Car Care and Detailing - Detailing my car

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Detailing my car

Printed From: BMW Car Club Forum
Category: Specialist Q&A
Forum Name: Car Care and Detailing
Forum Description: A forum covering all aspects of car care
URL: https://www.bmwccgbforum.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=16033
Printed Date: 27 Mar 2026 at 4:15am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Detailing my car

Posted By: rpennington
Subject: Detailing my car
Date Posted: 28 Dec 2020 at 11:50am

I recently changed my car & although it was looking clean when i picked it up, it wasn't upto the standard that i am use to after a closer look. I have washed & leathered it a couple of times since ownership but not been able to do anymore than that due to weather conditions.It wasn't too bad yesterday so thought i'd make a start

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https://flic.kr/p/2km4xF5" rel="nofollow - Detailing photos by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

yes i know & some of you that know me & my previous cars this is filthy to me Cry

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https://flic.kr/p/2kmpNbM" rel="nofollow - bmw reg3 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

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https://flic.kr/p/2kmkVqb" rel="nofollow - bmw reg1 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

So out with the pressure washer,snow foam & lance & anything else for the wash stage. I used Autobrite magifoam & foaming lance with about 1-2 inches of magifoam in bottle then topped up with warm water.

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https://flic.kr/p/2km3Y1Z" rel="nofollow - Detailing photos by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

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https://flic.kr/p/2km3X7Q" rel="nofollow - Detailing photos by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

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https://flic.kr/p/2km3WL4" rel="nofollow - Detailing photos by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

This was after about 20 mins of the snow foam doing its work,as you can see it is still very clingy

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https://flic.kr/p/2km3YcL" rel="nofollow - Detailing photos by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

After rinsing off,the next stage was to give it a hand wash using a meguiars lambswool wash mitt & ultimate wash & wax then a leather.

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https://flic.kr/p/2km4wVc" rel="nofollow - Detailing photos by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

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https://flic.kr/p/2kmkViT" rel="nofollow - bmw reg2 - Copy by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

now looking a bit cleaner

I then moved onto inspecting the paint surface for swirls,contaminants etc. just looking over the paint surface it didn't look too bad & it felt smooth when running my hand over the surface, how wrong i was & this was the evidence after clay barring. For this i used meguiars quik detailer & clay bar.

this is one side

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https://flic.kr/p/2km3ZFx" rel="nofollow - Detailing photos by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

this is the other

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https://flic.kr/p/2km3XJG" rel="nofollow - Detailing photos by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

i haven't finished yet Big smile

rich

-------------
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
2011 E90 325d msport - sold
2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack - sold
2018 f36 420d msport gran coupe xdrive - written off
2020 f44 m235i gran coupe xdrive

Replies:

Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2020 at 8:07am

I was able to get a bit more of my detailing work done in between the ice,snow,rain & the bitter cold wind. I machine polished the paintwork to remove the swirl marks etc by using a meguiars mt320 da polisher,red cutting pad & meguiars ultimate compound.I tried a panel first with just using the yellow polishing pad & meguiars ultimate polish as the paint wasn't too bad,this did improve the paint finish but i found it just wasn't getting the finish i was looking for, so i decided to do the full 3 stages by machine & then finishing off with a coat of meguiars ultimate fast finish.

I tried to take some before & after photos but with the lighting,shadows & angles etc this wasn't possible.

Next i started on the engine bay & this was just surface dust more than filthy dirty,as opposed to it not being cleaned for say months or years. All that was needed to start with was a light rinse with the hose to get rid of the dust & then dry it off before treating with meguiars engine dressing.

After rinsing & drying

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https://flic.kr/p/2koYa2v" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

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https://flic.kr/p/2koYa4j" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

After

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https://flic.kr/p/2koYa6o" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

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https://flic.kr/p/2kp3xyk" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

I will keep updating as & when the weather is being kind to me

rich

Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 10 Feb 2021 at 7:12pm

If anyone is following this thread. I apologise for the gaps in updates,but the weather isn’t being very kind & it was probably also the wrong time of year to start it. I’ll post more as soon as I can

Rich

Posted By: PDJT
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2021 at 6:20pm

Thanks, Rich,

Thank you for taking the time to do the pics and write about your processes.

Can I ask a question, please? I am keen to clean my engine bay (F82 M4) - like your's, mine is not filthy, more dust and general grubbiness... but I am wary of putting water onto the engine/engine bay, even a light spray and not full jet wash power.

Does any parts (electrics?) need masked/covered?

