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      12-16-2012, 04:14 PM   #1
RichardM
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My F31 330D M Sport Mineral Grey after a days cleaning

Decided to give my new car a couple of coats of wax to prepare it for the winter. I also wanted to make sure the paintwork was perfect before applying the wax.

Finished results:






Preparation started with snowfoam, wash (2 bucket method), then carefully dried.



Then I was able to inspect the paint. I could see the damage caused by the dealer. When I collected the car I had seen them bring the car into the showroom from the rain and dry it off with some old cloths.



Next I clayed the car. This is from one half of the bonnet. Surprising for a car with less than 30 miles on the clock.



I machine polished the whole car to remove the swirl marks



Next up I used pre-wax paint cleaner followed by waxing the car (twice). I had bought a couple of waxes ready to use on the car (don't go onto Detailing World - you end up spending a fortune).



You've seen the results above.

Then onto the wheels, easier to take them off to clean them thoroughly and to seal them with wheel wax





Finished wheel




All in all a busy weekend but very happy with the results. Saved a fortune over buying the dealers protection package and it was all applied with a lot more care. My neighbours must think I'm mad.

Last edited by RichardM; 12-16-2012 at 04:21 PM..
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      12-16-2012, 04:18 PM   #2
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Ridiculous. Amazing color too btw. Now what do you do? Load your car on a flat bed a drive it around. After all the excellent work you've done, I would be terrified to even park it outdoors.
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      12-16-2012, 04:22 PM   #3
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It rained this evening and you could see the beading on the wax



Last edited by RichardM; 12-16-2012 at 05:42 PM..
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      12-16-2012, 04:23 PM   #4
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Richard cracking result with that wax did you need any machine work ?
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      12-16-2012, 04:25 PM   #5
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Yeah I had to go over it with the machine polisher (Meguiars g220) as there were a number of swirl marks caused by the dealer.
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      12-16-2012, 04:28 PM   #6
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Ah but part of the joy is...

...doing it all over again

Looks great Richard. Even though I'm not as obsessive as I used to be (no time!) I find the whole car cleaning thing extremely therapeutic. Just me, in a world of my own. No kids, no wife. Lovely bit of peace and quiet.
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      12-16-2012, 04:43 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardM View Post
It raised this evening and you could see the beading on the wax


Great beading have you used it before and will it last the winter, thanks Derek
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      12-16-2012, 05:27 PM   #8
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Great job...Richard!

The results speak for themselves!!

Now when can I book you.. to do my baby..
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      12-16-2012, 05:27 PM   #9
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Brilliant work Richard, worth the effort as future washes will surely be a lot easier after that I have a pro detailer coming to do something similar to my car after delivery, no doubt he will have to get some swirls out as well after the dealer's 'clean', ridiculous that most don't know (or care) how to properly look after and clean a car without inflicting damage, they would do the same to an M5 or a 7 Series as well, I'm sure!
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      12-16-2012, 05:45 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by derekh929 View Post
Great beading have you used it before and will it last the winter, thanks Derek
I hadn't used it before Derek, I purchased it for the new car. I went on to the Detailing World forums to look for recommendations on which wax/sealant to buy and I went for the Definitive Wax range. It should last 4 months but I will probably keep it topped up every few washes as I've used very little of the pot so far.
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      12-16-2012, 08:08 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F30FAN View Post
Great job...Richard!

The results speak for themselves!!

Now when can I book you.. to do my baby..
I'll second that... Lol

Brilliant job and the beading shots are great.

I have been contemplating the a-glaze that the dealers trying to get me to have but wasn't sure considering the cost...

How much did you spend (without labour obviously) do you recon on the job?
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      12-17-2012, 02:10 AM   #12
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I tip my hat to you sir !

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      12-17-2012, 01:50 PM   #13
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Wow looks absolutely fab

MG being the best colour too
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      12-17-2012, 01:56 PM   #14
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Great work sir

The beading looks weird, it seems to not to be running. Is that due to different waxes?

I see you have Continental tyres, funny how our cars were built at similar times yet mine and most others seem to have Bridgestones.
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      12-17-2012, 02:06 PM   #15
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Beautiful!! Very jealous of your vehicle, patiently waiting for the F31 in the US.

Great work!
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      12-17-2012, 02:09 PM   #16
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Looks cracking in those pics Richard. What polish & pads did you end up using with your G220?
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      12-17-2012, 03:22 PM   #17
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Looks fantastic, what tool are you using to remove the wheel bolts, is that just a standard drill or a corded impact wrench?
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      12-17-2012, 04:19 PM   #18
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The car looks fantastic and the beading shots are great.
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      12-17-2012, 04:38 PM   #19
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Thanks for the comments guys!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sladester100 View Post
I have been contemplating the a-glaze that the dealers trying to get me to have but wasn't sure considering the cost...

How much did you spend (without labour obviously) do you recon on the job?
Hard to say as most of the stuff including the dual action polisher I already had. The main bits I purchased were the paint cleaner, applicator pads, buffing cloths and the Wax for £110 (wax itself was £80), and the wheel wax for £30. I've hardly used any of either tub though so it will last me for ages.

Don't go for the dealer protection. If you are interested then get a professional detailer to do it, they will take the time to prepare the paint first and remove any marks/swirls and it won't cost any more. The dealer will just apply it quickly without any preparation.

Quote:
Originally Posted by NISFAN View Post
Great work sir

The beading looks weird, it seems to not to be running. Is that due to different waxes?

I see you have Continental tyres, funny how our cars were built at similar times yet mine and most others seem to have Bridgestones.
The wrong type of rain I think . It was very fine drizzle which stopped before I took the pic. More constant heavy rain would have been different.

Could the tyres be because the Touring comes off a different production line? Which are considered best mate? I wouldn't have a clue.

Quote:
Originally Posted by AlteredCarbon View Post
Looks cracking in those pics Richard. What polish & pads did you end up using with your G220?
Meguiars #80 professional speed glaze with a foam polishing pad. I was just using the polish I already had from when I bought the G220.

Quote:
Originally Posted by davyk31 View Post
Looks fantastic, what tool are you using to remove the wheel bolts, is that just a standard drill or a corded impact wrench?
It's a 12v electric impact wrench. It won't an AutoExpress award a couple of years ago which is why I bought it. When I had a Range Rover I used to swap the wheels for off road wheels/tyres quite frequently so I bought it and the trolly jack. Neither gets much use now.
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      12-18-2012, 01:30 PM   #20
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I live in St. Albans Richard, let me know when you have a spare weekend and want to earn some pocket money!!
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      12-18-2012, 04:44 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlpineWhiteF30MSport View Post
I live in St. Albans Richard, let me know when you have a spare weekend and want to earn some pocket money!!
As I work there every day, I keep well away at weekends! Hopefully see you around sometime though. I'll keep an eye out.
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      12-20-2012, 12:50 PM   #22
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Hi, sorry to ask an unrelated question but I am picking up my F30 330d msport tomorrow and wondered what you and others have done re running in the engine. There seems to be very conflicing info re running in of new cars engines these days so any advice comments would be greatfully received.

Thanks
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