Sapphire Black X5 Cleaned, Corrected, and Protected with CQuartz Finest

[Zach McGovern]

This vehicle was brought to me for a very thorough cleaning inside and out. The exterior was also protected with our premium paint coating, CQuartz Finest, for durable protection and incredible shine.


Process
Exterior
- Tires: Tuf Shine Tire Cleaner & Brush
- Wheels: Pressure Rinse followed by Sonax Full Effect and various brushes and tools
- Pre-Wash: 4-5oz CG Citrus Wash via DI Foam Lance & Karcher Pressure Washer
- Wash: ONR
- Decontamination: Nanoskin Fine Grade Mitt with Glide as Lubrication
- Tape
- Paint Thickness Readings Taken
- Compounding: Meguiar's D300/M105 Combo on MF Cutting Disks via Rupes LHR21ES and Rupes LHR75e
- Polishing: Meguiar's M205 on Lake Country White Pads via Griot's Garage 3rd Gen DA
- Surface Prep: CarPro Eraser
- Ceramic Paint Coating: CarPro CQuartz Finest (2 coats)
- Exhaust Tips: CG Metal Polish + Protection, #0000 steel wool when needed, else applied via MF towel
- Glass: Meguiar's D120
- Tire Dressing: CarPro PERL (1:1) (2 coats)
- Wheel Sealant: CarPro HydrO2
- Trim Protection & Dressing: 303 Aerospace Protectant



Interior
- Floor Mats Removed
- Interior Blown Out with Metro Sidekick Blaster
- Vents & Crevices Swept
- Thorough Vacuum
- Removed Sticky Buildup from Center Console with Steam
- Removed Salt Buildup in Carpet with Steam & Meguiar's D103
- Leather Steam Cleaned, then gently agitated with D103 and boar's hair brush, then steamed again
- Vinyl & Plastic Cleaned and then Dressed with 303
- Glass: Meguiar's D120
- Door Jams Polished with M205 and sealed with Reload
- Carpets & Mats steamed and brushed


Engine
- Rinse
- Soak with D101 and agitate with various brushes
- Rinse
- Blow Dry
- Plastics Dressed with 303 & CG Black on Black


Before

The heavy brake dust buildup had left these wheels looking dark and dull
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2857_zpsd1fd3bc7.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2862_zpsb2f33909.jpg




Plenty of dirt and water spots
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2858_zps5b39add7.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2860_zps80346552.jpg





There were bugs splattered everywhere. Unfortunately much of the damage was too severe to remove.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2859_zps53251d56.jpg




The engine needed a good cleaning
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2860_zps80346552.jpg




Black Sapphire Metallic... I know from previous experience that this is some rock hard paint.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2863_zpsdd65f843.jpg




The interior still had a fair amount of salt buildup from the past winter
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140823-DSC_2896_zps90b08ef2.jpg




The leather was looking quite dirty and was ready for a thorough cleaning
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140823-DSC_2898_zps0e3eab9e.jpg




Nice sticky residue left over on the center console and cup holders
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140823-DSC_2903_zps913bd465.jpg





During

Again, the wheels were covered in a thick layer of brake dust and dirt. This is quite common with german vehicles.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2864_zpsb51f77a4.jpg




I was able to remove a fair amount with a pressure rinse... notice the small section on the left that has not been rinsed.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2865_zps081b19f1.jpg




Even though a large amount of dirt was removed, there was still plenty left on the surface. Sonax Full Effect wheel cleaner was used to help break down the remaining dirt on the wheels.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2866_zps02c40c84.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2869_zpsfec0ecc5.jpg



There was an incredible amount of grime coming from these barrels of the wheels.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2870_zps7412fdc0.jpg




They are truly a different color after cleaning
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2872_zpscadbaa56.jpg




The wheels were sealed with HydrO2 to provide a water resistant barrier that will help to make them easier to clean
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2879_zps0a684bea.jpg




