Removing light swirls on jet black BMW.

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deznium

New member
Hi,

I'm new to this forum and learning about detailing in general. I own a BMW 3 series in jet black '09 model. I have a few swirls which are pretty light but are all over the car given to me by my dealers car wash. I came across this thread here: http://www.autopia.org/forum/detailing-articles-videos/77859-test-swirl-removal-hand.html.



I was wondering if my swirls are light, can I get rid of them without using a machine just like shown on that thread? Do you recommend any products? Also, I have some swirls on the side panels of the doors (see attached pics for details, shown in the circle). BMW has upgraded the side panels and made it glossy and you have to be now careful when you wash your cars otherwise those side panels will get scratched.



Thanks for your help!
 
Sorry Al, I know I sound like a answering machine, but OP: you pretty much bought the very worst paint. My experience is that you will need a rotary to correct, the pc chewed up the paint on the new JB. However you can use it to apply wax with it.



BUT, those swirls will come back faster then you can wipe the paint. :wall:wall:wall



I really feel sorry for you. You can't win with that paint.
 
tdekany said:
Sorry Al, I know I sound like a answering machine, but OP: you pretty much bought the very worst paint. My experience is that you will need a rotary to correct, the pc chewed up the paint on the new JB. However you can use it to apply wax with it.



BUT, those swirls will come back faster then you can wipe the paint. :wall:wall:wall



I really feel sorry for you. You can't win with that paint.
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Agreed, I work on a 06 BMW all the time, with Jet black paint and its a mess to correct fully and keep swirl free. I swear, the wind causes swirls and light marring.



For the original poster,



A DA will make a small dent in swirls, but you could give it a shot. Hand polishing will not really get you anywhere.
 
OK you pros who work on the BMW Jet Black, school me (purely intellectual curiosity as I'd sell a vehicle over paint like that):



-If the paint is so soft that you can't finish out via PC, then why would it be hard to do the initial correction?



-Why couldn't you use some *almost* functionally nonabrasive polish (perhaps by hand) for the final polishing?



-Why not just use a combo that conceals since *something* is gonna be necessary every few months/weeks anyhow?



Again, I'm just wondering what people who are bound and determined to keep their Jet Black bimmers are, *realistically*, supposed to do? It's not like they're really gonna go master the rotary and correct the paint all the time.



I had ss black lacquer cars back in the day (some of those paints were *soft*), and it was possible to keep 'em looking OK. Not easy by any means, and "looking OK" might not pass, uhm..."Autopian muster", but seriously...I don't see what people are supposed to do :confused: Even for you rotary-Meisters, you can't keep cutting off clear forever.
 
Accumulator said:
1 - as I'd sell a vehicle over paint like that



2 - I don't see what people are supposed to do :confused:
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1 - you are indeed a very smart man. I would sell it as well, unless you are not into the finish.



2 - not much. Just live with it. To me it is really that bad.





PS: I would just keep layering some really greasy carnauba.
 
tdekany said:
Sorry Al, I know I sound like a answering machine, but OP: you pretty much bought the very worst paint. My experience is that you will need a rotary to correct, the pc chewed up the paint on the new JB. However you can use it to apply wax with it.



BUT, those swirls will come back faster then you can wipe the paint. :wall:wall:wall



I really feel sorry for you. You can't win with that paint.
Click to expand...



It has nothing to do with that paint.. All BMW paints are soft and will get swirled if not washed properly. There is nothing wrong with jet black.. Other colors like black sapphire metallic, montego blue metallic, crimson red etc.. will have the same paint softness and will also show swirls. I believe if you wash your car properly and don't go to those crappy car washing places, you car can stay swirl free most of the time. I don't think you know much about BMW paints, at least from your post!
 
BigAl3 said:
:welcome !



invest in a D/A polisher (PC, UDM, G110, FLEX) it will give you better even results more than your hands ever will, make things alot easier for you, and are safe to use. using it a few times will have already paid for itself...



here are a few videos for you to check out if you haven't already...



