ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe > General BMW Z4 Forum
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-03-2012, 01:28 PM   #23
SimpleMan
Private First Class
14
Rep
153
Posts

Drives: 04 Z4 2.5i
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Vancouver, WA

iTrader: (1)

Thanks guys! Autogeek looks like an awesome site. I'll head on over there and see what's up.
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2012, 01:34 PM   #24
jslym777
Private First Class
15
Rep
175
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GammaZeta View Post
We're talking about basic car maintenance here, not takng out another person's appendix.

If people can go online and follow instructions to do their own valve adjustments, brake jobs and CDV deletes, they can follow the directions on the back of a Klasse bottle.

No, you shouldn't be doing wet sanding if you've never done it before, but using a DA polisher with some low abrasive products is ok for first timers.
And I've witnessed where first timers do brake jobs and mess things up terribly. Broken lugs, not using any grease, not prepping surfaces, not changing sensors, lug nuts not properly torqued.

Dont get me wrong, Im not arguing against learning, just learn from experience. Polishing is a finess job and has a certain feel rather than something you can write down onto paper.
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2012, 02:33 PM   #25
GammaZeta
Captain
58
Rep
862
Posts

Drives: 1
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ma

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jslym777 View Post
And I've witnessed where first timers do brake jobs and mess things up terribly. Broken lugs, not using any grease, not prepping surfaces, not changing sensors, lug nuts not properly torqued.

Dont get me wrong, Im not arguing against learning, just learn from experience. Polishing is a finess job and has a certain feel rather than something you can write down onto paper.
Everything you mentioned in a botched brake job isn't because the person was ill informed, it would be because the person didn't follow directions. If you've ever read a BMW technical manual for most jobs, they are extremely detailed. And if you do ANYTHING DIY and DON'T follow directions, then you deserve what comes to you.

No, a DIY'er isn't going to be taking a step 3 abrasive on a DA to their brand new, $15,000 Mercedes SLS liquid silver paintjob. If you can afford the SLS with a $15,000 paintjob, you're hiring a detailing professional anyways.

Just like for brake jobs. I'm no mechanical guru, but I could get through a brake job. Unfortunately I have to hire someone because I don't have the time or the space in my garage to do it.

Just like detailing. I enjoy detailing my car and do a good job at it. Sometimes it lasts the whole weekend. When you start talking about "feeling" of a detail and waxing, then you're not talking about a detail job for our cars. No one is going to be dropping $2,000 - $5,000 for a high end professional detail job for a Z4 or Z4M. In the opposite, no one is going to be DIY detailing their 458 Italia with Turtle Wax from the Dollar Store.

Autogeek is your #1 source for detailing. Everything you need, and need to know, is contained right there.

Just follow directions, take it slow, and start off small.
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2012, 03:30 PM   #26
Kgolf31
Brigadier General
Kgolf31's Avatar
459
Rep
4,531
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (4)

With a PC and DIYer will be fine.

With a rotary, things can go wrong quick.

It's not a step-by-step guide. Polishes act differently under conditions. There isn't a guide that says, work the polish for x amount. You need to know how long to work it, and make sure you're not working it too much. Same goes for anything else with polishing.

Anyone can do it, but I've seen ALOT of hack jobs where people thought they did it right.

It takes alot of time to read up and get good results
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2012, 04:03 PM   #27
zBone
Megatron
zBone's Avatar
5
Rep
207
Posts

Drives: 2007 IB Z4MC
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cleveland, OH

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
With a PC and DIYer will be fine.

With a rotary, things can go wrong quick.

It's not a step-by-step guide. Polishes act differently under conditions. There isn't a guide that says, work the polish for x amount. You need to know how long to work it, and make sure you're not working it too much. Same goes for anything else with polishing.

Anyone can do it, but I've seen ALOT of hack jobs where people thought they did it right.

It takes alot of time to read up and get good results
I just did my first clay-barring last week, by myself, and it was incredibly simple (though time consuming). That being said - I wouldn't attempt a polish without having someone who had done it before. There's varying levels of detailing, as with any other maintenance. I'd be fine changing a tire, but a valve adjustment? Not without in person help.
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2012, 05:25 PM   #28
jslym777
Private First Class
15
Rep
175
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GammaZeta View Post
Everything you mentioned in a botched brake job isn't because the person was ill informed, it would be because the person didn't follow directions. If you've ever read a BMW technical manual for most jobs, they are extremely detailed. And if you do ANYTHING DIY and DON'T follow directions, then you deserve what comes to you.

