[Noc57]

My 2 month old 09 JB 335 is already covered in swirls and it's driving me crazy. Went to a detailer this morning and they quoted me at $325 for full scratch repair and told me it would be about 6 hours.

Is this a pretty normal rate to expect to pay? I was impressed with what I saw and they use the highest quality 3M products.

I dunno...am I fighting a loosing battle in thinking I can actually keep a JB car swirl free? Hell, just a rub with a microfiber towel and I get a scratch.

[mShu7]

Originally Posted by Noc57

My 2 month old 09 JB 335 is already covered in swirls and it's driving me crazy. Went to a detailer this morning and they quoted me at $325 for full scratch repair and told me it would be about 6 hours.

Is this a pretty normal rate to expect to pay? I was impressed with what I saw and they use the highest quality 3M products.

I dunno...am I fighting a loosing battle in thinking I can actually keep a JB car swirl free? Hell, just a rub with a microfiber towel and I get a scratch.

$325 sounds reasonable to me. I'd like to know what all that includes though. Each car is different. Some have a lot of swirls, some don't have many at all, which means it could take 6 hours to correct or it could take all day. Plus, throw into the equation that you are dealing with JB BMW paint ( ), and that makes it an even bigger job, as you are quite familiar with.

Just remember that "good is rarely cheap and cheap is rarely good". Your vehicle is probably the 2nd largest purchase you'll make so spend the money to find someone that will do the job right. If they charge a premium and can back up the price with great work, I'd be all for it.

Good luck!

[Noc57]

Yep, as they say you get what you pay for.

But I think I'm fighting a loosing battle. JB will never stay perfect unless you're shelling out $100s of dollars a month to keep it looking nice, or do it yourself which I simply don't have the time.

I'll probably suck it up and pay the detailer to get her back like new, but I'm tempted to just say **** it and drive the car, since swirls are inevitable.

[mShu7]

Originally Posted by Noc57

Yep, as they say you get what you pay for.

But I think I'm fighting a loosing battle. JB will never stay perfect unless you're shelling out $100s of dollars a month to keep it looking nice, or do it yourself which I simply don't have the time.

I'll probably suck it up and pay the detailer to get her back like new, but I'm tempted to just say **** it and drive the car, since swirls are inevitable.

How bad are the swirls? The JB BMW paint was a hot topic recently on Autopia.org. As you have said, it's almost a losing battle. One of the suggestions was to just use products that provided some filling capabilities. Just so you know, I never recommend products with fillers, but after seeing the discussions on JB BMW paint, I'd sure be open to it if I owned one. Clearkote products would be a good choice, if you are looking to do things yourself.

A very well-respected detailer in TX (Scottwax) uses a lot of Clearkote products. If you went that route, I'd look into:

1 - Vanilla Moose Hand Glaze
2 - Red Moose Machine Glaze
3 - Carnauba Moose Wax

If you do a 50/50 mix of 1 & 2, it makes for a great all-in-one product. Scottwax says that Carnauba Moose Wax is his favorite wax, especially on dark colors. Plus, it provides very good protection from the elements.

I'm not sure if you've ever been on Autopia before, but you might spend some time searching through Scottwax's threads on the "Pro Details Before/After". You'll see what the Clearkote products I mentioned can do.

http://www.autopia.org/forum/pro-details-before-after/

*Note: He hasn't posted pics of his work lately so you'll probably just want to search that subforum for all threads from him.

[pander5]

Hey Noc57 - I'm in Tampa and can dramatically beat that price. PM me if you're interested. I can also offer you some tips to keep it swirl free after the work is done.

[Noc57]

Originally Posted by pander5

Hey Noc57 - I'm in Tampa and can dramatically beat that price. PM me if you're interested. I can also offer you some tips to keep it swirl free after the work is done.

Thanks for the offer mate. Problem is I'm up in Indy till May so I won't be around. I'll look you up when I get back though, maybe you can do some detailing/ hand washing for me.

[mShu7]

Noc57 -

Why didn't you say you were in Indy???

If you don't mind me asking, what brings you up here? I'm in Brownsburg, which is 30 minutes straight west of downtown Indy.

