Quote:
Originally Posted by Philm001
Hello all,
4) Clean head lamps
I am also considering to "restore" the paint. Now, there is no visible rust on the car or any visible damage to the paint. Very happy about that. But there is a shine to newer cars that I am thinking that I would like to restore to mine.
So to summarize, I am looking for feedback on these:
1) How do I restore the paint's shine it had or to make it shine like the newer cars?
3) Also has anyone had any experience with dash kit overlays? The BMW has an upgrade to swap out some parts of the dash with other materials (I think one option was aluminum) I am considering in the future to get a brushed aluminum dash kit overlay to "hide" it's age and it make it look nicer on the inside. I think that Rvinyl makes one for the model
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****Congrats on your new car. If your headlamps are sun damaged they can be restored to look like new with a decent kit. I used the 3M kit on several cars and it is easy to use and as long as you follow directions, and have a half way decent drill to put the polishing pads on - the results will make the headlamps look like new. I think I paid $15 for the kit on sale.
Restoring the paints shine will require some polishes, perhaps compounds, good wax, and a decent rotary or orbital buffer with lots of pads and a decent amount of time and patience depending upon the damage to the paint and its condition. Look up some YouTube and other videos on the subject, shop around a bit for a decent new or used buffer, pads, etc.. some of the compounds, waxes, etc.. and get it done.
You would be amazed at how much better you can make a somewhat neglected paint job on a vehicle look with some attention to detail, decent chemicals/compounds and some time and effort.
It takes some practice and care to restore areas around seams or corners etc.. especially if using cutting "compounds" that are designed to carefully remove damaged surface to the fresher healthier surface underneath. Best to work slowly and use less or much less abrasive polishes versus too much. Work slowly and perhaps one section at a time before moving on. It takes experience. Some blemishes or damage cannot be removed but many many can with some experience and patience.
There are tons of different types of polishers, buffers - corded, cordless, etc.. One can spend a fortune on this... Some *are* better than others and it will depend on your budget etc.. as to what to get. Don't get too hung up on spending a small fortune on one or several.. Someone with decent experience in detailing can use a less expensive adjustable speed random orbital with good pads and chemicals and do a much better job than someone with a super expensive kit but bad technique, etc.. So much is dependent on technique vs necessarily having the most expensive of everything or the "best". It really won't make as much of a difference than a decent feel for polishing and waxing/paint remediation vs using super expensive chemicals, etc..
No question do your research on this before starting and have everything ready. Amazon sells a bunch of pads and other needed materials like microfiber towels, etc.. which can save you a bunch of money. Some areas will have to be done by hand with some polishes, towels, pads, etc... unless you have multiple sized buffers, etc...
Anyway, sometime less is more and decent technique and attention to detail goes a *very* long way.
Good luck!