Silly scratch on new BMW

road_high

Over a month ago I’d just got the car washed and a massive bird **** splatted over the boot lid of the car- new Bmw 3 series. Was fuming and to get off I got a bucket of lukewarm water and a sponge and washed it off. I clearly went way too vigorous on things and ended up with these really annoying swirling scratches (clearly the grooves of the sponge have marked the paintwork). Walking by or looking at the car they’re invisible but up close are there and deeply irritating to me!
Tried T Cut scratch remover (Black) and while it helped a little the scratches are still very much there. Is there anything I can do here?

Stallingrad

Wow, you really did a job on that paint. NEVER use a sponge on a car, buy a microfiber mitt and let any bird crap soak before trying to remove.

Those scratches are beyond hand removal and will need a compound and refinement with a machine polish. Probably 10 minutes work for someone who knows what they are doing.

Good news they will be 100% gone.

vandriver

Jayzus was it a Brillo pad?



Can help with your query,though.

road_high

Stallingrad wrote: »

Wow, you really did a job on that paint. NEVER use a sponge on a car, buy a microfiber mitt and let any bird crap soak before trying to remove.

Those scratches are beyond hand removal and will need a compound and refinement with a machine polish. Probably 10 minutes work for someone who knows what they are doing.

Good news they will be 100% gone.

Yes lesson learned- I’m normally very careful with these things but the ****e was really caked in and I lost the run of myself!!
Any recommendations around Kilkenny Carlow laois area for this at all?

road_high

vandriver wrote: »

Jayzus was it a Brillo pad?



Can help with your query,though.

I know it’s crazy! All help welcome

Stallingrad

If you are ever in Wicklow over a weekend I'd be happy to machine that out for you.

punisher5112

You need a paint correction.

I'd recommend going to a detailer if you aren't one for trying yourself and buying a da machine.

You will need machine, cutting compound and at least 2 pads one for cutting and other for polishing, sealant or at least a wax.....

In future get a small microfiber towel any cheapy type soak and leave over affected area and re soak by pouring water on it. This will eventually break it down, also a power wash could be a help.

road_high

Stallingrad wrote: »

If you are ever in Wicklow over a weekend I'd be happy to machine that out for you.

Thanks very much. Where in Wicklow are you based? Do you have your own business?

road_high

punisher5112 wrote: »

You need a paint correction.

I'd recommend going to a detailer if you aren't one for trying yourself and buying a da machine.

You will need machine, cutting compound and at least 2 pads one for cutting and other for polishing, sealant or at least a wax.....

In future get a small microfiber towel any cheapy type soak and leave over affected area and re soak by pouring water on it. This will eventually break it down, also a power wash could be a help.

No I never wash a car myself anymore always drop it in. Any recommendations for somewhere to get this done?

Stallingrad

road_high wrote: »

Thanks very much. Where in Wicklow are you based? Do you have your own business?

North Wicklow, just an OCD weekend warrior but have the tools to deal with that, no charge. If interested send me a PM.

road_high

Stallingrad wrote: »

North Wicklow, just an OCD weekend warrior but have the tools to deal with that, no charge. If interested send me a PM.

Thanks very much, that’s very kind

clubberlang12

road_high wrote: »

Over a month ago I’d just got the car washed and a massive bird **** splatted over the boot lid of the car- new Bmw 3 series. Was fuming and to get off I got a bucket of lukewarm water and a sponge and washed it off. I clearly went way too vigorous on things and ended up with these really annoying swirling scratches (clearly the grooves of the sponge have marked the paintwork). Walking by or looking at the car they’re invisible but up close are there and deeply irritating to me!
Tried T Cut scratch remover (Black) and while it helped a little the scratches are still very much there. Is there anything I can do here?

Ouch......that is annoying, especially on a new car. Good news is that is relatively easy to rectify. I would suggest googling a car care provider(detailer/valetor......don't get hung up on the phrasing as everyone is a detailer now!!) and booking it in with them. It will need some machine polishing to remove the marks. There is a good facebook group called I.D.E. (Irish Detailing Enthusiasts) which is a good bunch of enthusiasts and full time car care providers, and they may help steer you in the right direction.

