Advice on these scratches (e36 content)

[NK2007]

Hey guys, This is my friend's new 92 325i. It looks decent from a ways off, but close up there are many scratches and swirl marks. I don't have any detailing supplies currently, but am willing to invest in some. Will a porter cable ba able to get these scratches out? or is a repaint required?

Thanks for your help!
Neill
First a few decent pictures from the other night: (Forgot batteries for my flash otherwise would look a little better)



And now for the scratches:

[Poopie]

I think a heavy cut compound and a rotory buffer should be able to clean up most of it. I think you could get it 80% better. Definitely not worth repainting.

[Twista616]

alittle tip for you...from the looks of it, that can be corrected 95% or better with a light compound or heavy polish....but thats just by going from the pictures you posted...

take your finger nail and run it over the surface of any scratched...if your fingernail catches in a scratch, it means its pretty deep and probably cant be polished out...but visually, it will look much better...

Those scratches can not be rubbed out by hand...and PC or Rotary is a must..

[3.0 Rider]

Yup.. do the finger nail test.

I'd say some of them are too deep and got to the primer base coat. A PC will help, just maybe go through 2 passes with an orange pad and Menzerna Super Intensive Polish.

Car's great so it's worth the investment.

[DetailDan]

Dont think a PC will do much for that.

[Mike @ einszett]

Actually, a Porter Cable 7424 will help.

Here are some photos of a black VW Golf with some serious weathering that were taken recently and treated with a PC 7424. It wasn't polished or wax for about 4 years and sits in a carport. http://www.1z-usa.com/gallery_99Golf.html




Top body panels had the most severe weathering. Half of the hood was treated (left side) and the other half was left untouched.

The steps were:

Wash
Clay
Extra (compound)
Paint Polish (swirl mark reducer - to reduce marring from Extra)
PolishWax (while optional it adds more depth in the paintwork)
Glanz Wax (synethetic wax to seal the finish)

While it's impossible to remove all imperfections, a great deal is rectified. Even more so with a rotary polisher but I will leave that for the professionals.

A porter cable type polisher is more than sufficient to get these results.

Use a 5/6 speed when using Extra and Paint Polish in conjuntion with a compound pad and polishing pad, respectively (Lake Country CCS pad used with all polishes in this detail).

Finessing pad when applying PolishWax or Glanz Wax (in this case, Glanz applied with a foam applicator pad.

einszett polishes have an advantage in that they are concentrated, produce little to zero dust and are very easy to wipe off even during hotter/humid weather.

If you'd like samples of any of these products, let me know and I'll send you a 1/2 oz sample (enough to treat a panel). Up to two samples possible.

My suggestion would be to try Extra (yellow can) and Paint Polish (green can).

Email me at [email protected].

Hope this helps

[Twista616]

While it's impossible to remove all imperfections, a great deal is rectified. Even more so with a rotary polisher but I will leave that for the professionals.

A porter cable type polisher is more than sufficient to get these results.

Use a 5/6 speed when using Extra and Paint Polish in conjuntion with a compound pad and polishing pad, respectively (Lake Country CCS pad used with all polishes in this detail).

Finessing pad when applying PolishWax or Glanz Wax (in this case, Glanz applied with a foam applicator pad.

einszett polishes have an advantage in that they are concentrated, produce little to zero dust and are very easy to wipe off even during hotter/humid weather.

If you'd like samples of any of these products, let me know and I'll send you a 1/2 oz sample (enough to treat a panel). Up to two samples possible.

Just to add to that, a PC is much safer if you are doing the polishing yourself. Very user friendly, not a huge learning curve, but don't let that fool you.

Ps. I have some Einszett, cant wait to use it, everyone talks about how there is little to no dusting...such a time saver in this industry!!

Thanks Mike

[DetailDan]

The BMW looks to be in a lot worse condition. What is the paint like on the VW? If you want to give it a shot yourself, then get the Flex.

[oneseba]

If your nail is not caught on any of those scratches, I will start with a milder polish like Menzerna 106FF/FA or any equivalent polish with white or green LC pad on a PC or rotary. From what I have read, BMW coat is not as tough as Audi's so you might get away with that. If that does not cut it, go to a more aggressive one like Menzerna SIP with Orange LC followed by 106FF/FA with white LC pad. If the SIP/Orange LC pad does not cut, take it to a professional or use glaze to mask the deeper cut areas.

[Mike @ einszett]

The BMW looks to be in a lot worse condition. What is the paint like on the VW? If you want to give it a shot yourself, then get the Flex.

Like 2000 grit sandpaper :)

A couple of more pictures from the VW....




Without doubt the Flex would be a better tool. But for someone new coming into detailing, I felt that a Porter Cable was an easier transition (especially on the cost side since you can get one shipped for $105) and would provide a significant improvement. Of course taking it to the detailer is a much better option.

The BMW looks like the PO either took the car to a poor carwash or dried the car with paper towels. Regardless, it can be restored.

[oneseba]

The BMW looks like the PO either took the car to a poor carwash or dried the car with paper towels.

Looks like it was wiped off with ShamWOW

[Mike @ einszett]

Ha! My favorite part of the commercial is at the end where it ask for money...

in the corner it reads: "Made In Germany!"

Somehow I doubt that.

[DetailDan]

Like 2000 grit sandpaper :)

A couple of more pictures from the VW....

Without doubt the Flex would be a better tool. But for someone new coming into detailing, I felt that a Porter Cable was an easier transition (especially on the cost side since you can get one shipped for $105) and would provide a significant improvement. Of course taking it to the detailer is a much better option.

The BMW looks like the PO either took the car to a poor carwash or dried the car with paper towels. Regardless, it can be restored.

Yep, I agree.

[noobtuner]

[URL="http://audiforums.com/m_42901/tm[/URL] i'm gonna try this cause i have some hazeing and scratches. no where as bad but it might help your friend aswell i'll update when i try it