Rock/sand chips in new car finish, window and headlight lenses
12-10-2007, 09:12 AM
#11
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Central Coast of Cali
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '08 535i Titanium Silver, Grey Dakota Comfort Seats-Premium Pkg, Nav, ipod, PDC, Steptronic
Proud BMW owner since 9-1-07
Another reason (or many) to have a clear bra:
A short run on I-5
I got 3M covering put on the full front, bumpers, part of the hood, headlights, foglights, inside the door handles, the door edges and the trunk/bumper lip where luggage might rub.
I'd rather scrub plastic film than my car.
Given the speeds we travel and the force that rocks or even sand hits the car no paint or headlight plastic can withstand it. I've got dings in the chromed steel in the front of my motorcycle so no paint can be expected to remain perfect. The best we can do is put a layer between the road grime an the car.
A short run on I-5
I got 3M covering put on the full front, bumpers, part of the hood, headlights, foglights, inside the door handles, the door edges and the trunk/bumper lip where luggage might rub.
I'd rather scrub plastic film than my car.
Given the speeds we travel and the force that rocks or even sand hits the car no paint or headlight plastic can withstand it. I've got dings in the chromed steel in the front of my motorcycle so no paint can be expected to remain perfect. The best we can do is put a layer between the road grime an the car.
12-10-2007, 03:00 PM
#12
Senior Members
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: '05 545i - scheduled for ED pickup in Munich on 7/22!
Originally Posted by DynaSpy' post='505043' date='Dec 10 2007, 12:23 PM
I have 400 local miles on my 535 so I haven't experienced any pits or chips yet. But I have read a lot about BMW's paint leaving a lot to be desired. I drove my lincoln into the ground, it had 70,000 miles on it and the paint and headlights had no pits or chips whatsoever. Is it really necessary to put a clear bra on every BMW? They must be able to make the paint more damage resistant.
New car paint is more environmentally-friendly now, so it doesn't seem as damage resistant as in the good ol' days.
Also, ever E60 I have seen in person has orange peel in the paint...
12-10-2007, 03:24 PM
#13
Contributors
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: H-town
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Carbon Black 545i
I've used the clear coat fingernail polish on the windshield before to stop the crack and it minimizes the star looking thingy.
I also have used chrome cleaner on the headlight, a detailer told me that it takes the dirt and sand grains away.
Also giving it a smooth finish and shine.
good luck on that
I also have used chrome cleaner on the headlight, a detailer told me that it takes the dirt and sand grains away.
Also giving it a smooth finish and shine.
good luck on that
12-10-2007, 08:14 PM
#15
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC , Canada
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2011, X6 Hybrid . Alpine White , every option. 20" Conti' NON runflats,OEM trunk spoiler , LUX V3 AE's , HP Thunder Fogs , custom front bumper reflector delete........
Originally Posted by DRANGED' post='505042' date='Dec 10 2007, 12:13 PM
Yeah, thanks Dubya. I had heard somewhere that this could be done. You are kinda the man 
12-11-2007, 10:03 AM
#16
Contributors
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left Coast, USA
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i, 6spd mtx, Monaco Blue w/Beige interior. Sport, Preimum, Logic 7/HD/I-Pod/USB, Nav sys, rear sunshade, HUD, PDC, Split seats,
Originally Posted by EBMCS03' post='505340' date='Dec 10 2007, 08:58 PM
Exactly! I always recommend clear bra.
I do too...but she just won't ever listen to me
....and their "Spectacular" 
12-11-2007, 03:58 PM
#17
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 14,776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
Originally Posted by HotLap' post='505543' date='Dec 11 2007, 11:03 AM
I do too...but she just won't ever listen to me ....and their "Spectacular"
....and their "Spectacular"
12-12-2007, 12:49 PM
#18
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 523i. Alpine white, dakota leather, 8 speed auto, VDC, bluetooth, HID lights, parking sensors, sport seats, black window trim, tinted rear windows
1988 Ferrari 328 GTS, nero on rosso corsa.
1992 Mazda MX-5 / Miata
2009 Ford S-Max 2.5T
Originally Posted by SLORider' post='505063' date='Dec 10 2007, 07:12 PM
Another reason (or many) to have a clear bra:
:
12-12-2007, 02:32 PM
#20
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Sweden, EU
Posts: 1,475
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 07' 530d - M-Sport - Titanium Silver / Black Dakota leather
08' 120i - M-Sport - Alpine White III / Black Sensatec
Originally Posted by PoleApart' post='506057' date='Dec 12 2007, 10:49 PM