[Leeg1633]

Originally Posted by danb1979

That looks cracking to be fair

Thanks, I am pleased with the result

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by danb1979

^^^ This!

I love keeping my cars clean; interiors also etc... But the whole 'going to town with a DA' for me, is just a step too far... Plus I'm also worried what damage I'd do knowing my luck

DAs are really messy as well, and noisy! Polish gets flung everywhere, in spite of being careful with the polish amount.

I don't know about BMWs but the paint tends to be thinner on the roof on a lot of cars, so it's easy to shave the clear coat down too much if too aggressive with the polishing.

For me, waxing/coatings is just for bird sh1t and acidic bug splat protection more than anything else.

[Leeg1633]

One more question: is there anything we can use to stop the below circled area from fading?

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Leeg1633

One more question: is there anything we can use to stop the below circled area from fading?

Yes; but you'll need a small DA for that as by hand you won't achieve the level of cut needed

You can try (something like Koch Chemie 8.02: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Koch-Heavy-...s%2C133&sr=8-2

Followed by 6.01: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Koch-Chemie...ps%2C99&sr=8-2

Might work by hand; but it tends to stay much the same until a DA/mini polisher is involved; ie:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SPTA-Cordle...c-d11b6e3d217f

[Ennoch]

They're not faded as much as the black plastic has oxidised, so you'll want to be polishing/compounding that oxidation off. I had the CarPro Clearcut and Megs Ultimate Compound on me when I was doing mine and elected to use the Megs UC first as it was less aggressive and it was all that was needed, the plastic really is soft. It then took a little glossing with Ultimate Polish and some wax and it looked like a mirror.

[Leeg1633]

Originally Posted by Ennoch

They're not faded as much as the black plastic has oxidised, so you'll want to be polishing/compounding that oxidation off. I had the CarPro Clearcut and Megs Ultimate Compound on me when I was doing mine and elected to use the Megs UC first as it was less aggressive and it was all that was needed, the plastic really is soft. It then took a little glossing with Ultimate Polish and some wax and it looked like a mirror.

Did you do it by hand or with a machine? Is there anything we can use to stop or slow further oxidisation?

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Ennoch

They're not faded as much as the black plastic has oxidised, so you'll want to be polishing/compounding that oxidation off. I had the CarPro Clearcut and Megs Ultimate Compound on me when I was doing mine and elected to use the Megs UC first as it was less aggressive and it was all that was needed, the plastic really is soft. It then took a little glossing with Ultimate Polish and some wax and it looked like a mirror.

That's good to know; I assumed the F3x would be as bad as my E39s or F01; there was no way the plastic was going to be restored by hand... I tried with all sorts; didn't touch it

My pal came round with his small polisher and a few different compounds and had them looking like glass in no time!

[Ennoch]

Originally Posted by Leeg1633

Did you do it by hand or with a machine? Is there anything we can use to stop or slow further oxidisation?

My car was five years old when I got it and was admittedly not as bad as yours, but it was scratched and faded. I did it with a DA but with how long it took I'd have no hesitation in saying it'll be a max of 5-10 mins per piece on the worst ones on your car if you were to do it by hand. Just keep them waxed and they'll be fine. Mine still look great 4 years on from doing them when I got it.