Or is it just a case of wiping down with a cloth and cleaner liquid?

How about rinsing off?

Appreciate your thoughts/advice.

Thanks again,

Peter

Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2021 at 2:25pm

Hi Peter

Like I said in my last post,it probably isn’t really the right time of year to start my detailing mainly due to doing bits between the weather that we’re getting.

I worked for a Mercedes Benz main dealer for about 20 years & even on a filthy/oily engine never had a problem with engine starting or electrical problems & some of the technicians use to soak everywhere under the bonnet & never had any problems either. I am on my 3rd bmw & never had a problem using a karcher pressure washer on any parts of the engine bay. The first being an E46 323i that i owned for 12 years.

I use a hoselock garden pressure bottle with a diluted concentration of non caustic tfr, spraying everything under the bonnet then leaving it to soak for a few minutes then going over it with a long reach brush in the hard to reach areas & wiping other areas with a cloth. With my engine/engine bay only being dusty i just used a garden hose with an adjustable spray head to rinse it off & not my pressure washer then just dried it off before using the dressing. I didn’t cover anything up.

If you need anymore help just ask. If things were different & depending on travelling distance i would gladly do it for you.

Regards

Rich

Posted By: PDJT
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2021 at 12:13am

Hello Rich,

Many thanks for your thoughts/advice - very useful indeed.

As you mention, the sub-zero temps of the past week are not quite the "sun and shorts" weather for full cleaning/detailing activities!

Good luck for the rest of the work on yours!

Cheers

Peter

Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2021 at 11:00am

Hi Peter

Your very welcome on the thoughts/advice. This is the hozelock spray bottle i use for prewashing around the bottom of the car,engine bay,badges,window rubbers etc & then use the long reach detailing brush to agitate in all the nooks & crannies.I have had this for many years & never had a problem with the pressure.Next up is the interior which doesn't look dirty being all black but it will be interesting to see what dirt comes out of it.

No weather certainly isn't t-shirt & shorts time.I like your car very nice,i see what you mean by your comment regarding the colour & those wheels would be so easy to clean the backs without taking them off.

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https://flic.kr/p/2kBfPh7" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

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https://flic.kr/p/2kBgnkb" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

This is the brush which is 1.5 inches,you can get these on ebay for about £5 if that much.

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https://flic.kr/p/2kBcgTt" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - richard pennington , on Flickr

rich

Posted By: PDJT
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2021 at 12:12pm

Thank you once again, Rich.

Really appreciate you taking the time with the info and pics. I'll look at getting a spray jug like yours - great idea.

You mentioned about doing your interior as well - I am in the same position - needs doing come the spring. My car has the "Full Merino Leather" and there seems to be acres (hectares?!) of the stuff on the doors and dash as well. Like your's too, mine is black - my choice! I recoil at the idea of having something like near-white "Silverstone"! Each to his own!

Thanks again,

Best wishes

Peter

Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2021 at 5:39pm

No problems with the questions peter,I’m happy to help with any advice.

I’ve got more plastic than leather,mines not as posh as yours😂😂. This is my 3rd beemer that i have ever owned that’s had black interior,i think only because of the exterior colours I’ve had but black doesn’t bother me because it never looks dirty & so doesn’t need cleaning as much as the greys,whites,reds etc. You would be amazed at how quick they get dirty/grubby just from your clothes.

Regards

Rich

Posted By: Robert
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2021 at 11:16am

Hi Rich

This non caustic tfr you refer to, would it be suitable for removing very heavy oil filth that has built up over many years?

I need to clean the E30's engine bay in order to locate the source of all the various oil leaks. Like Peter I am reluctant to use a high pressure washer on old electrics.

The car is still in it's winter pajamas but in early spring when it comes out I plan to tackle it. I may not be far from you, LE12, if you fancy a socially distance & safe lookie next April.

Rob.

Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2021 at 6:10pm

Hi Rob

The reason i use non caustic tfr is because it doesn’t leave staining marks on bodywork & trims like some tfr’s although it would come off. The one i use at the moment, i dilute it down to different strengths depending on what i’m using it on. It’s made by turtle wax & dilution rate is 50:1 to 100:1. To be honest i have never had to use it on very heavily oiled engines,so wouldn’t be able to tell you if the one i have would be strong enough to remove the oily areas first time.

