[JerseyM3]

Aarrgggg!
Let me first say I do like the winter. I ski. I like seasons. The cold doesn't bother me most days. But not having a garage sucks!! SUCKS! I deliberately didn't drive the M3 In the latest snow storm to avoid any issues. The G80 sat in the driveway a few days before, during and after the storm and i drove my wife's Jeep. Plus I also avoided driving the M3 because this state LOVES to dump sooo much salt and brine it creates what looks like fog in the air as traffic kicks it up. Its so bad you literally can taste the salt. We had about 7" of snow and ice last weekend and I guess as the mini glaciers on the car melted and slid off it dragged sand or whatever trapped at the paint surface with it, leaving what looks like some minor scratches. There's a few on the hood that look easy enough to buff out. But the one on the trunk lid is bigger and I am not sure i know how to get this out. This really pisses me TFO i gotta be honest. I want to take care of it now but there is no relief in sight with this vicious weather. Winds are gusting around 40mph with temps at 20° as i write this. I guess I have to live with it until the thaw.. What do you guys think? DIY or take it to a pro?

[tcphoto]

Salt can leave wounds like those scratches, I'd use a DA Polisher along with a course compound followed with polish and then ceramic coat only if you remove the scratches.

[overcoil]

don't stress not like you did something stupid.

in the spring when product flows better because their warm just start least aggressive you may be surprised.

There are some amazing polishes and paint correctors done by hand and not terribly aggressive.

[JerseyM3]

Cool. Yeah I bought a bunch of stuff for scratches in the summer with pads and I have a battery powered orbital but never used. Will see how it goes. With this crazy weather im sure theres more scratches to be had

[TimmyTurbos]

https://www.covercraft.com/product/5...r-cover/C-CCAC

Snag one of these.. Also do not let snow accumulate on the car. Even if it's 1am, put them boots on! Hahaha. Let us know how it turns out.

[JerseyM3]

Originally Posted by TimmyTurbos

https://www.covercraft.com/product/5...r-cover/C-CCAC

Snag one of these.. Also do not let snow accumulate on the car. Even if it's 1am, put them boots on! Hahaha. Let us know how it turns out.

I was considering a car cover but where I am we get blowing sand a lot and I was concerned that sand would get under the contact areas where the cover meets the paint. I think the best thing is wipe the snow off by hand no brush

[MJBO]

If you're leaving your car outside in those conditions are care about scratches, I think you're mad for not having it PPFed.

Car covers are questionable indoors, let alone outside where the elements can get under them and shift them about. Would be far worse than what you've shown here.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by MJBO

If you're leaving your car outside in those conditions are care about scratches, I think you're mad for not having it PPFed.

Car covers are questionable indoors, let alone outside where the elements can get under them and shift them about. Would be far worse than what you've shown here.

Exactly. With a car cover, unless the car is spotless, when it's windy there's a strong possibility you'll be left with scratches when the cover moves over your finished surface. Even the softest covers have issues if the car is not 100% spotless every time you install the cover.

[JerseyM3]

Originally Posted by MJBO

If you're leaving your car outside in those conditions are care about scratches, I think you're mad for not having it PPFed.

Car covers are questionable indoors, let alone outside where the elements can get under them and shift them about. Would be far worse than what you've shown here.

I agree about the car cover. I mentioned that before. But I dont think spending $7k on full PPF as i was quoted is worth it even with these scratches. Pita, these scratches are i agree.
But, will it cost me $7k to have them professionally removed? No. So while I get your point, I'm ok with my choice of not going the PPF route. Why? I typically keep my cars about 3 to 4 years. I don't see me spending more on scratch removal than what it costs to do ppf. Anything worse than scratch damage PPF won't help anyway.

[TimmyTurbos]

Originally Posted by JerseyM3

I was considering a car cover but where I am we get blowing sand a lot and I was concerned that sand would get under the contact areas where the cover meets the paint. I think the best thing is wipe the snow off by hand no brush

Then I fear your only option in this case is a full car PPF. Probably should consider this if you're down the shore anyway for car door strikes etc.

***Just saw your post above. PPF is NOT worth it if you don't plan on keeping the car long term.

[JerseyM3]

While dreaming for a time when the weather becomes somewhat livable (12° and 40mph winds currently) and I can do a full wash and buff/polish out these scratches, I've been spending somd time attending YouTube U, educating myself on polishing black paint. That said, I want to know, is the clear coat on BMWs on the hard side or softer side? This determines the speed to which the orbital buffer is set. Anyone confirm?

