Some of you may already know my story (so I apologize in advance). 1 month ago, I received my latest stable mate: 2009 BMW Z435i. It is black sapphire and I would have never of picked the color if it weren’t for two of my must-have options: dual clutch trans and 19” rims. My local dealer located the car in Jersey and went out there to retrieve it. When I took delivery, I had not noticed the “no-charge dealer inflicted swirl mark option.”
Long story short, I brought it back to the local dealer and asked for them to fix the problem. In their defense (I do have great relationship with their sales and service departments) the 60-grit sandpaper drying technique may have originated at the original dealer. Before they attempted to correct the issue, I spoke with their detail guy. He was very nice and mentioned seeing the swirls when he prepped the car for delivery, but he just did the typical pre-delivery wipe down. He was well aware of the hard paint of black sapphire for BMWs. I work by hand and do not know much about pads, but he said he would need to use a wool pad given the amount of swirls and the stubbornness of the paint (I cringed), but gave him the benefit of the doubt.
When I went to pick up my car again, of course it was slightly overcast, but the car did look better. I should preface that the car looked good the first day I picked it up, but for someone as anal/OCD as I am, I only really saw the swirls under my garage light. I talked to the detailer and thanked him, but he was honest and said he did the best he could, but the paint still had problem areas. I realize he does not have the time to devote to a full paint correction and I wasn’t paying to have this “corrected.” I'm glad I didn't pay anything (other than tipping the detail guy), b/c the swirls are all still there
Since then, I was directed to DC by Ron. He connected me Tuscarora Dave, who happens to be out my way in PA. Dave is wonderful and we have been communicating via email almost everyday. My original intent of contacting Dave was to find a reputable professional able to correct my paint finish. Since then, Dave has given me tips and techniques and has directed me to PB products. I have no problem paying for Dave's service, but I'm upset about the whole situation. This should be taken care of by the dealer--not me--right?
My question to you guys, is I just emailed my sales guy at my dealer to tactfully express my concerns about the paint finish. Honestly, I have not stopped thinking about this since I first picked up the car. My wife is ready to kill me!!!! My sales guy said he would talk with the service manager and they will fix this for me. I believe them, but…I’m not going to have their same detailer try and fix the problem (whether they give him more time or not). I’m not suggesting their guy is incompetent, but I need to be reassured that whoever attempts to fix the problem is going to do it right and not at the expense of removing excessive amounts of CC. Who knows how much was removed the 1st time. So what would you do if you were me? Of courses not knowing what the dealer will propose makes that a difficult question to answer, but I just would like to gain your thoughts. Thanks!
My advice is to forget about getting the dealer to do anything about it. Their "detailers" are glorified car washers and they have no idea how to detail a car, as evidenced by the condition you received yours in. Your best bet is to cut your losses and hire a local detailer who knows how to use a polisher. Find a detail shop that is run by citizens of the United States who aren't going to cause more damage than you are already faced with.
I wouldn't worry too much about removing clear coat. Your paint is only the thickness of an index card anyway, and the clear coat isn't even half of that. Polishing doesn't remove clear so much as it just rounds off the corners so the swirls aren't as noticeable. It isn't like it is taking the whole clear down to the depth of whatever micro scratches you see on your paint. I suppose someone hitting it with a really aggressive compound and a rotary with a wool pad could do something like that, but I doubt any detailer would take that action on easy to remove swirls from a brand new car.
Something else to keep in mind is that these swirls are going to come back eventually. If you want to keep your black car looking brand new, then you are going to want to invest in certain tools to keep it that way. Otherwise you are going to be spending a couple hundred bucks a month on detailers to come out and polish your car for you. It is going to be impossible to maintain a swirl free appearance on this car if you plan on driving it any amount of time. The last dark car I had was sold primarily because it was sucking up too much of my time trying to keep it looking perfect. OCD isn't just a name for me. It is a way of life. Now I am happy to drive a charcoal car that never shows the swirls that I am sure are there, but at least I can rest easy knowing the whole world isn't looking at my car wondering why I don't get it polished. So anyway, either get used to swirls or start reading up on how to correct them yourself or else you are going to go either insane or broke.
~ ~ www.OCDetails.com ~ ~
Faster isn't better. BETTER is better no matter how long it takes.
