Scratches, or look-a-likes?

uhaulball · 03-20-2006, 09:39 AM

I have a black sapphire e90. in the rear, it was so yesterday that i used a wet paper towel to clean the trunk. now near the liscense plate i get all these multi-directioned scratch lines, did the paper towel actually scratch my paint?!

i try to rub off the faint lines, but it doesn't seem to be coming off. is it just dirty? what can i do to tell.

vladinecko · 03-20-2006, 09:43 AM

i've made the same mistake debadging my car. i'm not sure what you can do to tell if it's really scratched or not but here is some advice i got about getting rid of it.

bimmernotbeamer · 03-20-2006, 10:14 AM

Papaer towel will scratch paint. What you are seeing on your paint are scratches. You can try removing them by hand. If that fails you'll need to step up to a PC if you want to get rid of them.

uhaulball · 03-20-2006, 10:25 AM

how can i remove them by hand? whats a PC? is that clay? and ive already joined your detailersclub site

mds82 · 03-20-2006, 11:15 AM

Paper towel is like sandpaper for the paint, yes it will scratch. I've had some scratches like that and i've found that Zaino ZPC takes then out quite easily... I had a cat walk up and down my hood scratching it because the hood was full f dirt and there were the "multi-directioned scratch lines" all over. A little ZPC, and a bit of time - Good as new..

SteveMD · 03-20-2006, 11:33 AM

PC is a Porter Cable rotary polisher. Basically the industry standard.

ga-bmwdrvr · 03-20-2006, 12:34 PM

I would try some Meguiars ScratchX by hand. I used it on some scratches my wife made trying to take something off the paint with her finger nails and it worked very well. It is available at most stores.

bimmernotbeamer · 03-20-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uhaulball

how can i remove them by hand? whats a PC? is that clay? and ive already joined your detailersclub site

See detailing 101 stickied at the top of the forum for a wealth of information regarding detailing.

Chesmu · 03-20-2006, 08:15 PM

i scratched my paint usng paper towels to debadge... just like vlad...
you can onl tell when the REALLY clean....every Sunday.

03-20-2006, 09:39 AM	#1
uhaulball Brigadier General 195 Rep 4,163 Posts Drives: e90 330xi Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (11)	Scratches, or look-a-likes? I have a black sapphire e90. in the rear, it was so yesterday that i used a wet paper towel to clean the trunk. now near the liscense plate i get all these multi-directioned scratch lines, did the paper towel actually scratch my paint?! i try to rub off the faint lines, but it doesn't seem to be coming off. is it just dirty? what can i do to tell. __________________ '06 bsm e90 330xi : 18" VMR CSL : KW V3 : GruppeM Rep Intake : UUC/Corsa Catback : Hartge Lip : ACS Roof Spoiler OEM CF Trunk Spoiler : CF Emblems. Pillars. Mirror. Grille : LUXER12 led plate : V1 Hardwired : OG.longtran e90post sticker! circa 2005
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03-20-2006, 09:43 AM	#2
vladinecko Brigadier General 277 Rep 3,924 Posts Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [9.00] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	i've made the same mistake debadging my car. i'm not sure what you can do to tell if it's really scratched or not but here is some advice i got about getting rid of it. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - IB/Beige/Sycamore Wood/6MT/EDC/ZPP2/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/iPod-USB/Enh. Audio 2008 E92 335i - Montego Blue/Black/Gray Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/HDRadio/iPod-USB - *Sold* 2006 E90 330i - Mystic Blue/Black/Aluminum/6MT/ZPP/iDrive/PDC/Heated Seats/Sat. Prep - *Sold* 1994 E36 325i - Boston Green/Beige/Automatic/ZPP/Heated Seats/Premium Sound - *Sold*
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03-20-2006, 10:14 AM	#3
bimmernotbeamer Lieutenant 28 Rep 581 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	Papaer towel will scratch paint. What you are seeing on your paint are scratches. You can try removing them by hand. If that fails you'll need to step up to a PC if you want to get rid of them.
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03-20-2006, 10:25 AM	#4
uhaulball Brigadier General 195 Rep 4,163 Posts Drives: e90 330xi Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (11)	how can i remove them by hand? whats a PC? is that clay? and ive already joined your detailersclub site __________________ '06 bsm e90 330xi : 18" VMR CSL : KW V3 : GruppeM Rep Intake : UUC/Corsa Catback : Hartge Lip : ACS Roof Spoiler OEM CF Trunk Spoiler : CF Emblems. Pillars. Mirror. Grille : LUXER12 led plate : V1 Hardwired : OG.longtran e90post sticker! circa 2005
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03-20-2006, 11:15 AM	#5
mds82 Major General 364 Rep 5,842 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South Central Connecticut iTrader: (40) Garage List 2006 325xi Snow Pics [0.00] 2006 BMW 325xi [0.00]	Paper towel is like sandpaper for the paint, yes it will scratch. I've had some scratches like that and i've found that Zaino ZPC takes then out quite easily... I had a cat walk up and down my hood scratching it because the hood was full f dirt and there were the "multi-directioned scratch lines" all over. A little ZPC, and a bit of time - Good as new..
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03-20-2006, 11:33 AM	#6
SteveMD Colonel 196 Rep 2,485 Posts Drives: 2016 F10 535i MSport Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Raventown! iTrader: (3)	PC is a Porter Cable rotary polisher. Basically the industry standard. __________________ 2006 E90 330i (retired) 2009 E90 335i (retired) 2012 E70 X5 50i M Sport (retired) 2016 F10 535i M Sport
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03-20-2006, 12:34 PM	#7
ga-bmwdrvr First Lieutenant 21 Rep 327 Posts Drives: E21 320i, E90 330i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	I would try some Meguiars ScratchX by hand. I used it on some scratches my wife made trying to take something off the paint with her finger nails and it worked very well. It is available at most stores.
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03-20-2006, 08:15 PM	#9
Chesmu Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,011 Posts Drives: 2013 X6 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Phoenix,AZ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	i scratched my paint usng paper towels to debadge... just like vlad... you can onl tell when the REALLY clean....every Sunday. __________________ "Teach the ignorant. Ignore the stupid."
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