[BMW335icDDS]

As you guys know, I have a 335 vert. I found some scratches that they put on the roof of my car, and I didn't find them until I was able to see the car under certain lighting conditions. I know I didn't add hte scratches because I had the roof down for 2 weeks since I bought the car, and the scratches are on the roof. I also have yet to wash it so that area has never been touched by me. The dealership wants to buff out the scratches, but I have heard that the clear coat is EXTREMELY thin... and I'm worried if they buff it out they will remove the remaining clear coat. What should I do? Should I let them just buff it out, or demand compensation? Or is there something they can do besides buff it out that would work? Thanks guys!

EDIT: here are photos of the scratches
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fated316

[TiAg335i]

Originally Posted by BMW335icDDS

As you guys know, I have a 335 vert. I found some scratches that they put on the roof of my car, and I didn't find them until I was able to see the car under certain lighting conditions. I know I didn't add hte scratches because I had the roof down for 2 weeks since I bought the car, and the scratches are on the roof. I also have yet to wash it so that area has never been touched by me. The dealership wants to buff out the scratches, but I have heard that the clear coat is EXTREMELY thin... and I'm worried if they buff it out they will remove the remaining clear coat. What should I do? Should I let them just buff it out, or demand compensation? Or is there something they can do besides buff it out that would work? Thanks guys!

Find a professional detailer in your area. Chances are the dealer will RUIN your paint with their (shall I put this in nicer terms) "Mediocre" buffing skills. Everyone automatically assumes that because a dealership works with cars, they know how to work ON cars (especially concerning paint). Not always the case.

[dmboone25]

Shitty story--same thing happened to me three weeks ago. Took delivery and had not washed it--took it by the dealer for the free carwash on saturday and they scratched my hood. Luckily I caught it before I left--walked right in and found the sales manager--i let them try to buff it out, but it was not good enough. They are going to repaint the hood. You have a better chance at getting them to do that over $$$ I would imagine--just ask to have it repainted. Good luck.

[BMW335icDDS]

Originally Posted by TiAg335i

Find a professional detilaer in your area. Chances are the dealer will RUIN your paint will their (shall I put this in nicer terms) "Mediocre" buffing skills.

Then what kind of compensation should I ask for? I'm not going to just let my delaership get away with scratching my car.

[John 070]

I'm not a rocket scientist when it comes to finishing school, but I do know on my Nissan I could even get a door ding from someone, with a scratch, and Meguiar's cleaner/wax could take the scratch out. They claim it does not harm the clear coat. While I'd be pissed about scratches on a new car, what can you do? I'd let them handle it....

My dealership, I noticed on Mon., checks for dings before taking the car into the service bays. I like that policy, because not only will you be assured they did not ding your car, that would force them to be careful as well. I was gonna say don't wash my car but it came back washed and the tires greasy looking. My uncle who sets-up and repairs car washes said never take a car you like through a car wash, eventually you'll get swirl marks.

Though cleaner is not used normally on a brand-new paint job, I think they have whatever it takes to fix you up, so don't worry....

[Fartpimpson]

That's sux!

[BMW335icDDS]

Originally Posted by John 070

I'm not a rocket scientist when it comes to finishing school, but I do know on my Nissan I could even get a door ding from someone, with a scratch, and Meguiar's cleaner/wax could take the scratch out. They claim it does not harm the clear coat. While I'd be pissed about scratches on a new car, what can you do? I'd let them handle it....

My dealership, I noticed on Mon., checks for dings before taking the car into the service bays. I like that policy, because not only will you be assured they did not ding your car, that would force them to be careful as well. I was gonna say don't wash my car but it came back washed and the tires greasy looking. My uncle who sets-up and repairs car washes said never take a car you like through a car wash, eventually you'll get swirl marks.

Though cleaner is not used normally on a brand-new paint job, I think they have whatever it takes to fix you up, so don't worry....

I honestly don't trust dealerships that much, especially since the guy who's being paid to fix my car isn't being paid much, and its not his car. Also I've decided to not juts let them buff out the scratches to try to remove them. They better do something more.

[gary328xi]

I would let them repair it after all if they (BMW) screw it up the will eat it. If you go to local body shop and they mess it up you dont have a leg to stand on . Remember imperfections and paint fading happens after a while. The way i look at it is it would be easier to go back to the dealer than a local body shop.

[BMW335icDDS]

Originally Posted by gary328xi

I would let them repair it after all if they (BMW) screw it up the will eat it. If you go to local body shop and they mess it up you dont have a leg to stand on . Remember imperfections and paint fading happens after a while. The way i look at it is it would be easier to go back to the dealer than a local body shop.

Thats a really good point. But I don't want them to just buff it out. What else can I ask them to do? Is repainting necessarily and the best solution?

[John 070]

Originally Posted by BMW335icDDS

Thats a really good point. But I don't want them to just buff it out. What else can I ask them to do? Is repainting necessarily and the best solution?

