WTF Happened and Will a Clay Bar Help?

Quizarate · 02-09-2010, 07:48 PM

I finished a 400 mile drive this past Friday and noticed what looked to be scratches on the trunk and roof. There was a lot of salt on the car so I just chalked it up to salt streaks.

I didn't think anything of it and got the car washed today at a brushless car wash, same one I went to a couple weeks ago. Getting back from work today I saw tons of scratches, turns out what I saw Friday wasn't salt streaks but actual scratches.

I don't know what could have happened. I've been to this car wash at least 15 times with no problems, so I can't say the car wash did it. It isn't unusual to see other BMWs, Mercedes, Audi's, etc. at the same car wash, so I figure it must be safe. In addition, I have one of those foam snow pushers and no snow brushes ever touch the car.

Needless to say, I'm not happy about this at all. Judging by the pictures, do you think if I have the car detailed, including a clay bar wash, the scratches can be taken car of? If not, what are my options.

BTW, I'm the same guy everyone said was lucky hitting a deer and not getting any damage... and no, the deer didn't roll over the car!

iBoost · 02-09-2010, 07:50 PM

damn! sucks man, might be better if you buff that.

CarForHire · 02-09-2010, 07:52 PM

I want to say it was the carwash, only because it covered such a large surface.

stratplaya06 · 02-09-2010, 07:53 PM

I think most will come out with a good polish. No more carwashes. The only one I have ever been to (only once) was just a touchless drive through one, and even then I was nervous. Time to vinyl wrap your roof! haha

ToadHollow · 02-09-2010, 08:05 PM

Did the car get a prewash/soak before getting washed? That should have been the norm & maybe the scratches wouldn't have been so bad .........

those pics made me cringe!

2M · 02-09-2010, 08:08 PM

wtff

Quizarate · 02-09-2010, 08:12 PM

I don't know if it was the car wash or not, but I've been there plenty of times.

The car was prewashed / soaked before going through...

I'm going to see if anyone knows a good detailer in the Bergen County NJ or Rockland County NY area.

RevC · 02-09-2010, 08:17 PM

sue the shit out of your carwash

Quizarate · 02-09-2010, 08:29 PM

How can I prove anything though...

ToadHollow · 02-09-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quizarate

How can I prove anything though...

You can't ............ that's why you need to seek out a quality detailer

CarForHire · 02-09-2010, 08:33 PM

Unless someone else complained about the same issue. I would go back and talk to them at least.

jopa489 · 02-09-2010, 11:05 PM

You'll need a full professional polish to take care of that. Clay doesn't remove scratches, it just lifts embedded dirt from the paint.

Unless you want to DIY, I suggest giving Rick at Unique Car Care in Wakefield a call. He does tremendous work, and is the only guy around here I would ever let touch my paint. You can PM me for his info if you want.

capo1m · 02-10-2010, 07:44 AM

damn id be tight

SpmnE9zero · 02-10-2010, 07:52 AM

As one has said - Claybar is intended to remove dirt that has been embedded into the clear coat of your car. Claybar does not remove scratches not even superficial ones. I suggest seeking a good detailer who knows the proper steps and has the proper tools and polishing agents to remove your scratches.
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT take this to a dealer's detailer! Find an independent detailer with a track record of details! You will be thankfull you paid a lil extra for a top notch detail!

Detailed Image · 02-10-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jopa489

You'll need a full professional polish to take care of that. Clay doesn't remove scratches, it just lifts embedded dirt from the paint.

Unless you want to DIY, I suggest giving Rick at Unique Car Care in Wakefield a call. He does tremendous work, and is the only guy around here I would ever let touch my paint. You can PM me for his info if you want.

Well said Jopa, and +1 to Rick, he does excellent work.

Rickrack · 02-10-2010, 02:03 PM

Quizarate- Sorry to hear about your car... I received your e-mail and will get back to you shortly.

Thanks for the kind words jopa489 and Detailed Image !

Quizarate · 02-10-2010, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I got in touch with Rick and he'll be taking a look at it Friday!

Dackz · 02-10-2010, 11:51 PM

Just a question, but do you notice those scratches like that in the broad daylight and when its been in the sun/warm? I know if my car is outside and condensation and frost has formed that I see marks like that sometimes but its just ice condensation, no different then what is on the windows.

Not saying this is the case but maybe?? I dont see how a touchless auto could cause a problem like this unless it sprayed rocks, lol. If my suggestion is not the case then I am sorry to hear about your issue...that sucks.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 02-11-2010, 09:45 AM

There is a lot of misconceptin about what clay bars do, and I just wanted to reiterate that its not a "scratch remover". It removes contaminents from the surface of the paint, to prepare for polishing and waxing.

