did my detailer just ruin my paint?

[hotbmwfan]

So after owning my car for 10 years I decided to take it to a detailer to get it paint corrected and ceramic coated. This car has been babied and the paint was still factory fresh and free of any chips, dings or scratches. I have always kept the car indoors with a cover on and washed it after every use. It has less than 30,000 miles on it but started to get some swirl marks that I couldn't get out. After checking local detailers, I decided on one with a perfect google rating (200+ reviews) who does high end cars. Last week he texted me to say the car was complete but that they had a minor issue with the paint correction and that they cut through the clear coat on the crease above the wheel on the front fender. Thinking that if it was just the clear coat, it shouldn't be too noticeable, I went to the shop to have a look. They actually cut all the way through the paint into the plastic fender. There is a black line about 1 inch by 1/8 inch in the paint. The only way to fix it is to repaint the entire fender in my opinion. I'm not paying the detailer until this is fixed to my satisfaction. The cost to repaint the fender is probably more than I owe the detailer. Getting a perfect paint match (color and texture) will be difficult so this is likely the start of what will be a lose/lose solution. So pi$$ed right now. Is BMW paint "soft" - has this happened to anyone else?

[randrews15]

I have done my own paint correction for years and never ran into this problem. This can happen when you leave the polisher in one spot too long or the edge of the pad hit that spot. Most shops should be able to blend the paint correctly and won't notice it. The bad part is that the resale value of the car is not diminished.

[Johal E32]

sounds like the detailer was using a rotary polisher (which isn't a bad thing), but they are known to burn through paint when used improperly.

Hopefully they can blend your paint properly and color match the car. Good luck

[Hagasan41]

Have any photos? I agree with the detailer using a rotary. My guess is he probably thought it was an easy job and assigned it to one of his employees that doesn't have much expereince.

Take it to a high end body shop and see what they say. My guess is at the very least, they will need to blend into your door to make the repair nearly undetectable. ~$1100-$1500 US

[JPWEraser]

The paint had to be incredibly thin to begin with for even a rotary to burn through it all the way. They should have metered the paint out to know better. As detailers we've all made mistakes, just have to step up to the plate and fix it.

[roastbeef]

lets be honest here- a dealership detail is going to be some grunt with questionable experience with a harbor freight polisher.

find a guy that doesn't eat if he doesn't get repeat business and works for that tip.

[Cyberdemon]

The qualified guys might've been too busy doing the lambo's to work on your car?

Sounds like a crappy situation, unless they are willing to cover the respray you may just be better seeing if they can get some touch up paint and touching up the damage rather than trying to respray and blend the whole panel.

I would say if they really botched this up it should be on them to fix, and if they detail exotic cars they should have a relationship with a qualified body shop. I'd see what they offer you.

[Helmsman]

A total wanker did the "job". Push them to own up after messing your car up.

[b4hand]

Such a shame. Make sure he fixes it. Paint preservation is more important than paint perfection. Color matching that is going to be a nightmare.

[randrews15]

For what it's worth, I've detailed many cars in my time from Mercedes, VW, Audi, and many BMWs. BMWs have some of the hardest paint to work on. For them to do what you described, they had to use a total amateur for the job.

[nycplumber]

Bmw paint is extremely hard. Takes a total armature to burn through as stated above. 100% chance they had someone learning on your car unsupervised, unacceptable. In situations like this remain cool and just be friendly but assertive. I wouldn't worry about matching paints. When they fix it you will be satisfied.

[amrazM]

Originally Posted by JPWEraser

The paint had to be incredibly thin to begin with for even a rotary to burn through it all the way. They should have metered the paint out to know better. As detailers we've all made mistakes, just have to step up to the plate and fix it.

Most people are using da's which offer alot of protection against burning through.

maybe the fender was repainted at some point?

[Nettles]

Originally Posted by amrazM

Most people are using da's which offer alot of protection against burning through.

maybe the fender was repainted at some point?

This is my thought. Rotaries are a bit old school at this point, but I’m not in every single shop to state as that fact. Safe to say though most are probably using DA polishers with Rupes being the most popular.

They either didn’t know what they were doing or it has been repainted. Proper shops should be insured for exactly this situation. Keep us posted.

[georgebmwM3]

I dread letting others work on the car, unless I know who is doing it. I'll ask who will be working on my car and if I can, I'll watch it. I've been taken advantage of when I was younger by shops like this.

[hotbmwfan]

Just a follow-up on this.

I talked with the shop owner about how he intended to correct the situation. He is a BMW enthusiast with a M2 Competition so he knew something about how anal some BMW owners like me are. He knew a paint specialist who was able to spray color and clear onto the burn mark. After waiting a month for the paint to set he reapplied the ceramic to the entire fender. It is now impossible to see where the repair was. Perfect paint match. Believe me, I tried to find it using a fluorescent light and magnifying glass from every angle and in sunlight. I know that there are paint magicians out there who can do unbelievable things but I am amazed at this. Happy ending.

[nycplumber]

Thats awesome. I knew you would be happy with the paint match.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by randrews15

For what it's worth, I've detailed many cars in my time from Mercedes, VW, Audi, and many BMWs. BMWs have some of the hardest paint to work on. For them to do what you described, they had to use a total amateur for the job.

You must not have worked on a Jet Black BMW. The paint is so soft you can mar it with bare skin on just washed paint. Most microfiber towels will scratch it without lubrication.

It is a pain in the ass to keep swirl free even with pre wash foam, 2 bucket method, wool mitts and air drying. That said, it will correct easily with just a finishing polish and pad.