[MPR]

Finally got around to doing a ceramic coating. It was a brutal 7 hours in my non-air conditioned garage in humid 80F temps. I'm going to apply a second coat tomorrow morning and then I'm done.

[TJZ67201]

Installed the side fender M badges, OEM in gloss black. It ties the Portimao Blue, red brake calipers, and the rest of the gloss black together nicely plus fills in the empty space. I know it’s not to everyone’s taste, but the car looks naked without IMO plus the US market is the only market that doesn’t get the badge from the factory.

All thanks to this thread for the measurements. https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1989277

Yes that is a Public Storage and no I don’t store my car there 😂

[OriginalFake]

Originally Posted by MPR

Finally got around to doing a ceramic coating. It was a brutal 7 hours in my non-air conditioned garage in humid 80F temps. I'm going to apply a second coat tomorrow morning and then I'm done.

And that's why I was happy to pay someone to do it for me. Ha.

[MPR]

Originally Posted by OriginalFake

And that's why I was happy to pay someone to do it for me. Ha.

Yeah, I'm with you. I've always enjoyed DIY projects but this was a PITA. I just finished the second coating 30 minutes ago and my total time spent was 10 hours. Next time around I'm paying someone.

Wash - 0:45 (no wheels)
Clay - 1:15
Masking - 0:30
Polishing - 2:00
Decon spray - 0:30
Ceramic coat #1 - 2:00
Ceramic coat #2 - 3:00

I also need to apply a silica spray (cquartz reload) which is another ~30 mins

[LivingInSalt]

how did claying take 75 minutes?!

and the 1st coat 2 hours?

and the 2nd coat 3 hours?!!

[MPR]

Originally Posted by LivingInSalt

how did claying take 75 minutes?!

and the 1st coat 2 hours?

and the 2nd coat 3 hours?!!

It's just how long it took. I wasn't rushing through the process.

Yes, it takes time as you need to apply it and then wait for the coating to flash and then buff it off. The time consuming part is avoiding applying too much/too many panels per pass because you need to remove it when it flashes. And the car is not tiny.

The second coat took longer as I allowed more time for the coating to flash due to the humidity. I was nervous that I didn't wait long enough on the first coat so I wanted to give the second coat plenty of time to adhere. I also spent more time by double buffing off the coating to avoid high spots, and then did a final full car wipe at the very end. I only found 2 small high spots, which isn't bad for my first time doing this.

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by MPR

Yeah, I'm with you. I've always enjoyed DIY projects but this was a PITA. I just finished the second coating 30 minutes ago and my total time spent was 10 hours. Next time around I'm paying someone.

Wash - 0:45 (no wheels)
Clay - 1:15
Masking - 0:30
Polishing - 2:00
Decon spray - 0:30
Ceramic coat #1 - 2:00
Ceramic coat #2 - 3:00

I also need to apply a silica spray (cquartz reload) which is another ~30 mins

$40/month: 5-40 mins, depending on if I just drive through, or wipe it down (engine bay, wheels, door jams, gas cap, trunk, body) and vacuum

[MPR]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

$40/month: 5-40 mins, depending on if I just drive through, or wipe it down

Next time around I'm either doing a simple spray & wipe type of ceramic or going with old faithful carnauba wax, or the latest and greatest equivalent from an application perspective when the time comes. Definitely never doing this process again.

[~Barn~]

Originally Posted by MPR

Yeah, I'm with you. I've always enjoyed DIY projects but this was a PITA. <Snip...>

And this is why I hit you up about knocking over a Turner O.C. guard for me! LOL

Car looks sharp though!

[MPR]

Originally Posted by ~Barn~

And this is why I hit you up about knocking over a Turner O.C. guard for me! LOL

Car looks sharp though!

Thanks! That OC guard was easy to assemble man, the hardest part was figuring out the parts.

[~Barn~]

Originally Posted by MPR

Thanks! That OC guard was easy to assemble man, the hardest part was figuring out the parts.

Oh, I'm sure I could turn it into a 7 week project. I don't even like putting gas in my car.

[XC3LLR8]

Gave her a bath and actually wiped her down this time. Love a clean Apex! 😍

[TJZ67201]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

Gave her a bath and actually wiped her down this time. Love a clean Apex! 😍

I know you get this all the time and probably have a build thread or already answered in this thread, but which wheels are those??

Amazing looking ride with that combo 🤌

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by TJZ67201

I know you get this all the time and probably have a build thread or already answered in this thread, but which wheels are those??

Amazing looking ride with that combo ��

Thanks! The details of my build are in my 'signature' - the bottom of each of my posts. Maybe it's only visible on the computer and not a phone?

The wheels are forged Apex VS-5RS 19x9.5 et25 in Brushed Clear, only 19 lbs. each. Tires are 265/35 all-around.

[TJZ67201]

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

Thanks! The details of my build are in my 'signature' - the bottom of each of my posts. Maybe it's only visible on the computer and not a phone?

The wheels are forged Apex VS-RS 19x9.5 et25 in Brushed Clear, only 19 lbs. each. Tires are 265/35 all-around.

Ah yep I only use mobile and can’t see it, but that’s for that! Going to look into them

[XC3LLR8]

Originally Posted by TJZ67201

Ah yep I only use mobile and can’t see it, but that’s for that! Going to look into them

I left the "5" off in my original reply (fixed with edit): Apex VS-5RS

[Joepep529]

Originally Posted by TJZ67201

Installed the side fender M badges, OEM in gloss black. It ties the Portimao Blue, red brake calipers, and the rest of the gloss black together nicely plus fills in the empty space. I know it’s not to everyone’s taste, but the car looks naked without IMO plus the US market is the only market that doesn’t get the badge from the factory.

All thanks to this thread for the measurements. https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1989277

Yes that is a Public Storage and no I don’t store my car there 😂

Where did you get the mud guards ?

[TJZ67201]

Originally Posted by Joepep529

Where did you get the mud guards ?

TLG - Tommy L Garage.
https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1901198

Beware: the screws he ships rust so I had to get my own that would not rust.

[Nate48]

Got my windows tinted with 30% ceramic film today. She’s looking good.

[silvaquas]

Can I ask which exhaust tips you chose? They look fantastic.

Originally Posted by XC3LLR8

Gave her a bath and actually wiped her down this time. Love a clean Apex! 😍

[ZM240i]

Originally Posted by Nate48

Got my windows tinted with 30% ceramic film today. She’s looking good.

In my mind, 30% would have been lighter than that.

I'm contemplating on getting ceramic tint as well. How much did that cost in your neck of the woods?

[ZM240i]

Originally Posted by TJZ67201

TLG - Tommy L Garage.
https://g87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1901198

Beware: the screws he ships rust so I had to get my own that would not rust.

This.

He said he was looking into new hardware but that was many months ago. Still no resolution, I believe.