The Trouble with White

[EnthuZiaZT]

As I some of you may know, we have bought an Alpine White E89 Z4. Today as it was overcast and cool I decided to polish a couple of panels, as soon as I started it brightened up a little although the cloud did not lift. I am now suffering from what I can only describe as ' Snow Blindness'.

Have any other white car owners experienced this? How did they overcome it? Do you have to wear sunglasses to polish the car?

Mike

 

[Summit Detailing]

I feel your pain
I look after lots of white cars from various brands and a day in the sun really does take it's toll.
I've found the polaroid sunglasses I wear fishing help a lot, taking the glare off the panel, however they aren't great if you are machine polishing as you will struggle to see defects
A gazebo or any other form of shade will help 10-fold.

Happy polishing.

Chris

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Thanks Chris, I must admit it was something I didn't consider when I bought it. Looks like the best time to do it is in the twilight, under a street lamp. Judging by the results so far I have a long way to go with the paintwork, before I can be happy with it. That does not say a lot for modern BMW paint work!!
Mike

 

[M666BMG]

I didn't expect this mike!

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Yes it's strange Mark but looking closely at the finish of the paintwork, it does not look to me as good as Mora's was. Perhaps I'm just using the wrong polish.
Mike

 

[M666BMG]

Yes it's strange Mark but looking closely at the finnish of the paintwork, it does not look to me as good as Mora's was. Perhaps I'm just using the wrong polish.
Mike

It needs a good clay first mike to remove all impurities. Then a prewax cleaner.

We would have done it sat but it was too hot.

Probably benefit from a machine polish to get it where you want it.

Once it's at that stage it's easy to clean and maintain.

Mark

 

[Jack Ratt]

Pay someone else to do it for you. Sorted

 

[M666BMG]

Pay someone else to do it for you. Sorted

That's right, get it to a maintainable state.

 

[Summit Detailing]

Yes it's strange Mark but looking closely at the finnish of the paintwork, it does not look to me as good as Mora's was. Perhaps I'm just using the wrong polish.
Mike

Thanks Chris, I must admit it was something I didn't consider when I bought it. Looks like the best time to do it is in the twilight, under a street lamp. Judging by the results so far I have a long way to go with the paintwork, before I can be happy with it. That does not say a lot for modern BMW paint work!!
Mike

Unfortunately, for me, the underlying finish of modern BMW paint is not great, especially when compared to cars from the 2000-2004 era or indeed other brands....being mega picky obviously but hey that's why I do what I do

I'm sure you'll get it up to a level that you are happy with given time

 

[Shelly]

How weird is that
It's hard to believe in this day and age ..........
That cleaning a white car would make your eyes go funny
I've never heard of it before
Like Chris says I'd wear sunglasses

 

[t-tony]

I unfortunenately have to agree with Chris that quality of paint on modern day BMW's isn't what it used to be. That's not to say it can't be made better but it's sad that you need to.

Tony.

 

[M666BMG]

It's down to regulations on chemicals?

 

[M666BMG]

The old Zeds have great paintwork if maintained well.

 

[oldcarman]

My old neighbour worked for a major paint co for years and had complained sines the 90's that the product was going downhill so fast he became embarrassed to tell people where he worked. He said you could pull an old car from the 50's out of a field completely oxidized and with a good days work make it look like new again. Luckily for him he's not around to see what mfg has done today. JIM

 

[t-tony]

All motor car paints are water based these days I understand, and they're applied by weight too. An old 50's car probably had 2 stones of paint on them.

Tony.

 

[oldcarman]

Yes everything is water borne these days and there is more orange peel laid down by robots than ever before! We tried using a small hand sander to strip down an old Dodge coupe years ago and gave up after about four hours as we were just hitting primer. Went back to drinking beer!! JIM

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

Yes guys and Chris, the paintwork on modern BMW Z4's is not as good as Mora's or Monty come to that. The clear coat does not seem as hard and the colour coat does not seem so well applied. As Chris says it will come up to scratch as long as I put some work into it, but unless the clear coat hardens with age, it will never be as durable.

Mike

 

[oldcarman]

It'll give you a good workout for sure Mike!! Good luck! No news on the house yet ?? JIM

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

No sorry Jim, the solicitors in England move at a snails pace.

Mike

 

[Macca]

Should have bought a red one....