TS... you need some serious POLISHING done! LOL

Btw my first instinct was you used a brush to remove snow from your car.

Gig103 · 02-11-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quizarate

I'm going to see if anyone knows a good detailer in the Bergen County NJ or Rockland County NY area.

Phil @ DetailersDomain has a great shop in Norwood, NJ. You might want to see what he thinks; he's a sponsor of either this site or Bimmerfest, or both, I can't remember.

Quizarate · 02-11-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackz

Just a question, but do you notice those scratches like that in the broad daylight and when its been in the sun/warm? I know if my car is outside and condensation and frost has formed that I see marks like that sometimes but its just ice condensation, no different then what is on the windows.

Not saying this is the case but maybe?? I dont see how a touchless auto could cause a problem like this unless it sprayed rocks, lol. If my suggestion is not the case then I am sorry to hear about your issue...that sucks.

Regarding the daylight, I was out today looking at the car in the sun and it really isn't that noticeable but I can still see the marks. The glare from the sun made them hard to see. At night though, under a light you can see them pretty clearly.

The thing that is strange to me is that the hood is scratch free. Other than a few rock dings it looks fine.

Not touchless, brushless...

Cloud9blue · 02-11-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quizarate

Regarding the daylight, I was out today looking at the car in the sun and it really isn't that noticeable but I can still see the marks. The glare from the sun made them hard to see. At night though, under a light you can see them pretty clearly.

The thing that is strange to me is that the hood is scratch free. Other than a few rock dings it looks fine.

Not touchless, brushless...

probably frost/ice forming on the paint surface. I noticed that on my car a few times too. warm the paint up, see if it disappear.

