Official BMW Individual Frozen Paint Care and Maintenance Guide

[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Official BMW Individual Frozen Paint Care and Maintenance Guide

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Matt Russell, BMW M Brand Manager, and a BMW Body & Paint Specialist explains the paint guidelines behind BMW's "frozen" matte paint finishes. The care required is actually much less than most expect.

Only regular shampoo and insect remover (BMW recommends theirs of course) is needed. No other chemicals (sealants, waxes, polishes, etc.) are needed.

* They warn that you can even damage the frozen matte paint by using a microfiber cloth, wax, sealant, or quick detailer.

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[bimmerJP]

No microfiber cloth and wax

[Mr.Metak2you]

I am sure caring for the frozen paints is pretty easy like he says but paint correction is a whole 'nother thing!

[Mako]

I love the look but no thanks on the care side, not in Chicago!

So can't touch up, what about part replacement? That would be $$$ just because of the paint, and trying to match it?

Frozen colors are great for anyone who doesn't use a car as an everyday driver.

[wstxoutlaw]

It's sexy to look at for sure, but I'd stay away simply for the "fender bender" issues that may arise... Good look matching that!

[cstavaru]

I don't even like the frozen colors. They are not matte enough to look sporty and aggressive. They give the car a half-assed look and I think this trend will die quickly.

And where is the pleasure if you can't even detail your car ? Also imagine being at a carwash and forgetting to tell the guys there to not use microfiber, waxes and other stuff. You're screwed. And let's suppose your car gets some light scratches or bird dropping marks which would easily come out with polishing. What are you supposed to do in the frozen paint case ? Repaint the panel ?

No thanks.

[silentassasin]

Insect remover and soap. That's why I elect the wrap route. For $3000 you can have the best wrap job done and you can do what ever you want to it.

[OdomPHD]

I enjoy looking at the frozen paint....and that's about it. I don't think I'd ever buy the stuff unless I had millions to pay someone else to scrape bugs off before they pit the paint.

[Frosty]

...an anal retentive nightmare... ~Frost

[sparkyg]

Those are the most retarded guidelines I have ever seen.

I dont believe them either.

No thanks BMW, that is paint that is begging to get damaged if it is that fragile.

[Singletrack]

So what happens if a bird shits on the paint and it is in there for a couple hours in the hot sun?

That is my biggest concern with this paint. If the bird crap has enough acid in it, which is common, it will eat right through any sealant/wax and the top layer of paint. You can easily correct this on a gloss clearcoat; but what do you do here?

[宝马.e90]

Yup. Jeremy Clarkson was right. You're paying more for inconvenience.

[Frosty]

I thought I read someone state that they were at a VDC and speaking to the paint experts there and it was nothing but nightmare stories from bigger issues like matching full panels to little things like dealing with (gasp) FINGERPRINTS.

I was at NYIAS... saw these paints for first time in person blue M3, silver M5, brown GranCoupe... paints from Mercedes (grey), Audi(light blue etc) and other manufactures STUNNING and draws you to touch it, looks and feels incredible... I could for example see tons of little fingerprints on the M3

~Frost

[dutycalls]

Found this from an official BMW press release regarding frozen paints.

"About BMW Individual Frozen Paint Colors.
The special BMW Individual matte paintwork on the M3 Competition Edition adds a rare metallic luster to the vehicle. Compared to conventional exterior colors with gloss finish, the sculpture-like character of the Frozen Silver paint highlights the athletic contours of the M3. To achieve this luster, a special BMW-developed silk matte clear coat is applied over the Silver Metallic base coat. BMW Individual’s Frozen paints meet or exceed all BMW standards for durability and longevity, and feature a full factory warranty. Special care guidelines are provided to customers and authorized BMW centers to prevent the finish from becoming glossy."

I also checked with BMW UK recently about if there is any disclaimer required on the frozen paints and there is not. Just the care guidelines documented widely on this site. Hence the warranty is intact if you follow the advice.

I think it's wise of BMW to issue care guidelines as they are introducing a finish that requires "different" care to what the market is generally used to. It's no different to telling you what kind of fuel or oil to use or not use.

The crux here is BMW are saying don't use the products you would normally use for regular gloss paints. As for the bird poo advice, although more explicit for the frozen paints, it's always been manufacturers advice to remove as quickly as possible to prevent damage.

Even if these paint finishes require more care than usual, it's a premium choice, just like buying an M car means you will use more fuel than most, need more servicing (and more expensive) than most, go through tyres quicker than most. The byproduct of wanting something more special often means a requirement for more care.

[gunnerxq]

Originally Posted by jerrypon83

No microfiber cloth and wax

So what kind of cloth do you use?

[rjd598]

this car has already been waxed....i can't remember what thread it was but a frozen black m3 was waxed with swissvax and it turned out really good. im waiting on the actual detailers to chime in. im sure they would agree that these guidelines are stupid and a little late to the table. imagine all those frozen owners who already used mf towels,waxes/sealants, and polishes hahahahha

[M3 Piotr]

Originally Posted by rjd598

this car has already been waxed....i can't remember what thread it was but a frozen black m3 was waxed with swissvax and it turned out really good. im waiting on the actual detailers to chime in. im sure they would agree that these guidelines are stupid and a little late to the table. imagine all those frozen owners who already used mf towels,waxes/sealants, and polishes hahahahha

I waxed my Frozen Black with a special product only for matte/satin paint finishes. So far only SwissVax makes these.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=619371

I do agree with Matt that it's easier to maintain, but disagree with the microfiber and waxes portion.

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by M3 Piotr

I waxed my Frozen Black with a special product only for matte/satin paint finishes. So far only SwissVax makes these.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=619371

I don't agree with most of what they say there.

its been awhile since youve detailed your car with wax and all...have you seen anything wrong with your paint?

[M3 Piotr]

This is how the car looks after nothing but car washes and a layer of SwissVax Opaque Wax applied back in Dec 2011. No change in the quality of paint. I suppose they don't want people to apply wax, since some might apply too much pressure and then make it look it a little more shiny.

As far as the microfiber towels go, the secret is to have it damp a little bit when wiping it off. In video the guy uses a shamee to wipe it off and it has to be damp/wet as well. If you notice the microfiber looks dry hence the fact it could polish it, and he seems to apply lots of downpressure on it. Just gently apply pressure and it dries the car out.

[ilya335]

Lol at no microfiber.

[gunnerxq]

Originally Posted by ilya335

Lol at no microfiber.

So what do you use?

[727jbh]

Not a fan.