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Have a pro-shop buff out the scratches ...(m)... (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 3-series (E46) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by dd on November 26, 2000 at 23:14:20:

In Reply to: Is trying to remove scratches worth it? posted by Victor on November 26, 2000 at 22:56:31:

...with an electric buffer and clear-coat-safe polish. 3M makes a line of polish with grits from 1500 to 2000 (perhaps higher). A good body or detail shop should be able to buff out the scratches easily without creating swirls - but caution them to spend a little more time with a little finer grit. The benefit is a much higher gloss and reduced chance for any swirls.

Sounds like these scratches are pretty superficial - don't sweat it, they'll come out!

Regards,
DD.


I have a 3-month old 2000 Titanium 323ci that was parked in my "secure" gated apartment complex here in Nashville over the holidays and was egged sometime during that period. I found the damage when I returned today (2 eggs covering virtually the entire left side of the car) and used lots of warm water with a soft cloth to try to at least soften the hardened pieces and then began to gently remove them. I then took it to car wash to finish the job. Well, it seems that the car wash brushes managed to create a quarter-dollar-sized series of hair-size scratches (the color of the scratches is white but they actually look black from afar--maybe b/c of depth shadowing) on the left side of my car.

I am really finicky about keeping my car clean and looking nice, so this is really bothering me (these are my first scratches ever). However, I am not sure if I should do something or whether the cost and risk of further damage suggest leaving things as they are. Is there some easy way to remove such scratches on my own with no risk for further damage (I'm quite a bit confused by info in the archives about clear coat and how deep the scratches are and so on)? Can a BMW Service Dept do anything? Or should I just wait until my car has many more scratches before going to any service dept or body shop?

I would appreciate any help right now as I'm really distraught and mad about the whole thing. Thanks!

Victor




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