08-04-2020, 05:51 PM | #1 |
New Member
31
Rep 22
Posts |
Snow Foam /Ceramic Coating
Hi. I got my M850i after upgrading from a 2008 635d and then a 2014 640i convertible, and never thought I'd love a car as much as this one! I'm in love, and eager to keep it looking as tip top as possible.
To that end, I've recently had a Ceramic Pro 2yr coating applied to it. For washing, I've got Meguiars Ultimate Wash and Wax, along with their wash mitt and drying towel. However, I still worry about swirl marks (it's a black car) and so I've bought a snow foam applicator for my jet washer, as well as some Auto Glym Polar Blast snowfoam. I've always liked washing my cars but I don't always have time to do it nowadays, and I worry about too many contact washes inadvertently damaging my paintwork...or wearing the coating down prematurely. I've bought the Polar Blast in an attempt to avoid having to do contact washes as frequently, and also to reduce the time necessary to clean it. Will the PB be ok as a substitute for a contact wash, as I have read afterwards that it's meant by Autoglym to be a pre-wash only. If this is true, and people agree with that, then can someone recommend a snow foam that DOES meet my criteria, and doesn't damage the coating? I read that PB is ph-neutral, so that presumably means it is safe for the coating but thought I'd check. Finally, does anybody use an air dryer to avoid having to manually dry and rub their paintwork as much? If so, can you recommend one that is sufficient to do the job but isn't overkill, as there are many different ones available? I don't want a petrol one as they are too loud and temperamental, so either mains powered or battery operated is preferable. My coating detailer suggested a plain leaf blower, but this feels a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a walnut since there won't be a hose system for honing in on certain areas. Cheers |
08-05-2020, 07:59 AM | #4 |
Private First Class
181
Rep 116
Posts |
Same here. I use a McKee's 37 Turbo Air dryer and it works great for getting rid of those annoying drips after a wash that streak out of the nooks and crannies of the car.
__________________
2019 M850i Coupe
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-05-2020, 09:25 AM | #5 |
Lieutenant
239
Rep 441
Posts
Drives: BMW M135i & 911 GTS
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: The Mayfair of Lincolnshire & Bavaria
|
My 8 is ceramic coated and my previous X6 had it. For four years I carefully washed the X6, but not paranoid, and did not use a blower. Given it was met black I did not notice any marking. It's a balance, it used to take me one hour for the X6, the 8 is much quicker as no step ladders are needed. 2 bucket method, decent mitts and microfibres and I think that's enough no need for a blower. I also snow foam, but I am dubious about its effects as I think just pressure washing gets more stuff off.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-05-2020, 10:03 AM | #6 |
Private First Class
103
Rep 137
Posts
Drives: '24 X6 M60i
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Dallas
|
My thought as well. I have Ceramic Pro 2 year, and was told to stay away from soaps that have a wax component. I got my coating done just over a month ago, but haven't washed it myself as of yet since the applier washed it after inspecting that coating cured properly. Need to get the correct supplies before I do it myself.
|
Appreciate
1
themnmd1691.00 |
08-05-2020, 11:54 AM | #7 | |
New Member
31
Rep 22
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-05-2020, 01:28 PM | #8 | |
Private First Class
172
Rep 128
Posts |
Quote:
In between my last post, I found the wash I've been using that was given to me by the detailer that ceramic coated my car. It's called "Enigma shampoo" and I put a link below. I've had 0 issues with my car's paint and ceramic coating to date. https://angelwaxwestcoast.com/produc...hampoo-500-ml/ |
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-05-2020, 03:47 PM | #9 |
Private First Class
103
Rep 137
Posts
Drives: '24 X6 M60i
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Dallas
|
It probably is ok. Was reacting to the wax component as the shop that applied my coating suggested that soaps with additional wax may not be the best. Doing more research, and will report back if I find additional info.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-05-2020, 06:26 PM | #10 |
Private
124
Rep 97
Posts |
Teaser photo as I am tied up right now...I'll explain more later but yes on the foam and yes on the air drier on my ceramic coated Nardo Grey. Neighbors/friends/family think I am crazy but it works well and I would definitely do it if I had a black car! Not perfect, and often need the mitt and some light scrubbing, but is a great way to limit the swirl marks.
|
Appreciate
1
BigMofoFrog180.50 |
08-05-2020, 07:41 PM | #11 |
Captain
641
Rep 628
Posts
Drives: 2019 BMW m850i Coupe
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Sydney
|
Antmit I rinse with power washer, snow foam, then rinse again with power washer, then wash with wool mitt, then rinse again with power wash. Dry with small hand held garden blower. Hand finish with micro-fibre wipes.
