[alexc93]

I have been meaning to put this thread together for a while but have been extremely busy.

Always been fairly obsessive with maintaining my cars, and recently went all out on my M235i and did a full paint decontamination, two stage machine polish, and ceramic coating. The entire project took about 12 hours. I could have maybe done it faster but was trying out some new products so decided to take my time with it.

Not sure why some of my pics are showing sideways...some should show as portrait - apologies for that.

Tools used:
Rupes LHR15 MKII Bigfoot Polisher
Uber Yellow Foam Pads 5.5”
Uber Green Foam Pads 5.5”
Adams 10” Wash Pads
Adams Great White Drying Towels
Adams Borderless Gray Towels
Uber Foam Cannon

Products used:
Chemical Guys Maxi Suds
Adams Wheel Cleaner
Sonax Fall Out Cleaner
Uber Yellow Clay Bars
Menzerna FG400 Fast Gloss Compound
Menzerna SF3500 Super Finish
Sonax Wheel & Rim Shield
Adams Ceramic Coating Kit
Adams Glass Cleaner
Adams Tire Shine

Pictures throughout the detail process:

Presoak, wash, and Adam's Wheel Cleaner in process

















My detail assistant



Decontamination with Sonax Fall out in process







Clay Bar



Post clay bar - note the water sheeting where no wax's etc left on the paint.



Ready for polishing - forgot to snap a pic of my Rupes or SF3500 polish







After Stage 1 & 2 polish



















Adam's Ceramic Coating - very nice product. Having had several months to review, the beading is amazing even after 6 months. Even had someone bump the car in a parking lot and had some paint transfer, which came off immediately with the rub of a microfiber towel and some detail spray. Highly recommend for the price point. I have used several ceramic coatings including Adam's, Nanolex, and others. Nanolex Si3D just doesn't seem to last as long as my Adam's has, but is also a great coating with similar hydrophobic properties.



Pulled into the sun to show Ceramic Coating shine after 48 hour curing

[cxp213]

That looks great! I wish I knew how to detail so I can do mine and get results like that.

[hyunminyo]

awesome jobs and pictures
How do you keep your engine bay clean?
m235 has so many grooves under hood and all the gunk and slushes are pooling.
any idea?

[gk09]

Originally Posted by alexc93

I have been meaning to put this thread together for a while but have been extremely busy.

Always been fairly obsessive with maintaining my cars, and recently went all out on my M235i and did a full paint decontamination, two stage machine polish, and ceramic coating. The entire project took about 12 hours. I could have maybe done it faster but was trying out some new products so decided to take my time with it.

Not sure why some of my pics are showing sideways...some should show as portrait - apologies for that.

Tools used:
Rupes LHR15 MKII Bigfoot Polisher
Uber Yellow Foam Pads 5.5”
Uber Green Foam Pads 5.5”
Adams 10” Wash Pads
Adams Great White Drying Towels
Adams Borderless Gray Towels

Products used:
Chemical Guys Maxi Suds
Adams Wheel Cleaner
Sonax Fall Out Cleaner
Uber Yellow Clay Bars
Menzerna FG400 Fast Gloss Compound
Menzerna SF3500 Super Finish
Sonax Wheel & Rim Shield
Adams Ceramic Coating Kit
Adams Glass Cleaner
Adams Tire Shine

Pictures throughout the detail process:

Presoak, wash, and Adam's Wheel Cleaner in process

Attachment 1694922

Attachment 1694924

Attachment 1694925

Attachment 1694926

Attachment 1694923

Attachment 1694927

Attachment 1694928

Attachment 1694929

My detail assistant

Attachment 1694930

Decontamination with Sonax Fall out in process

Attachment 1694931

Attachment 1694932

Attachment 1694933

Clay Bar

Attachment 1694934

Post clay bar - note the water sheeting where no wax's etc left on the paint.

Attachment 1694935

Ready for polishing - forgot to snap a pic of my Rupes or SF3500 polish

Attachment 1694936

Attachment 1694937

Attachment 1694938

After Stage 1 & 2 polish

Attachment 1694939

Attachment 1694940

Attachment 1694941

Attachment 1694942

Attachment 1694943

Attachment 1694944

Attachment 1694945

Attachment 1694946

Attachment 1694947

Adam's Ceramic Coating - very nice product. Having had several months to review, the beading is amazing even after 6 months. Even had someone bump the car in a parking lot and had some paint transfer, which came off immediately with the rub of a microfiber towel and some detail spray. Highly recommend for the price point. I have used several ceramic coatings including Adam's, Nanolex, and others. Nanolex Si3D just doesn't seem to last as long as my Adam's has, but is also a great coating with similar hydrophobic properties.

