Picked up the X5 from the shop. They replaced the bearings in the front right hub [funny, the 'roar' sounded like front left]. Tech said pulling the hub [even with the specialty puller] was a PITA and getting one bearing out was similarly painful. Glad I had the shop do it. Charged the a/c with R134 and all-wheel alignment, with minimum toe in the back, on the fancy alignment machine. Suspension, CV boots otherwise in good shape, though the front ball joints [or control/thrust arms?] were 'tight,' may need new in another year or so. Thrust arms [31 12 6 789 717 & 718][Control arms?] had been replaced at 57k miles. Mine now has 96k miles on it. I need to detail and/or do a good polish wax job on her next [and get aux audio input and bluetooth connected .....]. Front brake job also in the not-too-distant-future. There is always something :)

Hey Junger, yes thanks four8.is for the compliment, I should show a picture of the shelves in my garage.

For a starter set, I would recommend the GG6 Random orbital, it has a ton of power and will accomplish literally all that you need, and random orbitals are very user friendly machines.

I have a GG6 3rd gen I bought from Phil @ Detailers Domain this year, but I also have an original Porter Cable machine I was using for about 9 years, which I still use, I just now have a smaller backing plate on the machine and use it for dedicated 4" pad work (think pillars, headlights etc). All areas you can do with a bigger machine just fine, but I thought since the machine was still working like new I may as well give it a better use!

Don't get confused by the hype about having 10 different polishes, what you need is an aggressive compound for your heavier defects, and a medium or finishing polish that will finish down nicely. I apply my sealant/wax by hand as its therapeutic for me, and its easy, although some prefer by machine.

On my shelf currently as staples:

-Menzerna FG400 (compound), used with an Orange foam pad, OR a microfiber cutting pad from Meg's, the MF cutting pads cut more than the foam but finish EXCELLENTLY, actually I am doing this now on my X5 and its really a 1 step for me as my paint is well maintained

-Sonax Perfect Finish 4/6 - You can use this with an Orange pad for a bit more cut, or a Green pad as a final step after the FG400 if you have some hazing

-Menzerna SF4000 - Use with a Green pad after FG400 if needed as a final polish, similar to Sonax 4/6. Honestly you could pick either the 4/6 or the SF4000 and be fine.

For a Sealant/Wax you probably have a favorite, stick with it. I currently use Menzerna Power Lock as well as Sonax Polymer Net Shield, and I also have a bottle of Collinite 845 on my shelf.


I'd recommend this kit from Phil, as he includes the 5" vented backing plate and the 5.5" foam pads, you'll get a bit more correction power with 5" pads as opposed to 6".

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Griot...Kit_p_683.html

I'd get 2 Orange pads, 2 Green pads, and probably a Yellow Pad, although I don't use the yellow or blue pads barely ever. Also throw in a set of these into your cart.

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Megui...ack_p_553.html

The MF cutting pad will be the most aggressive with the FG400, but finishes down GREAT. Always start with Orange foam with FG400 and if you need more cut, throw a Meg's pad on. I always make sure to have 2 fresh pads PER step as a bare minimum, working clean always gets you better results. And this goes without saying, make sure you spend a ton of time decontaminating the paint with clay and/or an Autoscrub mitt (I use both) before even starting to polish.

After 11 years of age and 4 years being owned in NYC suburbs I have some deeper RIDS I can't get rid of without going really aggressive and risk removing too much paint, but I'm at about 90% correction now. Will post of pics of my "late summer/early fall" detail when completed, I got a late start this year because of house work.

I don't want to clog the thread up but if you need some detailing tips shoot me a pm, or feel free to email our sponsor [email protected], he's great at recommending products as well.



EDIT: Although I agree with TiAgX5 that the Cyclo is a great machine and Made in the USA to boot, for a beginner and at half the price for a starter kit including pads, the GG6 is the option I recommend for people just getting into machine polishing.

RB, you are too much . . . that said, thanks for the nice summary polishing/waxing kit ....

I have done the A-Z detailing a few times. I thought I would like doing it but I don't and found a professional that uses a wheel daily does a much better job than I do. I do like maintaining it between the annual detail (the polish smells great and brings back great memories) but that's it. Point is to be sure you are going to be comfortable using a buffer and enjoy the process. In retrospect I should have borrowed what I needed and tried it first. Buffer sits on my detailing cart with all the right products gathering dust or drying out.

repaired my rear passenger window regulator :)

Bought it
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/v...psv9tokxcy.jpg

Just don't let your section dry out or you will burn the paint.

Joshdub, what did you get? details and pictures, man, get with it!

First please realize that this is an all day job to do right, especially for a first timer. Detailing takes time and effort. Make sure you have the right temperament to take it on before investing in a ton of product.

Rupes is a good polisher too according to a buddy in VA who is a professional detailer. Porter Cable doesn't have enough grunt to get the job done easily (of course I have the PC from years and years ago).

I could not agree more on the Sonnax 4/6. Awesome stuff, though a bit persnickety to remove (think olden days w/the real Zymol waxes...). So easy to lay down and pretty much amateur proof too.

Towels are extremely important and you can't cheap out here and get the 24 pack of microfiber towels from Costco and expect good results. Buy detailing towels from Detailer's Domain or AutoGeek.net. Look for sales as they seem to have them all the time (discount codes in the forums, etc.).

I have learned that after I've put in a ton of effort polishing things to within an inch of their life I don't want to have to do it again anytime soon. I use a ceramic coating (cQuartz) as my sealant. Lasted 2 years on my 2011 M3 (in Vegas, mind you). I'm using up old sealants and the X5 is the equivalent of a rented mule in the garage (it gets beaten on), so for now it just gets the Chemical Guys sealant (good stuff, just doesn't last as long as the cQuartz does).

Good luck!

We finally got home an hour ago. A 03 5spd popped up on CL last night at a dealer roughly 3 hours away. It was after hours and they didn't open until 10:30 am this morning. We decided to chance it and drive down today without even getting a chance to talk to them first. Turns out they literally just got the car yesterday. Long story short, we swooped it up and headed back home.

It is silver on black, leather, cold weather, sport everything, xenons, nav/premium sound, and the upgraded climate controls. It has a couple flaws, but at the price we got it for they are easily fixable. Ill post pictures after I am done detailing it tomorrow or Friday. Time to dig in!