Aftermath of getting my car detailed (lots of pics)

[ArbitrageMan]

Background: I bought a 2006 Black M45, which had some swirl marks in the paint. I didn't notice them the day I picked up the car from the dealer, despite looking very closely at the car, which was parked in the sun. (Later I found out they must have used a glaze to cover the swirls) So I found a great detailer (paint correction specialist) to fix the problems. I really didnt realize the problems where this bad until I saw the pictures.

The below pictures were all taken by the detailer.

Before:

Things are starting to happen:

After:

[F1SportsFan]

Simply awesome. Your car looks amazing now! I bet after seeing the before and after pics you had no problem with whatever they charged you.

[AD1787]

looks lincredible. I hope that our resident paint expert finds me someone in Phoenix.

[M45-Zero260]

Is that a 2009? LOL. Looks AWESOME!!! What a difference. This is how a black car should look - Wet and Ready. I wish I had the talent to turn swirl marks into a mirror. Good job on getting the right shop to turn that beauty into it's pure form! Great post, and great detailed photos as well. (I wish I had that size garage).

[szh]

Awesome work for sure!

Z

[mburlison]

If you don't mind, how much did they charge for this? Excellent job btw. Yoour car looks amazing.

[ArbitrageMan]

If you don't mind, how much did they charge for this? Excellent job btw. Yoour car looks amazing.

Thanks!

I almost died when he gave me the bill...initially he told me it would take about 14 man hours. They started at 10 AM on Saturday, and finished at 6 AM on Sunday morning. They worked all night. He said the paint was impossibly hard, and nothing they tried was working. Finally they figured it out and then had to do the entire car.

They charged me 30 man hours @ $50 an hour. $1500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Twice what I was expecting. But the car literally looks new.

Im paranoid about washing it though, Im going to be overly careful when I do it. I see so many black cars on the road with swirl marks and I see it as a ruined paint job. I definitely should NOT have bought a black car...but the car is so badass...

[Mobiletaxman1]

WOW!!! You're ride looks incredible. It was well worth the $1,500 in my opinion.

[Fafdawg]

Man, Your car looks incredible. Great detailer, is he located in DC?

[paperfootball]

Told you that I could find you a true professional.

*Real* paint correction requires time, kowledge, training, and quite a bit of patience--glad that it worked out for you!

[S13_love]

Thanks!

I almost died when he gave me the bill...initially he told me it would take about 14 man hours. They started at 10 AM on Saturday, and finished at 6 AM on Sunday morning. They worked all night. He said the paint was impossibly hard, and nothing they tried was working.

Yeah, thats what happens with a lot of cars. Sometimes trying to buff cars that aren't freshly painted is like trying to buff concrete.

[lawman12]

nice...congrats on getting a new car....again.....

Black cars (I have black) do take more time to keep clean but look so damn good...hehehe

take some time to read up on car care, washing, etc. Get some good products - upfront cost more, but long run will be good...won't have another $1500 bill...that M looked like it went through some auto car washes or the prior owner used a brillo pad....hehehe

get some good car wash soap, take your time, get some good quality micro fibre towels, polish, sealant and wax.

but for now....just enjoy that M!

[MZH]

How do you know they did not glaze you again man

But really excellent work

[BigMACKenzie]

you must tell me this mans name, I will seek him out and make him teach me this miracle paint saving jutsu...srsly though this is awesome work and feel proud knowing that other cars on the road may be black, but yours is one of the few that is scuffed to hell and back due to improper care.

[BiiiigTeddy35X]

Excellent job. I'm in need of something similar as I recently purchased an 07 M35X dark blue with quite a few swirl marks, although not as bad as yours were. Well worth it. Good luck with it..

[CakeDaddy]

I can vouch for the hours spent on it. I believe I spent 3 weekends on mine. Very nice turn out.

[paperfootball]

How do you know they did not glaze you again man

But really excellent work

When doing *real* paint correction one always uses Isopropyl alcohol wipedowns to ensure that "what you see it what you get." The alcohol would strip any "fillers" from the product to reveal the true condition of the paint.

[lawman12]

When doing *real* paint correction one always uses Isopropyl alcohol wipedowns to ensure that "what you see it what you get." The alcohol would strip any "fillers" from the product to reveal the true condition of the paint.

But don't do this now!!!! hehehehehe

[ArbitrageMan]

you must tell me this mans name, I will seek him out and make him teach me this miracle paint saving jutsu...srsly though this is awesome work and feel proud knowing that other cars on the road may be black, but yours is one of the few that is scuffed to hell and back due to improper care.

The guys name is Thomas, and Im sure he wont mind me giving his web site out; http://www.newshinedetailing.com/ He was recommended by Joe (paperfootball) from this forum.

He works in Northern Virginia, but he took the car to his friends shop (in the pictures) which was in Stafford.

[RpmSteve]

The guys name is Thomas, and Im sure he wont mind me giving his web site out; http://www.newshinedetailing.com/ He was recommended by Joe (paperfootball) from this forum.

He works in Northern Virginia, but he took the car to his friends shop (in the pictures) which was in Stafford.

Jesus, that is the shiniest (spelling?) Black car I've ever seen. Amazing how beautiful black is when detailed.

[DRIPS]

Your car looks good. What I need ot know is why/how you let it get so bad to begin with?!!

[lawman12]

Your car looks good. What I need ot know is why/how you let it get so bad to begin with?!!

The OP just bought this M...he had nothing to do with the original condition of the M. But the OP has now brought new life to this M....

[tdekany]

H

Thanks!

I almost died when he gave me the bill...initially he told me it would take about 14 man hours. They started at 10 AM on Saturday, and finished at 6 AM on Sunday morning. They worked all night. He said the paint was impossibly hard, and nothing they tried was working. Finally they figured it out and then had to do the entire car.

They charged me 30 man hours @ $50 an hour. $1500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Twice what I was expecting. But the car literally looks new.

Im paranoid about washing it though, Im going to be overly careful when I do it. I see so many black cars on the road with swirl marks and I see it as a ruined paint job. I definitely should NOT have bought a black car...but the car is so badass...

Hey man!

I hope that the car is still in good shape.

It sure was a very tuff detail.

As Joe said above, we used alcohol to make sure that the paint was truly leveled. I wish I knew how to cover up imperfections like that.

I now live in Portland Oregon. Hope everything is well with you.

Sincerely

Thomas

[svard75]

Without the photos the price would make some of us cringe. It looks absolutely amazing. Did they share their secret? I'll bet it was a clay bar. Please do tell the secret to their success!

[fiveliterbeater]

its funny you bring this thread up again; i actually have this entire thread bookmarked because of how beautiful the black is on his M compared to my black M. they defenitly did a masterpiece on this guys car!

[Alphax]

Beautious!

[Mdelicious]

damn, that's clean! nice work!

[antzrus]

Damn, I've got Obsidian also-and the attendant swirl marks. Your machine looks beautiful. But if I had a finish now like yours I'd be totally horrified taking it out of the garage. I mean come on, your life now is dedicated to keeping that shine.

I mean really. Something that gorgeous you keep under glass up on the mantel, not cruising down the road w/out a care.

Sorry for your loss...
Modified by antzrus at 4:16 PM 8/22/2009

[tigerclaws1318]

Does anyone know a good detailing shop in queens,ny? lol

[tdekany]

Does anyone know a good detailing shop in queens,ny? lol

Your best bet is to ask on Autopia.org if you don't get an answer here.