derBayerische November/December 2024 - 9

S T E P S F O R P R O P E R P A I N T P R E S E R V A T I O N
waxes are great
because they are easy
to apply during the
wash process. Some
contain UV inhibitors.
A paste wax or liquid
sealant is more time
consuming to apply,
and in some cases
requires light polishing
to prepare the
paint. Both of these
options will be more
durable than a spray
wax. Another factor to
consider when choosing
a paint protection
product, is what type
of gloss is desired.
A carnauba wax will
have a different type of
gloss than a synthetic
sealant or SiO2 coating.
Some say carnauba
waxes have a
warmer-more natural
gloss, compared to
synthetic sealant or
coating. Keep in mind
that none of these
products are magic
bullets for long-term paint preservation. It is important that other aspects of
the cosmetic maintenance plan be consistently executed. Do your research
and choose whatever product makes the most sense, given your car's
unique situation.
Depending on how often a car is washed, how it is used, and whether
or not it is garaged; light polishing may need to be done periodically. Light
polishing removes contaminants that washing alone cannot remove and this
allows a wax or sealant to bond better to the paint. This process will also
remove very fine paint defects and enhance gloss. Polishing requires
knowledge and skill, especially if the polish is applied with a machine.
A car that is seldom driven and is hand washed on a regular basis, may only
need to be polished every few years. Conversely, a car that is driven daily
and only washed periodically, may need to be polished at least once a year,
to properly maintain the paint. Many light polishing products exist.
Some are pure polishes, having no paint protection properties. Another
class of light polishes are all-in-one products that polish and protect in one
step. I am a fan of all-in-one products, because they save time and perform
well. Most can be applied by hand or machine, have very fine abrasives, and
can protect for nearly a year. Again, choose the product that makes the most
sense given your unique situation.
Paint correction
■ A BMW X5 M Competition after polishing and sealing with an SiO2 hybrid sealant.
is a term that is commonly
used when discussing
auto detailing
and paint care. Paint
correction is a multistep
abrasive polishing
process, in which
the goal is to remove
mild to moderate
paint defects, and
restore the paint to a
like-new condition.
The abrasives use
the heat generated
from a polisher to
soften the clear coat,
so the abrasives can
remove paint defects.
Essentially, clear coat
material is removed
down to the level of
the scratches or
defects. This process
requires experience
and skill, and is time
consuming, expensive,
and not without
downsides. Clear
coat is very thin from
the factory. Removing
clear coat to level out defects can shorten the life of the factory paint, and the
process can produce very fine scratches that may not be immediately
visible. If a vehicle's paint is properly maintained from new, paint correction
is rarely necessary. The exception would be to remove or reduce an isolated
moderate scratch or defect. Light polishing, by hand or dual action
polisher to enhance gloss or in preparation for a paint protection product, is
a different process. The difference is the line of abrasives and how much
clear coat is removed. Again, the goal is to purchase a car that does not
require paint correction and only needs to be maintained with hand washing
and periodic waxing to keep it looking great.
Preserving the paint on your BMW for many years is not difficult or
complicated. The key is to start with a vehicle in which the paint is in great
shape; whether new or pre-owned. Avoid cars that have poorly maintained
paint or need paint correction. Formulate a cosmetic maintenance plan that
takes into consideration how the car is used, maintained, and whether or not
it is garaged. The plan should include frequent hand washing and frequent
application of a spray wax. Vehicles that are used heavily or not garaged,
should be polished annually, to remove bonded contaminants and then
re-waxed or sealed. If a few simple steps are consistently followed, your
BMW's paint will look fantastic for many years and hold its value.
Brad Will is the owner of Reflections Auto Salon in Ashburn, VA, a sponsor of this magazine, and a frequent contributor to the dB on car detailing.
November I December 2024
9

derBayerische November/December 2024

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