[ChicagoNorthShore]

There are swirls all over my X3 black sapphire metallic paint! I wash using high quality products, 2 bucket method and such. I baby my car but it has so many swirls! Today I was claying the hood and it got all scratched up!! Used lots of clay luber, new clay bar, and washed the area before. Any suggestions on how to remedy the problem? I'm hesitant to spend $150 for a detail on a leased car...

[ba ba boosh]

Originally Posted by ChicagoNorthShore

There are swirls all over my X3 black sapphire metallic paint! I wash using high quality products, 2 bucket method and such. I baby my car but it has so many swirls! Today I was claying the hood and it got all scratched up!! Used lots of clay luber, new clay bar, and washed the area before. Any suggestions on how to remedy the problem? I'm hesitant to spend $150 for a detail on a leased car...

Meguiars Swirl X works for me. You use it like waxing a car. First you wash your car, then dry it off. Then apply a little to a specific area, wait for it to dry for a few mins, then wipe it off. Works like a charm.

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1761.../dp/B001O7I7H6

[Scandic24]

Originally Posted by ba ba boosh

Meguiars Swirl X works for me. You use it like waxing a car. First you wash your car, then dry it off. Then apply a little to a specific area, wait for it to dry for a few mins, then wipe it off. Works like a charm.

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G1761.../dp/B001O7I7H6

Thanks for the tip.

[nyalpine90]

good to know

[Kimo]

Originally Posted by ChicagoNorthShore

There are swirls all over my X3 black sapphire metallic paint! I wash using high quality products, 2 bucket method and such. I baby my car but it has so many swirls! Today I was claying the hood and it got all scratched up!! Used lots of clay luber, new clay bar, and washed the area before. Any suggestions on how to remedy the problem? I'm hesitant to spend $150 for a detail on a leased car...

Gonna have to get them CORRECTLY machined out, then Optimum No Rinse Wash with Griot's Spray On Wax and never look back. Hi quality and hi quantity of good MicroFiber towels are the secret.

[Roundown]

I've had success with Griots Garage One Step Polish/Sealant. The light polish will remove swirls and the sealant is more durable (if not as deep) as a carnuba wax.

[gIzzE]

I have black sapphire too, I have never known such a soft paint on any of my cars. This was discussed before on here.
I am taking mine to the BMW body shop as they said they will test it.

The other week I reversed out of my father in laws and a branch hit the rear quarter, it left a very deep scratch in the paint, which it obviously shouldn't do.

I will let you know what he says, I think that maye it wasn't baked properly at the factory, but doing some research it seems I am not the only one.

[double_j]

Short of going with a full machine polish, something like Swirl X is your best bet. If you'll be applying by hand, try it on a specific spot first to see if you feel like the results are worth the effort.

From now on, try to clay in one direction only. If any hairline scratches are introduced, they'll only be visible from one specific angle. Also, make sure your microfiber is up to snuff. Get a ton of good ones and switch them out frequently. Use a spray detailer when you dry the car to add a little bit of protection against unintended swirls and always keep your wipes linear in a consistent direction.

Black is a bitch. There's a good chance the swirls were there before you cleaned your car, you just couldn't see it until it was shiny. Resist the urge to 'overclean' as even the most careful cleaning will introduce a few minor swirls here and there.

[omgboost]

$150 for a detail sounds very low. You wouldn't be getting quality work. I bought myself a polisher and polished out most of the swirls. Also, I use the nanoskin towels instead of clay bar. Black paint is very noticeable for swirls, looks nice for the first 5 minutes it is clean, then it's all dirty again. Next car I'm getting would most likely be Grey.

[Tjalle]

gIzzE: can you, please, expand on how the branch came to hit your car?

Have you reported this to Forest Administration?

Are those trees common i Norfolk?

[gIzzE]

I was reversing out and it was a squeeze, the bush just brushed past the car, it was my father in law who said "Has that just scratched your paint?!"

