What did you do to / for your E53 today??

[n_sievers]

Got to try out my new buffer. Spent a majority of Sunday detailing the exterior (jet black) from past 2 years of it not having its own garage stall; thankfully that has been corrected and gets to reside next door to it brother X6! Unfortunately it was a victim of a hail storm 2 summers ago, thought I could live with the dented hood (beyond PDR unfortunately) but it's killing me to see it like that. Now to find a jet black hood locally......

[Ricky Bobby]

What kind of buffer did you get?

[n_sievers]

I got it at Harbor Freight. Chicago Electric 7" with digital RPM display/control. I wasn't expecting too much with it being from Harbor Freight but it seemed to work great with accurate RPM control (1000-35000).

[jmcgxx]

What RPM level did you use? I just got a polisher from Harbor Freight as well, not digital. 6 in. Variable Speed Dual Action Polisher item#69924. Still to cold in CT.

[n_sievers]

I started out by applying/spreading the compound @ 1000 RPM and then up to 1200-1400 RPM. For some of the area that's needed a little additional effort to remove stubborn water spots I ran up to 1500-1700 RPM. It all depends upon the conditioning your paint, pad used and compound used. I would start out easy and ramp up once you feel more comfortable or feel the need to, better to be cautious than regret it.

[TiAgX5]

If you want a polisher that will have you throwing all your other ones in the garbage get this.........

Cyclo Orbital Polisher - The Cyclo Dual Head Polisher

I've been using a Cyclo-polisher for around 35 years, last year I got the nano-skin pads to Cyclo-clay bar, takes 1/10th the time of hand claying. My clay went in the garbage too.

Ever wonder how American Airlines got all their planes looking like chrome? Cyclo-polisher.

[Ricky Bobby]

x2 I really like the smoothness, made in USA quality of Cyclo. And all internals are updateable as well, they also have a variable speed model now which works even better than the original, but like Tiag said, the Cyclo is a tool to be passed down for generations!

Tiag how do you like the Nanoskin pads? I have one for my PC (medium grade) and I only used it on my X when I first got it, its apparently for heavily decontaminated paint so I only use the pad when I'm doing a job for someone, my cars are well maintained now and I have the Nanoskin fine grade mitt which also is a timesaver.

OT on this thread but the first time I used the Nanoskin pad for my PC I was like holy shit this is so much faster than clay!

To the guy above, good for you to have the skill for a rotary, its not something I'm comfortable with. I'd rather use a random orbital with forced rotation if I need extreme cutting power (Rupes, Flex, etc), but for 98% of my needs my PC with 4" pads and backing plate and the 3rd Gen 6" Griots RO work out great for me.

[bcredliner]

I just finished a project that became the project from the deepest, darkest, devastating depths of hell. Not because that is the way it should have been. Some of the problems were my fault, some were not and some fit the category of--never hear of that before.

I updated my headlights and restored the lenses.

The fog lights are now HID, turn signals are spektrum LEDs and added LED angel eyes. I went to whiter color on everything, mostly because I want to see something different for all the work I put in.

I also added LED strips in the bumper opening. I may remove them but I will wait for awhile to make that decision.

The angel eyes are powered from the battery connection under the hood. One switch is connected to the interior lights. The other switch turns the angel eyes on when the ignition switch is on (I used an empty slot in the fuse box under the glovebox).

I removed all the waffles. I dremmeled the amber portion to match the curve of the parking light housing. I painted the parking light housing black to match the black around the headlights as I didn't want the headlights to be so much of the focal point of the front end.

Ricky Bobby was extremely helpful providing me with all the install and lighting options to consider. Thanks!

[Ricky Bobby]

HOLY SH!!!!!T MAN THOSE LOOK AWESOME!!!

The mounting of the rings looks spot on, the dremeling of the turn signal looks BEAUTIFUL, and I really like the spray painted shroud on the low beam, very good flow with your Black on black on carbon theme!

Excellent work Bryan, I have a set of LED rings in my basement to do a set for myself in the coming months as it warms up.

Talk about a hell of an upgrade man, I'd venture to say those look better than the Depo's!

Where did you run the angel eye connections to exit the housing? I was going to feed them through a hole and just use a grommet/silicone it.

[Ctsiegf]

Wow, second that! They look fantastic!

-Carter