Scratches in the paint - new car!!!

[DM128i]

We picked up the car from the dealer a week ago. This weekend I spent time washing and waxing. I only used the 100% cotton towels and the Zaino applicator pad.

While I was buffing it out I saw numerous very fine scratches in the hood and trunk lid. You would not see them with a very close inspection. I am sure I did not put those scratches in the pain. I even hosed off my wash cloth before putting it in the bucket for more soap.

Any one else had this same thing on a brand new car?

[J-Sud]

people will argue with me....but never use cotton towels EVER they cause very fine swirls, i have used so called "high quailty" cotton towels and i have a black car and still causes fine swirls...pretty much any pro detailer will only use high quality microfiber

i get mine from here Detailed Image

[JohnL135I]

Originally Posted by DM128i

We picked up the car from the dealer a week ago. This weekend I spent time washing and waxing. I only used the 100% cotton towels and the Zaino applicator pad.

While I was buffing it out I saw numerous very fine scratches in the hood and trunk lid. You would not see them with a very close inspection. I am sure I did not put those scratches in the pain. I even hosed off my wash cloth before putting it in the bucket for more soap.

Any one else had this same thing on a brand new car?

My paint was in horrible condition after delivery. I had to spend a lot of time buffing out the clear, there are still a few areas with some fine scratches, they are only noticable in the halogen lights. I did not want to get to agressive on the new paint so I used menzerna polish and a white pad.....

I would not use 100% cotton......... For washing use a sheepskin wash mit and use light pressure..... for drying I use the large microfiber towels you can get at Target. I have 4 of these that are used for drying the car only!!!

[J-Sud]

Originally Posted by JohnL135I

My paint was in horrible condition after delivery. I had to spend a lot of time buffing out the clear, there are still a few areas with some fine scratches, they are only noticable in the halogen lights. I did not want to get to agressive on the new paint so I used menzerna polish and a white pad.....

I would not use 100% cotton......... For washing use a sheepskin wash mit and use light pressure..... for drying I use the large microfiber towels you can get at Target. I have 4 of these that are used for drying the car only!!!

I planned on using 106ff and white pad too how soon do you think its safe to do after getting the car?

[JohnL135I]

Originally Posted by J-Sud

I planned on using 106ff and white pad too how soon do you think its safe to do after getting the car?

Do it now.... I did it a week after delivery. The paint is fully cured. I used 106ff with a white pad. The results are great, however it will dust on you a little bit. I did hit a couple areas with an orange pad with the 106ff and followed up with a white pad. Overall its a great polish and very easy to use.

Here's a few pics of my paint after delivery....






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[DM128i]

Thanks. I read the Zaino web site and they were very strong on using a 100% cotton towel. They also said the micro fiber is not proven.

So much information and lots of it conflicting.

John, my car is not as bad as yours was. Did the dealer buff that out for you, or did you do it yourself?

[JohnL135I]

Originally Posted by DM128i

Thanks. I read the Zaino web site and they were very strong on using a 100% cotton towel. They also said the micro fiber is not proven.

So much information and lots of it conflicting.

John, my car is not as bad as yours was. Did the dealer buff that out for you, or did you do it yourself?

I did it all myself.... I talked with my dealers detail man to determine his detail knowlege and I was not impressed, so I got to work as a novice detailer and worked my magic:biggrin:

[1ForAllFor1]

I'm confused though... when you talked to your BMW dealer's detail dude (i'm assuming we're talking about the same dealership where you actually purchased the vehicle), why didn't you just raise all kinds of hell with either him, or with your salesperson? There is absolutely no way that they could have justified delivering you a car in that condition IMO...

[RobLS]

ouch, those pics made me cringe.

[EspressoBoy]

I hear ya... dealerships are not all equal...