09-15-2012, 06:00 AM | #1 |
Lieutenant
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 38
Rep 430
Posts |
Thoughts on keeping paint finish during ED
I will be taking delivery of my 2013 Monte Carlo Blue M5 from the BMW Welt soon and upon return to the hotel immediately apply paint sealant such as OptiCoat or CQuartz. A friend suggested this, as he explains, will maintain the finish of the car and protect it from grime, bugs, bird droppings etc. and to a limited degree scratches and paint nicks due to minute stones hitting the body during the drive. Also, during ED, car washes may not be readily available to wash off bird droppings or tree sap whose acidic component will mar the paint surface -- the sealant will at least help prevent the immediate effect but will eventually need to be cleaned by washing. My question is, has anybody who has done ED did anything similar? I would also appreciate anybody's thoughts on this. Thanks.
|
09-15-2012, 06:45 AM | #3 |
Lieutenant
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 38
Rep 430
Posts |
Thanks Necromancer, I will keep that in mind and hopefully the underground parking will remain open until I finish applying the coat as I have an afternoon pickup.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-16-2012, 07:23 AM | #4 |
Knight Commander
![]() 559
Rep 5,948
Posts
Drives: 2014 911 Turbo S
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Buckhead
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2014 Porsche 911 Tu ... [10.00]
2015 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2015 Jaguar F Type R [0.00] 2014 BMW M5 [0.00] |
To be honest I think it is not worth it when you are on vacation. Unless you are going by yourself.
Your car will inevitably need a paint correction when you get it back anyway. It accumulates a lot of dirt and iron sitting at the docks. Claying is important.
__________________
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Ordered: EQS580, BMW IX, Lucid Air Touring, Corvette Stingray |
Appreciate
0
|
09-16-2012, 07:56 AM | #5 |
Private First Class
![]() ![]() 22
Rep 183
Posts
Drives: 1M-VO; Z8(03)-Blk
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Midwest
|
I hear you, as my cars do not usually leave the showroom without a protective 3m-like film. However, For ED I just gave up being anal about it figuring I can correct anything when I get the car and the time/cost trade off would be worth the ED experience. Just my 2 cents....
__________________
Garage: 2020 Porsche Tycan 4S
2018 Porsche GT3 Touring, 58 356 Coupe 2014 McLaren 12C Spider 2004 Ferrari 360CS, 07 Lotus Exige S Former M cars: Euro E30 M3, 01 E39 M5, 08 E60 M5, F10 M5, 18 M2Comp |
Appreciate
0
|
09-16-2012, 09:31 AM | #6 |
Lieutenant
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 38
Rep 430
Posts |
So if the car gets Stateside, do we have to arrange it with the dealer to have the car exterior properly cleaned, paint nicks and scratches fixed and if necessary have a new coat of paint? I am picking up my car at the performance center, will I need to contact them beforehand to do this? It would be great if I would not have to do anything during ED and just have everything done when the car gets to the U.S.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-16-2012, 10:11 AM | #7 | |
Internet Crash Test Dummy
![]() 332
Rep 1,055
Posts
Drives: F97 X3MC / F80 M3 / F90 M5
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Under a rock in NH and BOS
|
Quote:
But as has been said it's probably not worth going out of your way and do a full detail after you take delivery (if you want I can provide a name/address of a very good detailer appr 20 minutes from the Welt who can do a full vehicle prep/paint correction). I've seen people cover the front ends of their cars with blue painters tape etc to protect it from stone chips. Your dealer will usually do new vehicle prep based on either their standard protocol (which should including cleaning/washing etc) or if you're like me they won't touch the car and leave it as is (ie the way it came from the VPC and I do the cleaning/washing myself) . As for repairs the VPC will make repairs for damage which happened during ED , such as wheel scratches/nicks (usually replace the entire wheel), paint scratches/dents etc are repaired as noted etc. However be aware that sometimes these repairs will delay the actually delivery to your dealer/PC I have not seen them actually repair minor stone chips or the like as these are assumed to be normal wear and tear (plus I'm not sure many folks would like entire hoods etc being painted and dealing with the issues of matching paint etc) Just my 2c
