Hey guys,
I know my question is way out there since it's not even a titan but just bear with me. Ok my mom has a Black 2007 BMW 525i with about 10,000 miles on it. When we first got it the paint looked incredible, but for being only 6 months old, the paint is in horrible condition. There are swirl marks EVERYWHERE as well as some pretty nasty scratches. I'm not sure how they even got there, since when i wash it i only use BMW shampoo with a scratch free microfiber cloth. (I'm very anal when it comes to this) I have used the Meguiars clay bar and the wax on it last week hoping this would fill in the swirl marks but i was not successful. Do any of you have some suggestions on different products to use? all the help is greatly appreciated!

I use the Turtle Wax ICE paste. The Liquid ICE works good, but wears out quick. I know how you feel about the swirls marks. That comes with the territory with dark colored vehicles. Happens from washing it when there is no protective barrier on the paint, like wax or some kind of compound.

the best way to deal with swirls is to polish them away. look into getting a polish from either poor boys or griots garage either one will remove them right away and leave you with FLAWLESS paint again

It's next to impossible to get this stuff out by hand. You need to either go get it professionally detailed or invest in a good dual-action or DA buffer, a few sets of waxing, polishing, cleaning pads and some fine polish/swirl remover (+ wax of course). Claybar will make the surface smooth, but will not remove swirls or scratches.

A cheap buffer will not help much and leave the high speed circular buffers to the pro's (can cause WAY more damage than good unless you know what you are doing).
Personally, I love the Porter Cable 7424 - best detailing investment I ever bought !

Here are some links that you should find helpful:

http://www.superiorcarcare.net/bupo.html
http://www.properautocare.com./polish.html
http://www.chemicalguys.com/
http://www.rightlook.com/
http://www.goestores.com/home.aspx?storename=detailking

It's next to impossible to get this stuff out by hand. You need to either go get it professionally detailed or invest in a good dual-action or DA buffer, a few sets of waxing, polishing, cleaning pads and some fine polish/swirl remover (+ wax of course). Claybar will make the surface smooth, but will not remove swirls or scratches.

A cheap buffer will not help much and leave the high speed circular buffers to the pro's (can cause WAY more damage than good unless you know what you are doing).
Personally, I love the Porter Cable 7424 - best detailing investment I ever bought !

Here are some links that you should find helpful:

http://www.superiorcarcare.net/bupo.html
http://www.properautocare.com./polish.html
http://www.chemicalguys.com/
http://www.rightlook.com/
http://www.goestores.com/home.aspx?storename=detailking


What he said^^^

I recently waxed my truck and had never done so since i bought it 3 years ago. I do alot of hunting and mountain cruising so I had a few nice scratches from trees and brush. Well after doing a little bit of research I went with the Meguires 3 step system. 1st is paint cleaner, 2nd is polish, 3rd is wax. I also used meguires scratch X before to help remove the deeper scratches takes some elbow grrease. I did it all by hand, took me about 5 hours total for my truck. My arms felt like they were gonna fall off but let me tell you the end result was amazing. It Had that wet look with no swirl marks and no more scratches, I was amazed. Try it, you cant go wrong, plus Meguires uses all there products on black cars where others wont.

I like the Meguires products too.

I use their Gold Class wax on the truck and NXT on the G35. ScratchX is pretty safe, even with the buffer at low speed and a 'lite' cutting pad.

Hey guys,
I know my question is way out there since it's not even a titan but just bear with me. Ok my mom has a Black 2007 BMW 525i with about 10,000 miles on it. When we first got it the paint looked incredible, but for being only 6 months old, the paint is in horrible condition. There are swirl marks EVERYWHERE as well as some pretty nasty scratches. I'm not sure how they even got there, since when i wash it i only use BMW shampoo with a scratch free microfiber cloth. (I'm very anal when it comes to this) I have used the Meguiars clay bar and the wax on it last week hoping this would fill in the swirl marks but i was not successful. Do any of you have some suggestions on different products to use? all the help is greatly appreciated!

The key phrases here are "my mom" and "when I wash it". Your mother takes the car to the car wash and there is the problem. Since it's not your car and you can't control who touches it I'd say just drive it and forget about it. But the guys are right about the high speed buffer, the Porter Cable is the way to go and with the right polishing compound will return the finish to just like new. Then your mom will go out and have it washed!!!

