Any one know what type paint was used on the E34 M5's? I recently purchased one in Brilliant Red. The paint looks outstanding but does not appear to be clear coat. While detailing with Meguires paint cleaner (Step One of Three) I noticed a slight amount or the color was coming off on the towel.

Hopefully this is just oxidized paint being removed. After polish and wax (same products) You could see variations in the paint color. Looked like I did not apply even pressure/product in certain areas. You have to look hard to see it.

I will clay bar and repeat the process.

I would like to find out what type paint system that was used on these model years.

TIA, Rob

It is most likely a single stage paint then

It is most likely a single stage paint then

Completely agree.

Do not worry if paint is coming off onto your applicator, for this is normal for any paintwork. The only difference is that you are working with a single stage, which means that there is (for simplicity sakes) one layer of paint on the car which is your color layer which also protects and shines. On a two-stage paint, you have your base coat (color layer) which has virtually no shine, and a clear coat (protective/shine layer). Naturally, when working on 95% of newer cars, they are going to be clear coated, and so while you are working on them you will not notice the 'red' come off onto the pad, because you are removing the clear coat, which is clear. Now on your single stage paint, you don't have a clear coat, so now you see red on your applicator. Either way, paint is being transferred, it is just that you can't see clear :)

On your process, always remember this chart:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v248/wolfstrong/detailing/Image9.jpg

1) Wash the car as normal with car wash; put that dish soap away
2) Cleaning/prepping; this step involves claying the surface, and also using a paint cleaner to get rid of surface etching. In the attempt of removing swirls, Paint Cleaners also fall into this catagory. Some paint cleaners have polish in them, so you can skip step 3, however maximum results are achieved when done separately with dedicated products.
3) Pure Polish is a term used for a Glaze, which simply intends that the product has no cleaning abilities in it, only polishes which will help bring out the luster in the paint. Think of it as putting lotion on your skin; while it won't remove skin/paint, it will help condition it from drying out (oxidation), and restore maximum effect.
4) Protection can come in the form of Carnauba waxes and synthetics. This is purely a matter of personal preference, which can only be attained from trying out many different products yourself, or finding out which one achieves what your are aiming for (durability, protection, wet-look, ease of application, ect.)
5) Maintaining the paint is an often missed step, however plays a very important part in the process. Sometimes, a Quick Wax protect can be used as a 'topping off' for your current LSP to help restore luster. Quick Detailers often take the place in this step as the weapon of choice. Maintaining also involves removing potential hazards off the paint such as bugs, bird droppings, water, and such.

Thats odd that E34's are single stage, E28's were clear-coated.

Thats odd that E34's are single stage, E28's were clear-coated.

Some e36s were single stage as well from the factory. There are some brand new cars today that are single stage as well.

SS does have its advantages though over two stage. For one, they are MUCH easier to restore and work on due to being very porous and soft. This simply means that they just drink in the polish and it doesn't take much to remove the paint. Many single stages also love heat, and it was a common trick to bring back the paint with buffing it at very high RPMs. In a way, you can say that it is a more durable surface than clear coated and isn't as sensitive. From a detailers perspective, or anyone who polishes paint for a living, it is a blessing to work on a single stage over clear coated.

Great advice Wolfstrong. Appreciate the input and will get to work on it ASAP. Thanks

Thats odd that E34's are single stage, E28's were clear-coated.

Not all of e28s had clear.