No, a DIY'er isn't going to be taking a step 3 abrasive on a DA to their brand new, $15,000 Mercedes SLS liquid silver paintjob. If you can afford the SLS with a $15,000 paintjob, you're hiring a detailing professional anyways.

Just like for brake jobs. I'm no mechanical guru, but I could get through a brake job. Unfortunately I have to hire someone because I don't have the time or the space in my garage to do it.

Just like detailing. I enjoy detailing my car and do a good job at it. Sometimes it lasts the whole weekend. When you start talking about "feeling" of a detail and waxing, then you're not talking about a detail job for our cars. No one is going to be dropping $2,000 - $5,000 for a high end professional detail job for a Z4 or Z4M. In the opposite, no one is going to be DIY detailing their 458 Italia with Turtle Wax from the Dollar Store.

Autogeek is your #1 source for detailing. Everything you need, and need to know, is contained right there.

Just follow directions, take it slow, and start off small.
You dont have to spend $2,000 for a professional detail as you mentioned. People bring me brand new $30,000 cars and have them detailed for well under $1,000 and that includes a latest and greatest sealant. I've done a whole bunch of paint corrections on cars that aren't exotics like civics, subarus, BMWs, and more. So to say its only for the rich is not true.

If you do end up doing it yourself with a safe Dual Action polisher then you still have to be sure to mask off trim, spend tons of time polishing, otherwise you'll think its working but its really not if you move too fast, paint surfaces are different, some hard, some softer. And if you dont already have everything you need its not going to necessarily be cheap to do it yourself.
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2012, 07:10 PM   #29
strokeoluck
First Lieutenant
22
Rep
325
Posts

Drives: 2007 BMW Z4 M roadster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Minnesota

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GammaZeta View Post
Carnuba wax is for shine and depth. No, you don't NEED to put it on, but it enhances the look over synthetic wax.
Not trying to argue...all I'm saying is that when I posed this question to the guy at Meguiars, he said they found their synthetic wax provided all the shine needed and Carnuba offered no additional shine. I told him I was a newbie at this and was prepared to buy everything and anything I needed, so he certainly had the opportunity to upsell me and squeeze some Carnuba money out of me.

For all I know he just started at Meguiars that morning, who knows.

As for whether or not a rookie can do it, my vote would be yes. I've always taken good care of my cars by washing them regularly, often by hand. But I wouldn't say I'm "anal" about them. But since buying the Z4 MR I've been a little more anal. I spent a full day washing, claying (a word?!), taking the swirls out, waxing, etc. The dual action polisher makes the work a lot easier.
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2012, 08:17 PM   #30
ANUSTART
Captain
ANUSTART's Avatar
35
Rep
956
Posts

Drives: Z4
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL

iTrader: (0)

Klasse Polish and S100 wax. Good stuff.
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2012, 08:51 PM   #31
Kgolf31
Brigadier General
Kgolf31's Avatar
459
Rep
4,531
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by strokeoluck View Post
Not trying to argue...all I'm saying is that when I posed this question to the guy at Meguiars, he said they found their synthetic wax provided all the shine needed and Carnuba offered no additional shine. I told him I was a newbie at this and was prepared to buy everything and anything I needed, so he certainly had the opportunity to upsell me and squeeze some Carnuba money out of me.

For all I know he just started at Meguiars that morning, who knows.

As for whether or not a rookie can do it, my vote would be yes. I've always taken good care of my cars by washing them regularly, often by hand. But I wouldn't say I'm "anal" about them. But since buying the Z4 MR I've been a little more anal. I spent a full day washing, claying (a word?!), taking the swirls out, waxing, etc. The dual action polisher makes the work a lot easier.

Yes, it doesn't add additional shine, but it adds depth! Sealant will add gloss, wax will add depth. Combine the two and
Appreciate 0
      12-03-2012, 09:41 PM   #32
GammaZeta
Captain
58
Rep
862
Posts

Drives: 1
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ma

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by strokeoluck View Post
Not trying to argue...all I'm saying is that when I posed this question to the guy at Meguiars, he said they found their synthetic wax provided all the shine needed and Carnuba offered no additional shine. I told him I was a newbie at this and was prepared to buy everything and anything I needed, so he certainly had the opportunity to upsell me and squeeze some Carnuba money out of me.

