[Stufos]

Why is it that BMW's have such appalling paint? They all seem to suffer from the orange peel effect from new. I'm due to pick up another one in Sept. I don't suppose anything will have changed.

Not what you want on a 30k+ car.

[MEGA]

Yes they are orange peeley but I wouldn't say it was awful just different.

You could always wet sand the car to get it looking glossier..

If you don't like BMWs why buy one ?

[xenon]

Originally Posted by MEGA

If you don't like BMWs why buy one ?

Not quite sure I follow that reasoning. I love BMWs having had 4 from new but I agree that the paint is shit. It doesn't stop me buying one but I agree with the OP that there is no excuse for it.

[creepy coupe]

It's not just the Orange peel, but the way the clear coat mark with the slightest bird lime or contact with anything other than a Virgins inner thigh.

[MEGA]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

It's not just the Orange peel, but the way the clear coat mark with the slightest bird lime or contact with anything other than a Virgins inner thigh.

I've found the same thing re: the lacquer with both of my previous cars (nissan / peugeot) to be fair...

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by MEGA

I've found the same thing re: the lacquer with both of my previous cars (nissan / peugeot) to be fair...

Might be something to do with the water based products, they now have to use.

[xenon]

It almost certainly is to do with water-based paints but I still don't believe that's an acceptable excuse on a forty grand motor. Mine is two months old and is swirly. It needs a DA polish I suspect but I wouldn't know where to start. I'll have to get it done though. Jet Black is supposed to be the worst according to some professional detailing bloke I read, but also reckons when treated properly and can give the best liquid gloss of any paint he's seen, and he posted some amazing photos. But it needs more looking after than a premiership footballer.

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by xenon

It almost certainly is to do with water-based paints but I still don't believe that's an acceptable excuse on a forty grand motor. Mine is two months old and is swirly. It needs a DA polish I suspect but I wouldn't know where to start. I'll have to get it done though. Jet Black is supposed to be the worst according to some professional detailing bloke I read, but also reckons when treated properly and can give the best liquid gloss of any paint he's seen, and he posted some amazing photos. But it needs more looking after than a premiership footballer.

Are you unwell Ian? You're going to have your car detailed Never in my lifetime, did I expect that

[xenon]

Well perhaps. But I won't call it "detailed" because "detail" is not a verb and therefore it's not possible "to detail something".

I shall have it cleaned. Very well

[chris_s1]

Originally Posted by xenon

"detail" is not a verb and therefore it's not possible "to detail something".

?? It most certainly is.

Maybe you'd like me to detail all the websites you could use to find this information?

[Stufos]

Originally Posted by MEGA

If you don't like BMWs why buy one ?

I love BMW's. That's why I choose to drive them year after year.

RWD, Balance, Poise etc. You don't need telling any of this.

But....the paint is nowhere near what it should be.

[lesfinnie]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Might be something to do with the water based products, they now have to use.

Blame fucking Green Peace, paint these days is shit

[xenon]

Originally Posted by chris_s1

?? It most certainly is.

Maybe you'd like me to detail all the websites you could use to find this information?

OK, yes, in that context. But it sounds stupid to mean "clean really well".

[MattOz]

I wet sanded my whole car and the finish is so much better. It is a piss take that BMW can't get the finish right and yet MINI seem to be able to, or at least they're considerably better.

Matt

[xenon]

Although I'm mechanically minded I must admit to not having a clue where to start with this sort of thing. Anyone recommend somebody in the Coventry area?

[MattOz]

Originally Posted by xenon

Anyone recommend somebody in the Coventry area?

Errrrr. What exactly do you want doing to your car Ian ?

A full wet sand that took 4 whole days

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=184424

Or a general enhance/correct that took about 12 hours

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=210741

Matt

[xenon]

I guess "enhance / correct" would be the right terminology. The car is only 2 months old so it's not like the X5 but when I wash it and chamois in the traditional manner it does look like there are feint swirl marks - my terminology may not be entirely correct. I have seen a Jet Black car that was given the once-over by someone who knew what he was doing and the end result was amazing.

[MattOz]

Sounds like the car needs an bit of an enhancement and nothing more. Following that, a layer of decent wax.

You'll need to use a careful wash/dry technique afterwards to ensure it stays mostly swirl free. Black can be a nightmare.

[creepy coupe]

Ian, would you be prepared to have a go yourself? I got 95% of the swirl marks out of the M3, with about four hours of graft and some cutting compound.

[xenon]

Maybe... but I'm told the Jet Black is very soft and I'd be scared of making it worse.

[creepy coupe]

I just think, getting it done professionally, will be great until after a few washes, then back to near normal

[MEGA]

Wash it yourself or by a proper valeter / valet center not a cheap carwash.

Swirls are introduced by smearing the dirt around your car. Either with a cloth which is not clean (wash mit or microfiber, either way) or has grit in it...

As long as a jetwash or PW is used to get the initial dirt off, the shampoo is applied with a wash cloth that is then NOT used for the rest of the car after, and lightly applied.. then swirl marks will be minimal. Snow foam or similar inbetween initial rinse and a shmpoo cycle will minimise it further.

All said and done also make sure the car has at least 2 if not 3 coats of wax and that no degreasing agents are ever used on the car when washing. Get some poorboys black hole glaze inbetween each layer of wax too.

Do that and then a simple wash will bring your car back to pretty much a detailed condition But you do need to look after it.

I've a sapphire black car and take very good care of the paint work. Other than unavoidable stone chips I'd say it was in very good nick and its never been professionally detailed by anyone...

Logical extension of that being if you DO go for a prof. detail then as long as you take care of it after: It'll stay just as nice

Oh, and if a bird or similar marks the car, get rid of it ASAP. I carry around a bottle of megs NXT quick detail spray and some clean microfibers in case I get birded.