[5mall5nail5]

Hey all - I ceramic coated my F30 328 and went the full regime of iron remover, clay bar, compound, polish, etc. My wifes X1 is also Black Sapphire - while doing mine I did notice it took considerably longer to get results as the clear coat seems real hard on these cars compared to others I have done. Does anyone have a recommendation for pad/compound combo for getting good, quickish, correction results?

Thanks all

[jsanatx]

I got some good results on my F32 Black Sapphire with the Menzerna 400 (cut) and the 4500 for finish, using the medium cut pads (white) and the black finishing pads. Brought out some nice highlights and the flake that I hadn't seen in a while. It does take a bit longer due to the black color.

[Billfitz]

I use Menzerna 400, 2000 and 3000, sealing with Jescar Power Lock. Fast cutting requires a rotary buffer with the 400, then switch to random orbit with the rest to minimize swirling.

[Rich76]

Poorboys black hole and then nattys blue was gives an amazing shine

[Desertnate]

Black hole is a great glaze, but it is a glaze which will only temporarily fill in the defects. I've used it, and liked it, but it isn't a permanent solution.

For the polishes I've used Blackfire Compound on a white Lake Country Flat Pad and Thin Pro Pad with my dual action polisher. It gave me quite a bit of correction on my Sapphire Black 435i. You can see the results here: https://thecargeek.net/full-detailing-a-2016-bmw-435i/. It actually polished out really nicely in one step.

For very light levels of correction, I've also used SONAX 04-06 polish on a white pad.

The Blackfire SRC compound I reference in the blog post isn't made any more, but Blackfire's new polish cuts just as well, but actually is easier to remove and I think it polishes out a little better as well.

If it makes you feel better, our Sapphire Black isn't as hard as the black metallic paint I've corrected on a GTI or a Porsche Cayanne. That Porshe was REALLY hard.

[JayLancs]

Sonax CutMax combined with a Rupes yellow medium wool pad has always done a great job cutting swirl marks and light scratches, followed by Sonax perfect finish with a white Rupes pad

[AspektUSA]

Menzerna is what the factory uses, and is specially formulated for the hard clear coats of German cars.

[bellguy]

On my sapphire black 440i i used Sonax cut max with Hex logic green pad, then gyeon q2 primer on a white pad followed by wolfgang deep gloss sealant.
Finish is deep smooth and glass like.

[bellguy]

Pic of said 440i after the machine polish etc.

Very easy to maintain now with a wash and a detail spray between polishes.

[J00PTv]

I have a 2016 with black sapphire paint. the hood has many rock ships. I took it to a body shop they said they would need to repaint the whole hood and bumpers for color matching and all. pretty costly for just rock chips. I just want the car to look as new as possible with out spending over 2-3k?

[John in VA]

Originally Posted by J00PTv

I have a 2016 with black sapphire paint. the hood has many rock ships. I took it to a body shop they said they would need to repaint the whole hood and bumpers for color matching and all. pretty costly for just rock chips. I just want the car to look as new as possible with out spending over 2-3k?

The shop wants to "do it right." You can buy touch-up paint from BMW, Dr. ColorChip, automotivetouchup.com, etc. Black Sapphire Metallic paint can be difficult to match - search through other posts here & on other forums to find the best match from others' experiences. Good luck!

[AspektUSA]

Originally Posted by J00PTv

I have a 2016 with black sapphire paint. the hood has many rock ships. I took it to a body shop they said they would need to repaint the whole hood and bumpers for color matching and all. pretty costly for just rock chips. I just want the car to look as new as possible with out spending over 2-3k?

I think maybe just come to terms that driving a car on public roads means you pay the rock chip tax?

If it's really bad, and you think it'll affect resale then go for it.

[Soul_Glo]

Originally Posted by J00PTv

I have a 2016 with black sapphire paint. the hood has many rock ships. I took it to a body shop they said they would need to repaint the whole hood and bumpers for color matching and all. pretty costly for just rock chips. I just want the car to look as new as possible with out spending over 2-3k?

It's called paint protection film!
Repairing chipped paint is easy if you're good with DIY. All you need is the right tools and knowledge/practice. Many guides online such as this:


https://www.detailingworld.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=20127

[Soul_Glo]

OP. I had black sapphire for many years. I have used the products Bill has. My current set is Scholl Concepts S17+ and if needed Chemical Guys VSS. Orange hex chemical guys pad.

[Desertnate]

Originally Posted by bellguy

....followed by wolfgang deep gloss sealant.
Finish is deep smooth and glass like.

Just saw this. Have you tried the new Wolfgang SiO2 Sealant? I was given a bottle to do a review on a black metallic Cayenne I detailed this summer. It looked spectacular when the job was done.

I'm actually going to skip doing another coating on my own car to see how it looks and holds up this winter.

[bellguy]

Originally Posted by Desertnate

Just saw this. Have you tried the new Wolfgang SiO2 Sealant? I was given a bottle to do a review on a black metallic Cayenne I detailed this summer. It looked spectacular when the job was done.

I'm actually going to skip doing another coating on my own car to see how it looks and holds up this winter.

No, not tried the Wolfgang SI02 version, will sure give it a try when the regular has gone(not much left so sooner rather than later)