For all I know he just started at Meguiars that morning, who knows.

As for whether or not a rookie can do it, my vote would be yes. I've always taken good care of my cars by washing them regularly, often by hand. But I wouldn't say I'm "anal" about them. But since buying the Z4 MR I've been a little more anal. I spent a full day washing, claying (a word?!), taking the swirls out, waxing, etc. The dual action polisher makes the work a lot easier.
That's because Meguiar's doesn't sell a true carnuba wax.
Appreciate 0
      12-04-2012, 12:20 AM   #33
jslym777
Private First Class
15
Rep
175
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (0)

if youre going to tackle it yourself id say grab a safe dual action polisher (porter cable, etc.), white lake country flat 5.5 inch pads, a good single step polish (menzerna power finish) and wax it with collinite 845. you wont be satisfied with any old carnauba, it will look great... for about a week or two... make sure you tape off trim and rubber when you polish or youll have fun removing product from it later. take necessary steps between applications, and prep prep prep.
clean wheels and tires FIRST
degrease all bottom panels.
bug/tar removal.
wash with a good citrus wash using wash pad that is soft and has plenty of nap so dirt gets trapped in it and doesnt add additional swirls.
make sure you wash from top to bottom, it doesnt make sense to bring dirt up from the bottom panels and scratch the top surfaces
use a grit guard in your TWO buckets, one with the wash and one clean for rinse
you can get a good idea youve removed most of any old product by spraying water onto the car and making sure the water doesnt bead up.

between polishing and waxing you may want to use a pre wax cleaner to make sure all of the polilshing oils are removed from the surface, this could cause the wax or sealant to not adhere as well to the painted surface.

use good quality microfiber towels to remove polish and wax

if you want an even easier product you can use something like xmt 360 or alike. it is a single step polish and sealant. decent product for a beginner. apply it with a dual action as well
Appreciate 0
      12-04-2012, 06:18 AM   #34
Shipkiller
Colonel
Shipkiller's Avatar
United_States
187
Rep
2,138
Posts

Drives: Me
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Virginia Beach

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
Back on topic to the OP (Simpleman).

From my experience, there is no 'perfect wax'. They all have different strengths and weaknesses. Some have great longevity but lack the ‘shine’ or ‘pop’. Some are just the opposite. Some look great on dark colors and just ‘ho hum’ on lighter colors. It really comes down to what you want to do, how much time you are willing to invest and how much money you want to spend.

I find detailing my cars therapeutic. Sorta ‘me’ time. Bonding with myself, since I do not have to think about anything while I am working on the cars. I can’t wait for the comebacks on that statement….

On all the cars, after prepping,,,, I seal the car with Wolfgane DGPS 3.0. This stuff lasts a long time and looks great. The Wolfgane needs a minimum of eight hours to cure in the garage. Then, on the ///M, I apply DodoJuice Diamond White Hard wax. I find that this stuff really makes a white car ‘POP’.

On the Roadster, after applying the DGPS, I apply Pinnacle Sovereign or Pinnacle Signature Series II wax. I have used Wolfgane Fuzion but it is too expensive for my tastes…..

I reapply the DodoJuice and Pinnacle almost monthly. Every six months, I strip everything off the car and reapply the sealer and wax, normally in the fall and in the spring.

In the fall, I change wax’s. In the fall, I switch both cars to Collinite 845. With Collinite, I am not looking for the best shine, but the best protection. This stuff rocks…


Autogeek is where I buy most of my products. Always check their BOGO (Buy One, Get One free) section…

I will not avocate any brand over any other. YOU must do your own research and make up your own mind. We here, do not know what your goals are, we can only suspect....

But think of it this way. After doing all this research and with knowledge you acquire, you decide to take your car to have it ‘Professionally Detailed’, you will know if the guys are trying to shine you on and take you for a ride with inferior products…. Knowledge is power. I am not saying that will happen, but there are always a$$holes out there.
Appreciate 0
      12-04-2012, 07:14 AM   #35
inTgr8r
Lieutenant General
inTgr8r's Avatar
Canada
2422
Rep
11,665
Posts

