Just washed my X5 and found some scratches!!!!

z2g · #1 06-02-2010, 05:47 PM

I bought my 2010 about 6 months ago and finally washed it this weekend. The weather has been horrible here all these months. Since it has rained non-stop all these months, I never bothered washing it.

Well, I finally did on Memorial Day and found a couple scratches in the back.....next to the BMW emblem and the X5 badge. My X5 is Black Sapphire and you can't miss it. I'm pissed!

I don't know when it happened. Could have been when we were opening or closing the tailgate, while washing the car, or while drying the car. How do you guys dry your car to avoid scratches and swirl marks? I normally use a bunch of terry cloth towels.

petener999 · #2 06-02-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z2g

I bought my 2010 about 6 months ago and finally washed it this weekend. The weather has been horrible here all these months. Since it has rained non-stop all these months, I never bothered washing it.

Well, I finally did on Memorial Day and found a couple scratches in the back.....next to the BMW emblem and the X5 badge. My X5 is Black Sapphire and you can't miss it. I'm pissed!

I don't know when it happened. Could have been when we were opening or closing the tailgate, while washing the car, or while drying the car. How do you guys dry your car to avoid scratches and swirl marks? I normally use a bunch of terry cloth towels.

Get yourself some microfiber towels, that should help eliminated scratches and swirl marks.

Thavipah · #3 06-02-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z2g

Since it has rained non-stop all these months, I never bothered washing it.

I think this answers your question. Rain doesn't clean your car. If you wash it regularly you prevent sand and dirt getting between your hand and the paint if you touch the car thus preventing scratches..

darwin316 · #4 06-02-2010, 06:34 PM

How to Video - Pinnacle Car detailing video from wash to wax

nynd · #5 06-02-2010, 06:38 PM

If there are just in the clear, get some Meguairs Scratch X and try and try that, it may buff out by hand (or at least be less noticable).

ard · #6 06-02-2010, 06:48 PM

There is virtually no way to avoid micro scratching in paint. Black just shows it best.

Use distilled water, carefully suds the car, rinse with DI... let air dry. You'll still get scratches.

Have the dealer detail it? Guaranteed scratches.

A

z2g · #7 06-03-2010, 03:24 AM

I have a bunch of small microfiber towels that I use to wax/polish my cars. I guess I'll start using those to dry the car too.

Viperfreak2 · #8 06-03-2010, 08:22 AM

Buy a small, rolling air-compressor, blow dry it.

z2g · #9 06-03-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viperfreak2

Buy a small, rolling air-compressor, blow dry it.

Funny you said that....I actually have an electric leaf blower that I bought specifically for washing my cars. I don't use it for my black cars though. It dries up the water too quickly and creates hard water streaks.

I think I'll start washing and drying my X5 in sections. Usually, I wash the entire car and then dry the entire car. I'll wash, then dry each section individually to avoid the water marks.

ABMW · #10 06-03-2010, 01:23 PM

Microscratches do not need to be a part of life. It all starts with preparation.

To remove them, you'll need to use an orbital buffer. A professional detailer will be needed for this and it should cost no more than $200.00.

Steps to avoid the scratches in the future:
1) wash the car with water (need not be distilled)
2) use separate towels (terry cloth) and a separate bucket to clean the wheels first
3) use another set ( of microfiber towels and another bucket) to clean the lower portion of the car using a high quality car wash.
4) Use a final set of microfiber and yet another bucket to wash the remainder.
5) Rinse and dry with clean microfiber towels moving in one direction only. Never dry in a circular fashion.
4) wax with a high quality wax that contains no polishing compounds, whatsoever.

Though, if you've not clayed your car, you'll need to do that before even starting the orbital buffer. Given your expertise, I would leave that up to the professional detailer. It's easy to avoid scratches on even the most delicate finishes. Swirl marks are evidence of improper cleaning, nothing else. They are caused by humans, not mother nature.

The best place to read more is Autopia Computer Products Inc. or you can purchase several books from that site. It's also a great place to buy product. Remember the brake dust is made up of microscopic iron particles coming from your rotors and pads. They are very sharp and will scratch your paint on contact, if you use the same towels for wheels that you do for paint.

That right there is the most common cause of swirls.

Best of luck and don't freak. I could remove them and provide you with a factory fresh finish in less than 1 hr. if with a $100.00 orbital buffer and some high quality product, as can any professional detailer.

(used to own a shop, back when I was a kid)