Bringing my Z3 back up to scratch

[ali_kat]

My Black Z3 has a few stone chips on the bonnet and a lot on the front of it and bumper. I've had a browse of the forum too, however - I've a budget of £25 as I'm not working at the moment, just lots of time to do this.

I've ordered Auto Glym Surface Detailing Clay Kit (5 Pieces) as the person that lent me his car washing stuff gave me a voucher for Auto Glym. He also gave me his HD wax

I've ordered Turtle Wax black & chip repair too, Chemical Guys Blacklight was recommended but it is out of my budget I've already got the proper colour touchup paint from BMW to do the 'big chips' and have just started filling them, using my finger to judge the thickness.

So I've got about £10 left to play with to do the stone chips, and there are a LOT of them!!

I've read the rules - wash, clay, wash again, wax And figure it will take me a good day to do it properly. So I washed it properly today. Tomorrow/Wednesday weather depending I'll do a quick wash & dry & then clay it, and wash it properly again. Then wax.

But - do I put the black was on first & then the HD or vice versa please?

Also, will the chipstick be enough to repair the chips on the front/bumper? Or should I fill them again and try my hand at respraying it with the spray can paint from BMW?

I don't have a garage, although I can use my garage at my Parents to do the spraying.

I realise that preparation is key here, hence my asking rather than just going for it in my normal gung-ho style Although I'm figuring that I can't actually make it look any worse... can I???

[ali_kat]

I've put some pictures up onto Flickr here

Pic 7 shows some of the stone chips I want to 'paint'

There is some mottling on the front bonnet too that can be seen in pic 2 and a bird lime that I took off today gently that had been on since Saturday that has marked the paint (pic 5) at the top of the panel to the left of the fuel cap

I'm assuming that the clay and waxing will help these?

[MrC986]

I'm sure the OCD brigade will be along soon! However, in the meantime it might be useful to think on the following....if you still have your £10 left and depending on what comes with the chip kit/touch up paint, look at buying a very small modelling brush to supplement the brush that may come in the chip kit - the brushes are normally too big that come with the kits and also can hold too much paint given their size.

The marks that bird poo leaves are etch marks in the paint lacquer and almost impossible to remove without serious elbow grease/cutting compound to attend to them...some of the polishs have fillers in them which will help mask the area concerned although in artificial light conditions you will still the outline of the 'bomber squadron'.

In regard to whether to apply the HD wax first/last....having read the 'properties' on the web, I would suggest you apply it last (& also sparingly as it goes a long way) as it seems to have very good protective qualities including making the water bead when you wash it.

If you are patient and work in the right weather conditions (important on a black car) I am sure you will do a great job. If you can, use a garage and do the chips one night and the cleaning etc the next day

PS Avoid 'spraying' your car if you really meant it!

[ali_kat]

No spraying - got it

HD wax last

I have fine artists brushes that are size 00, that I've used for the primer (and cleaned )

[MrC986]

One really 'nerdy' thing....make sure you clay bar, wax and remove the polish in a straight line rather than circles & keep the clay bar/surface wet (put the bar in warm water beforehand to make it easier to use/hold etc ). If you still have the spare £10....see if you can get some 'detailing spray' and top off the whole process with a squirt of that around the place and wipe it all down. You can also use the detailing spray after washing your car to give it a little extra 'bling'

PS If you haven't got the following, start saving...grit guard for the washbucket, wash 'mitt' & microfibre type drying towel (I dry my car with a towel more expensive than the ones in the house

[ali_kat]

Thanks again

I've got the grit guards, towel & mitt they were lent to me with the shampoo & wax

The kit comes with the spray


I'll do it in straight lines

[Cotty]

If you really want to keep it in tip top condition, once you have gone throuh the whole detailing thing, you don't have to do it every weekend.

My E30 used to have a garage. I would clean/detail it, then just do a bit here and there. Clean the wheels on weekend, do the glass the next, treat the plastics the next. An hour here and there not the full on detailing thing.

[ali_kat]

Cotty - garage would be nice

She 'may' get a tent

[Cotty]

ali_kat said:

Cotty - garage would be nice

I know, the Elise has the garage so the E30 is out in all elements

Its so sad that I can not keep her in tip top condition anymore. I might do the Ultimate BMW show at Santa Pod this year but rather than representing the club on the stand I will probably just park in a corner.


http://www.bmwshow.co.uk/index.html

[JulesB]

I did the front end of a red RS4 which was very similar - lots of chips, bit of matching paint to touch up the majority/worst using a very fine paint brush (like you get in the air-fix kits) and then a couple layers of the red turtlewax brought it up a treat. Sounds like you have all the right gear already so I wouldnt worry about spending any extra.

Dab a small amount of paint in the chips, dry it off with the other halfs hairdryer and build it up slowly with a bit more, will take the eye off it. Once you have done this and allowed it all to dry I would then suggest getting your black turtlewax and putting 2-3 coats on - this will really finish it off, lastly put a bit of wax/sealant on the top and you will be very pleased with the results, I spent about an hour doing the front end of the audi and it came up very smart and red is a bit of a pain, should be a doddle for you with the car being black.

[ali_kat]

Cotty said:

I know, the Elise has the garage so the E30 is out in all elements

Its so sad that I can not keep her in tip top condition anymore. I might do the Ultimate BMW show at Santa Pod this year but rather than representing the club on the stand I will probably just park in a corner.

Paul, Nobody puts (your) BMW in the corner

[ali_kat]

Thanks Jules

JulesB said:

dry it off with the other halfs hairdryer

I think I'll use mine, he'd get upset with me if I used his

I'm using a mix of 000, 00 & 0 artists brushes (gods that stuff is hard to clean out of them - I fear they will be scrapped when I'm done!).

2-3 coats of black wax - one after the other, or wash in between?

[JulesB]

ali_kat said:

I think I'll use mine, he'd get upset with me if I used his

I'm using a mix of 000, 00 & 0 artists brushes (gods that stuff is hard to clean out of them - I fear they will be scrapped when I'm done!).

2-3 coats of black wax - one after the other, or wash in between?

Ooops my bad! haha

Sounds ideal, no just wax on wax off until you are happy with coverage - this is a temporary fix after a months washing/use you will notice the chips a lot more and will have to have another go with the turtle wax !

[ali_kat]

Thanks Jules

Not to worry, you didn't know I'm a girl

Chips are now filled Flickr updated I've cocked up on the deep ones on the bonnet, it looks better than the gaping hole, but still