scratch already...
 

hi all. Need some help. My X5 got a door opened into it by a six year outside blockbuster the other day. No real scratch really... Dent popped out by the dealer yesterday. However, looks like the area is now duller than the surrounding spots. I washed that panel with zaino soap, put some wax and polish (zaino) on it and can't tell much difference. Any suggestions? I didn't use anything abrasive on it. I am sick to my stomach. Freaking kid was horsing around with his sister and tried to run away from her by getting out of the car. My wife got pissy with the parents when they came out of blockbuster, of course they weren't watching their kids, but let them leave before I got out. Of course no information was exchanged. What can I do?

try cleaning the area with alcohol to get rid of all the wax and try using rubbing compound on it

You are the lucky one... First scratch, now you can stop worrying about them... :)

I feel your pain. I got my first scratch also. Damn kids next door. I didn't even make it a month and it's so noticeable on black. My '05 went back without a mark on her...:saad:

Take to Auto Haus in Loveland. I had scratches on mine from road debris and did great work on my E70.

Ask for Ben and let him know that Jay sent you. Mine was the first E70 that he did work on.

http://autohauscosmetics.com/index.html

My mother the garage door (Old heavy wood ones) and it slammed onto my hood around 1 month after I got my E70. Ended up with multiple minor scratches as well a few DEEP chips across the entire hood.

You will have to use a light polish on it with a orbital buffer (or regular buffer if you are experienced). Use the lightest polish first and if that does not work go to the next polish. Always start with the lightest polish/grit first. You can try something like 3m swirl remover or Meguiars swirl remover #9 or Show Glaze #7. Work the area lightly and DO NOT put much pressure on the buffer. Let the machine and polish do the work. Use foam pads not cotton. The only way to remove paint blemish is with something abrasive (polish). I wouldn't use anything as abrasive as rubbing compound to start. Once you are satisfied you can put some of the Z-5 or whatever else you are using. It could be a crease in the panel that is ever so slight and would make the light reflecting from the panel look dull. If this is the case you will have to decide if you can live with it or get it repaired/replaced. Good Luck.

I would take it to a competent detailer. As long as your paints not chipped or panel creased, those guys can do miracles.

I would not attempt and compounds or abrasives on your own.

I am taking it to autohaus bmw detailing Friday. Will let u know . Thanks guys....

:angryfireI was having a brick sidewalk laid. I backed out of the garage before dawn and sure enough one of the workers left a wheelbarrow out on the lawn, and one of the handles stuck out in the driveway. Nice scratch on the rear passenger side bumper. I threw the wheelbarrow across the street and got some sweet revenge as I watched it shatter. So much for anger management.

A good local detailer is your friend. For special detailing issues I have learned to let the pros deal with it. I scratched a rim (rim rash from hitting a curb) and found a local guy who preps the Maserati and does work for the local BMW and MB dealership. Had it done in a couple of hours and couldn't even tell.

I also have a scratch from a clumsy parker. It took the paint off on the scratch. I can not find my paint code number to orde the touch-up paint. I have a 2008 Alpine White x5. Where is the paint cose. I looked under the hood and the door jam.

Edited: My bad. Didn't even look at the date on this before I replied! What is the update?

*****

I'm hoping the detail will solve the problem but if you would happen to need any paint or body work done, there is no one better in Cincinnati than Dave Orr in Madisonville. We have taken several BMW's- from E30 M3's to our new E70- to Dave and the work he does is absolutely incredible.

We just had the hood of our '07 E70 replaced due to several dents. Orr replaced the hood and matched the paint absolutely perfectly. It was covered by insurance under weather protection. Of course now, a month later, there's another one! Going to have to find somewhere new to park!

Good luck and let us know how it ends up!

P.S. By the description of the parents not watching the kids, I wouldn't be surprised if you were in our neighborhood.

Thank you but since I am in Mexico and not cincinati I need the paint code number. I have found touch up paint but they ask for the code.

I'm not a lover of rubbing compound. And use dawn dishwashing liquid to take off wax. I would suggest a polishing compound (3M has one). Better yet, go to a good body shop and they'll have some and most of the time they won't charge to do it for you (TIP). Then re-wax area. Good Luck...

unfortunatly it is to the primer

I got 7 separate scratches on mine after leaving it at a paintshop to get a panle repaired, and stuffed cos had no way of proving car was scratchless when i left it with them

I have got my first scratch on the windshield when I left the car carelessly under the bloody hand of this petrol station guy while paying for the fuel.

The bastard started to wash my windshield with some sort of stone age tool having metallic parts sticking out or what.
My friend has jumped out from the car (knowing that I was very particular about none touches my car but me) and stopped him doing but it was late....
The idiot used force in the first second to remove some insect or what the heck.
Now - right in front of my eyes - there are scratches on the shield and they pop up mostly when the shield is clean.

My mistake, should have told the stupid guy not to touch it - as I always do, somehow this time I forgot.

What are these people thinking, using their crap brushes and stuff to destroy cars??

It was Mobil Oil btw.

I LOVE HOW EVERYONE IS STILL POSTING ON THIS THREAD.. I THINK HE ALREADY SOLVED HIS PROBLEM, HE DID POST THIS BACK IN JANUARY YOU KNOW...