How to Inspect a Vehicle - E39 M5 Restoration Detail - Part 1

Part 1 of our E39 M5 restoration detail series tackles the subject of how to inspect a vehicle as we thoroughly explain our restoration process.
The experience and expertise we have enable us to transform this E39 from an average example to a collector's item. This video reveals EXACTLY what goes into this. This is not 1 simple decision but countless decisions and methods involved.
This series aims to educate detailers and our customers on how and why these processes are so thorough, time-consuming, and expensive.
ESOTERIC Car Care
All products we use can be found at:
esotericcarcare...
ESOTERIC Fine Auto Finishing
Full range of detailing and customization services:
www.esotericde...

[@givewai]

These are definitely the most comprehensive videos on KZbin. Another great video

[@Esotericdetail]

Thank you kindly...please share our channel with the world! :)

[@reecekairo4493]

i guess it's pretty off topic but do anyone know of a good site to stream newly released series online ?

[@moshetravis3255]

@Reece Kairo i use flixzone. Just search on google for it :)

[@BillySargent]

These videos from you are the most comprehensive I have found on KZbin. I know this is not the video, but your explanation on the correct application and use of Leatherique was better than the video from the manufacturer. Helpful in the extreme. Thanks are not enough. Also, as I own an E39 M5, I am paying particular attention to this series.

[@Esotericdetail]

Thanks for the great feedback, and glad to hear you're learning a lot from our videos.

[@Engineered2Detail]

Love this video. Greatly explained! Love how you teach

[@Esotericdetail]

Thank you kindly!

[@bigern79]

Thanks for this series! Looking forward to learning more about how to remove old compound/polish/wax that is stuck in crevices.

[@markperez6195]

Todd Great info. Need to see how to restore the “b” pillars

[@josel.franco7645]

Thanks Todd, you covered all the bases, as we used to say when we teached in the EOD course; systematically and methodically, meaning always do your inspection the same way no shortcuts, hope it makes sense, lol

[@Esotericdetail]

Thanks for the positive feedback...glad you liked the video!

[@averagedetailer9908]

Great info Todd. I learned something today.

[@Esotericdetail]

Thank you...that means we did our jobs. :)

[@marioskosmidhs9454]

Very educatioal video Sir on...real life car detailing problrms and scenarios...well done i waitnfor the next videos...thanks for passing your tips and.knowledge

[@Esotericdetail]

Thank you for watching, and glad you're learning from them.

[@alpez38]

Nice video Todd! Great information!

[@Esotericdetail]

Thank you.

[@chrismay1a]

love the gt3? in the background

[@MANSIKKAPUURO-jl9zm]

AMAZING

[@functionaldoc5054]

Will Gyeon Prep strip a coating say like Polishangel Cosmic ? Your videos are so detailed and your attention to detail is top notch . Looking forward to the rest of the videos in this series.

[@Esotericdetail]

Thank you! It would not completely remove Cosmic, and you'd probably need to machine polish it for complete removal.

[@xxzmaniaczxx]

Thank you!

[@Esotericdetail]

You're welcome.

[@divya6tha180]

Right way to work .....thanks Sir

[@Esotericdetail]

Thank you.

[@deluxevehicledetailingandp904]

I've tried searching for different paint thicknesses guides for different makes/models in different years. You mentioned checking the thickness to the factory specs. In general should all the body panels be pretty close ? Where is your source for information on what the specs should be for each particular make/model/year of a car ? My 06 BMW Z4M varies quite a bit, though I don't believe it's ever been repainted.

[@Esotericdetail]

Unfortunately, you won't find such a guide. Manufacturers are constantly changing their film build thickness, and there are even a lot of variances within their own production. For one, you start to recognize consistencies in paint thickness across different brand / models of cars over time. Secondly, you are really looking for major inconsistencies from panel to panel on a particular car. If 3 of 4 doors on a car measure from 100-120 microns, then your 4th door measures 180-200, then you know that there's something going on with that 4th door. And as another rule of thumb, you want to be careful of cars that are below say 90 microns on average. I hope this helps!

[@deluxevehicledetailingandp904]

ESOTERIC - Fine Auto Finishing thank you very much I'm trying to take my detailing to the next level and I found it quite difficult to find much information out there on the thicknesses of paint. in the video you mentioned checking against manufacturers specifications so I thought maybe you had some info to share .

[@Esotericdetail]

Well you've come to the right place for information, and we certainly appreciate your involvement in the discussion. In the video, I only stated that you should compare the thickness of the re-painted areas to that of the factory painted areas so that you have some kind of baseline to go off of. So if you have a thickness gauge and you are new to it, first start looking for those big inconsistencies. Then you may want to keep a log of the cars you're working on, as it will help you to gain some insight to the general thickness levels you can expect to see in the future.

[@deluxevehicledetailingandp904]

I thank you very much for your guidance and excellent information. I do want to apologize saying in my previous comment that you said "manufacturers specifications" in regards to thickness of paint. I take extensive hand written notes on worthy videos and the replies/comments that follow. At approximately 3:40, you saying "compare to factory" I wrote " factory specs" in my notes. Very sorry, I completely understand that once you know a certain cars overall thickness microns, then yes, a large change in micron thickness in a certain area/panel would be a clear indication that it's either repaint/been wet sanded or overly aggressive compounding or compounded too many times poorly. Having a paint thickness gauge is one of the most important tools in my arsenal of high level detailing. Todd, you are fast becoming one of my favorite people to get my " next level " info from. Thanks Again JJ

[@Esotericdetail]

My pleasure JJ, and thanks for watching!

[@Vamanaswastika]

The rear ///M5 badge is too close in proximity appears to have been reapplied. Perhaps proving the rear of the car was repainted.

[@iAtomicZMB]

What pads would you recommend to use on a Chevy Camaro? Im still deciding if a one step or multi, if you have a recommendation about that it would help a lot, thanks!

[@Esotericdetail]

This may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZmvpYt-fdell80

[@shaniranikauboj]

Do you guys remove and open headlights to polish them also from inside?

[@Esotericdetail]

No we do not.

[@shaniranikauboj]

My friend who is into headlights modifications (opening them and modify them) always polish them outside and inside. Most of the headlights are from older cars and the plastic is yelow and dirty from inside too. Headlights look like brand new after that polishing! He opens them with heat, and seal them with special seal tape. Maybe you should try it.

[@thrty8street]

Can you recommend a good paint thickness gauge?

[@Esotericdetail]

The DeFelsko PosiTest DFT is a great all-around gauge. www.defelsko.com/positest-dft

[@nightmarecivic]

You mentioned plastic restore products, are you talking about gyeon Trim?

[@Esotericdetail]

That would be an option for sure. On this car, we used ISM Coat by Kamikaze Collection.

[@jknockout3414]

Brown shoes, brown belt! 😉 good vid tho!

[@Esotericdetail]

The shoes have plenty of black trim in them, so close enough. :)

[@chrismay1a]

dude your backing plate is out of stock by the way when you getting more

[@Esotericdetail]

We just sold through about 50 of them in a couple of weeks! We hope to have them back in stock shortly.