Intermediate Detail: BMW E46 M3

A very well-maintained BMW E46 M3 in for a clean & protect detail.

The car has been repainted about 3 months ago and still looks pretty glossy. The car arrived with the usual dirt and grime.

The wheels were in a terrible shape though.

IronX was used to ‘bleed’ out the metallic particles embedded in the brake calipers and the wheels. But even this wasn’t enough, so I used ValetPRO’s Bilberry wheel cleaner undiluted. This removed what ever that can be removed very quickly.

Car is washed with a strong solution of Osren Bubble and Wax shampoo, grills and tight areas were brushed to loosen trapped dirt.

Clayed with Osren Magic Clay cloth and lower panels were wiped down with Osren Tar Remover.

Some taping done up to prevent black trim from being stained by polish.

Since the paint is fairly new, I adviced the owner not to do a full compound yet as the difference is only marginal. It would not be cost-effective and also overkill. So a 1-stepper is done with Meguiar’s #205 Ultra Finishing Polish to remove some light swirl marks and holograms, provide some filling to hide some deeper ones, cleanse the paint and restore overall gloss.

With little protection on the paint, embedded dirt is plenty.

A quick spin on the pad washer and it’s ready to go.

Deeper scratches and scuff marks received multiple hits.

Interior surfaces are wiped down with Osren Leather Cleaner. Carpet is shampooed with Ambersil’s Upholstery Cleaner.

Lots of dirt from the original mats.

Next, exhausts!

The tailpipes were large enough that I could fit in Lake Country’s polishing ball attached to a drill.
This made them look fantabulous!

Autosol was used (2-3hits), followed by Meguiar’s NXT AlLl Metal Polish which acts as a ‘finishing polish’ since the abrasives are finer.

With the tailpipes done, all panel gaps were wiped down with ValetPRO’s Citrus Bling. A very nice product to clean up painted parts and leaving some shine with slickness. Duragloss #601 Polish Bonding Agent is used to loosen the oils from M205 and help Duragloss #105 Total Performance Polish cure faster and bond better.

Finally, tires are dressed with Meguiar’s Hyperdressing. Enjoy the final photos!

That’s it and thanks for looking!!!

P.S To my regular followers, if you are wondering about the long absence of posts, it is because I have been sick for a while and have lots to catch up on. Now I’m back up again and do expect posts to be consistent again. Oh, besides that, I have a new weekend distraction, PAINTBALL!!!

If I am not detailing, then I am paintballing, I play at Canyon Paintball mostly, come join me. 🙂

Till then! Happy detailing all!