02-09-2010, 07:48 PM	#1
Quizarate Private 2 Rep 89 Posts Drives: '09 335xi Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	WTF Happened and Will a Clay Bar Help? I finished a 400 mile drive this past Friday and noticed what looked to be scratches on the trunk and roof. There was a lot of salt on the car so I just chalked it up to salt streaks. I didn't think anything of it and got the car washed today at a brushless car wash, same one I went to a couple weeks ago. Getting back from work today I saw tons of scratches, turns out what I saw Friday wasn't salt streaks but actual scratches. I don't know what could have happened. I've been to this car wash at least 15 times with no problems, so I can't say the car wash did it. It isn't unusual to see other BMWs, Mercedes, Audi's, etc. at the same car wash, so I figure it must be safe. In addition, I have one of those foam snow pushers and no snow brushes ever touch the car. Needless to say, I'm not happy about this at all. Judging by the pictures, do you think if I have the car detailed, including a clay bar wash, the scratches can be taken car of? If not, what are my options. BTW, I'm the same guy everyone said was lucky hitting a deer and not getting any damage... and no, the deer didn't roll over the car! Attached Images
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02-09-2010, 07:50 PM	#2
iBoost Retired e90post Member 135 Rep 3,038 Posts Drives: real slow Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (13)	damn! sucks man, might be better if you buff that.
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02-09-2010, 07:52 PM	#3
CarForHire Major 29 Rep 1,309 Posts Drives: Slow in the left lane. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NOVA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 328i [0.00]	I want to say it was the carwash, only because it covered such a large surface. __________________ Race car driving is like sex...all men think they are good at it. - Jay Leno
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02-09-2010, 07:53 PM	#4
stratplaya06 Captain 46 Rep 967 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335xi-SOLD 5.0 Miata Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (10)	I think most will come out with a good polish. No more carwashes. The only one I have ever been to (only once) was just a touchless drive through one, and even then I was nervous. Time to vinyl wrap your roof! haha __________________ \| PROcede Rev3 \| Vishnu Meth \| DCI \| BMW Perf. Exhaust \| AR Coated/Catless \| CP-E FMIC \| Quaife \|
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02-09-2010, 08:05 PM	#5
ToadHollow Once upon a time ...... 276 Rep 5,048 Posts Drives: 2008 JB E92 - SOLD 5/2010 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Asti, Italy & Austin, Texas iTrader: (16) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [8.00]	Did the car get a prewash/soak before getting washed? That should have been the norm & maybe the scratches wouldn't have been so bad ......... those pics made me cringe! __________________
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02-09-2010, 08:08 PM	#6
2M Colonel 503 Rep 2,200 Posts Drives: Mineral Grey M2 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (2)	wtff __________________ E9X Picture Game: 8 points: (High visibility jacket; Strip Club; Pizzeria; Sobriety Test; E9x dressed for Halloween, Billiards, Oil Change, Orange Cone)
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02-09-2010, 08:12 PM	#7
Quizarate Private 2 Rep 89 Posts Drives: '09 335xi Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I don't know if it was the car wash or not, but I've been there plenty of times. The car was prewashed / soaked before going through... I'm going to see if anyone knows a good detailer in the Bergen County NJ or Rockland County NY area.
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02-09-2010, 08:17 PM	#8
RevC Lieutenant General 178 Rep 11,769 Posts Drives: a couple fast toys Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Voorhees+cherry hill,NJ iTrader: (26)	sue the shit out of your carwash __________________ -Rev SGM e92 335xi\|Helix\|AFE\|AWE\|PROCEDE\|SYNAPSE\|ER\|OSS\|BMW PERFORMANCE\|P3\|always growing..
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02-09-2010, 08:29 PM	#9
Quizarate Private 2 Rep 89 Posts Drives: '09 335xi Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	How can I prove anything though...
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02-09-2010, 08:33 PM	#11
CarForHire Major 29 Rep 1,309 Posts Drives: Slow in the left lane. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NOVA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E90 328i [0.00]	Unless someone else complained about the same issue. I would go back and talk to them at least. __________________ Race car driving is like sex...all men think they are good at it. - Jay Leno
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02-09-2010, 11:05 PM	#12
jopa489 Major General 122 Rep 6,594 Posts Drives: Anything with Wheels Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (9)	You'll need a full professional polish to take care of that. Clay doesn't remove scratches, it just lifts embedded dirt from the paint. Unless you want to DIY, I suggest giving Rick at Unique Car Care in Wakefield a call. He does tremendous work, and is the only guy around here I would ever let touch my paint. You can PM me for his info if you want. __________________ X7 LCI // Incoming C7 ZR1 ZTK // Sebring + TRX // Hydro + Raptor Gen1 Roush // Tuxedo
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02-10-2010, 07:44 AM	#13
capo1m Colonel 89 Rep 2,030 Posts Drives: 1M, M4 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Middletown,Ny iTrader: (17)	damn id be tight
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02-10-2010, 07:52 AM	#14
SpmnE9zero DENY THE WORLD THAT SURROUNDS YOU 505 Rep 35,580 Posts Drives: JB 33ZERO Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: City of Champions iTrader: (14) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	As one has said - Claybar is intended to remove dirt that has been embedded into the clear coat of your car. Claybar does not remove scratches not even superficial ones. I suggest seeking a good detailer who knows the proper steps and has the proper tools and polishing agents to remove your scratches. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT take this to a dealer's detailer! Find an independent detailer with a track record of details! You will be thankfull you paid a lil extra for a top notch detail! __________________ Eurocharged V5 \| ROW's / CC Delete \| K&N's \| H&R Springs \| Single Fin G.B. Grill \| Mode Carbon Diffuser \| JBSpeed CF Spoiler \| Arkym Style CF Splitter \| CF Mirror Caps \| 5% Tints \| 12mm Spacers \|
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02-10-2010, 02:03 PM	#16
Rickrack Private 20 Rep 91 Posts Drives: 03' Corvette Z06, 99' Bmw 540i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: MA / NH iTrader: (0)	Quizarate- Sorry to hear about your car... I received your e-mail and will get back to you shortly. Thanks for the kind words jopa489 and Detailed Image !
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02-10-2010, 04:34 PM	#17
Quizarate Private 2 Rep 89 Posts Drives: '09 335xi Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I got in touch with Rick and he'll be taking a look at it Friday!
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02-10-2010, 11:51 PM	#18
Dackz Hates Speed Limits 111 Rep 2,589 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Northern CO iTrader: (4)	Just a question, but do you notice those scratches like that in the broad daylight and when its been in the sun/warm? I know if my car is outside and condensation and frost has formed that I see marks like that sometimes but its just ice condensation, no different then what is on the windows. Not saying this is the case but maybe?? I dont see how a touchless auto could cause a problem like this unless it sprayed rocks, lol. If my suggestion is not the case then I am sorry to hear about your issue...that sucks.
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02-11-2010, 09:45 AM	#19
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3441 Rep 79,212 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	There is a lot of misconceptin about what clay bars do, and I just wanted to reiterate that its not a "scratch remover". It removes contaminents from the surface of the paint, to prepare for polishing and waxing. TS... you need some serious POLISHING done! LOL Btw my first instinct was you used a brush to remove snow from your car.
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