[SpecC]

It's not really about the products. What you're paying for is the detailer's skill with his polisher. Every detailer probably has a different lineup of products. If you're happy with what he or she did though, then there's no complaining there!

If you really want to keep your car swirl free, time to read up on some proper wash techniques! two bucket method, proper drying equipment, proper wash equipment, you know, that kind of stuff! gogoogogogogog

[Noc57]

Originally Posted by Driven Auto Detail

Noc57 -

Why didn't you say you were in Indy???

If you don't mind me asking, what brings you up here? I'm in Brownsburg, which is 30 minutes straight west of downtown Indy.

Haha well I didn't think of it. I'm just taking care of some stuff, bunch of family issues. Tell you what though I'm not liking this cold weather...can't wash my car when it's 27 outside and it's hard as hell to keep clean.

I've resulted in getting it washed at "Mikes Carwash", which has swirled up my new paint. Great.

Btw I'm up in Carmel.

[picus]

$325 is not at all unreasonable for a good job on a swirled up car, especially a jb e90/e92/e93. As mentioned, the issue is can you keep it relatively swirl free after the detail? I'd say get it done right, then try your best to maintain it and expect to pay ~$325 a year doing light to moderate swirl removal.

[DELTA BMW]

what about an AW e92?

[mShu7]

Originally Posted by Noc57

Haha well I didn't think of it. I'm just taking care of some stuff, bunch of family issues. Tell you what though I'm not liking this cold weather...can't wash my car when it's 27 outside and it's hard as hell to keep clean.

I've resulted in getting it washed at "Mikes Carwash", which has swirled up my new paint. Great.

Btw I'm up in Carmel.

Gotcha! Yeah, I feel your pain about the weather here. I've put up with it for oh, almost 29 years now. I still hate it more and more each day!

If you don't mind me asking, where'd you go to get the $325 quote?

[Noc57]

Originally Posted by Driven Auto Detail

Gotcha! Yeah, I feel your pain about the weather here. I've put up with it for oh, almost 29 years now. I still hate it more and more each day!

If you don't mind me asking, where'd you go to get the $325 quote?

Shit son.....I feel sorry for you, get down to the south asap. The place is called Rockstars Auto Reconditioning.

Anyways I'll prolly be getting it done somewhere soon, they hit it off pretty good with me, and it's less than a mile drive from where I'm staying.

Quick question though...I got my car done in F1 pinnacle tint on friday and the dot matrix looks pretty terrible on the back. The tint shop said it needed 2-3 weeks to fully dry/cure and if it was still there to bring it back. Does the cold weather up here have an effect on tinting/ drying period or did he just not do a good job?

I'm skeptical as I paid $488...tint is good but job looks mediocre IMO, but dunno if it just needs some time.

[mShu7]

Originally Posted by Noc57

Shit son.....I feel sorry for you, get down to the south asap. The place is called Rockstars Auto Reconditioning.

Anyways I'll prolly be getting it done somewhere soon, they hit it off pretty good with me, and it's less than a mile drive from where I'm staying.

Quick question though...I got my car done in F1 pinnacle tint on friday and the dot matrix looks pretty terrible on the back. The tint shop said it needed 2-3 weeks to fully dry/cure and if it was still there to bring it back. Does the cold weather up here have an effect on tinting/ drying period or did he just not do a good job?

I'm skeptical as I paid $488...tint is good but job looks mediocre IMO, but dunno if it just needs some time.

Believe me, the thought of moving somewhere warmer crosses my mind about everyday! LOL

As far as tint is concerned, $500 is outrageous, especially when it's just mediocre. If you want, I can give you the contact info to a guy that I know does quality work. I'm not sure what to say about the dot matrix part. Maybe the cold weather has something to do with it? Or, it could just be part of the mediocrity that you mentioned. If it doesn't get better over the next couple days (it's supposed to be in the 50's Wednesday & Thursday), I would take it back to them.

Just let me know if you want the information of the guy I know. He may be able to look at it and tell you if it's worth fighting them on.

[Detailers Domain]

$325 is reasonable I would have to agree with that. Up in our area for an exterior paint correction detail we charge a bit more for it.

