[xps]

I am not sure if I have been so worried about paint being so fragile on any vehicle I have owned before this car. Literally any contact with the paint leaves a scratch on the clear coat. Anyone else experience similar issue?

My Chrysler Van literally gets banged up, gets 4-5 automatic car washes every month, I can't see any damage to the paint, still looks brand new.

[xps]

Originally Posted by M2siast

Does your car have ceramic coating?

Yes it does

[two_three_two]

I've noticed this. I have ceramic coating, use clean two bucket method, bought a new wash mitt and microfibers, and still getting some spider webbing/swirling on the paint. I've resigned myself to "is what it is" and anticipate annual paint correction.

[Tag]

Originally Posted by xps

I am not sure if I have been so worried about paint being so fragile on any vehicle I have owned before this car. Literally any contact with the paint leaves a scratch on the clear coat. Anyone else experience similar issue?

My Chrysler Van literally gets banged up, gets 4-5 automatic car washes every month, I can't see any damage to the paint, still looks brand new.

Lost me at "automatic car washes".

[Bearded-Driver]

wait are you using automatic car was on the M2? cause im sorry my dude, but thats gonna scratch it the paint.

This water based paint being used now is awful but i will say this paint isnt near as soft as my black VWs were...

[xps]

Originally Posted by Tag

Lost me at "automatic car washes".

No, I do hand washes on the M2.
Only the van gets automatic car washes

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by xps

No, I do hand washes on the M2.
Only the van gets automatic car washes

I dont have any issues...what are you using to wash and dry (materials and cleaners)?

[abrandonment]

In before... PPFzOMG!!

[Tag]

Originally Posted by abrandonment

In before... PPFzOMG!!

PPF is amazing, but only if you can find a quality shop to install it. Otherwise, it could quickly turn into a nightmare. Never got onboard with ceramic coating. Paint sealants work just fine for me, cost less and are easier to maintain.

[xps]

Originally Posted by M_Power Rob

I dont have any issues...what are you using to wash and dry (materials and cleaners)?

I don't think the scratches are from washing, they happen from regular touches
Example-
On the rocker panel where the bottom on my pant touches the paint when sitting and getting out. Literally touches, no rubbing, but the whole area is smudged, so bad looks like some rubbed it with grit paper,
Then I was carrying a paper grocery bag and slightly touched the door surface, now it has a foot long scratch 🥲

[MineralGreyMetallic]

If your car isn't completely clean and you "just touch" it you run the risk of introducing fine scratching in your clear coat. Some colors will show this more easily than others.

It's just a fact of life. Your car will get dirty and someone (including you) will brush up against it without noticing. You'd be lucky if that didn't leave some kind of fine scratching behind.

This has always been my experience with all my cars across different brands. Clear coats are extremely sensitive.

[abrandonment]

Originally Posted by Tag

PPF is amazing, but only if you can find a quality shop to install it. Otherwise, it could quickly turn into a nightmare. Never got onboard with ceramic coating. Paint sealants work just fine for me, cost less and are easier to maintain.

Yeah the PPF thing can be a bit cultish.. ceramic makes sense to me, and to be fair so does PPF -- its just a cost:benefit thing.

I'm sure with enough elbow grease and time, someone could have made all the brass on the Titanic looks incredible.. but..

[M_Power Rob]

Originally Posted by xps

I don't think the scratches are from washing, they happen from regular touches
Example-
On the rocker panel where the bottom on my pant touches the paint when sitting and getting out. Literally touches, no rubbing, but the whole area is smudged, so bad looks like some rubbed it with grit paper,
Then I was carrying a paper grocery bag and slightly touched the door surface, now it has a foot long scratch 🥲

I know it sounds sad (and crazy) but a paper grocery bag is going to scratch (hell, dont use paper towels, either, as many of them will cause ruins). The makeup of a gracery bag is not far off from superfine sandpaper.

[JMcLellan]

I have an inch long scratch on my a-pillar and on weather stripping between the a-pillar and windshield. My PPF place believes this was from an automatic car wash. I have only ever used touchless car washes so this was from my dealer's car wash when they prepped my car.

This came up when I inspected my car after the PPF application and was asking the shop if they scratched my car. The shop owner showed me the a-pillar scratch and the scuff marks were all consistent with a back and forth horizontal motion.

Good times. Car came scratched upon delivery.....

[ourlee]

Originally Posted by Tag

Lost me at "minivan".

FIFY

[chris719]

The paint on this car is the same as every other BMW. My M2C from Leipzig had the same (good) paint quality as my father's M340i from SLP. The equipment and process is basically the same.

[wjones14]

I had a 2005 Mustang for 10 years with no PPF. The front bumper did have some rock chips over that time, but not really that many. Maybe a dozen small ones at most that were easily fixed with Dr. Colorchip. Then I bought a 2015 M235i, and within only 3 years the front bumper was peppered with way more chips - same town and same driving habits. That seemed to me that the paint on the Ford was a lot more durable than the BMW. First thing I did with my 2021 M2C was to install XPEL on the front bumper. I'm planning on ordering a 2025 G87 and will get the front bumper PPF for that as well, and possibly rocker panels.

[xps]

Originally Posted by chris719

The paint on this car is the same as every other BMW. My M2C from Leipzig had the same (good) paint quality as my father's M340i from SLP. The equipment and process is basically the same.

I had a 2005 e46 a while back. I distinctly remember the paint was very high quality. the newer one is definitely not the same.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by xps

I had a 2005 e46 a while back. I distinctly remember the paint was very high quality. the newer one is definitely not the same.

Paint seems better on our 2023 M2 than our 2000 E46, less orange peel and similar hardness.

[Mark_17]

Originally Posted by JMcLellan

I have an inch long scratch on my a-pillar and on weather stripping between the a-pillar and windshield. My PPF place believes this was from an automatic car wash. I have only ever used touchless car washes so this was from my dealer's car wash when they prepped my car.

This came up when I inspected my car after the PPF application and was asking the shop if they scratched my car. The shop owner showed me the a-pillar scratch and the scuff marks were all consistent with a back and forth horizontal motion.

Good times. Car came scratched upon delivery.....

Your PPF installer noticed the scratch and didn't address it??

My PPF installer inspected the entire car and buffed any issues out before PPF.

[JMcLellan]

Originally Posted by Mark_17

Your PPF installer noticed the scratch and didn't address it??

My PPF installer inspected the entire car and buffed any issues out before PPF.

The PPF guy did buff out the scratch after I pointed it out. However, the scratch was on an area of the car that they did not apply PPF too.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by xps

I had a 2005 e46 a while back. I distinctly remember the paint was very high quality. the newer one is definitely not the same.

My Z4M had similar if not more orange peel than my 2021 M2C. I wouldn't say there is much difference.