PSA: Polishing water spots sucks

[Big Six]

Spent most of the evening working on detailing the front bumper. The clear coated metal had allot of water spot damage and the rubber was dull. More polish passes by hand then I care to remember.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/6879962352_9228fc798e_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/7026061909_f910614607_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7026062877_a8556e0f93_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/7026113245_b176e56c38_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/looneys_on_the_lawn/sets/72157629533950339/with/7026113245/

And the spring cleanup goes on and on and on and on and on....

[e24uard]

Can you just polish the bumpers with sandpaper?

I seem to remember someone saying something about a coating that shouldn't be taken off...

Looks awesome btw. If you didn't take the bumper out, how did you manage to get the edges by the rubber.

[GI Jonas]

nice!!! and WTF wheels do you have? Me want so friggin much!

[RSheiman]

I have been using 4-0 steel wool wet with wd-40 to clean up the rubber. Call me crazy but I tried minwax floor reviver on my Bavaria to get rid of the haze on the bumpers and aluminum trim and it worked great and is waterproof. The stuff is water-based, very thin polyurethane which you can wipe on with a rag. If you don't like it, use water to take it off before it dries. It basically makes everything look like it does when it's wet but stays that way. Hell I even used it on scratched CD's and it works!

[stoner]

Do tell what your process was. I'm entertaining using 2000# wet to take of anodizing or something more coarse and work my way back up. If I just trying polishing it just looks cleaner and not polished.
Regards,

Dwight

[ShapeShifter]

Very nice, this is on the short side of my to do list.

[Big Six]

Im not sure the bumpers are anodized. I think they are clear coated. I would not use sandpaper.

I only use polish impregnated steel wool for engine bits (next winters project). The rubber from the factory had a slick coating on it when new for the side pods and raw for the bumper strips.

I used Griots Fine Hand Polish, bout 5 passes on the metal portion. I always mask the rubber off since its pretty porous. Getting polishes and waxes off it is a real pain. I just reverse masked it and the body when I treat the rubber. I used Meguirs Tire Gel on the rubber this time. My old Scirocco had the same type of rubber foam which was a pain to keep looking new. The megs product goes on thick and soaks in well. I then buff the rubber with a micro fiber. It will leave a nice satin factory finish.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/DetailSupplyDepot/ItemDetail.aspx?ItemNo=MIR+G7516&gclid=CO-PrvyZja8CFUpjTAodenZd0g

This is the first time I have tried it on the BMW so I am not sure on the longevity but I hope it to be like the Scirocco, treat it once or twice a year, making sure the rubber is clean before application.

The wheels are 18x8.5 AC Schintzer Type 3s.

Now onto the much worse rear bumper. It looks like the exhaust fumes have done a number on the metal bumper, very hazy. Breaking out the random orbital to see how it works.

[86GT635]

I've never had any luck with the clear anodize on the bumpers/trim. I have some anodized chrome lips on some wheels with some hazing, dunno what to do.

[ShapeShifter]

Anodize can be removed with oven cleaner.

[RSheiman]

Using the minwax revivor does not require hours of work nor is it irreversible so from my point of view, other than the 15 bucks at Home Depot, you have nothing to lose. Just apply a thin coat with a clean rag onto a clean surface, in one direction. You can go over it again if you have streaks.

[Alex E24 E30]

For crappy/faded looking rubber, short from buying new replacement rubber, has anyone tried the rubber trim paints with any success? My rear rubber bumper strip is generally in fantastic shape, but the original shiny coating has been sun baked off the top half of it.

I had heard that Plasti-Dip was a decent trick, but after trying it on the Benz for a test run, I've found it isn't durable. The second you mask it off to polish the pain, it peels right off with the tape.


Alex

[illmatic37]

If the waterspots aren't super bad, like years and years and years worth, claybar works well on removing waterspots, on glass too. Usually it's easier and faster than polishing them out. Better for the paint surface too.

[Big Six]

Yeah, I clay bar before I polish anything. Didnt make a dent in these.

The rear bumper didnt come out as nice as the front. All that exhaust really ate into the bumper metal.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6884655612_eaa00361f1_c.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6884659012_bc6a99fefb_c.jpg

The middle was just too far gone for the product I have. When I tear it back down to do the paint I may try using Megs compound. Or give the floor wax suggestion a try.

Did end of getting the first coat of wax on the wheels.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/7030756673_85e3da532c_c.jpg

One step closer to the full polish and wax for summer.

[GarmaZabi]

Almost all the chrome Trim on my car has a bit of a haze to it, what would you guys recommend for trying to biff this off?

[JimPA]

Anodize can be removed with oven cleaner.

I'd read that tip and tried it but with zero success. I also tried various grades of wet sanding to little effect. Perhaps the anodizing was unusually robust on my '88. I finally had it chemically stripped.

Rather than re-anodizing, I finished the bumpers with several coats of CopperDoc non-yellowing clear, a product designed to protect polished copper. After 4+ years, I've been happy with that choice.

[jl6er]

I'd read that tip and tried it but with zero success. I also tried various grades of wet sanding to little effect. Perhaps the anodizing was unusually robust on my '88. I finally had it chemically stripped.

Rather than re-anodizing, I finished the bumpers with several coats of CopperDoc non-yellowing clear, a product designed to protect polished copper. After 4+ years, I've been happy with that choice.

Do you have any pics that show off your trim well? I am interested to see it, as my '88 may need such a treatment in the future.

Thanks.
Justin

[JimPA]

http://i39.tinypic.com/35jj7n6.jpg


Above is a shot of the rear. Two pics of the front follow. It's difficult to overcome the glare so the best bet is to see the car at SESF.