Just my 2 cents.

[Detailers Domain]

remember most pro detailers have an overhead its going to relate to the area you are in, we have insurance cost, rent, etc.

[DELTA BMW]

What about AW? Cheaper??

[328i]

$325 for Jet Black is a great price if they're getting it perfect. However most of these large shops will just use fillers that will make the paint look good till they wear away. I recommend seeking a detailer in your area on autopia instead. Is this the place?

http://www.rockstarsauto.com/auto-detailing.aspx

If you look at some of their after pics it doesn't even look like they even dressed the wheel wells (the Bmw and CTS). Just my two cents.

[Innovative Detailing]

Sounds like a very realistic number......Generally speaking Innovative Detailing will charge anywhere between $250.00 - $400.00, depending on it's condition for an exterior paint correction process to restore the paintwork to a 10++

"DETAILING CARS IS A FORM OF ART. MOST APPRECIATE IT, BUT FEW POSSESS THE REQUIRED SKILL AND EVEN FEWER UNDERSTAND IT"

Dave @ Innovative Detailing
Mobile Auto Salon O.C. Cali

Here are some detailers (Mobile and Fixed Facilities)I came across on my Detailers Directory in your area, dont know who is and whos not...you will have to check them out on citysearch or by calling. Hope this may help.

Armstrong Detailing Services 941-921-4991 Email NA
Auto Butler USA (800) 970-7330 Email Website
Autolux Detailing Services (727)366-1911 Email Website
Bay Detailing (727)992-6781 Email Website
Bumper Techs (813)846-8904 Email Website
CAM Dynamic Auto Shine (352) 860-0490 Email NA
Coastal Marine Services (850) 830-3163 Email NA
Color Finishes (850)939-1366 Email NA
David's Car Care 954-722-3542 Email NA
Detail Direct (904) 221-0292 Email NA
Detail Dominator (407)370-9670 Email NA
DP's On-The-Spot Auto Detailing (813) 888-6052 Email NA
Elite Auto Salon, Inc (877)345-4440 Email Website
Executive Mobile Detailing Inc. (239)455-6145 Email Website
Extreme Detail Inc. (800) 863-1071 0r (561)964-2055 Email NA
First Coast Mobile Detailing & Reconditioning (904)757-8575 Email NA
Images Car Care (407) 896-6366 Email Website
Impressions Mobile Detailing Pager/Voicemail 444-3675 Email NA
Jimmy Buff it Details (352) 597-1608 Email NA
M&A Auto Service (941)731-8878 Email NA
Marc Brown Mobile Polishing 352-245-1714 Email NA
Naples Detail King (239) 595-5620 Email NA
Natalina Carwash 954-849-8193 Email NA
Pro Clean U.S.A., Inc. (954) 424-4237 Email NA
Professional Mobile Detailing NA Email NA
Professional Mobile Detailing 386-659-2708 Email NA
Shiny Apple 1-866-609-9100 Email Website
The Guy That Does Your Car 904-260-3510 Email Website
Ultimate Detailing (727)204-9707 Email NA
Wolf Mobile Services (850) 803-2706 Email NA
Xtreme Auto Detailing 954-605-2247 Email NA

[PNF]

how did you get the list?

any list near my area?


19087

Looking for detail just before spring time (mid - late march)

[Nebster]

was that solely paint correction or did it include LSP as well?

[E92murdered]

about the tint there bs'ing they said the same about mine. still looking for a person to re-do mine.

Originally Posted by Noc57

Shit son.....I feel sorry for you, get down to the south asap. The place is called Rockstars Auto Reconditioning.

Anyways I'll prolly be getting it done somewhere soon, they hit it off pretty good with me, and it's less than a mile drive from where I'm staying.

Quick question though...I got my car done in F1 pinnacle tint on friday and the dot matrix looks pretty terrible on the back. The tint shop said it needed 2-3 weeks to fully dry/cure and if it was still there to bring it back. Does the cold weather up here have an effect on tinting/ drying period or did he just not do a good job?

I'm skeptical as I paid $488...tint is good but job looks mediocre IMO, but dunno if it just needs some time.