Applying Caramics Protection to a BMW M2 Competition Track Day Champion

At Auto Finesse, detailing isn’t just work—it’s a way of life that unites us across every department!

Our sessions videos are the perfect opportunity to bring the wider team together at the Auto Finesse Detailing Academy for an epic group detail. They also give you a behind-the-scenes look at the action!

The Track Day Champion

Our extensively modified M2 Competition was the perfect candidate for this edition of the Sessions Series, not just because it endures the same challenges as any daily driver but because it tackles them on an entirely different level.

This beast is our dedicated track machine, meaning it takes to the tarmac harder and faster than most vehicles ever will. Fresh off a 1000-mile round trip to Germany’s legendary Nürburgring, it was clear that a simple maintenance wash wouldn’t be enough to bring it back to Auto Finesse standards.

However, this isn’t just about cleaning up after an epic road trip. In true track hero style, this M2 also conquered several laps of the infamous Green Hell along the way. It’s this kind of high-intensity driving that exponentially increases exposure to the toughest contamination imaginable.

The Key Steps

As with all our Sessions videos, this BMW was given the full detail treatment. However, the key focus for this episode was on three crucial stages: pre-wash, decontamination, and the application of final protection.

When it comes to detailing, the approach is always tailored to the vehicle’s usage and future needs. This ensures that the most relevant processes are prioritized for the task at hand.

For this Bavarian powerhouse, the main concerns stemmed from its recent journey in challenging weather conditions and the accumulation of heavy metal fallout and other contaminants from its time on the track.

Pre-Wash

We’ve said it countless times: a proper pre-wash is the key to achieving a swirl-free finish. By avoiding physical contact with grime during this stage, you significantly reduce the risk of dragging dirt across your paintwork and causing damage. This step is always crucial, but it becomes absolutely essential on a heavily soiled vehicle that’s covered plenty of miles.

That’s why, after tackling the wheels and arches first (always start there), using a pre-wash cleaner like Citrus Power or Dynamite is so important. These products work to chemically break down grime, lifting it off the surface and allowing it to be rinsed away effortlessly.

It’s also worth mentioning that these pre-wash cleaners are safe to use on all areas of the vehicle—not just the lower sections. This versatility is especially valuable during a detail like this one.

The final step of the pre-wash process involves applying Avalanche Snow Foam, delivering a powerful combination of chemical and physical grime removal. This foam penetrates hard-to-reach areas that other methods can't, allowing more dirt to be rinsed away without the need for contact washing. For added cleaning power, Avalanche can also be worked into tight spots—such as intricate grilles, around door handles, and along weather strips—using a soft brush like our FeatherTip brushes, before rinsing.

Once the pre-wash is complete, we proceed with the standard two-bucket contact wash, followed by a thorough decontamination.

Decontamination

Decontamination is essential for this car. While a three-stage decontamination process is always important before undertaking any paint correction, it’s particularly crucial here because track-driven cars inevitably accumulate significantly more contaminants.

The most damaging contaminants typically fall into two categories. First, ingrained metal particles from hot brake dust, which are intensified by the heavy braking required on the circuit. These particles are deposited both from the tarmac and the air. Second, rubber residues from sticky tires, which adhere instantly to the paintwork.

Fortunately, we have effective solutions for both. Iron Out Contaminant Remover targets metal particles, dissolving them safely without harming the paint. Its chemical reaction turns ferrous metals blood red, suspending them in the liquid for easy rinsing. Similarly, ObliTARate Tar and Glue Remover uses a complex solvent formulation to dissolve sticky rubber residues.

Both products can be applied and gently agitated with a microfiber cloth or pad to enhance their effectiveness before rinsing. After a final wash to neutralize any leftover product, the vehicle will be fully prepped for the final stage of decontamination.

The final stage of decontamination involves using Glide Clay Lube along with a clay bar or clay pad to remove any remaining ingrained contaminants. This process is quicker than many expect and will leave your paintwork feeling silky smooth.

For more details on paint decontamination, you can read our full guide here.

Coating The Exteriors With Caramics

As one of our own cars, it didn't require extensive paint correction this time. Aside from some minor wash marring and light scratches, the bodywork was in much better condition than expected for a car that had recently been pushed to its limits on one of the world's most challenging circuits. The good news is that machining with Tripple All Purpose Polish quickly and effectively removed these defects, allowing us to proceed to the essential protection stages.

When it comes to durability and protection, nothing compares to a ceramic coating, which is especially important for a car like this that will undoubtedly face plenty of action during the winter months.

This is why our Si02-based Caramics range is the ideal solution. Unlike wax, which physically bonds to the surface, Caramics chemically bonds to the lacquer layer, creating a super-hard ceramic barrier that shields the car from the elements and any harsh contaminants it might encounter on the track. By preventing contaminants from sticking to the surface, it not only offers protection but also makes cleaning much easier down the line.

The best part is that our system is simple and easy to apply. For paintwork and glass, we provide special wipes for effortless application, and full protection for wheels (and interior coatings) is as easy as a spray and wipe.

Caramics keeps your car looking pristine for longer – it’s as simple as that. Here are the results after the final coating…

Finishing Touches

There were, of course, many other aspects to this detail, including using a combination of Total Interior Cleaner, Spritz Interior Detailer, and Hide Leather Cleanser (along with Hide Conditioner) for the interior, cleaning the interior windows with Crystal Glass Cleaner, and much more. You can see all these extras in the full video at the top of the page.