If it's minor, just from what I saw with my own eyes on my Nissan and the Meguiar's, it's almost like a miracle how scratches come out. So as long as the dealer can do it such that you cannot see any problem with your naked eyes, I think you're good to go. imho the last thing you want is to be repainted, they can't duplicate the factory job as far as I know. It's like getting a spot on your shirt, if you can just lift it out you would, rather than spread it and fade the entire shirt.

[gary328xi]

If i were in your situation i'll let them buff it out but when i pick the the car up i do a very good insp. for swirls with a flashlight. I will then monitor that area over a few washes and see if there is any paint degredation. BMW warranty there paint job. That being said if you choose to take it to a local shop they (BMW) could turn around and tell you hit the road if there is a problem later. Then there ain't a damn thing you do legally to hold them (BMW) responsible.

[dmboone25]

But if the scratches are deep, what else can you do besides re-painting? All the buffing in the world doesn't matter if it has gone all the way down to the metal--not sure if this is the case with the OP, but that was the case when the dealer scratched mine--thus, repainting seemed the best option, especially after seeing that buffing did not help much....

[BMW335icDDS]

Thanks for your input guys. I'll let them try to fix it up. But If I let them just buff it out won't they take out the clear coat? I don't want them removing my scratches AND clearcoat.

[gary328xi]

Originally Posted by BMW335icDDS

Thanks for your input guys. I'll let them try to fix it up. But If I let them just buff it out won't they take out the clear coat? I don't want them removing my scratches AND clearcoat.

That why you have to monitor it over a few washes and compare it to other areas to see if there is a diff. Most dealerships will honor their work after all you must have some trust to spend $45+K with them.

[chbrules]

The dealership scratched my hood last time I took it in for servicing like 2 weeks ago. They'll never believe me if I tell them now. It took me a couple days to see it in the light. I'm just going to have to take it in for a free wash then complain and say they did it I suppose. It couldn't be from a rock or anything since it's a wide cylindrical/arc scrape on the hood.

[BMW335icDDS]

Originally Posted by gary328xi

That why you have to monitor it over a few washes and compare it to other areas to see if there is a diff. Most dealerships will honor their work after all you must have some trust to spend $45+K with them.

Yea but remember this is the same dealership that caused the scratches in the first place, and those guys who did the damage might be the ones trying to patch it up.

[oldaccount]

hard to tell from the pics, but they look like swirls to me.

id just invest in a porter cable orbital polisher, some pads, and some poorboys polishes, and take the scratches/swirls out myself, and have the necessary tools on hand to detail the paint a few times a year as needed. Scratches are almost inevitable, and I like being prepared for them when/if they happen. Granted the dealer shouldnt have scratched/scuffed/swirled your roof in the first place, but they did...id just deal with it and perfect the paint myself instead of hoping and praying that someone else does it right, and then being disappointed when they dont.

if you dont feel like bothering with the DIY route, i guess i would have them repaint. I have yet to talk to anyone who was happy with a dealer "buff" job.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Suareezay

hard to tell from the pics, but they look like swirls to me.

id just invest in a porter cable orbital polisher, some pads, and some poorboys polishes, and take the scratches/swirls out myself, and have the necessary tools on hand to detail the paint a few times a year as needed. Scratches are almost inevitable, and I like being prepared for them when/if they happen. Granted the dealer shouldnt have scratched/scuffed/swirled your roof in the first place, but they did...id just deal with it and perfect the paint myself instead of hoping and praying that someone else does it right, and then being disappointed when they dont.

if you dont feel like bothering with the DIY route, i guess i would have them repaint. I have yet to talk to anyone who was happy with a dealer "buff" job.

This is actually probably the best route, other than repainting like you said. It was kind of hard to tell from the photos how bad the marks were, but a PC orbital can work magic.

[krazykanuck]

Originally Posted by BMW335icDDS

Thanks for your input guys. I'll let them try to fix it up. But If I let them just buff it out won't they take out the clear coat? I don't want them removing my scratches AND clearcoat.

Wearing down the clearcoat is the exact nature of buffing out scratches. You must wear down the clearcoat to take out scratches/swirls since they are in the clearcoat. Only horrible scratches ever make it to the paint itself.

I'd give the dealer a chance to do it, if they screw it up just make them repaint it.

[OC Guy]

This is one of those cases where the saying "That'll buff right out" actually applies. I wouldn't worry too much, those scratches look relatively minor and you can probably buff them out within 15 minutes. Your clear coat IS NOT that fragile.

[BMW335icDDS]

Originally Posted by krazykanuck

Wearing down the clearcoat is the exact nature of buffing out scratches. You must wear down the clearcoat to take out scratches/swirls since they are in the clearcoat. Only horrible scratches ever make it to the paint itself.

I'd give the dealer a chance to do it, if they screw it up just make them repaint it.

Thanks for the reply. Its good advice

[wrickem]

Give your dealer a chance to make good on their mistake. It's a car, They actually make cars so they can be outside most of the time so they are pretty durable. From my experience with BMW paint, you get a little scratch, you buff it out and it looks as good as new. Relax, at least the first scratch is over with! As for a repaint, especially for a little scratch, I don't care what anybody says, it is NEVER as good as the factory paint