Call Me Gumby...

[geordi]

Well I finally took the leap of using a detail clay on my E28. I've read about it and have seen photos of end results, but its counterintuitive for me to take an abrasive product to the paint on my car.

Spent most of the day Sunday taking my time and going through the process. Finished with a wax and called it a day. Used the Mequire's kit found at most auto stores and Zymol Rogue wax. I'm sure there are better clay kits available and if anyone has a recommendation, let me hear it.

Wow! I am now a believer. I'll let the photos provide the details.



















Thanks to all who have posted information on detailing over the years! Incredibly helpful!

[tschultz]

Sure looks great George! Also looks a world different than when I saw the photos when you bought this car! Great work

[Hffvdbl]

It looks great George!!

[geordi]

Thanks for the kind words Tom and Gary! I wish I had your paint job Gary. Rob does fabulous work.

Now all I need is those red tabs on the seat belt receiver assembly and I think I can call this E28 done!

geo

[Justin_FL]

Looks nice!

There are other clays out there but all are pretty much the same, especially in the US, which until recently all came from one manufacturer due to patents. Or at least that is my understanding. You can get more abrasive versions for heavier contamination, like over spray but you would need to polish the paint afterward as maring is likely. Some brands are a bit easier to work and shape.

I've never found a clay process to make much optical difference except on a white 2002 Eurovan my brother and I picked up. It was quite neglected from living near the ocean and had a brown tinge from hard water sprinkler stains, plus all types of over spray from house or building painting. Many structures are cement block/stucco down here and are painted with a spayer every couple of years, so I see it often. After my medium and aggressive clay in some places it looked like about 4000 grit sand paper had been taken to the van. The paint polished up nicely.

[BimmerSultan]

This car is so stunning. You've done great work George. Can't wait to see it.

[tig]

Gee thanks. All you've done by posting these pics is make me even more motivated to do Vlad's euro bumper conversion.

Great work though!

[leadphut]

beautiful car George!

[Coldswede]

The car looks great George.
You will be happy to know that claying a car is not time consuming, if not neglected. Once a year seems to work well if the wax is maintained. Tree sap seems to be the worst problem, for me at least.

[wkohler]

That looks fantastic, George!

[Nebraska_e28]

That's hawt! Will it be present in Topeka?

[Brad D.]

That is a fantastic looking car.

[unt0uchable]

That is a fan-freakin-tastic looking car.

FTFY.

Love me some Zinno. And some euro. And some shadow line.

[OcCoupe]

Fracking Tasty!!!

[KegCoyote]

Dayum! That is one sexy car.

[muleskinner]

Great job with the euro conversion and the clay. Car looks awesome.

[5280 JB]

Oh yeah, Baby! Beautiful!

Just a hint of advice: When you say.........

"Now all I need is those red tabs on the seat belt receiver assembly and I think I can call this E28 done! "

.............these cars are never "done."

Jim

[geordi]

Thank you all for the compliments! It never would have made it to this point if it wasn't for the folks and resources on this forum. Kudos to everyone who was there when I had a question or needed help.
Justin, I'll PM your for a source on those medium and aggressive clays.

Tim, it will be at Vintage. Look forward to finally meeting you!

Gee thanks. All you've done by posting these pics is make me even more motivated to do Vlad's euro bumper conversion.
Great work though!

I can't take full credit for the euro bumpers. Ramona & I prepped them, but the install was done by a few boys in Cali. Glad that it motivated you! btw, I appreciate the detailed thread on Vlad and the M30b35 build. Been a fun read and a great assist in my project.

The car looks great George.
You will be happy to know that claying a car is not time consuming, if not neglected. Once a year seems to work well if the wax is maintained. Tree sap seems to be the worst problem, for me at least.

Now that I had my clay cherry busted, I'll pick up the pace next time

That looks fantastic, George!

Thanks Chris! I swapped a 3.46 for the 3.73 this week. Initial impression is the car lost its quickness in the upper gears. Jury is still out on the swap.

That's hawt! Will it be present in Topeka?

Ramona is auto-xing her M3 and if I can get her to buy into us driving two cars, I'll drive the zinno up. btw, I won't forget your bronze glass!

Oh yeah, Baby! Beautiful!

Just a hint of advice: When you say.........

"Now all I need is those red tabs on the seat belt receiver assembly and I think I can call this E28 done! "

.............these cars are never "done."

Jim

So true, so true! I try to draw the line, but I always find something else to tweak.
geo

[Drew in NYC]

Hot damn, that looks fantastic. Kudos!

[unt0uchable]

I know I already posted here, but DAMN that paint looks awesome. It's really making me wish it were a consistent 60-70* out so I could hit my lowly e34 with some kind of similar treatment. That red just looks so good. They did not make enough Zinno/Schwarz combo cars. My favorite by far.

Again, outstanding work on that.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Lovely. Shadowlined zinno' cars with body coloured bars have gotta be pretty close to my personal favorite combinations. Very nice indeed!

[Tammer in Philly]

I never think I like red E28s all that much until I see them in this condition.

[rollcentre]

George, your car is looking great!

That's some inspiration right there. I need to get mine looking better.

[davintosh]

Nice. There's just something about a red car...

[Nebraska_e28]

I'd rock it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHhD4PD75zY

[GaAlpinaOwner]

Now that looks awesome like it was supposed to look w/o the hideous bumpers!!!!

Sweet job