The rubber strips are original. I used a fine file for some spots and progressively finer sandpaper to remove or minimize gouges, cuts and scratches. I followed that with lots of 3M Hand Glaze, thorough cleaning and washing, then multiple applications of 1 Grand rubber treatment.




http://i44.tinypic.com/2620285.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/dw3yue.jpg

[jl6er]

^
Looks nice,
thanks for the pics!

[Larry Watson 3]

For crappy/faded looking rubber, short from buying new replacement rubber, has anyone tried the rubber trim paints with any success? My rear rubber bumper strip is generally in fantastic shape, but the original shiny coating has been sun baked off the top half of it.

I had heard that Plasti-Dip was a decent trick, but after trying it on the Benz for a test run, I've found it isn't durable. The second you mask it off to polish the pain, it peels right off with the tape.


Alex
FOREVER BLACK does not peel off SEE BAVAUTO.COM for details

[volac]

For crappy/faded looking rubber, short from buying new replacement rubber, has anyone tried the rubber trim paints with any success? My rear rubber bumper strip is generally in fantastic shape, but the original shiny coating has been sun baked off the top half of it.

I had heard that Plasti-Dip was a decent trick, but after trying it on the Benz for a test run, I've found it isn't durable. The second you mask it off to polish the pain, it peels right off with the tape.


Alex

Duplicolor (I think) makes a bumper trim spray, and it's great. I've tried Forever Black and Back To Black, neither is as dark as one might imagine. It stays on and is durable, but it's kind of a darkish grey, definitely noticeable that it's not black.

I used the bumper trim spray (it's a grey can with some truck on it with a huge black plastic bumper) and the black is VERY black indeed. It's coming off on the rear, but I think that's because I didn't do a good job prepping the rear. The front is untarnished and it's been a few months.

Before:

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/390865_10150393171653198_583298197_8339697_5203168 76_n.jpg

After:

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/388117_10150394317868198_583298197_8343759_9646118 70_n.jpg

And in direct sunlight (after):

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s720x720/376062_10150395412683198_583298197_8347544_1649548 548_n.jpg

EDIT: Also darker than plasti-dip. Oh and here's a tip for plasti-dip spray: Remove the tape before the paint dries, so the paint doesn't peel off with the tape.

[GarmaZabi]

So i went out and cleaned up my car today. I went ahead and used the Megs high endurance tire gel, used it on all the black trim on the car and buffed it. Left a beautiful satin finish just like it was claimed. Id say that is the best remedy for faded trim other than replacing or paint. Although I'm having triuble finding anything to help with the hazing on my chrome trim. I want to try the Griots fine hand polish but i cant find it anywhere..

[Big Six]

You will need to put a coat of the tire gel on from time to time Garma. I usually find it takes a while to build up. But no need to go crazy with it. First coat is holding up ok on my car, probably mask and do another today in the sun.

As for Griots, you'll need to order from Griots or Autogeek.

http://www.griotsgarage.com/
http://www.autogeek.net/griots-garage-car-care.html?gclid=CJj3zP2MqK8CFSzptgod320NXg

Griots is local to me so I just stop by. If you get the Fine Hand Polish I recommend getting a orange 3' pad and velcro pad holder. If it doesnt work on your bumpers the FHP product is great for scratches and other small area paint clean up.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/3+inch+orange+foam+polish+pad+and+holder.do?sortby =ourPicks

I am thinking about trying the floor wax suggestion above for the metal bumper trim. My rear bumper finish is trashed anyway so what the hell.

[GarmaZabi]

Yeah I figure the tire gel thing will last a few weeks or so before I have to do it again, but its worth it for 9 bucks a bottle; I barely used any doing the entire car, as for the bumper trim I'm thinking about trying that Minwax floor revive as well My rear bumper looks just as bad if no worse than yours.

[Big Six]

Yeah, that tire gel is great, even for tires. :)

I dont buff it off on the tires though. Still dries satin.

[GarmaZabi]

Here's how my car turned out. I used it on pretty much any black trim on the car. looks great.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/577430_10150651816956587_705576586_9833505_2461283 1_n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/577858_10150651817056587_705576586_9833506_2088266 367_n.jpg

[dwal95008]

I have terrible spots all over my rear aluminium strip. Am I screwed or is there a way for me to fix it. I cant post a pic now but imagine the whole middle 3-4 ft of the bumper just cloudy with spots...

[M6ermike]

I'd read that tip and tried it but with zero success. I also tried various grades of wet sanding to little effect. Perhaps the anodizing was unusually robust on my '88. I finally had it chemically stripped.

Rather than re-anodizing, I finished the bumpers with several coats of CopperDoc non-yellowing clear, a product designed to protect polished copper. After 4+ years, I've been happy with that choice.

I've seen the results of Jim's refinished bumpers and they are beautiful. It is a lot of work, but he has step-by-step instructions (I saved a copy in the event that I lose all reasoning and decide to undertake the same thing on my car!).

[dwal95008]

would it be possible to pm me that info?? ive lost all sanity apparenty haha

[Big Six]

Ha, by virtue of us being here and talking about this we have lost all reasoning...

[M6ermike]

would it be possible to pm me that info?? ive lost all sanity apparenty haha

Be happy to -- but it will be next week. Am on vacation this week and not heading home until next Wed.

[eagleeye635]

Your trim looks like new, what did you do to it?

[Big Six]

Whose? Mine?

[eagleeye635]

Whose? Mine?
Yes sir, you!

[Big Six]

Ha, I cleaned them really well and I treat them with Meguirs Extreme Tire Gel. The first few times I let it soak over night, now I just treat with a sponges and wipe off. I think if you search my posts I describe it in better detail. Let me know if you want more info.

[dwal95008]

Be happy to -- but it will be next week. Am on vacation this week and not heading home until next Wed.

sweet thank you.