swirl mark on high gloss b-billar after dealer visit - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32)

Z4 · 09-28-2012, 03:07 PM

I took my 1 month old car to dealership to do the Auto Start Stop reprogram and found swirl mark on the high gloss black b-pillar. The service manager said they don't know why but they will try to fix it. Brought my car back and after 2 days, they told me it is normal to see swirl mark on the high gloss black trim and they can't do anything with it. I really don't know what I can do. Is there anyway I can fix it myself?

RobUK · 09-28-2012, 03:17 PM

I've used Meguiars Scratch X before with good results for 'de-swirling' small areas.

tmehanna · 09-28-2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z4

I took my 1 month old car to dealership to do the Auto Start Stop reprogram and found swirl mark on the high gloss black b-pillar. The service manager said they don't know why but they will try to fix it. Brought my car back and after 2 days, they told me it is normal to see swirl mark on the high gloss black trim and they can't do anything with it. I really don't know what I can do. Is there anyway I can fix it myself?

Are you sure it happened at the dealership and not that you just happened to first noticed it after your visit? I noticed mine are heavily swirled after a couple of washes (new top quality microfiber towels, shampoo...etc) so I assumed these high gloss surfaces are VERY fragile and it's just useless to have the swirls buffed out as it wouldn't be long before they returned.

NISFAN · 09-28-2012, 04:00 PM

I think the high gloss must be very easy to scratch, I noticed the cars in the showroom had swirls and they have never been driven.

BavarianFanatic · 09-28-2012, 04:00 PM

Treat it just like any other painted surface. Polish/wax to eliminate marks. And be cognoscente of the fact that it scratches very easily in the future.

Z4 · 09-28-2012, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobUK

I've used Meguiars Scratch X before with good results for 'de-swirling' small areas.

Is the high gloss black b-pillar Plastic or painted black? I think Scratch X will work on paint but not plastic(maybe Plast X?) Not sure which one to try.

Should I apply Optic Coat to protect it again future swirl after fixing it?

RPM90 · 09-28-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z4

Is the high gloss black b-pillar Plastic or painted black? I think Scratch X will work on paint but not plastic(maybe Plast X?) Not sure which one to try.

Should I apply Optic Coat to protect it again future swirl after fixing it?

Treat it as you would any other painted surface.

The high gloss of these parts makes it VERY easy to put swirl marks in it, even when you're being careful.

My B pillars have light swirls as well.
I use 3M perfect it II. Great stuff, use sparingly and lightly.

I've got a base line 328i loaner and the B pillars are made of unpainted plastic.
They look pretty good actually with a matte finish. They likely won't hold up well over time but for the first few years no glare and no swirl marks.

BavarianFanatic · 09-28-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z4

Is the high gloss black b-pillar Plastic or painted black? I think Scratch X will work on paint but not plastic(maybe Plast X?) Not sure which one to try.

Should I apply Optic Coat to protect it again future swirl after fixing it?

Here's food for thought: the clear coat paint on the car is actually plastic. You can use anything that's safe for clear coat on plastic. As a matter of fact, make it a point to polish/wax your lenses (tail and headlight) whenever you detail your car. They'll stay perfect forever.

Phil335 · 09-28-2012, 09:48 PM

It's normal. Mine did the same thing. I treated it like a normal painted surface and the swirl marks were less noticeable.

SCBimmerKid · 09-28-2012, 10:36 PM

it's super easy to scratch. I used some turtle wax ice on it and it seems to diminish the swirls a great bit. i dont use it on my paint, but works great for trim.

ScheerSpeed · 09-29-2012, 12:32 PM

they probably drove it through the Swirl-O-Matic at the dealer (Automatic Car Wash)

Get some proper polish like a Swissvax Cleaner Fluid Medium if you are going to do it by hand.

ZuerstBMW · 10-17-2012, 02:40 AM

quixx works like magic. Just use the number 1 repair tube.

Teemo Panda · 11-03-2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScheerSpeed

they probably drove it through the Swirl-O-Matic at the dealer (Automatic Car Wash)

Get some proper polish like a Swissvax Cleaner Fluid Medium if you are going to do it by hand.