Next, the vehicle was thoroughly rinsed, foamed, and hand washed. The paint was then properly decontaminated to remove tar, iron deposits, and other bonded contamination.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140821-DSC_2877_zpscb9d0f68.jpg




Once the paint was clean, the defects were easily visible. The vehicle was covered in a fair amount of scratches and swirls and there were also plenty of rotary holograms present from the dealership detailers.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2880_zpsf00a2d65.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2881_zps6a4a2e89.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2882_zps7b0a420c.jpg





More Swirls and scratches
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2884_zpsd3493516.jpg


http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2885_zpse52c65fb.jpg




Door before correction
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2886_zps3326748f.jpg




After compounding, most of the defects were removed from this panel.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2887_zps6baef4ed.jpg




Rear door before correction.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2889_zps179d2d8a.jpg




Again, a nice improvement after compounding... but still some remaining RIDS.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2891_zps460bb9a1.jpg





Fender before correction. Notice the hazy appearance from the poor 'buffing' done by the previous dealership detailer
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140823-DSC_2913_zps53e9b19d.jpg




After compounding the surface was much more brilliant. This would be further refined with the finishing polish later.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140823-DSC_2914_zps12bc032f.jpg

[Zach McGovern]

Door before correction
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2893_zpsc1323292.jpg




Door after compounding
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140822-DSC_2894_zpsa0dc3866.jpg





Before correction
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140824-DSC_2919_zpsb313b898.jpg




After Compounding
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140824-DSC_2922_zps0c1e4efa.jpg




The lights were also in need of correction. Notice the hazy appearance from the swirls.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140824-DSC_2923_zpsd27e0ebc.jpg




Crystal clear after compounding
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140824-DSC_2924_zpsee04eefa.jpg




After the 2 step correction, the paint was incredibly glossy
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140824-DSC_2926_zps36c356b8.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140824-DSC_2927_zps2ebf486e.jpg




The paint looked much clearer, and only the small deeper defects remained
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140824-DSC_2929_zpscd868d83.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140824-DSC_2931_zps9793b70c.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140824-DSC_2932_zpsf7f6078a.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140824-DSC_2934_zps447b996e.jpg




2 thick coats of CQuartz Finest was then applied to all painted areas to provide durable layer of protection and increase gloss even further.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140826-DSC_3007_zps2bc12900.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140827-DSC_3021_zpsa3adb210.jpg





The leather was thoroughly cleaned using steam, all purpose cleaner, and soft brushes. Notice the difference on the seat between the left and right side.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140823-DSC_2904_zpsbc584909.jpg




All carpet was vacuumed and steam cleaned.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140823-DSC_2906_zpsfadcd1b5.jpg




Interior cleaned up nicely
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140823-DSC_2909_10_11_HDR_zpsd23acd75.jpg




Exhaust tips were dull and in need of restoration.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140827-DSC_3025_zpsb8f23f26.jpg




They polished up nicely, but there were some areas that had pitted and were not repairable.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140827-DSC_3028_zpscf994380.jpg





After

The paint was now a deep, rich black with a mirror-like shine.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140829-DSC_3036_zpsb2587b40.jpg


http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140829-DSC_3037_zps87d96a55.jpg


http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140829-DSC_3038_zpsf3cffb5d.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140829-DSC_3045_zps0e1bd564.jpg




My favorite after shot.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j24/AttentiontoDetailingPeoria/Detail%20BMW%20X5/20140829-DSC_3046_zpsfb2b4ab3.jpg


As always, thanks for reading.

[KMG]

Amazing stuff as usual Zach. Keep up the good work.

[Zach McGovern]

Amazing stuff as usual Zach. Keep up the good work.

Thanks Kevin!

[Dr_Pain]

How did I miss this Show and Shine! Amazing Zach! You must be using a ruler to get those concourse lines just right :)

[Moldavite]

Wow! that paint really pops :eek:
Fantastic job Sir

[michakaveli]

Great job.... Looks great!