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      01-30-2021, 06:08 PM   #1
SlowX6M
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Anyone else with Tanzanite Blue II having paint problems?

I bought my 2021 Tanzanite Blue II X6M back in August of last year, and took it for its first car wash for the first time in October. I went to a high end hand wash here in Brooklyn, you only see expensive cars at it. In fact while waiting for my car, there was an Audi R8 at the car wash, and I had a little chat with its owner.

The car came out with horrible swirls all over the paint. I posted a thread about it. https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1765684

I had the car paint corrected back in December, and earlier today I took it for a wash at a very popular high end car wash. At this particular wash it is nothing but expensive cars, it has an excellent reputation amongst car enthusiasts. Yet again, the car has a bunch of swirls. Not as bad as the first time, but very noticeable and obvious, even though its dark out. I can only imagine how bad it will look tomorrow when the sun is out.

I want to know if anyone else had this problem, perhaps the paint quality is subpar?
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      01-30-2021, 06:45 PM   #2
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That place a Hand wash or auto ?
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      01-30-2021, 06:55 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by topaz330 View Post
That place a Hand wash or auto ?
Hand wash.
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      01-30-2021, 09:01 PM   #4
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It wont be the paint its how you are washing it. We all have the same clearcoat.
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      01-30-2021, 09:06 PM   #5
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I’m pretty sure the swirls are from the hand drying towels they use after car comes out from the wash, I don’t think swirls are from the wash itself. Before the hand towel dryer guy starts, you could ask that he use new clean towels, or better yet, skip the towel drying process, drive home and spot dry yourself if still needed.
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      01-31-2021, 08:09 AM   #6
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The unfortunate reality is that if you want to avoid the swirls - you have to wash it yourself. I'm using bucket guards / clean mitts / blow dry to ensure the TB keeps as unmarked as possible for as long as possible. Even then I am sure it will need some TLC / Paint correction by a professional every year or so... It's a colour that shows the swirls more than most...
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      01-31-2021, 10:09 AM   #7
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That's a clearcoat issue, Feynlab is making self healing ceramic coating.

Don't have first hand experience, but friend sent me this video looks "can't believe this s***"

Product is made in USA, so there should be installers all over.

here is video
https://fb.watch/3mzELt8DfJ/
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      01-31-2021, 11:06 AM   #8
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I read a lot about tanzanite and how swirl marks show up easily. It is just the color itself cause of the metallic flakes, reflect any imperfections easily. I ceramic coated and wash it myself. I prefer to keep it dirty and wash it the right way rather than cleaning it at any shop and getting swirls marks. If you really want to wash it at a shop, I would stick with approved detailers.
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      01-31-2021, 11:13 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by schaeffs888 View Post
The unfortunate reality is that if you want to avoid the swirls - you have to wash it yourself. I'm using bucket guards / clean mitts / blow dry to ensure the TB keeps as unmarked as possible for as long as possible. Even then I am sure it will need some TLC / Paint correction by a professional every year or so... It's a colour that shows the swirls more than most...
Facts.

I've never taken my X5M to get washed outside and even then I am starting to notice some minor swirls here and there even from doing correct two bucket method DIY washing. Anytime anything touches the surface you are going to introduce some imperfections unless you are super careful.

If swirls bothers you then the only method of washing is DIY. another option is to have the car corrected again then have it fully wrapped in paint protection film. Supposedly any swirling self heals once you apply heat but to do the whole car you are talking about 5-7K easy.

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      01-31-2021, 12:50 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by hdahman View Post
I read a lot about tanzanite and how swirl marks show up easily. It is just the color itself cause of the metallic flakes, reflect any imperfections easily. I ceramic coated and wash it myself. I prefer to keep it dirty and wash it the right way rather than cleaning it at any shop and getting swirls marks. If you really want to wash it at a shop, I would stick with approved detailers.
approved detailers?
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      01-31-2021, 06:14 PM   #11
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The issue is not with the paint or clear coat, it's with the washing.
Did you see the people who were washing your car? Were they using the same wash mitt all over your car? What were they drying your car with?
It's easy to fall with the misconception that just because you see high end cars getting their cars washed there that it probably is a reputable place. A lot of people with high end cars (and in general) don't pay too much attention to this. As mentioned above, the best way to avoid swirl marks (esp on dark colored vehicles) is to wash the car yourself and use proper technique. Or find a reputable mobile detailer who knows what their doing. Sucks that this happened to you. I saw your other post where you took your car in for paint correction. Let me know if you need suggestions for a good detailer for paint correction. I can ask my go to detailers and have them provide some recommendations.
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      02-10-2021, 07:09 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowX6M View Post
I bought my 2021 Tanzanite Blue II X6M back in August of last year, and took it for its first car wash for the first time in October. I went to a high end hand wash here in Brooklyn, you only see expensive cars at it. In fact while waiting for my car, there was an Audi R8 at the car wash, and I had a little chat with its owner.

The car came out with horrible swirls all over the paint. I posted a thread about it. https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1765684

I had the car paint corrected back in December, and earlier today I took it for a wash at a very popular high end car wash. At this particular wash it is nothing but expensive cars, it has an excellent reputation amongst car enthusiasts. Yet again, the car has a bunch of swirls. Not as bad as the first time, but very noticeable and obvious, even though its dark out. I can only imagine how bad it will look tomorrow when the sun is out.

I want to know if anyone else had this problem, perhaps the paint quality is subpar?
Did you go to the wash?

Can you post some photos? I cant decide between getting Marina Bay Blue and Tanzanite Blue ii
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      02-10-2021, 10:36 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mo2002 View Post
The issue is not with the paint or clear coat, it's with the washing.
Did you see the people who were washing your car? Were they using the same wash mitt all over your car? What were they drying your car with?
It's easy to fall with the misconception that just because you see high end cars getting their cars washed there that it probably is a reputable place. A lot of people with high end cars (and in general) don't pay too much attention to this. As mentioned above, the best way to avoid swirl marks (esp on dark colored vehicles) is to wash the car yourself and use proper technique. Or find a reputable mobile detailer who knows what their doing. Sucks that this happened to you. I saw your other post where you took your car in for paint correction. Let me know if you need suggestions for a good detailer for paint correction. I can ask my go to detailers and have them provide some recommendations.
I disagree. This paint and/or clear-coat is sub par. I took my BSM F86 & BSM F82 to my neighborhood hand wash almost every week and didn't get as much swirls in 3 years vs 1 wash at the same spot for my BSM F96. The more washes I took the F96 to, the worse it got.

Had both F86 and F96 at the same time for about a month and could not believe that the F96 paint degraded so quickly in 1 month vs 3 years with the F86.

I've taken many pictures and am thinking about opening a case up with BMWNA cuz this is BS.

We should be able to abuse this paint a little bit and not have it degrade this quickly.

Yes I understand I should get PPF and ceramic etc but in my opinion, this paint should not have to be treated extremely gently. My usual routine worked fine with my F86 and F82 so I believe the F96 paint is flawed.
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      02-11-2021, 12:13 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowX6M View Post
I bought my 2021 Tanzanite Blue II X6M back in August of last year, and took it for its first car wash for the first time in October. I went to a high end hand wash here in Brooklyn, you only see expensive cars at it. In fact while waiting for my car, there was an Audi R8 at the car wash, and I had a little chat with its owner.

The car came out with horrible swirls all over the paint. I posted a thread about it. https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1765684

I had the car paint corrected back in December, and earlier today I took it for a wash at a very popular high end car wash. At this particular wash it is nothing but expensive cars, it has an excellent reputation amongst car enthusiasts. Yet again, the car has a bunch of swirls. Not as bad as the first time, but very noticeable and obvious, even though its dark out. I can only imagine how bad it will look tomorrow when the sun is out.

I want to know if anyone else had this problem, perhaps the paint quality is subpar?
Yes, tanzanite for some reason is prone to scratches no matter what you do. I had a M3 comp in Tanzanite blue and I had it paint correct and ceramic coated within 1 week of ownership. I hand washed it myself and within weeks I had scratches all over plus I always used an air blower to dry the car. Only God knows how it got so many swirls.
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      02-11-2021, 07:21 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrae26 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowX6M View Post
I bought my 2021 Tanzanite Blue II X6M back in August of last year, and took it for its first car wash for the first time in October. I went to a high end hand wash here in Brooklyn, you only see expensive cars at it. In fact while waiting for my car, there was an Audi R8 at the car wash, and I had a little chat with its owner.

The car came out with horrible swirls all over the paint. I posted a thread about it. https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1765684

I had the car paint corrected back in December, and earlier today I took it for a wash at a very popular high end car wash. At this particular wash it is nothing but expensive cars, it has an excellent reputation amongst car enthusiasts. Yet again, the car has a bunch of swirls. Not as bad as the first time, but very noticeable and obvious, even though its dark out. I can only imagine how bad it will look tomorrow when the sun is out.

