Seriously?! My rant about "soft" black paint

[BlackCarBlues]

Well, as my username implies... I've got a black car and man do I have a love/hate relationship with that thing. I was just messin' around in the garage a few minutes ago and did my first rinseless ONR wash. Turned out great, no complaints there! After I was done I wanted to feel the slickness, so I dragged the back of my fingers across the hood (I know, not a good idea in the first place, but whatever). One of my fingernails touched the paint as I did this and I couldn't believe it... IT LEFT A SCRATCH! Albeit, it is a light scratch and I can only see it under the LED lighting of my garage, but it's definitely there. I sprayed it with Speed Shine thinking it might rub off, but nope... still there. I just really can't believe that the back of my fingernail, with virtually no pressure applied, can leave scratches in my paint. Out of curiosity I tried doing it again in an inconspicuous area and it definitely leaves scratches, not just a mark.

Surely BMW has the softest paint around.

Anyone care to commiserate and share their "soft" paint stories? Is it really soft paint or is just because it's black... who knows?

[luckydawg]

For the most part-- not exclusively, most of the imports have softer clears. The american cars are a bit harder- with the GM's being pretty hard

To me-- black paint when its right is about the best 'cause of its depth- but it is work to keep it like that.

Might want to try a bit of polish by hand & see if that takes it off

[BlackCarBlues]

Yeah I’m sure some polish would work on it. I’m trying to save myself from going crazy during the winter, so I’ve already decided I won’t be polishing again until my spring detail.


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[vobro]

I don’t have any black car ownership stories because just as I would never point a loaded gun at my head I’ll never own another black vehicle

[luckydawg]

Yeah I’m sure some polish would work on it. I’m trying to save myself from going crazy during the winter, so I’ve already decided I won’t be polishing again until my spring detail.


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I understand
But applying a finishing polish by hand on two small areas doesnt seem like much to me-- certainly not in the "going crazy" category

[Bill D]

Sounds like you definitely should wash with an extreme wash method whenever you can

[fly07sti]

I am in a similar boat with Vobro. Sorry you have to tolerate this with your ride but it’s one of the things that keeps me busy detailing. I do a lot of import black details and always try to educate my customers on what I feel is the best approach to keeping marring at bay or put them on a maintenance plan if they choose. Only way to give your finish some toughness is to look into PPF.

[luckydawg]

Only way to give your finish some toughness is to look into PPF.

I would think that a coating would add " toughness"

[BlackCarBlues]

I am in a similar boat with Vobro. Sorry you have to tolerate this with your ride but it’s one of the things that keeps me busy detailing. I do a lot of import black details and always try to educate my customers on what I feel is the best approach to keeping marring at bay or put them on a maintenance plan if they choose. Only way to give your finish some toughness is to look into PPF.

I did get a quote for PPF on the front bumper but at $700 I could just get it repainted when it gets chipped up enough. Don’t wanna know how much it would be to do the whole car


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[vobro]

I did get a quote for PPF on the front bumper but at $700 I could just get it repainted when it gets chipped up enough. Don’t wanna know how much it would be to do the whole car


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To add more drama the hood on a BMW is a rock chip magnet

[fly07sti]

I would think that a coating would add " toughness"

It does to an extent, but it’s not in the same realm as PPF when it comes to resilience.

[986DTM]

BMW non-metallic black paint (jet black) is the softest paint I have ever encountered. Literally looking at it the wrong way will scratch it. I've seen cars that are a year or two old that look like they've been washed with a straw broom for the past 10 years. It's bad. I feel for you because I know that it would drive me absolutely crazy.

BMW metallic black (sapphire black) is harder in comparison.

[psnt1ol]

I had a jet black BMW as well.... I feel your pain. It would scratch if I sneeze on it too hard. Sprinkler water spots and bird bombs were the worst.

[Don M]

My Camaro is black, and I've tried to school myself over the years that it is a 9 y/o daily driver with over 150,000 miles and that no matter how "bad" it looks (to me), it is still lightyears better than 99% of other cars with similar usage/miles. Did it work? Sort of. But it still triggers my OCD when I see an "imperfect" spot.

[Bosko]

My Camaro is black, and I've tried to school myself over the years that it is a 9 y/o daily driver with over 150,000 miles and that no matter how "bad" it looks (to me), it is still lightyears better than 99% of other cars with similar usage/miles. Did it work? Sort of. But it still triggers my OCD when I see an "imperfect" spot.

LOL....I hear ya


Imagine how I feel when my '21 trail boss with 8000 miles ends up like this....I have a full time job working on my truck.
Good thing I'm retired...


https://i.imgur.com/1Tkf2LE.jpg