I just picked up an e28 535is and the paint is just dull, but it beautiful condition and should polish up real nice. Now since this is my beater, I'm not looking to spend 100 dollars on products making it look good. My basic question is, if I clay it, can I just put wax on top of the newly clayed surface? And if not, what is a good cheap selant that I can find at a local store? Thanks, Andrew

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/PICT0453.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/2007_10270003.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/ripcurl530/2007_10270002.jpg

The pic of the hood looks like single stage paint with oxidation and little or no protection but the side shots seem to indicate clear coat and reasonable protection. Tell me if it's single stage or 2 stage and we'll take it from there.
-John C.

it is SS.

It is single stage, the hood/roof/trunk are just more dull because they are exposed to the sun more often than the sides.

A clay kit and a good cleaner wax will bring it back to life. I would HIGHLY recommend Meguiar's ColorX as it is cheap ($10), easy to find, and on par with performance with Klasse in terms of an All-in-One wax. The clay will smooth it all out, and prep the surface.

As it goes for all paint cleaners and AIO waxes that you work by hand, they will work if you work them! Put some muscle behind the application and WORK it in, and you will be astonished with the results. If you have a PC buffer, then use that with the AIO.

Total cost of this little restoration would be in the neighborhood of $30 for the Clay Kit ($18-20) and ColorX ($10). The clay kits do come with a sample cleaner wax, and they will work, but there really isn't much in there and trust me on this, you will probably use a lot.

I would also look in to using some Meguiars ScratchX as it's a light polish. The clay kit will just get rid of deep dirt. I personally use Meguiars NXT Techwax on my cars. Make sure the car is good and clean beforehand. That means washed several times with a car shampoo, not some dish soap and then dried with towels to make sure you don't get water spots. Another product for the black trim is Mother's Back to Black. But if you really want to make it nice, and have it last, use Forever Black.

And be sure to post some pics for us!!!

Ive used Meguires Clay kit and over the counter Zymol cleaner wax with a second coat of Meguires NXT paste(or liquid). All available at Auto Zone, ect. Lasts for a good month and about $40 worth of stuff.
Shines single stage right up.
http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i1415863_sg010.jpg (http://www.imagehosting.com)
http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i1415869_gfs026.jpg (http://www.imagehosting.com)
After a month and weekly washes.
http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i1415875_gfs011.jpg (http://www.imagehosting.com)

What you work for........
http://www.imagehosting.com/out.php/i1415878_gfs007.jpg (http://www.imagehosting.com)
2 Clean Bimmers




Hunter

Oxidized single stage -
Like others have said, go clay first. That'll remove surface bits clinging to the paint.

A chemical cleaner like AIO (Klasse) will be a very efficient way of removing oxidation and restoring the paint to a new condition.

Top with a sealant of choice (2 coats) for long term protection, most sealants work with AIO. Optional carnauba on top for depth.

Bunta got great results with his regimen. His first pic is really something!
-John C.

You can get some duragloss 105 for you local carquest. Last months and is a great cleaner with a great shine.

http://onfinite.com/libraries/1241293/054.jpg

Before/After of my the roof of my buddies E30 with 1 pass of XMT 1 on an Orange Pad. Cleaned it up pretty nice...i wanted to try it with some SSR 2.5 on an Orange Pad but he didnt' want to take the time.

http://onfinite.com/libraries/1241291/0b1.jpg

This is an aftershot of his hood; sorry no before pics handy. I like working with single stage paint, it makes my DA look like a hero.

Now that your buddy's car is nice and shiny, he might wanna think about springing for a new Roundel on the hood. :eek:

Now that your buddy's car is nice and shiny, he might wanna think about springing for a new Roundel on the hood. :eek:

this was done about 3 days after some contact with a tirewall at a DE, so he's mainly worrying about getting that stuff fixed up first. (bent fender, busted grills, lights). (i had to get the rubber off the hood).


To the OP: as others have said in this thread, with some elbow grease or a buffer, that car will shine right up. It looks like its in great condition. :buttrock

Single stage.

Before:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/kazakovi/e30%20parting/P1060750.jpg

After:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y219/kazakovi/P1070644.jpg

I would love to detail that car. Paint in that condition is great because it's so dull to start but there is a ton of potential. Taking a PC to that would bring a smile to my face.

I would love to detail that car. Paint in that condition is great because it's so dull to start but there is a ton of potential. Taking a PC to that would bring a smile to my face.

haha, yeah I get a smile just thinking about bringing it up back to spec. (yeah I'm that much of a loser lol), but I don't have a pc.