Attachment 1694948

Pulled into the sun to show Ceramic Coating shine after 48 hour curing

Attachment 1694949

Attachment 1694950

Sick work dude.
Is that a Dinan exhaust on there too?

[alexc93]

Originally Posted by cxp213

That looks great! I wish I knew how to detail so I can do mine and get results like that.

Thanks!

I spent a couple of years building my collection of detailing equipment and just learning as I go. The Rupes Random Orbital does make it very easy to polish, i'd recommend for anyone looking to start out. Lots of amazing detailers online with great tutorials also.

[alexc93]

Originally Posted by hyunminyo

awesome jobs and pictures
How do you keep your engine bay clean?
m235 has so many grooves under hood and all the gunk and slushes are pooling.
any idea?

My engine bay I only do a full clean about twice a year because the car is garaged & it doesn't seem to get too dirty. However:

First plastic bag & tape off any electrical looking areas but don't panic most stuff is able to get wet in there, then I use my Uber foam cannon with Adam's strip wash mixture (most soap mixtures will be fine), then go over with some Boars Head detailing brushes especially in the trouble areas, pressure wash all soap off with a wide spray, then dry in all the nooks and crannies with an electronic leaf blower to ensure no water is left sitting. Then a quick one over with some detail spray & microfibers.

I recommend leaving the car running while you do this and for a few minutes after to ensure no water sits in with the spark plugs and will evaporate as it can cause a bit of light rusting in there.

[alexc93]

Originally Posted by gk09

Sick work dude.
Is that a Dinan exhaust on there too?

Stock exhaust with BMS 3.5" Matte Black straight-cut tips. I am running a catless downpipe though so it doesn't sound stock Great combo imo.

[pz619]

So I think I'm going to go with the Adam's ceramic coating as well. Any ideas how long it's suppose to last? Also how was the application process?

Looks great!!

[alexc93]

Originally Posted by pz619

So I think I'm going to go with the Adam's ceramic coating as well. Any ideas how long it's suppose to last? Also how was the application process?

Looks great!!

I highly recommend the Adam's coating. I have used extensively Nanolex, and Adam's, however personally prefer Adam's. I have had my car coated for over 6 months and still beading very well. I would say 1 year is probably when the car would need recoating.

Application process was straight forward, no easier or more difficult than any other ceramic coating. Like I mentioned I have done many ceramic coatings in the last couple years. If you are a first timer I think the Adam's kit is a good start as long as you follow the instructions and prep the paint correctly prior to application.

[pz619]

Originally Posted by alexc93

I highly recommend the Adam's coating. I have used extensively Nanolex, and Adam's, however personally prefer Adam's. I have had my car coated for over 6 months and still beading very well. I would say 1 year is probably when the car would need recoating.

Application process was straight forward, no easier or more difficult than any other ceramic coating. Like I mentioned I have done many ceramic coatings in the last couple years. If you are a first timer I think the Adam's kit is a good start as long as you follow the instructions and prep the paint correctly prior to application.

Well, that's all I needed to hear! Just ordered a kit. I'm a first timer on the coating but watched a few videos.

[alexc93]

Originally Posted by pz619

Well, that's all I needed to hear! Just ordered a kit. I'm a first timer on the coating but watched a few videos.

Nice! You will be very happy.

Are you planning on doing a paint decontamination / correction prior to applying the coating?

[pz619]

Originally Posted by alexc93

Nice! You will be very happy.

Are you planning on doing a paint decontamination / correction prior to applying the coating?

Sure am! The paint is in pretty good condition but I will run a finishing polish over the car. If anything, to remove any residual wax/sealant that might be on there previously. I'll use clean slate/strip wash but it doesn't always seem to get everything. Plan is as follows (pretty much the same as what you did):

1. Strip Wash Car
2. Use a fallout decontaminate such as car pro iron x.
3. Run a clay mitt over the car incase I miss anything
4. Polish the car using a finishing polish just to take care of any minor swirls or scratches that may come up in the last 6 months. Also remove any residual waxes.
5. Coat the car

[mumps]

Great job! Car looks fantastic!

Chris

[Kingpin4]

Fantastic job!
Looks amazing! Kudos to your assistant!

[Taunto]

Great Photos.
ive never been a big fan of black vehicles, but i love a freshly polished Black vehicle. Looks so sharp.

I dont know whats nicer...the car..or the houses

Very nice car.

[lateapex'er]

Wow! Looks great!