[mdavis]

My plan is to have what I think is the best detailer in the state travel to the dealer with me and apply a polish and clear-coat on the day of pickup...I plan to bypass the "dealer swirl option".

Regards, -mark

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by mdavis

My plan is to have what I think is the best detailer in the state travel to the dealer with me and apply a polish and clear-coat on the day of pickup...I plan to bypass the "dealer swirl option".

Regards, -mark

You'd be better off just instructing your dealer "please do not prep or detail the vehicle", and then take it to your detailer. First, without the aforementioned instruction to the dealer, they will already have done whatever they do... also, I'm sure your detailer would rather work in his own shop with all his tools and supplies at hand. Detailing a car in open daylight is a felony, and I doubt your dealership will donate a work bay to you.

[Bimmerlife]

Jeez - I'm so confused. So are Delta Sonic car washes out of the question?

X3 on order. Expecting my first BMW by the end of this month. Specs below in signature.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by Bimmerlife

Jeez - I'm so confused. So are Delta Sonic car washes out of the question?

X3 on order. Expecting my first BMW by the end of this month. Specs below in signature.

I'm not sure what type of wash that is, but if anything besides soap and water touches the vehicle, then IMHO they are off limits. We have a "touchless" wash nearby that I use when I cannot hand wash (winter mostly) to at least keep the car presentable and get the grime (and salt, etc.) off of it.

But, I am admittedly a fanatic about my finish, and have on more than one occasion been called abusive to those who are not as fanatical - so I don't intend to dictate what others do with their cars.

People will often argue that they use only the "soft touch" car wash, where gentle cloths spun from the actual hair of an angel and kissed for luck by a real unicorn are used... but ask yourself this: how many filthy pickups, SUV's and Accords have gone through before you? All the grime and grit collected off of those cars onto the cloth that will wipe your car is going to be aggitated against it. It will swirl and scratch the finish.

Okay... /rant.

[02420X3]

There aren't any near me now, but IIRC, Delta Sonic is "almost" touchless. It uses soft cloth at the end.

I prefer to use a completely touchless car wash, where nothing touches the car except water and the soap/goop/whatever that they're spraying.

[Bimmerlife]

Ahh, thanks LedZep for the great advice. So "touchless" is the key. I must search out a local touchless car wash as upstate NY is fresh out of angels and unicorns.

Thanks again, Bimmer neophyte here. (And I am def not hardcore enough to spend 3 hours waxing/sealing/washing etc...) Well, not yet at least. I haven't actually gotten my car yet. Still patiently waiting...

[Dukat]

You could also try Optimum No-Rinse.

It gets excellent reviews. I bought it but haven't had a chance to try it.

- Autogeek

- Detailed Image

There's plenty of YouTube videos demoing it's use.

[Bimmerlife]

Thanks Dukat. I'm getting a wealth of info here. I need it! I had to google "clay bar" the other day to figure out the what the hell you all were talking about!

[LEDZEP]

Bimmerlife - if you're really interested in learning from knowledgable people, check out the threads in this section: http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

There are some bona fide experts there that give great advice, tips, and tutorials.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Buy a "Snow-Foam Gun" and snow foam, use your high pressure washer to apply wait 5 /8 mins hose off job done NO contact made, clean car.
I do it all the time.

[Bimmerlife]

Excellent. Thanks all for the great tutelage!

[Bimmerlife]

now I have go and google "snow-foam gun"

[clivem2]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

Buy a "Snow-Foam Gun" and snow foam, use your high pressure washer to apply wait 5 /8 mins hose off job done NO contact made, clean car.
I do it all the time.

Agreed! I have this, it works well. If I need to clean off any remaining film I use a floppy brush attached to the pressure washer - very lightly, all the bigger pieces of dirt will be gone already. To rinse the car I don't use the pressure washer, just the hose. Too much pressure = removing the wax. I could use the pressure washer at a distance and a 45 degree angle but it's too easy to use too much pressure.

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by Dukat

I was planning on applying Klasse sealant, waiting 1 day, apply a second layer, wait 1 more day and apply Collonite wax.

If the dealer waxes it before they hand it off, that would need to be polished off for the sealant to adhere to the clearcoat.

It sounds like polishing it a week or 2 after production may not be a good idea.

Even washing a car has become complicated.

If you really want to go "all in" and hold your head up high with "car guys", check out this process: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41760

[Dukat]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

If you really want to go "all in" and hold your head up high with "car guys", check out this process: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41760

The shine on the car in that link is sick. Best shine I've ever seen, and a stunning color.

[h0mersimps0n]

This weekend I'll post some pics of my Mazda and old 330 after being kissed by polish and sealant and wax - the shine is stunning.

[TarHeelFan]

Worlds Colliding! The 2 "Authorities" on everything BMW have disagreed on something. What are we to do? Do we believe someone who has purchased FORTY - FORTY, count 'em - cars or someone who talked to the PPG expert? (I'm sorry but I'm originally from Missouri and I find both of those justifications a little too hard to believe.) What I don know is that I've taken my car for over 20 washes to a drive thru car-wash with CLOTH scrubbers and everything seems fine to me. I mean, c'mon, I do love my BMW more than anything but I've seen 2 Ferraris and several other BMWs and Mercedes vehicles go thru these washes. Am I to think my car is far too delicate?

The funny thing is one of the "authorities" uses water to wash his car. When I have my car washed by the guys at work they use de-ionized water because it's safer than regular tap. Can't believe the "authority" doesn't go to this extreme.

I guess the bottom line of what I'm trying to say is: This is just a forum. ANYONE can post - and just because someone has over 12,000 - TWELVE THOUSAND!!! posts doesn't make them an expert. (Computer expert, maybe, but then 12,000???)

[02420X3]

(Tongue in cheek back at you Tarheel )

I buy DI water by the pallet, in 5LB bags/boxes. I would use DI water to wash my car, but pouring it out of the boxes/bags into my hose is a pain, and I spill so much. Also, I don't have a compressor, and blowing it through the hose just makes me dizzy. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't create much water pressure either.

[Dukat]

Originally Posted by 02420X3

Also, I don't have a compressor, and blowing it through the hose just makes me dizzy. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't create much water pressure either.

LOL

[LEDZEP]

Originally Posted by TarHeelFan

I guess the bottom line of what I'm trying to say is: This is just a forum. ANYONE can post - and just because someone has over 12,000 - TWELVE THOUSAND!!! posts doesn't make them an expert. (Computer expert, maybe, but then 12,000???)

Oh, I'm sorry - were you referring to me? I don't recall ever claiming to be an expert, and actually I pointed to another thread where I referred to the authors there as the "experts". I will always be a student when it comes to car care, but a student with a keen interest.

God bless you sir if you drive your car through regular car washes and there are no swirls, no fine scratches, no other ill effects. I can assure you that is not the common experience. My posts are not intended toward folks like you, but toward those sincerely asking opinions about car care.

Hope you make out okay with those anger issues.

[mdavis]

Originally Posted by LEDZEP

You'd be better off just instructing your dealer "please do not prep or detail the vehicle", and then take it to your detailer. First, without the aforementioned instruction to the dealer, they will already have done whatever they do... also, I'm sure your detailer would rather work in his own shop with all his tools and supplies at hand. Detailing a car in open daylight is a felony, and I doubt your dealership will donate a work bay to you.

Detailer seems OK to travel...Did instruct the detail not to prep the car...except for the mechanical aspect of the job...

-mark