[avantix]

Guys I have been plagued by this for several years now and since this is my second Jet black bimmer I decided to ask the experts. (That's you guys hehe) Is there a way to wax a jet black car or black car in general and avoid getting the dreaded swirls when direct sunlight hits the car. It's driving me insane. I waxed and buffed my car the other day with an orbital buffer using BMW wax. Car looks great in the shade but still getting those swirls in the sun. Is there a better product or technique?

Thanks

[meruyailir]

How much swirls do you have? Can you show some picture?

[avantix]

Originally Posted by meruyailir

How much swirls do you have? Can you show some picture?

Unfortunately the camera can't pick them. I have swirls that look like bigg hazes. Sort of like blurry patches. Hard to describe.

[pander5]

Black is extremely difficult to keep swirl free and wax doesn't prevent or hide them- you need to cut them down with a pad and polish combo that REMOVES them. The only approach is to buff them out and then figure out how you can eliminate (or actually minimize) them with what you do in your wash and dry techniques. Look at all of the sources of friction on your car when you wash and dry and try to eliminate the possible swirl creators like grit in your wash/rinse buckets, quality and cleaniliness of your wash mitt, quality/cleanliness of drying methods etc. etc. etc. It's not too difficult to determine what the friction sources are but clean those up and try to use the hose drip method - then blot or blow dry (or both).

You mentioned you buffed the paint with a ROB - what type of buffer?, pads? BMW wax? You need to cut down those swirls just enough to remove them and then wax or seal.

If it's any consolation, Jet Black is nearly impossible to keep swirl and defect free but is absolutely stunning when clean and glossy. Keep plugging away at keeping it clean and try to perfect the "friction" areas.

[jorgex]

These products maybe helps you minimize the swirls marks!

1) BMW Polishing Fleece
Very soft, hard-wearing cloth for polishing paintwork care products. It offers lots of advantages over polishing wads - less force required and no fluff when polishing. Ensures a very high yield of the care products because the cloth releases the active ingredients almost completely.
Part Number: 83129408529

2) BMW Car Wax
Seals the paintwork for long-lasting protection from the effects of the weather. High quality, natural Carnauba waxes intensify the colours and enhance the shine. Contains no abrasives and therefore is particularly gentle to the paintwork. Easy to use.
Part Number: 83120002719

3) BMW Car Polish
Protective cleaning and care emulsion. Extremely fine abrasive particles remove minor scratches such as result typically from the brushes in car wash systems. The product freshens up the paintwork and returns its original shine. High quality natural waxes provide long-term protection from the effects of the weather.
Part Number: 83129408526

4) BMW Wash & Wax
The power to remove dirt. The waxes in this product coat the paintwork with a film of preservative. They also produce a perfect shine.
Part Number: 83129408919

5) BMW Car Shampoo
Liquid cleaning product for hand washing. Removes all typical types of dirt from the road quickly and thoroughly. Also protects the wax coating on all paintwork surfaces.
Part Number: 83120412530

[avantix]

Thanks for the replies guys. When using the orbital buffer I have decided to throw away the bonnet after using it once this way I will never run the chance of scratches or swirls due to the bonnet. I am going to get a bottle of Z2 and Z5 from Zaino and lastly I was wondering what the best bonnets to use for orbital buffer? Terry cloth for buffing or the foam pad and if so does BMW produce any?

Thanks

[darkside]

I recommend you go to Autopia.org and learn detailing. I had a Jet Black M3 and in the couse of ownership became quite proficient. I needed to polish my M3 at least every 3 months. In contract, with my silver 550 I did not polish once in over a year. The process goes 1. wash 2. clay - this will remove the hard particulates that bcome embedded in the paint. 3. polish (least aggressive polish that will do the job. I like Meguiar's Speed Glaze (#80) as a good one step polish. 4. paint cleaner - my favoite is Kasse AIO 5. apply either a wax such as P21S or Pinnacle Souvereign paste wax or a sealant such as Klasse SG or Poorboy's EX.

I use the Porter Cable dual action polisher and have an assortment of pads (foam). I do have a Makita rotary and had to use it on occasion when things got out of hand.

Bottom line is black is a nightmare if you get really picky. It just disturbed me so much when the sun came out and the swirls appeared or some spec of dust or pollen. And God forbid if the dealership ever washes the car. That requires a full detail just to get rid of all of their washing induced paint defects.

Probably the best approach is to not worry too much about the swirls etc. They are unavoidable. My solution was to switch to silver where you just do not see the defects.

[bmwhomosapien]

My Question Is What Kind Of Mcquiars Product Would Be Best To Stick On A Mf Pad Deal For The Orbital

[aphall]

I recommend using foam pads made by Lake Country Mfg. I use a yellow pad to have a medium cut that gets rid of most swirls caused by normal hand washing. Along with that pad, I use either Poorboys SSR1 or SSR2 depending on the severity of the swirls. When you're polishing your car, you have to make sure you're breaking down the polish enough, or else you're going to be left with a hazy look after you finish off with a light cutting pad (white pad) and SSR1 (light polish). It takes practice, but here's an AWESOME website to give you an idea:

http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/

Once you're done polishing, I apply my wax using the orbital as well, and a very light cut foam pad (black pad).... and presto! Granted, you won't be 100% swirl free, but it'll be pretty darn close. Good luck!

[aphall]

Originally Posted by bmwhomosapien

My Question Is What Kind Of Mcquiars Product Would Be Best To Stick On A Mf Pad Deal For The Orbital

I don't have much experience with Meguiar's products, but I do question why you're using a MF pad on an orbital? If you're using a Porter Cable, the best pads to use are typically foam pads, unless you want maximum cut, then they have wool pads. I think I've heard of some people using an MF bonnet to apply wax? If that's the case, I'll let someone else chime in. Otherwise, if you're applying polish, then try taking a look at some foam pads.

[ADHD]

Originally Posted by bmwhomosapien

My Question Is What Kind Of Mcquiars Product Would Be Best To Stick On A Mf Pad Deal For The Orbital

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/

come on over bro youll learn everyting u need to know! I know have..and im still full of ??!!
Ive already bought the DA polisher and a bunch of products! I did my truck yesterday with #80 followed by NXT and DAMB..HOly wow!!
Ill be doing my JETBLACK E90 these next two days so Ill let u know how it goes!

[FlyingFinn]

Originally Posted by avantix

Is there a way to wax a jet black car or black car in general and avoid getting the dreaded swirls when direct sunlight hits the car.

No, it is impossible. Right after detailing it may be perfect but after first wash you can already find some very small scratches no matter how gentle you wash the car. The best way to deal with these minor swirls is ignore them and enjoy your car.

What comes to rotary buffer I have never seen a black car detailed with rotary and not having any holograms. It may be swirl free after detailing but holograms are visible in some angle in direct sun light. PC is a lot better and you can't go wrong if you follow David's instructions in here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9145

[picus]

You can use a rotary on black without getting holograms, you just need some experience. I finish down on all kinds of black cars with a makita/grey pad/PO106FF.