I knew it had as I had just used a Mequiers Clay mitt and the G3 scracth remover and colour restorer on the car, so knew 100% it wasn't there before reversing out.


Don't worry, no trees were harmed in the incident!!

[Ranger 6]

Which colour restorer? Had a similar issue with mine (carbon black).

[gIzzE]

G3 again, loving their products, plus the fact Halfords now stock them too helps.

[Ranger 6]

Thanks

[JSGR8]

Ever heard of a product called Glare? www.glare.com

It's pretty darn good. I tried to distribute this stuff up in Canada, but I guess my lack of experience in trying to market the product made it a big fail. I still have left over stock and still use it.

Anyway, if you can get your hands on some in the States, try it out.

[ChicagoNorthShore]

Sorry for my long absence! I re-waxed my car and a lot of the swirls are covered up but I still wish to fix the issue. By the way... the $150 quote was just for wash, clay, and polish, not a full detail with interior.

[Greg2010]

Ahh yes, swirls... I just had the "swirl" discussion with my kids (actually a more general discussion on how to wash their cars)!

A few pics of my dd BSM after giving it a good wash yesterday. Now going on 3 years...the best way I've found to cut back on the swirls beyond the 2 bucket wash method and use of high quality micro-fiber towels...is to also rinse the car off in between washes (touchless drive thru, no rail, air dry only), apply a good sealer at least once a year (wax and clay as required...but honestly, I only need a wax once a year and clay about every other year...although the car is garaged at home and at work, and it doesn't see a lot of heavy use/milage).

[ChicagoNorthShore]

Originally Posted by Greg2010

Ahh yes, swirls... I just had the "swirl" discussion with my kids (actually a more general discussion on how to wash their cars)!

A few pics of my dd BSM after giving it a good wash yesterday. Now going on 3 years...the best way I've found to cut back on the swirls beyond the 2 bucket wash method and use of high quality micro-fiber towels...is to also rinse the car off in between washes (touchless drive thru, no rail, air dry only), apply a good sealer at least once a year (wax and clay as required...but honestly, I only need a wax once a year and clay about every other year...although the car is garaged at home and at work, and it doesn't see a lot of heavy use/milage).

Nice!! My paint is ruineddddd

[gIzzE]

That rear section behind the rear window is where I have the most swirls and where I got a scratch into the topcoat by reversing passed a small bush!

It seems a lot of people have real problems across the model range, especially with flat black and black sapphire.

[Greg2010]

Ouch! It looks to me like grit in a wash mit (or at least reminds me of the swirls that I had on my previous E92 after the dealer "did me a favor" and washed my car after taking it in for service (which is another thing I have on my list to not do)!

Hope you are able to get the buffed out and happy new year!

[JamRWS6]

First of all BSM is not a soft black. Try removing those by machine and you'll understand how hard the paint actually is. Those scratches are from poor technique and not using a clean washing and drying media for every wipe. If you aren't cleaning your wash media multiple times per panel with a traditional wash it isn't enough. No traditional wax will last 1 year either. I feel your frustration; I would spend quality time reading lots of articles from a knowledgeable guy like Mike Phillips @ Autogeek to get the best understanding possible. Good luck.

[ChicagoNorthShore]

Originally Posted by JamRWS6

First of all BSM is not a soft black. Try removing those by machine and you'll understand how hard the paint actually is. Those scratches are from poor technique and not using a clean washing and drying media for every wipe. If you aren't cleaning your wash media multiple times per panel with a traditional wash it isn't enough. No traditional wax will last 1 year either. I feel your frustration; I would spend quality time reading lots of articles from a knowledgeable guy like Mike Phillips @ Autogeek to get the best understanding possible. Good luck.

The problem is... I use the best quality products (Chemical Guys), the two bucket wash method, grit guards, and I even foam cannon the car before touching it. I actually think 90% of these swirls are from when the dealership washes the car