If the car was from Jersey that's where the trouble started ...joking
no really, you have the car you want and it wasn't like buying a KIA ... so my recommendation would be to just have Dave repair the finish .. make it look like you want ... and inform BMW that you are very unhappy ...
best scenario .. they refund you Dave's cost
worst scenario .. your car looks good and you buy your next BMW from somewhere else
Yeah Ron I saw this thread on the Fest. This thread is what made me get the BH. I can't wait to use it--even if it's just a cover-up. It'll get me through the winter until Dave works his magic.
IMO keep repeating the same behavior and you will get the same results. The fact that you think the detailer at your dealership is incompetent is not that far off, most are!
If you want this corrected then get someone like Dave to do the work and ask the dealership to rebate you back with services, oil changes, etc. I know they are not going to cut you a check it.
Once you have the car back up to speed then you can maintain it with the PB lineup
Poorboys World Products
Poorboy’s has made a name around the show circuit for fantastic products at great prices! Its ever-growing popularity is due to word-of-mouth testimonies from novice detailers through auto enthusiasts about the brilliant results no matter what your level of expertise. You’re going to love Poorboy’s!
Keep in mind my camera isn't the best, as was the lighting in the garage. Wasn't about to pull her out of the garage w/20" of white outside
The swirls are still there , but covered up much better on the roof and trunk. The hood is really going to be a challenge correcting
Now I don't know if I should continue using my readily available NXT over the winter and save the good stuff (PB) for after my paint is corrected by Dave
Poorboys World Products
Poorboy’s has made a name around the show circuit for fantastic products at great prices! Its ever-growing popularity is due to word-of-mouth testimonies from novice detailers through auto enthusiasts about the brilliant results no matter what your level of expertise. You’re going to love Poorboy’s!
I vote...use the good stuff , Looks like you should get some PB Trim Restorer too..Just after you clean off all that polish residue from the logos and from between the hood and fenders. The TR will make all plastic and rubber BLING!!
Poorboys World Products
Poorboy’s has made a name around the show circuit for fantastic products at great prices! Its ever-growing popularity is due to word-of-mouth testimonies from novice detailers through auto enthusiasts about the brilliant results no matter what your level of expertise. You’re going to love Poorboy’s!
I vote...use the good stuff , Looks like you should get some PB Trim Restorer too..Just after you clean off all that polish residue from the logos and from between the hood and fenders. The TR will make all plastic and rubber BLING!!
Thanks Dave!
The blk trim around the windows, roof, etc, is a different kind of trim. It isn't rubber, but a very rigid, satin/dull blk trim I take it b/c of the convertible. Others have tried similar products, but to no avail.
Very nice !!!!
Keep using the PB. It looks great.
On a cost/application, I'll bet it's not much difference, and the results just spoke for
themselves.
Is that one or two coats of bh?
Poorboys World Products
Poorboy’s has made a name around the show circuit for fantastic products at great prices! Its ever-growing popularity is due to word-of-mouth testimonies from novice detailers through auto enthusiasts about the brilliant results no matter what your level of expertise. You’re going to love Poorboy’s!
Formerly the "Best Detailer", now just Super Wax Waster Man. Not necessarily tactful, but normally right. It's good to be da King !!!
That paint has some beautiful flake in it, it is very similar to the paint on the next car I am working on.(05 Dodge Magnum) Kief, I was just ribbing you about the polish residue. I will be doing a pretty involved write up with lots of before and after photos when I do this Dodge Magnum in January, that way you can see the quality and care that I use when doing my detailing jobs.
That paint has some beautiful flake in it, it is very similar to the paint on the next car I am working on.(05 Dodge Magnum) Kief, I was just ribbing you about the polish residue. I will be doing a pretty involved write up with lots of before and after photos when I do this Dodge Magnum in January, that way you can see the quality and care that I use when doing my detailing jobs.
He should know that. I did let you touch my car. That in itself says alot.
Formerly the "Best Detailer", now just Super Wax Waster Man. Not necessarily tactful, but normally right. It's good to be da King !!!
Now I am happy to drive a charcoal car that never shows the swirls that I am sure are there, but at least I can rest easy knowing the whole world isn't looking at my car wondering why I don't get it polished. So anyway, either get used to swirls or start reading up on how to correct them yourself or else you are going to go either insane or broke. 
...joking 
, but covered up much better on the roof and trunk. The hood is really going to be a challenge correcting 
if I should continue using my readily available NXT over the winter and save the good stuff (
Linear Mode
