2010 Car Show to benefit Multiple Sclerosis in Arroyo Grande, CA

BimmerFile » Archive » BMW to Halt Production Due to Flight Ban

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Regards, Frank
Sent from my iPad

17 April Wildflower Ride-pics by Becki & Frank Cowan

Detail Workshop

Pictures and story by Dennis Harrold

Hold it right there! Put the Dish Soap down and back away slowly - keep your hands where we can see ‘em! Yes, we know it has Mandarin Orange Essential Oils, but it’ll strip the wax off your finish along with the dirt.

Justin Archer of West Coast Detailing hosted a very informative session for our local members on March 20. Fifteen of our local members plus a few friends were in attendance, including first timers Gregg Stratton and Paul DiMauro, founder of the annual Pacific Sharkfest for E12 and E24 coupes.

Justin talked us through his procedure when detailing a customer car, covering lots of material and product information. Our focus will be on tips and procedures not mentioned in previous articles. We’ll skip the product info since much of what West Coast uses is only available commercially.

Our discussion began with cleaning the interior, where West Coast starts a complete detail on a customer’s car. Some of the dirt and dust usually ends up on the exterior, not good if it’s already been washed. Justin is an advocate of using compressed air to get in those hard to reach places. The Twilight Zone between the seats and center tunnel comes to mind, with magnetic properties where small objects are concerned.

Carpet stains are handled by scrubbing with a wet rag using Tuff Stuff or a similar cleaner and a light touch. The idea is to clean the dirt near the top as it works it’s way up. “Deep Cleaning” is a neat marketing slogan, but attempts at this usually result in bringing more of the dirt to surface. We’ve found the same to be true with carpets in the house.

Often neglected are the door jambs and the perimeter of the doors. If not attended to regularly, water can eventually etch the paint to a degree that may not be restorable. This is especially true in areas with hard water, as is the case with much of California.

For the exterior wash Justin uses 3 different mitts, or sponges - one for the top surface, another for the sides and the third for the tires and wheels. A mitt that is dropped is “retired” for the day so there’s no chance of any grit scratching the finish. Compressed air is useful here, too, getting the water out of spots like the mirrors and grills. He uses a chamois for final drying, and if cared for they will last until they literally fall apart.

Next is a clay bar treatment before any polish is applied. This is a must - if not done, any micro specs of dust or dirt will be rubbed deeper into the finish. A silicone lubricant is used, and the clay bar reformed as necessary to have a clean surface to work with.

Scratches are then attended to before a applying a one-step cleaner/wax or paste wax. Minor ones may respond to a little extra effort with a cleaner/wax. More serious ones require polishing or rubbing compound, done with care since we are working with a mild abrasive. The last resort is color sanding which may be best left to professionals.

When it's time to apply polish or wax, Justin prefers a more absorbent cloth than microfiber pads. They are such a tight weave that they will sometimes smear, so it comes down to personal preference and what products are being used. There will be some “cob-webbing,” or polish marks when wax is applied, either a paste or in a one step cleaner/wax. Generally the higher the wax content, the more visible the marks.

A few other tips were shared by Justin and several of our members who are concours and show veterans. If your windows have been etched by hard water, 0000" steel wool used with window cleaning fluid will usually restore them - used gently, of course.

Bugs can be just as toxic to the finish as bird droppings and should be removed as soon as possible. Ammonia in water will do the trick in absence of commercial products. If you’re traveling through the Valley of Locusts and don’t have Griot’s Bug Off at your disposal, you can apply PAM baking spray to the front around the grill and headlights. We had a testamonial that it does work, and is not difficult to wash off.

It was a 90 minute session packed with information, ending with a round of applause for Justin. This was his first event of this type, but we assured him that he has another career path available since he made a terrific presentation. West Coast Detailing is located near downtown San Luis Obispo and offers services from a basic wash to full detailing. They offer mobile service in addition to their shop at 4090 Broad Street.

Seen this?

http://bringatrailer.com/2010/04/10/targa-california-2010-an-incredible-day-2/

2012 3-series (F30) rendered by automotorsport

 

 

Sent to you by Franki via Google Reader:

 

 

2012 3-series (F30) rendered by automotorsport

via BIMMERPOST = BMW Forum, BMW News and BMW Blog by admin on 4/11/10

Here's the latest F30 3-series sedan rendering by Auto Motor und Sport. Expected to debut in two years (2012), but buzz surrounding the BMW F30 is that it will be a revolutionary (rather than evolutionary) change from the E90.

