So ... Tyler "needed" a new daily ...
03-24-2020, 06:43 AM
#81
Hi Tyler. I'm Jeremy.
I like your vehicle of choice, as I'm partial to wagons.
I like that you're after a set of wheels...I think that will really
set off the look.
Curious, are those corners of the headlights a separate piece?
The fact that they are a cleared but yellowing lens seem to age
the front end visually. I'd almost rather see a traditional bright
new amber lens up there. Just a thought.
All cars have problems, given that scope and the age of it, this one seems
to have been good to you thus far.
Much love, take care and stay safe.
Your friend,
J.
I like your vehicle of choice, as I'm partial to wagons.
I like that you're after a set of wheels...I think that will really
set off the look.
Curious, are those corners of the headlights a separate piece?
The fact that they are a cleared but yellowing lens seem to age
the front end visually. I'd almost rather see a traditional bright
new amber lens up there. Just a thought.
All cars have problems, given that scope and the age of it, this one seems
to have been good to you thus far.
Much love, take care and stay safe.
Your friend,
J.
03-24-2020, 09:24 AM
#82
Ex-OEM King
^ Yes the corners are a different piece on all E46 models except for the facelift coupe/convertible. 
03-24-2020, 11:15 AM
#84
Senior Moderator
he's going to do a headlight retrofit before some chitty turn signals
03-24-2020, 01:39 PM
#86
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
Congratulations! Welcome to germanzine
03-24-2020, 02:58 PM
#87
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Those won't fit anyway - the facelifted sedan and Touring models have upswept turn signals, the coupes and 'verts had the carry-over downswept turn signals.
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civicdrivr (03-24-2020)
03-24-2020, 03:40 PM
#89
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
You're a shittable person 
03-24-2020, 03:40 PM
#90
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
Kidding, I love you
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rockstar143 (03-25-2020)
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civicdrivr (03-25-2020)
03-25-2020, 09:56 AM
#92
Senior Moderator
Can I join in on this larbing...?
03-25-2020, 10:21 AM
#93
Turd Polisher
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
I think we all could use a little love, and butt stuff.
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civicdrivr (03-25-2020)
03-25-2020, 11:02 AM
#94
Senior Moderator
03-25-2020, 11:15 AM
#96
Team Owner
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Aman (04-06-2020)
03-25-2020, 11:33 AM
#97
Senior Moderator
yeah but practice social distancing when loving
03-25-2020, 12:27 PM
#98
Senior Moderator
03-25-2020, 01:14 PM
#99
Team Owner
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civicdrivr (03-25-2020)
03-25-2020, 01:26 PM
#100
Senior Moderator
yes
03-25-2020, 01:34 PM
#101
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
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oonowindoo (03-25-2020)
03-25-2020, 01:35 PM
#102
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
03-25-2020, 01:35 PM
#103
Team Owner
03-25-2020, 01:37 PM
#104
Team Owner
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civicdrivr (03-25-2020)
03-25-2020, 01:37 PM
#105
Senior Moderator
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civicdrivr (03-25-2020),
teh CL (03-26-2020)
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civicdrivr (04-06-2020)
04-17-2020, 09:30 AM
#108
Turd Polisher
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
I had to work some odd hours yesterday which allowed me the entire day to give the BMW's paint some love.
Overall, paint wasn't horrible for a 17 year old car .. but it did need some correction & sealant. For something that sits outside 24/7, I needed to give the paint some protection.
Started bright and early:
Products used: (In hindsight, I probably should have polished it post correction but that would have added another 3-4 hours onto an already long ass day.)
Clay bar - After a few recommendations .. I'll be with a mit / re-usable clay bar going forward. Although, these do the job quite well and were cheap AF:
These pictures don't really do the correction process any favors but, I'd say between 80-90% of all scratches were removed ... rest would have required a heavy correction cream / pad that cuts harder. Or wet sanding.
One pass:
Correction done, time to move onto the sealant:
Sealed up:
Car beads water like crazy, especially after spraying on Sonax Spray & Seal post sealant.
I know oonowindoo wants me to put more time into the BMW - Assuming I still have it in a few years, I'd consider picking up a wrecked M3 and S54 / 6MT swap it.
The E46 chassis is worth it.
Overall, paint wasn't horrible for a 17 year old car .. but it did need some correction & sealant. For something that sits outside 24/7, I needed to give the paint some protection.
Started bright and early:
Products used: (In hindsight, I probably should have polished it post correction but that would have added another 3-4 hours onto an already long ass day
.)
Clay bar - After a few recommendations .. I'll be with a mit / re-usable clay bar going forward. Although, these do the job quite well and were cheap AF:
These pictures don't really do the correction process any favors but, I'd say between 80-90% of all scratches were removed ... rest would have required a heavy correction cream / pad that cuts harder. Or wet sanding.
One pass:
Correction done, time to move onto the sealant:
Sealed up:
Car beads water like crazy, especially after spraying on Sonax Spray & Seal post sealant.
I know oonowindoo wants me to put more time into the BMW - Assuming I still have it in a few years, I'd consider picking up a wrecked M3 and S54 / 6MT swap it.
The E46 chassis is worth it.
Last edited by TylerT; 04-17-2020 at 09:32 AM.
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00TL-P3.2 (04-17-2020),
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oonowindoo (04-17-2020),
rockstar143 (04-17-2020),
and 3 others liked this post.
04-17-2020, 09:48 AM
#109
Ex-OEM King
Nice work man, well done! Is that the sealant you recommend going with? I need to do the veedub this spring.
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TylerT (04-17-2020)
04-17-2020, 09:51 AM
#110
Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2014
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Care to expound a little more on your claybar thoughts?
I'm due to pick up some more claybar in the near future and recently saw the clay mits. But it seems odd to me. Sounds like you might have an idea.
I'm due to pick up some more claybar in the near future and recently saw the clay mits. But it seems odd to me. Sounds like you might have an idea.
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TylerT (04-17-2020)
04-17-2020, 09:55 AM
#111
Turd Polisher
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
). I hear good things.Once you seal the car, this is icing on the cake:
https://www.sonaxusa.com/spray-sealant.html
LOVE it. Easy application / lasts a long time.
The S4 beads water and it hasn't been corrected or sealed in over 6 months .. I use this every few months and it keeps up a nice healthy coat. Being garaged helps a lot, but it's easily washed 3-4 times a month ... holds up really well.
Last edited by TylerT; 04-17-2020 at 10:00 AM.
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TylerT (04-17-2020)
04-17-2020, 09:59 AM
#113
Senior Moderator
Great work, dude. Lookin' gorgeous... 
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TylerT (04-17-2020)
04-17-2020, 09:59 AM
#114
Turd Polisher
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Clay bars trap a lot of the debris and you can only fold the claybar so many times ... the clay mit / re-usable clay bars seem to be able to be washed and used over again.
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Midnight Mystery (04-17-2020)
04-17-2020, 10:00 AM
#115
Turd Polisher
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
04-17-2020, 10:32 AM
#117
Ex-OEM King
I have a washable clay bar substitute, it works ok. It's also really expensive. If you do it a lot then it's worth it, if not then I'd just stick to the regular stuff.
04-17-2020, 11:10 AM
#119
Senior Moderator
Mobile detailing could be an excellent business right now and can still be 'social distancing' .. just saying 
04-17-2020, 11:12 AM
#120
@Midnight Mystery got you, Johnny