On a side note, the car looks to be solid(non metallic) black. Generally the consensus would be that BMW paint is harder, but I've had solid, non metallic black coloured cars in from the higher end European brands and they have all been softer clear coat paint's.......which effetively means they will mark easier. So don't be too shocked if when bringing to a respectable service provider if they point out more clear coat inflictions around the paintwork, besides the obvious ones you have pictured.

road_high

clubberlang12 wrote: »

Ouch......that is annoying, especially on a new car. Good news is that is relatively easy to rectify. I would suggest googling a car care provider(detailer/valetor......don't get hung up on the phrasing as everyone is a detailer now!!) and booking it in with them. It will need some machine polishing to remove the marks. There is a good facebook group called I.D.E. (Irish Detailing Enthusiasts) which is a good bunch of enthusiasts and full time car care providers, and they may help steer you in the right direction.

On a side note, the car looks to be solid(non metallic) black. Generally the consensus would be that BMW paint is harder, but I've had solid, non metallic black coloured cars in from the higher end European brands and they have all been softer clear coat paint's.......which effetively means they will mark easier. So don't be too shocked if when bringing to a respectable service provider if they point out more clear coat inflictions around the paintwork, besides the obvious ones you have pictured.

Yes I was fuming with myself! Totally self inflicted. You’re right it’s non metallic black indeed. How much are we talking about to do this? Leaving aside the kind offer of a previous poster!
And can you recommend somewhere good and not robbers!

punisher5112

road_high wrote: »

Yes I was fuming with myself! Totally self inflicted. You’re right it’s non metallic black indeed. How much are we talking about to do this? Leaving aside the kind offer of a previous poster!
And can you recommend somewhere good and not robbers!

If you want it to stay looking sharp it would be well worth getting a ceramic coating.

This will protect it much better.

I'm sorry I can't help with where as I've never used any.

Foxhole Norman, Vectra, Curran, Metzger meizer could be of help though and others .

road_high

punisher5112 wrote: »

If you want it to stay looking sharp it would be well worth getting a ceramic coating.

This will protect it much better.

I'm sorry I can't help with where as I've never used any.

Foxhole Norman, Vectra, Curran, Metzger meizer could be of help though and others .

It’s a company car so it’s not mine as such! Thanks suggestions welcome

punisher5112

road_high wrote: »

It’s a company car so it’s not mine as such! Thanks suggestions welcome

Oh ok.


Ah sure scratch away so ;-)

road_high

punisher5112 wrote: »

Oh ok.


Ah sure scratch away so ;-)

No I’m pretty OCD about minding them (this aside!) regardless though obviously wouldn’t want to spend a fortune on it

vectra

Wexford any good to you?
You could contact Larry Kehoe,( New Ross I think )
Certainly knows his stuff and would make quick work of that for you.

doh1988

Stallingrad wrote: »

North Wicklow, just an OCD weekend warrior but have the tools to deal with that, no charge. If interested send me a PM.

Fair play!:D

road_high

vectra wrote: »

Wexford any good to you?
You could contact Larry Kehoe,( New Ross I think )
Certainly knows his stuff and would make quick work of that for you.

Yes he’s been suggested as being very good alright. Yes I could pop down there no problem! Thanks

MetzgerMeister

clubberlang12 wrote: »

I would suggest googling a car care provider(detailer/valetor......don't get hung up on the phrasing as everyone is a detailer now!!)

Big difference between a valetor who will either apply a filler polish and/or "machine polish" it and it comes back a few weeks later and a detailer who will remove the swirl marks properly.

clubberlang12

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Big difference between a valetor who will either apply a filler polish and/or "machine polish" it and it comes back a few weeks later and a detailer who will remove the swirl marks properly.

I would disagree.......valetor/detailer are only self imposed labels these days. There is no qualifying level to differ one from the other. Anyone can start offering a service today and call themselves a "detailer". My business is car care, and I would know "detailers" that i wouldn't trust to wash a car, and then i know "valetors" that i would trust to do a high level correction on my own car or any client i would recommend to them.

The key is to research whoever you are bringing your vehicle to, such as you should with any service you are looking to get. If they have social media, check their page out, read their reviews, enquire on facebook groups(or ask for recommendations in your area or where you are willing to travel to). Following on from that, contact the service provider. Ask them questions about the processes involved, timeframes, experience on similar jobs, etc(this is again where a facebook group can be handy to get ideas of what you should be asking).

There are plenty of "buzz words" in the car care industry currently.....and "detailing" is definitely one that is over used to try and portray a more professional, upper scale service. My own business has "Detailing" in the name, and I often think i would like to drop it from it, such is the direction the industry is going.

clubberlang12

road_high wrote: »

Yes he’s been suggested as being very good alright. Yes I could pop down there no problem! Thanks

You'll be in safe hands with Larry.

MetzgerMeister

Fair point.

My business name is ** Auto Care as the regular Joe doesn't really know the difference between valeting and detailing.