Optimum Detailing : Extreme Interior and Exterior Makeover BMW E60 523i

s1tl

1,000 RPM
Senior Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2010
Messages
1,237
Points
713
Location
Ipoh/KL
2015-11-03-10-08-41.jpg

We have with us a quite aged BMW E60 5 series with us today. Being a car of at least 5 years old. It had never been detailed, never been waxed and always driven as it is. Due to some special arrangements, the owner sent the car over to us for 2 days. Read on and find out what we did.
exterior-surface-prep.jpg

Upon arrival, we had to let the car cool down from a 30minute drive. But this is what we found during out initial inspection.
2015-11-03-10-06-01.jpg

Close up, we saw that the car had severe watermark issues.
2015-11-03-10-08-59.jpg

Some deep scratches were very visible.
2015-11-03-10-10-14.jpg

Some finer scratch were also spotted on the hood.
2015-11-03-10-10-01.jpg

As we discovered more hidden treasures. More watermarks were spotted.
2015-11-03-10-09-35.jpg

Time for some proper LED lights. The watermark is visibly stained and swirls are visible.
2015-11-03-14-04-17.jpg

Another area shared the similar fate.
2015-11-03-14-04-23.jpg

Side door panels had lesser watermark issues but was full of swirls.
2015-11-03-17-09-41.jpg

Due to its severity, we check every single square inch of the car.
2015-11-03-17-10-16.jpg

As for the headlights, it was not very visible from a distance but when we looked closer, the lens was yellowish.
2015-11-03-15-57-49.jpg

Edges of the headlight had started to oxidize. In no time, the headlight will become fully yellow and hazy
2015-11-03-15-57-41.jpg

correction.jpg

After we determined the level of damage on the car, we started with cleaning stubborn stains. This area is always a neglected part.
2015-11-03-11-00-48.jpg

We removed the number plates and clean the plate holders.
2015-11-03-11-11-51.jpg

After washing the car, we used some clay lube and clayed the car. This was just from a quarter of the door.
2015-11-03-12-06-34.jpg

We utilized the Rupes Correction System for this paint. Did some test panels to find the perfect combo.
2015-11-03-16-31-23.jpg

After we got the combination of pads and polish, this was the outcome.
2015-11-03-14-04-10.jpg

Swirls were mostly removed.
2015-11-03-17-09-52.jpg

Although the remaining deep scratches was no longer visible, there were still some leftovers.
2015-11-03-17-10-05.jpg

Overall, we were able to restore the shine.
2015-11-03-16-31-31.jpg

Coming to the headlights. We spend a few hours sanding the headlights down, removing all yellowish oxidation.
2015-11-03-15-52-13.jpg

Finally, Correcting the headlights, restoring its clarity.
2015-11-03-16-11-39.jpg

wheels.jpg

As for the wheels, it was 5 years old, not properly cleaned.
2015-11-03-13-12-55.jpg

This brake dust level was just a week old, but the stains at the edges were way longer.
2015-11-03-13-13-01.jpg

So, we decided to remove the wheels for better and easier access to the barrel.
2015-11-03-10-28-19.jpg

We did some intense degreasing and decontamination here to get it to this state.
2015-11-03-11-31-17.jpg

After that, we polished the face, removing oxidation and the stains on the edges.
2015-11-03-11-31-58.jpg

Now the shine from these original wheels are restored.
2015-11-03-11-32-03.jpg

There were a minimal amount of leftover stains that were stained for way too long.
2015-11-03-11-33-38.jpg

Up to now, we had spent 13 hours on the cleaning, decontamination, stain removals, watermark removals, and paint correction.
interior.jpg

The next day, we started work on the interior. This is how the interior looked before. From a distance, you still see a cream coloured interior.
2015-11-04-10-30-04.jpg

The steering looked "normal" to most car owners.
2015-11-04-10-30-44.jpg

But when we looked closer. Stains are obvious.
2015-11-04-10-30-34.jpg

As we observe the leather closer, it doesn't look very cream colour anymore.
2015-11-04-10-30-59.jpg

At this point, we did some testing on the cleaner's dilution ratio.
2015-11-04-10-48-27.jpg

We usually use a 1:9 ratio for normal leather cleaning but this way a special case. Intensiveness had to be increased.
2015-11-04-10-30-40.jpg

Here is a 50/50 from our testing on the arm rest.
2015-11-04-10-30-14.jpg

50/50 on the driver's seat.
2015-11-04-10-48-19.jpg

A closer look on the stains on the passenger seat.
2015-11-04-10-31-05.jpg

And a 50/50 comparison of the true colour.
2015-11-04-11-00-46.jpg

Here is a 50/50 of the back seat.
2015-11-04-13-05-18.jpg

After cleaning all the seats, we moved on to the steering. Here is a 50/50 comparison on the steering. On the left, it is stained and greasy, hence the shiny outlook. On the right, its natural matte finish.
2015-11-04-14-46-50.jpg

This is the leather's texture before cleaning.
2015-11-04-14-46-59.jpg

This is the leather's texture after cleaning.
2015-11-04-14-46-57.jpg

Finally, after 6hours, we completed the interior cleaning and restoration.
2015-11-04-16-15-56.jpg

As the LSP (Last Step Product) We applied Mother's Leather Conditioner for its natural soft touch, matte finish, and butterscotch scent
2015-11-04-16-15-34.jpg

2015-11-04-16-15-45.jpg

2015-11-04-16-16-07.jpg

2015-11-04-16-16-15.jpg


result.jpg
The entire process took 19hours seperated into 2 days. When the owner came over to collect the car, there were just many Thank You and smiles. Enjoy.
2015-11-04-16-13-36.jpg
2015-11-04-16-13-40.jpg
2015-11-04-16-13-42.jpg
2015-11-04-16-13-49.jpg
2015-11-04-16-13-58.jpg
2015-11-04-16-16-39.jpg
2015-11-04-16-16-48.jpg
 

Similar threads

Posts refresh every 5 minutes




Search

Online now

Enjoying Zerotohundred?

Log-in for an ad-less experience