[Radioactive]

Some of you may know of the mineral hardness scale. Here is my proposed hardness scale for car paint. In order of increasing hardness. 1. Water Colors 2. Crayons 3. BMW paint 4. Yagu paint 5. Volga paint 6. Other Autos

Had a pterodactyl crap on my X3 yesterday. Washed it off within an hour. The car had sealant plus paste wax and the paint still was marred. Four ~2in. spots. I tried clay and scratch remover. Helped a little. The clear coat seems mottled and you can still see the spots on an angle. Luckily they're not visible straight on. First car I've ever had that bird crap caused a paint problem.

[skier219]

Originally Posted by Radioactive

Some of you may know of the mineral hardness scale. Here is my proposed hardness scale for car paint. In order of increasing hardness. 1. Water Colors 2. Crayons 3. BMW paint 4. Yagu paint 5. Volga paint 6. Other Autos

Had a pterodactyl crap on my X3 yesterday. Washed it off within an hour. The car had sealant plus paste wax and the paint still was marred. Four ~2in. spots. I tried clay and scratch remover. Helped a little. The clear coat seems mottled and you can still see the spots on an angle. Luckily they're not visible straight on. First car I've ever had that bird crap caused a paint problem.

I am guessing what you're describing is that it "etched" the clear coat -- sound right? If so, I've seen that on almost every make of car. It boggles the mind how quickly it can happen. Whatever birds eat, it's pretty damn destructive when it comes out the business end...

[Lotus7]

BMW like most of the auto industry has switched to water based paints for environmental reasons. These paints are much softer, and much easier to scratch or chemically damage. Honda was one of the first to go to water-based automotive coatings (In 1997, I believe) and their paints are still very easy to damage, but much better than a decade ago.

It's the current price we pay for a somewhat "greener" environment.

See:http://www.goodspeedmotoring.com/adv...-based-paint-/

My Lotus is painted with a "High- VOC" lacquer, that is now difficult to purchase in the US because its sale is illegal in several states. Some states are even regulating the sale of certain types of spray guns. In Minnesota, you can buy a semi-automatic handgun, but not an “old style” low-efficiency automotive paint spray gun.

[Nahoa]

Seriously, if you've ever tried painting your ride with a Glock-17, you feel Lotus7's pain . . . cases of bondo, days of sanding, there's just no substitution for a real spray gun and a good lacquer.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Seriously, if you've ever tried painting your ride with a Glock-17, you feel Lotus7's pain . . . cases of bondo, days of sanding, there's just no substitution for a real spray gun and a good lacquer.

Love it!
and the good lacquer even smells better.

[Mako]

The protective coating my Mercedes dealer put on my C63 is amazing, 22,000 miles and not even a rock chip on the hood, never had a car like that, and it doesn't need to be waxed. Dealer price was $299 and included a leather interior protective coating as well. I need to find out how to get this on my future X3.

[Harplayr]

Originally Posted by Mako

The protective coating my Mercedes dealer put on my C63 is amazing, 22,000 miles and not even a rock chip on the hood, never had a car like that, and it doesn't need to be waxed. Dealer price was $299 and included a leather interior protective coating as well. I need to find out how to get this on my future X3.

Talk to your Mercedes dealer.
Things like protective coatings are a profit item for them. They would probably be happy to apply it to any car.

What product was it?