Drives: M2 Comp
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (10)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shipkiller View Post
.....
But think of it this way. After doing all this research and with knowledge you acquire, you decide to take your car to have it ‘Professionally Detailed’, you will know if the guys are trying to shine you on and take you for a ride with inferior products…. Knowledge is power. I am not saying that will happen, but there are always a$$holes out there.
^+1 to that
I've seen a few cars where the detailer used filler products that look great when you get your car back.
& then the owners wonder why the swirls come back so soon.
__________________
'21 M2C Hockenheim Silver
'18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold)
'13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold)
'07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
Appreciate 0
      12-04-2012, 08:12 AM   #36
zBone
Megatron
zBone's Avatar
5
Rep
207
Posts

Drives: 2007 IB Z4MC
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cleveland, OH

iTrader: (0)

Question on polishing: how do you deal with the small detail areas of the car, with a big 5.5" pad (i.e. around the doors)? That's what's always prevented me from taking the plunge on polishing.
Appreciate 0
      12-04-2012, 12:29 PM   #37
jslym777
Private First Class
15
Rep
175
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by zBone View Post
Question on polishing: how do you deal with the small detail areas of the car, with a big 5.5" pad (i.e. around the doors)? That's what's always prevented me from taking the plunge on polishing.
buy even smaller pads and be careful. the smaller the pad the more likely your chance of damaging the paint, even with a safe dual action.

or... do it by hand
Appreciate 0
      12-07-2012, 05:04 PM   #38
bfwollen
Enlisted Member
4
Rep
32
Posts

Drives: 2006 Z4
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Olympia Washington

iTrader: (0)

What is brake dust stop?
Appreciate 0
      12-07-2012, 06:15 PM   #39
Caddyshk
M = Midlife Crisis
Caddyshk's Avatar
Canada
65
Rep
2,006
Posts

Drives: 2006 Z4MC Interlagos
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (0)

My car was clayed, compounded, sealed etc. and then had Swissvax applied rubbed in by hand - looks spectacular!

http://www.swissvax.us/merchant.mvc?...ory_Code=WAXES
__________________
2006 Z4MC - #LL93158
SS Race Cans, RE X Pipe, DKF Sec 1, Fabspeed Headers, OE STB, AS Shifter, Dave Z CDV, GC Coil Overs, Stoptech lines, Hawk DTC Pads, RE Clutch Stop, RE Transmission Mounts, Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts, Poly FCAB & RTAB, LeatherZ M Shift Boot, Tekarbon Rear Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS DGM

Last edited by Caddyshk; 12-07-2012 at 06:21 PM..
Appreciate 0
      12-07-2012, 08:01 PM   #40
GammaZeta
Captain
58
Rep
862
Posts

Drives: 1
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ma

iTrader: (1)

Um...did you really pay $200 for wax?
Appreciate 0
      12-07-2012, 08:24 PM   #41
Caddyshk
M = Midlife Crisis
Caddyshk's Avatar
Canada
65
Rep
2,006
Posts

Drives: 2006 Z4MC Interlagos
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GammaZeta View Post
Um...did you really pay $200 for wax?
No - $350 for the full detail from a friend in the business!
__________________
2006 Z4MC - #LL93158
SS Race Cans, RE X Pipe, DKF Sec 1, Fabspeed Headers, OE STB, AS Shifter, Dave Z CDV, GC Coil Overs, Stoptech lines, Hawk DTC Pads, RE Clutch Stop, RE Transmission Mounts, Vibra-Technics Engine Mounts, Poly FCAB & RTAB, LeatherZ M Shift Boot, Tekarbon Rear Spoiler, CF Grills, Advan RS DGM
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2012, 10:24 AM   #42
Kgolf31
Brigadier General
Kgolf31's Avatar
459
Rep
4,531
Posts

Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GammaZeta View Post
Um...did you really pay $200 for wax?
I have Dodo Juice HC and RB, $160 worth of wax.

What's your point?
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2012, 07:23 AM   #43
mike519
Captain
mike519's Avatar
Canada
127
Rep
832
Posts

Drives: 2018 M240i
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Waterloo, Ontario

iTrader: (0)

Shipkiller...pretty sure you mean Wolfgang products. That's what I use...swirl remover, per wax, then sealant. I use Ricardo clay as well.

I am wondering about waxing after sealing though. I know you can layer the sealer coats but have never tried wax afterwards.

Anyone else done wax after Wolfgang sealer?

Anyone else switched from Wolfgang to something like Klasse? Thought about trying that next year.
Appreciate 0
      12-09-2012, 08:35 AM   #44
GammaZeta
Captain
58
Rep
862
Posts

Drives: 1
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Ma

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kgolf31 View Post
What's your point?
$200 jar of wax.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:49 AM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST