Greenstreak-Andy D Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Our car, recently acquired BMW X5 in black, has swirl marks in the black bodywork What do you recommend to take the swirl marks out? Just looking for ideas Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stoat Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 BMW paint is really hard so a pain to machine polish. Poorboys black hole will do a good masking job. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenstreak-Andy D Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Poorboys black hole sounds just the solution I'm looking for Will order some, many thanks Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dombanks Posted February 14, 2016 Share Posted February 14, 2016 Machine Polish using a DA is the only long term solution. Black hole will just mask it but will come off. I found for best results. Wash.. clay.. wash again.. black hole... then a sealant. It's not that much effort to do a DA Polish. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenstreak-Andy D Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Thanks for the advice, sounds like a worthwhile investment. Will try by hand at first, see what results i have and how long the finish lasts.... Have watched a few youtube videos, appears easy enough to do Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 It will be a nightmare by hand, almost impossible to properly correct (ie remove the swirls). As said something like Black Hole can fill the swirls and then you can seal it over but even then it will be much faster with a DA. You do also need to clay first really otherwise you will contaminate the pad and end up doing as much damage as you're removing. Black really is the worst colour too. You can borrow my DA if you like? I am currently passing Sandbach every week on Friday afternoons. Alternatively I'm only in Newton. I can supply you with brand new pads, all you will have to do is replace them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenstreak-Andy D Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Kyle, Thanks for your kind offer, will send you a pm Agree, clay first, never done that tbh. Is it as simple as running over with clay bar, surface wetted with water? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Pretty much. You will feel a pull and you run until it pulls no more, occasionally kneeding the clay to a clean side. There is dedicated clay lubes but it's unecessary expense when water with a bit of car shampoo will work just as well. You can expect to add additional light marring to the paint by claying, but these will be removed by polishing. It's also a good idea to use Iron-X if the cars never been done before, which removes iron contaminants from the paint. On a white car you can even see these as orange specs sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dombanks Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 claying is easy... i was worried the first time i did it. its a ballache. just use plenty of lube and take your time. some say you cna just use water or various concoctions of shampoo and stuff but i found that born slippy from dodo juice works great and smells lovely. at first it sounds like your scratching the car but the noise goes away and the paint feels super smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stoat Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I will probably upset a few here but don't bother with traditional clay, far too much effort. Try the Farecla clay mit from Halfords same results but much less faff Also machine polishing is great but do not underestimate how hard BMW paint can be dependant on year. You could be going at it for hours compared to other brands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenstreak-Andy D Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 I will probably upset a few here but don't bother with traditional clay, far too much effort. Try the Farecla clay mit from Halfords same results but much less faff Also machine polishing is great but do not underestimate how hard BMW paint can be dependant on year. You could be going at it for hours compared to other brands. Either way, i see the clay is something i need to do. As Dombanks says, i too am a bit nervous as not done that before, but if the end result is better then its worth it So BMW paint is hard? By this I assume you mean it just takes more effort to get the result, compared to other makes? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol Pete Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I have done claying a few times and you will feel the improvement very easily - initially very snaggy then after a couple of sweeps it will just close over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the stoat Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Either way, i see the clay is something i need to do. As Dombanks says, i too am a bit nervous as not done that before, but if the end result is better then its worth it So BMW paint is hard? By this I assume you mean it just takes more effort to get the result, compared to other makes? Andy I am not saying don't clay but use the glove as opposed to traditional clay, juts so much easier. Don't be nervous just use detailing spray or some car shampoo with water and you can't really go wrong. While you are there do the windscreen too. Yes BMW paint can take a huge amount of effort as it laugh in the face of more gentle cutting compounds and as you are new to this would not advise using aggressive products. Would even say practice on the Westfield as gel coat is much thicker than paint, in the main, so more scope to rectify if it goes wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenstreak-Andy D Posted February 16, 2016 Author Share Posted February 16, 2016 Guys .... Thanks for all your input Just waiting on more products to arrive, then I will give it a go and share the results! I feel like a product journalist! Will try on Westie and the CC too, when time permits! Thanks again guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffrey Carter (Buttercup) Posted February 16, 2016 Share Posted February 16, 2016 Rather than trying it on your own car, do you not have a mate with a "banger" you could try it out on or a door from a scrap yard. My mate had a go on his car with a polishing machine and made a right mess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.