Thanks for all the help guys! and no my mom never gets it washed, as i take care of all of her maintenance on that vehicle because our local BMW dealer sucks!

what do porter cables run? $$

lurch you should be able to get a kit for around 200

what do porter cables run? $$

Checkout the links I posted earlier in this thread - many offer package deals with the velcro backing plate & a variety of foam pads & microfiber bonnets to get you started. Lots cheaper to get the kit then to buy it all seperatly. Get some pad cleaner too - the pads are expensive, but will last a long time if you clean them after each use.

i'll look into it. thanks!

Myself I Use 3m Products.i Use A Fine Compound And Then I Use 3m Swirl Remover. The Swirl Remover States On The Bottle "for Use On Dark Color Cars" Or "for Use On Light Color Cars" I Then Follow Up With Mequires Gold Glass. I Apply This Using A Orbital Buffer Using The 2 Cloth Pads For The Compound And Swiirl Remover And I Finish With A Foam Pad. This Always Comes Out Perfect!!!!1

ScratchX is pretty safe, even with the buffer at low speed and a 'lite' cutting pad.

scratchX works great!! but is really made to rub on by hand. If you use a buffer or DA with scratchX it dissolves the abrassives way to quick... then all you have is lotion after about 10 seconds. McGuiars has other effective products made just for the dual-action (DA) machines.

By now everyone has told you their detailing secrets. So now here's mine I guess. I'm not sure if these guys are site sponsors or not so don't kill me for posting these links. If you have the time and money... then this little Meguiars system is incredible.

bought the $149 kit first: (pm me & I'll tell you which pads to buy for it)
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.com/Porter%20Cable%20Specials.htm

then these 3 products in this order
http://autodetailingsolutions.com/meguiars-83-dual-action-cleaner-polish.htm
http://autodetailingsolutions.com/meguiars-80-speed-glaze.htm
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.com/meguiars-21-synthetic-sealant.htm

(the #83 combined w/the DA... does 90% of the work very quickly. The other 2 products just protect and seal what the #83 does)

Also, If you have an extra $20 to blow... then i'd suggest this dvd: http://www.autodetailingsolutions.com/new_detailing_dvd.htm
(I've watched it and it sounds right up your alley the way the guys takes the micro-swirls out of a black sports car)

FYI, that G100 DA buffer is a rebadged Porter Cable 7424 :)

I have a black Shelby with a gel clear coat I have to polish. Here is what you need:

1. The affore mentioned porter cable 7424 with the white pads (you don't need the orange and don't use the "bonnets" you can get off of ebay)
2. heavy cut leveler - http://www.topoftheline.com/32ozheavcutp.html
3. smooth cut leveler - http://www.topoftheline.com/hitligcutswi.html
4. wax - http://www.topoftheline.com/toltradcarwa.html although I can use Mequiers spray wax and get optimum results after smooth leveling.

Here are my results on the hood of the car:
http://a115.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/67/l_e1d57beb5c340ed7a8eaa02506c28812.jpg

Never use terry cloth only microfiber. You will need to strip the car which can be done cheaply by soaking in windex or alcohol. Then start with the heavy cut, smooth cut and wax. Let the buffer do the work. Don't force it. It will take 3 or 4 hours of sweat. If the Porter Cable can't remove the swirls you may have to use a full rotary buffer with a medium cut pad but unless you're experienced, let a professional who is insured do it.

I highly recommend Eagle wax-as-you-dry for inbetween detailing.

You will need to strip the car which can be done cheaply by soaking in windex or alcohol.

Dawn dish soap does this well also, works good to clean-up the foam pads too.
Just be sure you complete all the work before taking the car out once you've stripped it this way - it leaves the finish totally 'exposed' and easily stained !

Dawn dish soap does this well also, works good to clean-up the foam pads too.
Just be sure you complete all the work before taking the car out once you've stripped it this way - it leaves the finish totally 'exposed' and easily stained !
You're right but an even quicker strip is Tide. Very caustic. I just don't like using soaps.

My step daughter got probation for ruining a finish on a car using bologna although I wouldn't recommend it. :D

A lot of people on the Shelby forum swear by the Zaino kit on black cars. I have never used it but the finishes are fantastic.