1988 BMW E28 M5 paint correction and Opti-Coat
Sniz restored the finish of a resprayed Jet Black E28 M5 with three polishing stages, followed by cleaning and Opti-Coat. The final coating photographs show the freshly applied finish while it was still curing.
Select a photo to view its source post. The source may require sign-in.
A resprayed 1988 E28 M5
Sniz documented work on a local 1988 E28 M5 that had been resprayed in two-stage Jet Black several years earlier. He described etching and many random isolated deep scratches on the bonnet. The interior was also worn, but replacing the front-seat upholstery was the owner’s plan, not work completed in this account.
Three stages of polishing
Sniz first degreased and cleaned the engine bay, masked the car and tested a section of the bonnet. He spent seven hours on the first polishing stage and reported using 105 with purple wool for heavy correction. His continuation shows the sequence after 105, after 106ff on white, and after 85rd on black for the third stage. The photograph below belongs to that last polishing stage; it is not a long-term test of the coating.
Cleaning and Opti-Coat application
The wheels came off for cleaning with Simple Green and Sonax. After completing the polishing, Sniz carefully washed the car and described a final wipe with “ISP”, as written in the source. He then showed Opti-Coat flashing off on the bonnet and applied on the doors. His outdoor bonnet photograph was taken just after coating, while it was still curing. The record does not establish long-term coating durability.
Sniz’s explanation for the earlier scratches
In reply to comments about the scratched paint, Sniz suggested that the car had not been washed correctly or carefully, and/or that the paint shop had not finished the job well. This was his assessment, not an independently confirmed cause. He said he was very pleased with the result. Another commenter’s 2009 328i swirl marks remain a separate vehicle report.
Source reply ↗ · Sniz
Source reply ↗ · GChase