__________________
21 F97 X3MC Toronto Red/Black and more | 18 F80 M3 Tanzanite Blue/Amaro/CCB and more
15 F10 M5 Individual / Brilliant White / Extended/Full Cohiba Brown (Exec/Driver/B&O/20") / A few Euro add-ons / Stealth K40 / Upgraded B&O / ///M Performance Carbon Interior Trim / IND / Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust / HRE S107 ![]() |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-16-2012, 10:24 AM | #8 |
Major General
![]() ![]() 2873
Rep 7,885
Posts |
Dudes all of this is highly unnecessary. I just got back from ED with my M5 a week ago. I put 2051 miles on it in 6 days. All I did was bring a pack of microfiber clothes and a full bottle of quick detailer. I put them in my suitcase for check-in luggage. In 2051 miles of driving I did not have one scratch, or bird poop stain or bug stain on the paint at the end. I washed the car a total of 4 times throughout the trip. Car washes are readily available in Europe. Additionally I would clean off the front bumper, windshield, and the front of the side view mirrors to keep all of the bug splats from accumulating. The paints protective clear coat is more than enough protection. Also I did not have a single rock chip. Even if you do have a scratch or a rock chip, just simply have the people make a note of it when you drop it off and then the VPC will correct it for you when it gets stateside. I did all this with a Sapphire Black car and it was fine. Stop being OCD! LOL! :P
__________________
![]() |
Appreciate
0
|
09-16-2012, 10:51 AM | #9 | |
Lieutenant
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 38
Rep 430
Posts |
Quote:
I wouldn't want to deal with something similar and would rather do anything to prevent such from happening. I would rather have any bugs stuck, easily removed by washing. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 07:25 AM | #10 |
Lieutenant
![]() ![]() ![]() 246
Rep 440
Posts |
Europe roads are indeed much better than ours here. last ED i did with wife's Z4 i only picked up 1 chip in 1,300 miles. yes the first one is always painful, but i was surprised i only got one chip.
u can buy a bottle of quick detailer at Welt gift shop. just bring some microfiber towels with u. i also saved few water bottles along the way so i can make some soapy water at hotel. it's important to get the dead bugs off the paint as often as u can before the acid does any damage to the paint. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 07:32 AM | #11 | |
Lieutenant
![]() ![]() ![]() 246
Rep 440
Posts |
Quote:
i'm considering bringing a small roll of trac wrap (http://www.tracwrap.com/) with me this time. it acts like a temporary clear bra so it protects the frontal area nicely. at least i don't have to clean the bumper every night. Last edited by 2045; 09-20-2012 at 07:38 AM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 05:52 PM | #12 | |
Private
![]() ![]() 0
Rep 68
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 06:00 PM | #13 | |
Lieutenant
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 38
Rep 430
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 07:30 PM | #14 | |
Lieutenant
![]() ![]() ![]() 246
Rep 440
Posts |
Quote:
When are u taking delivery? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 08:31 PM | #15 |
Lieutenant
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 38
Rep 430
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-20-2012, 08:41 PM | #16 |
Lieutenant
![]() ![]() ![]() 246
Rep 440
Posts |
Nice route! I'm picking up on 26 & leaving Munich on 27. Heading to Belgium, Netherlands then back to Paris for the autoshow. Have fun. Maybe we'll bump into each other in France.
Last edited by 2045; 09-20-2012 at 10:52 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
09-26-2012, 12:23 PM | #17 |
Bnicely
![]() 1
Rep 58
Posts |
I washed the car 4 times in 12 days, just got back yesterday. Upon leaving the Welt i drove about 3 miles to my hotel and applied Blackfire liquid polish. Also carried Griots garage waterless wash for emergency bug removal on highways. Needless to say i am psycho about the cleanliness of the car. Good news is its easier than i thought to find spray off car washes especially in northern italy than i had thought. Enjoy your trip, best trip i have ever taken in my life!
__________________
"If u ain't first, you're last" Ricky Bobby
![]() |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|