I don't find it possible to remove the layer of fine dust that settles on the car with snow foam alone. I recently purchased a water fed cleaning system for the windows on my house, where the garden hose water passes through a tank with resin inside which allows the water to dry spotless on the windows. So I will try that next on my car. |
Appreciate
0
|
08-09-2020, 04:41 PM | #13 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1292
Rep 1,658
Posts |
Be very careful using blowers to dry your car as they can kick up dirt, sand etc from the ground and blow it on to your car before your final wipe down etc..
__________________
2019 M850i xDrive Coupe (06/19 Production)
Mineral White/Black, HP Cooling/Tire/M-Technology Pkg/Extended Shadow/Etc., Anthracite Headliner, Carbon Roof, DAx2, Display Key, Various Accs'. Topic permitting, I try to be objective as possible |
Appreciate
0
|
08-09-2020, 07:39 PM | #14 |
Major General
8609
Rep 5,409
Posts
Drives: 2022 Aventurin/SS G82 xDrive
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Florida
|
FWIW, my former neighbor (passed away on Christmas Day) was a professional detailer that only really worked on high end cars and exotics, and he always said the foam was just for show, had no real impact on the job.
|
Appreciate
1
Resjudicata1604.00 |
08-10-2020, 06:42 PM | #15 |
First Lieutenant
153
Rep 388
Posts |
https://metrovac.com/collections/pro...18877237821513
this is all you need filtered warm air yes it's a bit expensive but very well worth it |
Appreciate
0
|
08-11-2020, 10:14 PM | #16 | |
Brigadier General
4298
Rep 4,364
Posts
Drives: 2020 M850i Coupe
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Arizona
|
Quote:
With the ceramic coating on the car the snow foam lifts the dust from the car so the only thing I've seen the crew do mitt wise is generally on the rockers or around the fenders where there may be some road grime. With a RODI sourced rinse with the AZ heat they just dry with microfiber towels to a spot and swirl free outcome. Right now I'm going ala cart with their service @ $60 a trip plus the $10 I tip the crew. When I actually get to drive the car on a regular basis I'll join their monthly wash club which will provide a wash a week at an overall lower cost. |
|
Appreciate
1
Ozzie8641.00 |
08-12-2020, 07:24 PM | #17 |
Captain
641
Rep 628
Posts
Drives: 2019 BMW m850i Coupe
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Sydney
|
I've really tried to get a high quality mobile service - would love one - but just can't find one that would meet my / our standards.
|
Appreciate
0
|
08-24-2020, 11:55 AM | #18 |
New Member
31
Rep 22
Posts |
Hi, back to topic.
I've switched to the GTechniq Citrus Foam and the G Wash. I must say I can't tell much of a difference between these and the AutoGlym and Wash n Wax I had before, but then I'm trusting other people's reviews about the former products. I'm also going to get one of these: https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/blo-air-rs-car-blower Seems to have a better reputation than the BigBoi Mini, although the BBM does seem to be good, too. From what I've seen, the Blo Air-RS has a slightly higher HP which might make the difference between getting the panels dried more quickly? Has anyone got experience of this one? I don't see the point in getting the BigBoi Pro as this seems to be a bit of overkill, and I'd prefer to go with a dedicated tool for the job over a leaf blower, due to the filtered air (unless this is effectively pointless)? Cheers |
Appreciate
0
|
09-02-2020, 12:28 PM | #19 |
New Member
31
Rep 22
Posts |
I’m having real buyer’s anxiety over this purchase. I like the look and spec of this one at 5.5hp, compared to the bigboi mini, which seems to be 4ish and for the same price. Does anyone have either the Blo Air-RS or the BB Mini, and can they recommend it? I saw the one someone recommended that was about $430 / £400(?), but this feels like overkill. I also saw the Blo Air GT which is about £70 more than the RS, but would 5.5HP be so less noticeable than the 8HP one? You get more hose with the GT, but given the 8 isn’t a large vehicle, I could make do. I just don’t see a great many reviews of the Blo Air products, whereas BB Minis are all over the place. Please help! LOL.
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-04-2020, 01:09 PM | #20 |
Major General
4145
Rep 7,160
Posts
Drives: F90 M5 / F15 50i
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Virginia
|
don't need to put a wax over the ceramic. just a simple PH neutral soap and then top with a ceramic booster 1x a month and you can add a glossifier (Bead Maker) on top to add to the deep glass and slickness as part of the drying process.
__________________
'07 Yamaha R1 (sold)
'06 C55 AMG (sold) ‘?20 M5, MP Carbon Pro Spoiler, MP Carbon Diffuser, MP Black grille and gills, MP Carbon Mirrors, CF side sills, 789M w/ Ti studs, eventuri, Dinan X pipe '14 X5 50i (wife’s now) |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|