Let this be a lesson about BMW JB paint

[Thomas Dekany]

This is my second and most likely my last ever 07 Jet Black BMW detail. A little over 3 years ago I received an e mail from a BMW enthusiast who just picked up a brand new JB 328, off the truck. Wanted it prepped. Boy was I in for a nightmare.

Here is that detail - http://www.autopia.org/forum/pro-details-before-after/82627-2007-black-bmw-330-xi-worst-experience-so-far.html[/URL]

After that detail I promised myself never to touch one one of these JB BMWs again.

Until now (actually a couple of weeks ago) that is.

This car was sent out from Luxe Autohouse here in Portland to their regular Detail Shop to do their "usual wholesale detail". While I know that this particular paint is the worst one ever, I don't really know what the shop's process was. Looking at the paint in person, I'd guess they used a wool pad with some glaze. I have never seen this many holograms on a car. The car had a creamy look to it from all the deep holograms. (sadly my pictures don't show it too well)

I was asked to look at the car and if I had any suggestion about what to do as the detail shop claimed that in order to make the car look any better, they would have to wet sand the whole car. (their fee for that is $250).

I suggested that I spend a few minutes with the car and let me try a test spot. They agreed.

Here is what I was looking at.

After about 15 minutes or so I was done with my test spot.

So a few days ago I finally started working on this mess. My objective was not 100% correction since that would be a waste of my time and more importantly someone's money.

YOU TRY WIPING THE PAINT JUST ONCE AND THE PAINT WILL NEED CORRECTION.

The car was already sold and going to the new owner soon I was told.

It took me 2 days to finish this project and I am very glad that it is over.

Process:

QD wipe down
Didn't need claying
*105 wool 2300rpm
*HD UNO ORANGE PAD 1800rpm (I was running out of UNO and haven't received my new bottles yet, that is why I used 105 to cut)
*205 FLEX
*EZ CREME GLAZE - FLEX
*ZAINO CLEAR SEAL - FLEX
***NO TOWELS WERE USED ON THIS DETAIL***

 

[Thomas Dekany]

Here is the car as it sits in the showroom - not bad at all.

Here is the same car under the right lights.

CLOSE UP - LOOKS FAMILIAR?

I STARTED WITH THE PASSENGER DOOR

While it may look 100% - it isn't. Any scratch that didn't come out after 3 passes stayed. There weren't too many but there are some that didn't want to depart.

Here is another example after 1 pass

BEFORE

After 1 pass

After 2 passes

Last try

Upper fender

Hopefully you get the idea. These straight scratches were very stubborn. As I said earlier, time was an issue and perfection wasn't ideal, but all swirls are gone.

Here is part of the roof before

After EZ CREME GLAZE

Here is that trunk again

After shots

Right rear fender after 105

After EZ CREME GLAZE

 

[Thomas Dekany]

FINALLY SOME AFTER SHOTS

MY FAVORITE SHOT

Well, thanks for looking and the purpose of this thread is to warn those who love Jet Black and looking to purchase a used one from 06/07. Whatever you do , stay away from those early JBs.

FYI, the owner of the "other" JB 328 traded in his for a silver one just after 2 years. He couldn't stand the condition of the paint any more.

 

[tuscarora dave]

I had experience helping a friend get rid of some light swirls from one of these JB BMWs, It took me nearly 2 hours to dial in a process that did not induce more swirls without the use of a glaze. I was at the very least getting frustrated.

The right process ended up being Poorboy's new style SSR1 with Edge 2K white finish pad on my Makita rotary but it still induced swirls until I bumped up the speed to 4 on the speed dial. At that speed I was very nervous and had to stay VERY FOCUSED on the task at hand. Followed by an application of EXP, I believe it's safe to say that the car owner and myself were pleased with the results.

 

[njcarting1]

Nice work...:yay:yay:cheers: I myself have never done one that color but heard the stories. Again nice finish :bigups:bigups

 

[Ronkh]

Being an owner of an 07 j/b bmw I can tell you that you are 100% correct. If you look at the paint it will marr.

That said, GREAT JOB.

I had experience helping a friend get rid of some light swirls from one of these JB BMWs, It took me nearly 2 hours to dial in a process that did not induce more swirls without the use of a glaze. I was at the very least getting frustrated.

The right process ended up being Poorboy's new style SSR1 with Edge 2K white finish pad on my Makita rotary but it still induced swirls until I bumped up the speed to 4 on the speed dial. At that speed I was very nervous and had to stay VERY FOCUSED on the task at hand. Followed by an application of EXP, I believe it's safe to say that the car owner and myself were pleased with the results.

It was a perfectly timed case of pneumonia. :notme:
You worked your butt off. assout:

 

[OCDinPDX]

I simply don't understand why BMW chose to make this paint so damn soft and everything else so hard. The horror stories about BMW Jet Black go around the block.

Regardless, looks like you were able to tame the beast! :bigups

 

[Ronkh]

I simply don't understand why BMW chose to make this paint so damn soft and everything else so hard. The horror stories about BMW Jet Black go around the block.

Regardless, looks like you were able to tame the beast! :bigups

This was done specifically to screw with me.

 

[Beemerboy]

I've had two JB BMW cars. Where they are more labor extensive than lighter colors. I found that I didn't have to clean them any more than I do now
That said they do require extra careful paint care one of which I became an expert at

 

[OCDinPDX]

This was done specifically to screw with me.

Can we surmise that it worked?

 

[Ronkh]

Can we surmise that it worked?

Oh yeah. :wall

 

[Thomas Dekany]

Great stuff guys! Thanks!

 

[shuddleston]

Wow note to self stay away from that car - lol. Nice work looks really good!

 

[Beemerboy]

IMO as a detailer any car that you are asked to work on presents its own challenges. Whether its swirls, over-spray, stains in carpet, etc. Each one has its trials and learning curves, they have and continue to be for me.

I do not avoid any car that I'm asked to detail unless I feel that I can't satisfy the customer or I don't have the room / equipment to do right.

Avoiding a car based on its color will restrict you from learning. Besides that charge according to what time you need, if JB takes an hour or two longer its only more $ to your bottom line

 

[holland_patrick]

I'm guessing this was in jest and that there will be more black BMW's at his shop.

 

[Thomas Dekany]

Thanks guys!

Patrick - the owner rarely buys dark cars, but you just can't avoid some of them. I worked on a white 328 today. What a beauty. :drool::drool::drool: