[SlowX6M]

I got my Tanzanite Blue II X6M back in august, and after very first car wash I already see micro scratches and swirls. I guess this is what happens with darker color cars - for instance my 2012 X5 in Space gray and my 2018 M2 in Long Beach Blue still look brand new, but my 2017 X6M in Carbon Black looked absolutely awful when I returned it for the 2021 in August, with swirl marks all over. They just seem to stand out so much more on dark colors.

What are some good options for me to protect the paint and so that the car retains the new look?

[botis1028]

Xpel PPF

https://www.xpel.com/shop/paint-prot...gaAmFrEALw_wcB

[AwesomeM3]

A Graphene ceramic coating will help. Not as good as PPF but it helps and generally costs less.

[bav29]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

I got my Tanzanite Blue II X6M back in august, and after very first car wash I already see micro scratches and swirls. I guess this is what happens with darker color cars - for instance my 2012 X5 in Space gray and my 2018 M2 in Long Beach Blue still look brand new, but my 2017 X6M in Carbon Black looked absolutely awful when I returned it for the 2021 in August, with swirl marks all over. They just seem to stand out so much more on dark colors.

What are some good options for me to protect the paint and so that the car retains the new look?

How did you wash the car? Do you have any coating on it?

[nesrock@gmail.com]

I recommend a clear wrap and then a coating on top.

[nesrock@gmail.com]

I recommend a 3M or XPEL PPF and a coating on top. I have used ceramic pro coating in the past but have started to use IGL coatings now. I think the 3M and IGL are better than the other stuff on the market but I think any PPF and coating is better than nothing.

Its not fun paying out an extra $5k for PPF and $3k for coating but you see the value very quickly. My car has 4,000 miles on it with no wear and tear and the paint still looks perfect.

[SlowX6M]

Originally Posted by bav29

How did you wash the car? Do you have any coating on it?

No coating, took it to a car wash, and now its full of tiny scratches that are very visible when the sun hits it.

[QF8]

[QUOTE=SlowX6M;26800388]No coating, took it to a car wash, and now its full of tiny scratches that are very visible when the sun hits it.

You put it through a car wash.. Maybe this car is not for you..

[Tenac]

That's crazy!!!! Close to me I have a higher end car wash and they won't let me in due to the rear rim size... LOL Only thing I do is wash it myself at home or have a detailer come (they use my products when they do)....

[GSG5]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

I got my Tanzanite Blue II X6M back in august, and after very first car wash I already see micro scratches and swirls. I guess this is what happens with darker color cars - for instance my 2012 X5 in Space gray and my 2018 M2 in Long Beach Blue still look brand new, but my 2017 X6M in Carbon Black looked absolutely awful when I returned it for the 2021 in August, with swirl marks all over. They just seem to stand out so much more on dark colors.

What are some good options for me to protect the paint and so that the car retains the new look?

As others have already said, I’d recommend PPF or ceramic coating. I PPF’d mine (STEK Dynoshield) after taking delivery from the dealership and have been very happy with it. I used Suntek Ultra on my last car and was happy with that too, but I noticed the STEK has more gloss and is more hydrophobic which helps keep it clean.

Based on those pics you posted, you’ll obviously need to have some paint correct done first to get the swirls out, but any good installer (of PPF or ceramic) should be doing that anyway. Yours may just need a bit more in that regard.

[nesrock@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

No coating, took it to a car wash, and now its full of tiny scratches that are very visible when the sun hits it.

I have PPF and coating on my car so I dont go through any car washes. I have a guy who comes to my house once a week and washes my cars.

On my previous car that didnt have PPF or coatings I would only go through the touchless washes for this very reason.

A good detailer can get those swirls out, it will just cost a little bit.

[davidlg16]

If the car is Xpel PPF and Ceramic coated, would he be able to go through regular car washes? (asking for myself also I used to like doing car work myself but now I am too busy and where I live they dont allow car wash in the complex)

[X5MC_LI]

Originally Posted by davidlg16

If the car is Xpel PPF and Ceramic coated, would he be able to go through regular car washes? (asking for myself also I used to like doing car work myself but now I am too busy and where I live they dont allow car wash in the complex)

Abosolutely.
I have Xpel Stealth PPF and ceramic and regularly use car washes with Zero issues.

[Tenac]

Originally Posted by davidlg16

If the car is Xpel PPF and Ceramic coated, would he be able to go through regular car washes? (asking for myself also I used to like doing car work myself but now I am too busy and where I live they dont allow car wash in the complex)

I've had to find a touchless wash that does not have the guide bars for the wheels. 315 are typically to large, you want to find one that has the tracks in the floor that move (looks like tank tracks) or 100% handwash location. Sadly where I live in AZ (out in the mountains) I have two options, myself or drive to Scottsdale. LOL

[SlowX6M]

Bumping this thread up, just wondering if anyone else had a similar problem with the Tanzanite II color. Its just weird to have it so badly scratched up after the very first wash, maybe the paint is too soft?

I did not polish the car yet, I am planning to do it before the new year, and have it protected to prevent the same thing from happening.

[SlowX6M]

Just look at this, this is literally the entire car with swirls like these all over. It looks as if the guy at the car wash was drying it with sandpaper instead of microfiber towel, but even if the towel wasn't perfectly clean, shouldn't the paint be more resistant?

[Tenac]

And some of my neighbors say I'm nutz bc I wash all my vehicles every other week by hand... LOL I don't have swirls.... It is fixable though!!

[puckhead85]

yeah those car washes are death for a car's paint. They can be buffed from a quality detail. out but never use those automatic car washes.
I have a tanzanite X5M and took it straight from the dealer for PPF knowing this is what happens over time.

[sabdus]

Originally Posted by puckhead85

yeah those car washes are death for a car's paint. They can be buffed from a quality detail. out but never use those automatic car washes.
I have a tanzanite X5M and took it straight from the dealer for PPF knowing this is what happens over time.

How concerned would you be with an Alpine White or Donington Gray vehicle? In the process of picking up a Donington Gray vehicle and I'm wondering if PPF would be necessary.

[SlowX6M]

I have an appt for friday to have the car polished and apply ceramic coating.

[DCCane]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

I have an appt for friday to have the car polished and apply ceramic coating.

You mind sharing where you're located and how much you were quoted for that? Looking to do the same but not sure what a fair deal would be.

[Crisp]

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

I have an appt for friday to have the car polished and apply ceramic coating.

Originally Posted by SlowX6M

I have an appt for friday to have the car polished and apply ceramic coating.

Those swirls are too deep for polish. You're going to need full paint correction. You actually need to cut the paint with compound to get rid of those.

Paint correction will be anywhere from $1300 to $2k depending on the car and stages needed.