[Phillies8008]

Generally I believe that BMWs are supposed to have fairly hard clear coats. That being said, please do not use a regular orbital buffer - you want to use a dual action buffer. It's much easier to totally screw up your paint with a regular orbital, whereas a DA protects you by both spinning and oscillating so that the pad isn't spending all of it's time in one spot and thus doesn't generate as much heat. You still have to be careful not to hold the buffer in one spot for too long, but the DA buffer gives you much more leeway. Seriously: if you're not experienced, use a DA.

Example of a DA from Griot's Garage.

You may mean a DA, but since you just said "orbital buffer," I thought I'd point it out.

[silvermanor]

1. That sucks.

2. It should buff out. I don't see how it could have had so much force to make a scratch deep enough you can't get out. Does your nail catch on it? Take it to a good detailer I'm sure it'll be fine.

3. Please don't use a car cover. They'll scratch your car more than anything. Maybe look into PPF. I live in an artic location and have full PPF and my car still looks new after 4 years.

4. Unhelpful but there is no way I would spend this much on a car if I had to park it outside all winter.

[P1]

I wouldn't stress about it. You can buff those out.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by JerseyM3

We had about 7" of snow and ice last weekend and I guess as the mini glaciers on the car melted and slid off it dragged sand or whatever trapped at the paint surface with it, leaving what looks like some minor scratches.

It's unfortunate, but don't sweat it - these will buff out during spring cleaning!

Originally Posted by JerseyM3

I was considering a car cover but where I am we get blowing sand a lot and I was concerned that sand would get under the contact areas where the cover meets the paint.

True - car covers are worse then worthless, unless you had just washed the car, let it dry, blew off the dust, and intend to store it clean for a long time.
If you put a car cover on a car with some dirt, it will become one giant sand-paper belt.

Originally Posted by JerseyM3

I think the best thing is wipe the snow off by hand no brush

If the snow is fresh and light, you can blow it off with a leaf blower!
If the snow damp and heavy, you will have to physically push it off with something. Gloved hand is less abrasive than brush, but if there is a layer of dirt/salt underneath the snow, some scratches are inevitable.

I add a sacrificial layer of ceramic coat on all my cars, just for such eventualities!

Originally Posted by JerseyM3

is the clear coat on BMWs on the hard side or softer side? This determines the speed to which the orbital buffer is set.

If your car was built in Germany, the clear coat will be harder than average. But don't assume anything: go slow and easy first, then speed up or ramp up abrasive content in polishing compound, as necessary.

HTH,
a

[JerseyM3]

Originally Posted by Phillies8008

Generally I believe that BMWs are supposed to have fairly hard clear coats. That being said, please do not use a regular orbital buffer - you want to use a dual action buffer. It's much easier to totally screw up your paint with a regular orbital, whereas a DA protects you by both spinning and oscillating so that the pad isn't spending all of it's time in one spot and thus doesn't generate as much heat. You still have to be careful not to hold the buffer in one spot for too long, but the DA buffer gives you much more leeway. Seriously: if you're not experienced, use a DA.

Example of a DA from Griot's Garage.

You may mean a DA, but since you just said "orbital buffer," I thought I'd point it out.

Thanks. Yeah I already have a DA oscillating type buffer.

[JerseyM3]

Originally Posted by silvermanor

1. That sucks.

2. It should buff out. I don't see how it could have had so much force to make a scratch deep enough you can't get out. Does your nail catch on it? Take it to a good detailer I'm sure it'll be fine.

3. Please don't use a car cover. They'll scratch your car more than anything. Maybe look into PPF. I live in an artic location and have full PPF and my car still looks new after 4 years.

4. Unhelpful but there is no way I would spend this much on a car if I had to park it outside all winter.

Thanks. I hope so. The one on the trunk lid is deeper than the smaller ones on the hood. I don't plan on using a car cover. The issue is out here the wind can be heavy at times. The sand blows around so it will definitely get caught under the cover.

[JerseyM3]

So I noticed a couple of minor scratches on the cf roof above the driver's seat area. Is the buffing process the same with scratch removal as it is with paint?

[rmedina]

First world problems?

Just busting your huevos my guy. I would be pissed also. It's my understanding that ppf is self healing, no? If I was in your situation, I would go the ppf route after the paint correction.

[TimmyTurbos]

Just a note. PPF is only "self healing" with very minor swirls/scratches. It's not magic by any means.

[JerseyM3]

Thanks all. I was able to lighten the scratch on the trunk lid a little using a hand buffer pad and some mild compound and finishing polish. The scratches go away when wet which is good. Its just been miserable here over the last two months weather wise to do any serious car care. Will see what the RO buffer does once we get into some warmer days