I want to know if anyone else had this problem, perhaps the paint quality is subpar?
Yes, tanzanite for some reason is prone to scratches no matter what you do. I had a M3 comp in Tanzanite blue and I had it paint correct and ceramic coated within 1 week of ownership. I hand washed it myself and within weeks I had scratches all over plus I always used an air blower to dry the car. Only God knows how it got so many swirls.
So you saying swirl marks after ceramic coating? What that has to do with the paint or clear coat, they are underneath the coating?
I have had it now over 2 months washed correctly and 0 swirls.
I have a silver car and you won't see swirl marks though under proper lighting it's horrible. TB II reveals those swirls easily, no need for detailer lights. That's the only reason in my opinion
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      02-11-2021, 08:30 PM   #16
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Well, the swirl marks this time are nowhere near as bad as the first time around, I probably wouldn't have noticed them so much if I wasn't paranoid after the first experience. It's just a very bad color for swirl marks, they show right away. I also have a 2012 silver X5, and it has no visible swirl marks after all these years. My daughter's 2018 M2 in Long Beach Blue also looks glossy with no noticeable swirl marks. I guess it's all about the color and lighting.
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      02-11-2021, 09:36 PM   #17
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Maybe I'm trippin but I still think this generation's paint clear-coat combo is subpar. If/when I open a case with BMWNA I'll update this thread with results.
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      02-11-2021, 09:38 PM   #18
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Maybe I'm trippin but I still think this generation's paint clear-coat combo is subpar. If/when I open a case with BMWNA I'll update this thread with results.
Could be that its subpar, but during my first car wash they certainly did something very wrong, they must have had sand all over their washing/drying towels. They even managed to scratch up the tail lights and head lights.
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      02-11-2021, 09:53 PM   #19
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It wont be the paint its how you are washing it. We all have the same clearcoat.
This is not exactly accurate. BMW uses several coating suppliers. They award contracts to suppliers to supply e-coat, base coat, clear coat and every so often they put it back out for bid. All in an effort to get the best deal from suppliers. No guarantee your car has the same coatings. Also, even if they were the same, batch to batch has some variations. And this isn't even getting into variations in BMWs paint shop as they make alterations.
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      02-11-2021, 09:55 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xmanpro View Post
Maybe I'm trippin but I still think this generation's paint clear-coat combo is subpar. If/when I open a case with BMWNA I'll update this thread with results.
Could be that its subpar, but during my first car wash they certainly did something very wrong, they must have had sand all over their washing/drying towels. They even managed to scratch up the tail lights and head lights.
Car washes with dirty towels is the norm, unfortunately. But this sounds like they used sandpaper on your vehicle.
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      02-11-2021, 10:59 PM   #21
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xmanpro View Post
Maybe I'm trippin but I still think this generation's paint clear-coat combo is subpar. If/when I open a case with BMWNA I'll update this thread with results.
Could be that its subpar, but during my first car wash they certainly did something very wrong, they must have had sand all over their washing/drying towels. They even managed to scratch up the tail lights and head lights.
I agree that it's very possible the mittens were dirty during your wash and for sure that will cause damage and that's a total SOB. I feel for you.

From my experience, with my BSM F86 and BSM F96, having had both at the same time, taking both to the same car wash 20 mins apart every Thursday for 4 weeks and arriving at different results leads me to believe there's something going on with this generation of paint.

That's just my experience from the limited sample size I have. It just looked like (literally) the f86 paint could withstand more abuse vs the f96 paint.
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      02-12-2021, 12:20 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xmanpro View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SlowX6M View Post
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Originally Posted by xmanpro View Post
Maybe I'm trippin but I still think this generation's paint clear-coat combo is subpar. If/when I open a case with BMWNA I'll update this thread with results.
Could be that its subpar, but during my first car wash they certainly did something very wrong, they must have had sand all over their washing/drying towels. They even managed to scratch up the tail lights and head lights.
I agree that it's very possible the mittens were dirty during your wash and for sure that will cause damage and that's a total SOB. I feel for you.

From my experience, with my BSM F86 and BSM F96, having had both at the same time, taking both to the same car wash 20 mins apart every Thursday for 4 weeks and arriving at different results leads me to believe there's something going on with this generation of paint.

That's just my experience from the limited sample size I have. It just looked like (literally) the f86 paint could withstand more abuse vs the f96 paint.
I'm of the same belief as well. My M3CS in frozen blue is more durable than the 3 previous F80's I had in Sakhir Orange, Tanzanite blue and San Marino Blue. On the Sakhir orange the paint was very thin at the front bumper.
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