Lol Swirl-O-Matic. Lolling so hard :P

techbimmer · 03-12-2013, 02:16 PM

Has anyone decided on a proper solution?

Saby · 03-12-2013, 05:12 PM

NOVUS Plastic Clean & Shine No. 1, NOVUS Fine Scratch Remover No. 2 & NOVUS Heavy Scratch Remover No. 3, you can actually add life to plastic and keep it looking new. Best of all, you don't have to be a pro to get professional results. Clean first with no.1 then no.2 and finis off with no.1 again

Sephanite · 03-20-2013, 06:26 AM

swirls in the gloss black are hard to avoid. I do have very minimal swirls on mine though as i clean those places first with as little force as possible with the mitt. This ensures the least amount of dirt is on the mitt but ive got some small cobwebs

Gt5422md · 03-31-2013, 09:18 AM

I really think the free dealer wash is a bad idea... there is usually some teenager w/ a grimy rag putting scratches in everything. Nobody's going to care for your car like you will.

MiamiF30 · 03-31-2013, 09:30 AM

+1

bmwdrvr13 · 04-03-2013, 05:21 PM

What about the interior black plastic. Scratches very easy- can you use wax on it?

f30nynj · 04-05-2013, 09:09 AM

And for this reason, I get my car steam washed by a professional detailer and wax it.

finaloption · 04-05-2013, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gt5422md

I really think the free dealer wash is a bad idea... there is usually some teenager w/ a grimy rag putting scratches in everything. Nobody's going to care for your car like you will.

took my car in the other day to get a bent rim replaced and specifically told the bastids to not wash my car.. guess what.. they washed it... welcome to Swirl City, USA..

the SA was very apologetic and offered a loaner and free detail.. still pissed off since it will probably ruin my opti-coat

09-28-2012, 03:07 PM	#1
Z4 Private Drives: bmw Join Date: May 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 60 iTrader: (0)	swirl mark on high gloss b-billar after dealer visit I took my 1 month old car to dealership to do the Auto Start Stop reprogram and found swirl mark on the high gloss black b-pillar. The service manager said they don't know why but they will try to fix it. Brought my car back and after 2 days, they told me it is normal to see swirl mark on the high gloss black trim and they can't do anything with it. I really don't know what I can do. Is there anyway I can fix it myself? __________________ 2013 F30 328i Alpine White Sportline / Black Leatherette / Tech / Xenons (Timeline)
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09-28-2012, 03:17 PM	#2
RobUK Captain Drives: F30 328i Lux' 8SAT, Red Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sussex, UK Posts: 818 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2001 Yamaha FZS1000 [0.00] 2012 BMW 328i [5.00]	I've used Meguiars Scratch X before with good results for 'de-swirling' small areas. __________________ 2012 F30 328i Lux', 8SAT, Melbourne Red

09-28-2012, 09:48 PM	#9
Phil335 Major Drives: 2013 E92 335i M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Posts: 1,296 iTrader: (5)	It's normal. Mine did the same thing. I treated it like a normal painted surface and the swirl marks were less noticeable. __________________ 2013 E92 335i M-Sport/BSM/Black Dakota Leather/Dark Glacier Trim/Steptronic/Style 230 19" Wheels/Premium Package/Convenience Package/Premium Sound/Sirius/Apps/Navigation/Heated Seats/BMW Performance Grills/BMW Performance Exhaust/BMW Performance Carbon Mirror Caps/Painted Reflectors/15% Tint

09-28-2012, 10:36 PM	#10
SCBimmerKid Lieutenant Drives: Mineral Grey F30 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hilton Head, SC Posts: 581 iTrader: (0)	it's super easy to scratch. I used some turtle wax ice on it and it seems to diminish the swirls a great bit. i dont use it on my paint, but works great for trim. __________________ NO LONGER ON ORDER *'12 328i* Mineral Grey Metallic w/black leather/aluminum&black gloss trim/ZSL/ZPP/Xenons