On an e30 because there are more open electrics,meaning not well covered or sealed like mine or peters cars are in the engine bay. I would personally depending on the degree of oil,pre-degrease the bad areas with an engine degreaser by hand & brush to agitate it,then use a low pressure washer that you would have at home.I haven’t cleaned an engine on that age of a bmw for a few years since working at a bmw main dealer for a short time,but i was using a commercial high psi diesel power washer. Hence the reason as i mentioned doing the hand degreasing theory first.

I would gladly take a look at it for you .as i can give you better advise that way. I am near LE9

Regards

Rich

Posted By: PDJT
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2021 at 7:41pm

Once again, many thanks, Rich.

To be honest, I'm not bothered about having lots of leather on the interior - it just came that way - I was a tad more interested in the driving dynamics! Wink

I agree with you re black - my last 4 BMWs have all had black leather - my specific choice. This current one has beautifully soft thick stuff.

I agree re light colours - I don't know how many potential purchases have been vetoed due to light upholstery colour! My brother bought a new 4 series Gran Coupe, and he choose the white/oyster leather. He didn't ask my opinion, and within a couple of months he was upset and on the phone, telling me that his seats were starting to get a blue (jeans!) tinge! He was very upset and certainly learnt from the experience! He hasn't made that mistake since then!

Take care.

Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 14 Feb 2021 at 8:22pm

Hi pete

If you are looking at getting a pressure spray bottle.I was in b&m just looking round & picking up a few bits & whilst in the queue spotted 2 sizes of spray bottles,large was £10 for a 5ltr & £3.50 for a 2ltr,

I remember when i worked for Mercedes with the cars that were full of leather,it was all hand stitched & everywhere in a very nice soft nappa leather.

I have to agree,i have loved the driving experience of all my BMWs so far. There’s just something about the 6 cylinder i just break away from.

Rich

Posted By: PDJT
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2021 at 11:42am

Thanks Rich,

Will have a wander into B&M for one of those pump sprays. Great price!

Cheers!

-------------
Peter

2017 F82 M4
2016 F22 M235i sold
2013 E92 335D Msport sold
2009 E90 320D Msport sold

Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2021 at 4:57pm

Your welcome Pete.

Just remember to follow the instructions & it should last you many years.

Rich

Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 25 Feb 2021 at 6:53pm

With having a nice dry day & some spare time,i started on detailing the interior. I bought this car at the end of nov 2020 & i have only done about 500 miles.The thing with black interiors they always look quiet clean until you start cleaning them as i have found out today. I bought this from a main dealer & it just goes to show they don't clean cars properly.

This is the drivers seat before i started & the other seats no one has been in the car.Hard to see from the photo but it looks a bit shiny in places.

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https://flic.kr/p/2kEQSmj" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

The following photos are of dirt/staining i noticed whilst detailing the interior.

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https://flic.kr/p/2kEV4ni" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

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https://flic.kr/p/2kEQU3f" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

I used a bucket with some warm water in to rinse my interior cleaning cloth out before moving on to the next section,a large interior scrubbing brush,a nail brush to get into the smaller areas & a hand trigger spray bottle with a diluted solution of tfr.

Nice clean water to start

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https://flic.kr/p/2kEQWX8" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

This was the water after just doing the drivers side of the car & the passenger side was just as bad.

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https://flic.kr/p/2kEQWUN" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

The next photos are after getting rid of the dirt & stains

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https://flic.kr/p/2kEQX2w" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

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https://flic.kr/p/2kEQX9W" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

Looks much better now the dirt/stains have nearly/gone depending on what the stain is,it may never be completely removed without replacing the trim.After letting the leather dry for a few minutes,i then treated them with meguiars gold class rich leather using a microfibre application pad.

After being treated

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https://flic.kr/p/2kEQX9F" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

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https://flic.kr/p/2kEQX8Z" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

Posted By: rpennington
Date Posted: 07 Aug 2021 at 11:29am

I know it's been a while since my last post. I decided to give the meguiars ultimate all wheel cleaner a go as i have never used it before.

Wheels have slight brake dust/dirt but not too bad as i do tend to keep my car fairly clean.

Before

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https://flic.kr/p/2md1SLw" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

Leaving it to dwell but not allowing it to dry.I used a wheel brush just to agitate it in some areas as the wheels had small areas of brake dust that had been left in the corners that i wanted to see if it would come off, but to no joy as yet but maybe i didn't leave it long enough.

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https://flic.kr/p/2mcZMVu" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr

Finished

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https://flic.kr/p/2md5U5H" rel="nofollow - Untitled by https://www.flickr.com/photos/158811124@N02/" rel="nofollow - rich , on Flickr