Car Detailing videos - How to detail, polish and wax your Car
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Which is the best D/A polisher? I like FLEX but not sure if I should buy it over the G110 or UDM, can you guys help me? Also, What is the difference between porter cable vs. orbital polisher vs. rotatory? Are all of them same? Sorry I'm new to all this...

Thanks!!!!
 
tdekany said:
1 - you are indeed a very smart man. I would sell it as well, unless you are not into the finish...
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Heh heh...oh yeah..that's smart ol' me alright...buy high/sell low over something like soft paint :o



2 - not much...[you can do]. Just live with it. To me it is really that bad.
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That'd be a real kick in the head to discover *after* the purchase (buy high/sell low indeed). People's caveats here about certain paints being have scratched a few vehicles off my interest-list, can't figure why some are using such soft paints while others are using the ceramiclear stuff :confused:
 
I finished perfectly on JB before with my PC. It just took a bit more work than others. Usually SIP+orange will give you a great improvement but you need to follow up with something to make it perfect ;)



But then again I've been known to melt the first 2 revisions of the backing plate and snap my PC in 2 so I don't know if that makes a difference or not lol
 
eyezack87 said:
I finished perfectly on JB before with my PC. It just took a bit more work than others. Usually SIP+orange will give you a great improvement but you need to follow up with something to make it perfect ;)



But then again I've been known to melt the first 2 revisions of the backing plate and snap my PC in 2 so I don't know if that makes a difference or not lol
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On the latest models?



Unless bmw has made changes to the jb paint from the first run, no way can you use an orange pad on that paint. Especially with the pc.
 
tdekany said:
On the latest models?



Unless bmw has made changes to the jb paint from the first run, no way can you use an orange pad on that paint. Especially with the pc.
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Hmm, most recent was an 06 that I worked on...



I got it to work pretty well as a one-step polish. Even did the 50/50 and TAW wipedown after too to make sure of it...



Prima Swirl with Orange LC after wipedown to ensure all oils were gone. Did like 10 shots of each thing too lol

983ed1e4.jpg




This was prior to a finishing polish but a significant improvement nonetheless. Only slight micromarring too...
 
dinosaur12 said:
Is it just the BMW flat paint (black, white...) that is so soft? Is the BMW metallic paint a bit harder?
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jb, red (someone here said) bmw white in general is very vey hard. Metallics are normal bmw hard.
 
metallics are a bit harder, but still pretty soft on BMW..



jet black = nightmare to perfect. I would not try and maintain it perfect unless you have perfected a wash technique, and its only a showcar. For a DD, you are going to drive yourself insane trying to keep it perfected.



WIWD is get some optimum poliseal and use that every other month or so with a PC and a finishing pad. Its going to do very little correction, and fill in whatever is left, and leave behind a sealant wax as well.



The thing with Jet Black paint, is most microfiber towels, no matter how soft will mar the paint if there is ANY sort of polish dust, debris, etc on the paint while removing polish/wax
 
My Product of choice for light swirls on any black vehicle is PC set to 4, foam polishing pad used to apply 3M Polishing Compound for Dark Colored Vehicles. Actually, for all light swirls, I have had great results with the 3M for dark and 3M for light colored cars(if working on a light colored vehicle). IMO these are very good products to keep on hand, plus they contains no silicones, which I also like.
 
Without beating this to death. Can anyone confirm that they have worked on BMW white and it is a hard paint? Is the Jet Black the only super soft paint BMW has?



Really want to know this as I am looking to buy and really liked the white but if its a PITA to care for I can change colors
 
dinosaur12 said:
Without beating this to death. Can anyone confirm that they have worked on BMW white and it is a hard paint? Is the Jet Black the only super soft paint BMW has?



Really want to know this as I am looking to buy and really liked the white but if its a PITA to care for I can change colors
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White is very hard. Just get one with the wrapper on it and DO NOT let them touch the car.
 
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