10-17-2012, 02:40 AM	#12
ZuerstBMW ¡Viva España! Drives: 12 TiAg E70 / 12 Glacier F30 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tampa, FL. Posts: 7,294 iTrader: (67)	quixx works like magic. Just use the number 1 repair tube. Attached Images __________________ 12 X5 3.5i TiAg Cinnamon, Bamboo, Convenience Package, Sirus, Running Boards, Spare, BMW Apps MODS OEM M 333 20" Wheels W/ Extention Arches, Perform Grilles, Painted Reflectors, Xenon Fogs, 3M Bra, Side/Rear Window Shades, Black X5 Emblem, Black OEM Frame 12 F30 328i Sport Line Glacier Silver Black w/ Red Stitching, Xenons, Prem package, sirus, heated seats MODS 3M Bra( w/ Rockers), Side/Rear Window Shades, Perform Grilles & Rear Spoiler, Painted Reflectors, Red Line mats, Black OEM Frame, Xenon Fogs

09-28-2012, 04:00 PM	#4
NISFAN Major Drives: The best kind of F30 :) Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bedford UK Posts: 1,467 iTrader: (0)	I think the high gloss must be very easy to scratch, I noticed the cars in the showroom had swirls and they have never been driven.

09-28-2012, 04:00 PM	#5
BavarianFanatic Too much is never enough Drives: Too Many Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE PA Posts: 716 iTrader: (0)	Treat it just like any other painted surface. Polish/wax to eliminate marks. And be cognoscente of the fact that it scratches very easily in the future.

09-29-2012, 12:32 PM	#11
ScheerSpeed Major General Drives: '13 F30 Estoril M-Sport 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 5,769 iTrader: (14)	they probably drove it through the Swirl-O-Matic at the dealer (Automatic Car Wash) Get some proper polish like a Swissvax Cleaner Fluid Medium if you are going to do it by hand.

03-12-2013, 02:16 PM	#14
techbimmer New Member Drives: 13 328xi Sport Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 6 iTrader: (0)	Has anyone decided on a proper solution?

03-12-2013, 05:12 PM	#15
Saby Enlisted Member Drives: Bmw f30 320i xdrive m sport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Warwickshire,uk Posts: 48 iTrader: (0)	NOVUS Plastic Clean & Shine No. 1, NOVUS Fine Scratch Remover No. 2 & NOVUS Heavy Scratch Remover No. 3, you can actually add life to plastic and keep it looking new. Best of all, you don't have to be a pro to get professional results. Clean first with no.1 then no.2 and finis off with no.1 again

03-20-2013, 06:26 AM	#16
Sephanite First Lieutenant Drives: BMW Z4 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 318 iTrader: (0)	swirls in the gloss black are hard to avoid. I do have very minimal swirls on mine though as i clean those places first with as little force as possible with the mitt. This ensures the least amount of dirt is on the mitt but ive got some small cobwebs

03-31-2013, 09:18 AM	#17
Gt5422md New Member Drives: 2013 335xi Sedan Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Colorado Posts: 19 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 335xi [0.00]	I really think the free dealer wash is a bad idea... there is usually some teenager w/ a grimy rag putting scratches in everything. Nobody's going to care for your car like you will.

03-31-2013, 09:30 AM	#18
MiamiF30 Private Drives: '13 F30 328I AW Sportline Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: MIAMI Posts: 60 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 550I [0.00]	+1 __________________ F30 AW '13//Sportline//HK//Lighting Package//Technology Package//Sport Transmission

04-03-2013, 05:21 PM	#19
bmwdrvr13 Enlisted Member Drives: 328i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: VA Posts: 43 iTrader: (0)	What about the interior black plastic. Scratches very easy- can you use wax on it?

04-05-2013, 09:09 AM	#20
f30nynj ~~Bimmer Thriller~~ Drives: 2013 328i xDrive Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NY/NJ Posts: 197 iTrader: (1)	And for this reason, I get my car steam washed by a professional detailer and wax it. __________________ F30 - 328i Imperial Blue/Beige Leather \| Cosmetic mods E90 - SOLD

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