Does our M's have soft or hard paint? Spring Detail time!

[SplitsenseM35]

The weather is warming up and I plan on performing a one step polish on my M35 with a Porter Cable with M205 polish and LC White pad. I know we have the hard clear coats but does that also mean the paint is harder? I am trying to figure out if I should be using heavy or light pressure while polishing to remove swirls/defects without damaging the paint. Any insight is appreciated!

[Larz]

I may have been mis-informed, but I was told by a detailer that my M has soft clearcoat and paint that allows easily made fine swirl marks. Plus my M is black obsidian and it really amplifies dirt, hand prints, swirl marks and everything else.
I clay the car surface before I start and I'm always amazed how smooth the surface of the paint becomes. Such an easy step, but what a noticeable difference. I clay, polish, and wax 2-3 times per year but I skip the polish step if I determine that polishing is not needed.
I use Griot's Garage polish #3 and it gets rid of every single swirl mark and scratch - then finish it off with Griot's 'Best Of Show' wax. My 2007 looks better, and has a much deeper shine than the new black Ms in the showroom! I set my random orbital at 4,000rpms ( mild pressure on the areas I want to target and none where the finish has no marks) for the polishing and continue until the polish is barely visible on the surface before buffing by hand with a microfiber towel. I set the machine at 3,000 rpms with only the weight of the machine for pressure to burnish the wax into the surface and again continue until the wax is barely visible - then buf it off gently by hand with a pure cotton towel.
I use an orange pad for polish and a red pad for the wax - both also from Griot's Garage.
Not sure about the hardness of the paint / clearcoat, but that's the pressure and technique I use and it comes out brilliant.
Hope this helps.

[atlM35]

Buffing the car is buffing the clear coat.
If you get down to the paint, you've taken off too much.
Go easy on the overall pressure and apply a little more on scratches.
It's safer to do a few light passes than to get too aggressive.

[06M4.5]

+2 on the clay-bar

but I never buff my car, I always wax by hand only.

The more you buff the more you cut in to the clear, you''ll see it in the longrun ifyou get to keep the car for some time.

[SplitsenseM35]

Thanks everyone, I am aware that too much buffing can burn through the clear. This is why I am using a white finishing pad with very little cut to avoid this. I am also skipping the megs m105 and going with the less abrasive M205 as a one step just to remove light swirls and imperfections. I will be claying the car before all of this and using Blackfire wet diamond sealant as my last step process. Noted, Very light pressure!!

[wingFeather]

There is a sticker on the underside of the hood that says something about the paint - I seem to recall it saying "hard" and thinking that perhaps the paint is too brittle & that's why we get so many rock chips.

[Partysan7]

Our clear is on the softer side so are most japanese cars. As far as burning through clear coat: dude with PC 7424 and 205 with white pad you will barely do any correction not to talk about burning through you would have to be in the same spot for quite some time. I think you will probably move to an orange pad as the white one has minimum cut. Its always good to start with the least aggressive combo and if that doesnt do it for you move to one step higher. 105/205 are great products for the price but I still prefer working with Menzerna.

[finikM35]

Gona try to detail first time. I got clay bar and wax form Griot's garage. What else do i need? i got random orbital too but i need pads and im not sure which ones to get.
Btw there is a deal $50 off $100 on advanced autoparts thats where i got some stuff.
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/93782/a ... ine-orders

[SplitsenseM35]

Gona try to detail first time. I got clay bar and wax form Griot's garage. What else do i need? i got random orbital too but i need pads and im not sure which ones to get.
Btw there is a deal $50 off $100 on advanced autoparts thats where i got some stuff.
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/93782/a ... ine-orders

You will need lots of stuff, below is a breakdown of my detail session. Keep in mind, my paint is in very good condition and maintained annually, your process might vary based on the paint condition. BTW, my car is black.

1, Wash Rim/Wheels first.

2, Wash the car - 2 bucket system with 2 grit guards in each bucket, 2 sheep wash mitts “I like the Mothers Mitts”. (One for the upper portion of vehicle and one for bottom portion of car since most of the dirt will usually be there, this prevents using the same mitts and bringing dirt on top of the car scratching the paint).

