[fromHONDAtoBMW]

Hey guys, I recently picked up a black E92 and of course since it is black you can see surface scratches and swirles. I want to know the best way to get the black paint looking solid and shiny again? Sorry, this might be a total n00b question.

[beef1020]

I am in the same boat. I think you pretty much need it machine polished. So you are looking at around 250-300 in supplies to do it yourself, or 150-250 for someone else to do it once...

By the way, is it metallic or jet black?

[BK]

Originally Posted by beef1020

I am in the same boat. I think you pretty much need it machine polished. So you are looking at around 250-300 in supplies to do it yourself, or 150-250 for someone else to do it once...

To be clear, it's $250-300 in supplies plus about 10-12+ hours of your labor (at least, the first time you do it, it'll take that long to wash, clay, polish, and seal), versus about $250 to pay someone to do it for you.

For most of us, though, it's a labor of love.

[NoMods]

definitely worth the money to find a detailer here or autopia.org to do it for you correctly.

[Craig@SupremePower]

This is why i can never own black...

[beef1020]

Originally Posted by BK

For most of us, though, it's a labor of love.

That is the other thing holding me back, I don't need another hobby

[OEKlM]

pay someone to get it back to new shape..... then just look up proper washing techniques =)

[MrDummy]

^^ thats what I plan on doing

[zaxjax]

If you do it yourself, get a PC and do one panel at a time from start to finish. Use a quality polish like SIP or M105 to start, a good meduim polish like M205 or 106FF, and then finish with a nice finishing polish like PO85D or Ultrafina. Lastly, top with your sealant or wax. Black is not as bad as everyone says, it just takes time and patience.

[fromHONDAtoBMW]

Thanks for all the tips guys.

I'll probably end up having someone do it for me. Any detailers with vouches in socal interested?

[Fresh330]

Black is not a color. It's a full-time job.

Just did my first detail. 12 hours total. Worth it!

[stimpy]

Black is definitely a way of life

When I picked up my Black Sapphire it had swirls all over. I bought a Flex 3401 and all the necessary products and then proceeded to spend the next 4 days detailing the ever living crap out of it.

The car gets washed weekly, clayed, waxed, sealed often, and fully detailed every 8ish months (spends most of the time in the garage, never left outside)

[MCMLXXXIX]

Originally Posted by stimpy

Black is definitely a way of life

When I picked up my Black Sapphire it had swirls all over. I bought a Flex 3401 and all the necessary products and then proceeded to spend the next 4 days detailing the ever living crap out of it.

The car gets washed weekly, clayed, waxed, sealed often, and fully detailed every 8ish months (spends most of the time in the garage, never left outside)

yeaaa thats how it usually is. spending more time cleaning it then driving id say lol
when i had my Jet Black e90, i would wash the car every weekend, sometimes twice a week...the first year i had it, i never detailed it. then i started getting into it and would spend most of my spare time on it haha
the worse is cleaning it and then watching it gather up dust the second you move it
this is why i switched to Alpine White, but i really miss that black. it was all worth it

[ToadHollow]

Once you get the shine back and work on your maintenance technique you'll stand back and realize just why you purchased the JB in the first place .........

One of my favorite shots of a "wet" JB coupe ......

[mtechnik3]

After either you or a professional does a paint correction focus on proper washing/drying...it's so important - Bucket, grit guard, some type of high quality agitator, (LC Foam, microfiber, sheepskin, sea sponge, or boars hair mitt) high quality PH balanced car wash shampoo, and big blue waffle weave drying towel. If you really want to do it right, get two buckets and grit guards.

I look at it this way...either you half ass take care of your car, or spend the time properly taking car of it. A beautiful black car is so worth the time, and effort though!

[ToadHollow]

Originally Posted by ///MiroE90

After either you or a professional does a paint correction focus on proper washing/drying...it's so important - Bucket, grit guard, some type of high quality agitator, (LC Foam, microfiber, sheepskin, sea sponge, or boars hair mitt) high quality PH balanced car wash shampoo, and big blue waffle weave drying towel. If you really want to do it right, get two buckets and grit guards.

I look at it this way...either you half ass take care of your car, or spend the time properly taking car of it. A beautiful black car is so worth the time, and effort though!

+1 ............
Also, a simple technique to use in washing/drying your car that will absolutely give your newly detailed paint some longevity would be ..........
when washing & drying following Miroe90's advice keep in mind that the paint on these cars (as with the vast majority of cars) is applied to the surface in a back & forth motion. This being the case it is much less abrasive to the paint to follow the "grain" of the paint when washing/drying the car. This will drastically lessen any chance of the paint becoming marred.
Think of it this way ........ as a piece of wood, you always polish with the grain of the wood rather than against it. Same idea with the paint.

[Former_Boosted_IS]

I personally think washing technique is simply not good enough on black. If you dry the car in any way other than blotting, then it will scratch or swirl. I am strongly considering going with the CRSpotless just because drying this paint always leaves swirls.

[eclipsisNA]

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

I personally think washing technique is simply not good enough on black. If you dry the car in any way other than blotting, then it will scratch or swirl. I am strongly considering going with the CRSpotless just because drying this paint always leaves swirls.

Agreed. I never use anything other than CRSpotless on my M5.

[SpmnE9zero]

Sorry to (minus "ed") but Toad your car is absolutley stunning!
If you could please pm me your washing-detailing techniques when you get a minute it would be GR8LY appreciated!!!