Has anyone worked on a 2016 BMW X5? Ceramiclear or no?

**emmjay** · 10-05-2016, 08:44 AM

Hello guys,

My dad has a 2016 X5 in Mineral White Metallic. I would like to work on the car, however, even though the car is now one year old, there are absolutely no signs of swirls. I have examined it with my pen light as well as I can but I cannot spot any spiderwebbing, even looked in the sun. And it is washed by someone else, at home, not me - so definitely not much care taken.

My question is, does BMW apply a similar Ceramiclear paint like Mercedes does? If that's the case, how can I go about to clean the paint up. Its white so I can see a lot of black spots in the paint that look like Tar or Iron. I have personally not seen any Tar or Iron removal products in Dubai, maybe Optimum Ferrex which I can ask the local OPT dealer for.

I had a similar issue with my Mom's Audi Q5(see pic below) that I detailed a couple of weeks ago. There were a ton of black spots, polishing with a compound and cutting pad got 70% off. But If I can get them off without polishing on this X5 that would be great. As there are no swirls - I can just get them off, clay and seal.

P.S. I have a Flex 3401, meguiars products and Hybrid pads - if it helps.

The Audi was really tough to work and so much crud was picked up and made my pads black too:

Any inputs or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Mukul

**Mike@DedicatedPerfection** · 10-05-2016, 08:52 AM

I have not worked on a 2016 X5 but have worked on 2016 3 series. There should not be any differences in clear that is used on the 3 series vs X5.

AFAIK, only Mercedes uses the Ceramiclear.

I would try to locate a chemical decontamination product to help remove the tar/iron deposits. You will be in better shape using a specific product for removing the contamination rather than trying to compound/polish them off with mechanical abrasion.

You will be well served with the 3401, Hybrid pads, and Menzerna products if you can get your hands on them.

Mike

**emmjay** · 10-05-2016, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Mike@DedicatedPerfection

I have not worked on a 2016 X5 but have worked on 2016 3 series. There should not be any differences in clear that is used on the 3 series vs X5.

AFAIK, only Mercedes uses the Ceramiclear.

I would try to locate a chemical decontamination product to help remove the tar/iron deposits. You will be in better shape using a specific product for removing the contamination rather than trying to compound/polish them off with mechanical abrasion.

You will be well served with the 3401, Hybrid pads, and Menzerna products if you can get your hands on them.

Mike

Thanks Mike!! I actually have 2 BMW's in the house. The 3 series I worked on had swirls all over the car in less than one year and is my brothers car.I polished it and in less than 6 months it was swirls all over again. This is why I have this question. Both BMW's are washed the same way, by the same person. The 3 series is covered in swirls, the X5 looks amazing without a swirl in sight.

Here is the 328i I worked on - M205 and white polishing pad is all it took...

I would like to get my hands on Menzerna but I am still unsure of this DAT technology and still a bit hesitant to use it. I have some Sonax 3-6 still new sitting in my closet for this reason.

If I do get the menz products, what would you recommend? I have loved my meguiars products due to their long working times in the hot temps of Dubai, so did not want to stray but if I must...

Cars I will work on more frequently:

My Accord 2016 in Golden brown metallic - soft paint for sure

BMW 328i M-sport 2013 - Metallic black - very easy to correct with just m205 and a white pad

Audi Q5 2013 - Glacier white metallic - HARD paint

BMW X5 - Mineral White metallic - uknown but looks hard to me

P.S. Are these iron removal products just spray on and rinse off after dwell? I am concerned because I read that it must be agitated and I really don't know how. Plus I am scared that if I agitate it, wont the iron particles scratch?

**lawrenceSA** · 10-05-2016, 09:19 AM

This is really just a stab in the dark and thinking out loud, but maybe the SUV type vehicles are painted with a harder clear based on the expectation the paint may take some more abuse being driven off road?

**emmjay** · 10-05-2016, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by lawrenceSA

This is really just a stab in the dark and thinking out loud, but maybe the SUV type vehicles are painted with a harder clear based on the expectation the paint may take some more abuse being driven off road?

I was told by the dealer than the paint on more expensive BMW's is different....that's the only statement he made and I feel he is right.

However, I want to know before I even touch the paint.

As its getting cooler out (lol 85-90)....I might be able to work more comfortably and make the car look better than it is.

**emmjay** · 10-05-2016, 11:27 AM

**Eric@CherryOnTop** · 10-05-2016, 11:42 AM

Clay it and hit it with a nonabrasive Polish like Blackfire gloss enhancing polish. Since there's no defects, just clean it up and seal it.

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**tdekany** · 10-05-2016, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by emmjaygti

I was told by the dealer

I don't mean to sound blunt, but don't ever believe a word a "car salesman" tells you.

**emmjay** · 10-05-2016, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by ekennett

Clay it and hit it with a nonabrasive Polish like Blackfire gloss enhancing polish. Since there's no defects, just clean it up and seal it.

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I do plan on doing that either way, but just in case, I was only wondering that's all

Thanks though

**Paul A.** · 10-05-2016, 02:01 PM

My understanding is that BMW does NOT use ceramic filament paints. I would do exactly as you have planned with regard to a thorough wash and decon to remove as much as possible. I would then machine around with a good paint cleaner such as DG501 to remove what's left.

Personally i like seeing pads get nice and dirty like that. It confirms the paint cleaner is removing more stubborn stuff from the paint.