sort it out over a few days.

 

[Harpham]

Cheers matey. Means alot coming from a pro.

I havent got any of swirls after unfortunately, due to rain keep stopping play, so the emphasis was on getting the car done tbh. I only managed around 70% correction, due to how bad the swirls were and it being German.
But for one day and considering the circumstances, it was a good effort tbf.

 

[RussZS]

Thanks mate, but I'm certainly not a Pro lol, just a hobby gone wrong for me

It's a hell of a slog isn't it? I get a few requests from people with rock hard German paint, want it "100%" corrected and want to pay £50... LOL

 

[Harpham]

Ahh right. I thought this was your full time profession Either way, your work is quality and a step above me, so its good to hear.

Definitely the worst car ive attempted. Soo difficult to get right. Im used to Clio paintwork, so this was ridiculous in comparison. My 200 will seem like a doddle when I do the winter protection on it.

 

[clio200cup]

Ahh right. I thought this was your full time profession Either way, your work is quality and a step above me, so its good to hear.

Definitely the worst car ive attempted. Soo difficult to get right. Im used to Clio paintwork, so this was ridiculous in comparison. My 200 will seem like a doddle when I do the winter protection on it.

The French paint is too soft for my liking. Makes it way to easy to pick up stone chips on the front bumper and bonnet

 

[Digital Reaper]

That's a cracking turnaround in the time you had:thumbup:

Not seen Joe in a while, last time we met up he was rocking in the DC2 Integra Type R!