3, Clay the whole car with instant detailer as Lube, don’t use water as lube! – In my case I will be using Poorboys spray cleaner/Lubricant – 16oz

4, Wash car again, dry using waffle weave towel to prevent scratching the car. – I use Viking brand waffle weave towels.

5, Time for polishing – Since my paint is in great condition with very minor swirls, I will be moving forward with a 1 step Polish. I will be using the Porter Cable 7424XP with 5in Lake County back plate, 3 Lake Country White Pads (LC White Pads are finishing pads but does have slight cutting power and can finish well at the same time). If you have severe swirls, move to a more aggressive Pad or polish combo, either Orange or Yellow pad). I will be using Meguiars M205 Ultra Finishing Polish for my particular job. Make sure you prime each pad with Polish before starting. I will be using 3 pads for the vehicle. 1 for the Hood/ 2 front fenders/front bumper, 1 for the Roof and 4 doors, and 1 for the read quarter panels/trunk/bumper. Work the polish in a slow motion left to right and up and down with 10-15 pounds of pressure for each pass on speed 5. Last couple passes bring the speed down to 3 with same pressure. Work polish for 30-50 seconds for each 2x2 section. Wipe off using Micro fiber towel, inspect then move on to the next section until whole car is done. Make sure you clean the pad after each panel with terry towels over the pad with buffer on speed 3 since the polish will gunk up.

6, Time to lock with sealant – I will be using Black Fire Wet Diamond Paint Protection. – Appling with the PC, LC Blue Pad. Apply to whole car with very thin coat, and buff off when haze. Let sealant cure for 8-24 hours, then apply 2nd coat of sealant. By this time the cars finish should be popping out and shine like crazy!

7, Depending on my mood, I might add a coat of carnauba wax by hand on top of the 2 coats of blackfire. My choice esp for black cars. Poorboys Natty Blue Paste wax!

Good luck with your detail session!

[finikM35]

wow! thank you! Very nice i got same pads you mentioned. My color is Umbria gray C31 wonder what sealant works best on it? Swirls and water spots all over my car! I park on the street so bumper has few swipes from random people parking carelessly. It got keyed twice too... but that has to be painted. I heard wetsanding and polishing with no experience is a bad idea

[SplitsenseM35]

wow! thank you! Very nice i got same pads you mentioned. My color is Umbria gray C31 wonder what sealant works best on it? Swirls and water spots all over my car! I park on the street so bumper has few swipes from random people parking carelessly. It got keyed twice too... but that has to be painted. I heard wetsanding and polishing with no experience is a bad idea

Hey Finink,

I would recommend BlackFire Wet Diamond sealant. Its about $34 bucks online and has great reviews! Google it, you will see. easy on easy off. I also hear Menzera sealants are also good. But from experience, I think BFWD is easier to use and creates a wet paint look look and slick feel that i love.

I dont mess with wetsanding, I dont trust myself and rather go to a professional for that. But as far as polishing, a beginner can pick up the Porter cable and pick it up fast.

Your from Brooklyn? I am always there . the GF lives in bensonhurst.

Good luck!

[finikM35]

Yeah im in BK right next to Kings Infiniti. I just bought BlackFire Wet Diamond and some additional pads. Do you know if i would get a ticket if i do this parked on quiet street in brooklyn?

[SplitsenseM35]

Yeah im in BK right next to Kings Infiniti. I just bought BlackFire Wet Diamond and some additional pads. Do you know if i would get a ticket if i do this parked on quiet street in brooklyn?

Nice! BFWD looks great. I dont think it would be a problem detailing your car in the street. Now mechanical repairs is a different story.

[wingFeather]

According to that label I mentioned, it is hard clear coat:

[atlM35]

I wash twice, clay bar, wash again, polish, then wax... about 3 or 4 times a year.
I had to wet sand the entire length of the car on both sides, didn't like the pin stripes and took those off the day I got the car. It's not too difficult of a task if you have the patience.