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to BIMMERPOST = BMW Forum, BMW News and BMW Blog using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

BMW finishes 2010 Q1 as world’s top premium brand

 

 

Sent to you by Franki via Google Reader:

 

 

BMW finishes 2010 Q1 as world’s top premium brand

via BIMMERPOST = BMW Forum, BMW News and BMW Blog by admin on 4/12/10

BMW maintained its place as the world's #1 premium brand as it outsold #2 Audi by 1,709 units globally in the first quarter of 2010. In the first quarter, BMW Group reported sales of 315,614 cars, a 13.8 percent increase compared with the same period last year.

 

 

Things you can do from here:

• Subscribe to BIMMERPOST = BMW Forum, BMW News and BMW Blog using Google Reader
• Get started using Google Reader to easily keep up with all your favorite sites

 

 

BMW M1 - Future addition to BMW M lineup finally spotted in advanced testing form

Dear Bimmerpost member,

If you haven't yet seen it on our Homepage this morning, we bring you these exciting photos of what we believe are quite possibly photos of the upcoming BMW M1 / 1M in production form (albeit minus some M-styling cues for now).

PHOTOS @ 1addicts: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=371795

Besides the persistent rumors regarding an upcoming new M1, the biggest telltale signs of this being such a car are the aggressive front bumper, widened fenders, upgraded wheels, large brakes with cross drilled rotors, and an LSD. Some may point to the absence of M-styling cues (hood power bulge, M-style side gills, and quad exhausts) in these photos as evidence that this is only an 135is or 1-series supersport model, but those are mostly cosmetic bits which may easily be added as the prototyping/testing of this car advances. Be sure to stay tuned to our M1 subforum at 1addicts.com for the latest in M1 related news, photos, and rumors.


Also, for all fans of the F10 5-series, which just had its worldwide debut at the 2010 Geneva autoshow and North American debut at the New York autoshow, we have just updated our Official F10 5-series INFO THREAD. Be sure to check that thread and our 5-series Forums for all info, pricing, media, and reviews related to the F10 5-series!

--

Pics from 2 April Rogue Ride-by Becki Cowan

Smartphone app for BMW Assist-cool

http://snipurl.com/v7an5 [www_bimmerfile_com] 

--
Frank

Info request

From a fb friend; any thoughts?
>
> "Hey .. I am buying a 2001 BMW 745 w/ 95000 miles .. Price should
> be ? good shape and family selling it to me ... Thoughts ?"
>
> To reply to this message, follow the link below:
> http://www.facebook.com/n/?inbox%2Freadmessage.php&t=1374553652030&mid=1fbcf9bG1fe1f882G530eed8G0&n_m=frankcowan44%40gmail.com
>
> ___
> Find people from your Gmail address book on Facebook! Go to: http://www.facebook.com/find-friends/?ref=email
>
> This message was intended for frankcowan44@gmail.com. Want to
> control which emails you receive from Facebook? Go to:
> http://www.facebook.com/editaccount.php?notifications=1&md=bXNnO2Zyb209MTU3NTE5MDkxNTt0PTEzNzQ1NTM2NTIwMzA7dG89NTM0OTAyOTE0
> Facebook's offices are located at 1601 S. California Ave., Palo
> Alto, CA 94304.
>

New Mercedes Model A MUST READ

 

 you too old to DRIVE this Car? 

No joke!    Scary, But - true?

Scroll down

Presenting the New Mercedes Benz SCL600 

  


Pretty, isn't it? 

  

So? 

What's different about this car?

Not this...

  

  
???? 

Here is the real difference

  



WHOA ! 

No Steering Wheel 

No Pedals either 

  
  

You drive this car with a joystick 

Do you think that you 

can drive with a joystick? 

Your kids and grandkids can. 



The influence of video games in our lives 

has really arrived, wouldn't you say? 

But there is more! 

The SCARY THOUGHT is: 

NOW a 3-YEAR-OLD can STEAL your car 
AND DRIVE IT BETTER

THAN YOU CAN ! 

 

 

Make sure you watch this

 

 

 

 

Take time to watch this video below about expired tires. 

Pass this on to all your friends.  You may save a life. Fascinating and everyone should be aware of this............          Important information that you may not be aware of about tires.  There is a 30 sec commercial at first and then the video.  The video is well worth watching.  Please watch until the end, because some of the most important information you need to hear and see is past the middle of the segment.  It could save your life, or that of someone you love. This goes true for car, truck and RV tires When the page opens, wait for the video to start.. It may take a minute or two.        http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897