BMW Beware

[soapy]

I was reading on autoblog.com tonight that BMW has a new matte finish paint for the 2011 M3. In order to buy the car you have to sign a waiver that says you will never wax, polish or take it through a automatic carwash. Only BMW service centers are allowed to work on it. I hope this is not a sign of things to come.

 

[Happycarz]

On the street, they call the matte paint "Murdered." Last month I spotted a Bentley Continental with charcoal murdered paint, a $32,360 option.

 

[Whale of a Wash]

I think that H -D Motorcycles has a flat one I've seen at the wash also. Not sure if it has the same paint though.

 

[jfmoran]

Mercedes also has this as an option on there SL. One of my dealers has one currently, its awful looking. Reminds me of guys in high school who had an old Camaro or Firebird and had it painted primer black.

These things can't be washed in any automatic car wash, can't be waxed or poilshed and they also have a big sign on it not to touch it (of course everybody does) because the oils in your hands will make the paint shiny. Why you would want this I don't know.

 

[Waxman]

Does anyone really think people will accept non-shiny paint as the norm?

I don't. People like shiny stuff. Diamonds, gold, clear coat paint. IMO none of these are going away.

Primered hotrods or 'suede', as it's called 'on the street' have been around for years, yet folks still paint their hotrods all types of candies, pearls and other glossy paints.

 

[MEP001]

Ford has a special edition Mustang with a matte finish too.

 

[buda]

Waxman

A BMW dealership somewhere in the US sold out of the M3 with this paint finish in less than 1 hour.

Yes, the consumer will buy this finish. Who knows why, but they are buying them.

Bud Abraham

PS: www.google.com this subject and you will find a number of stories on the subjec.

 

[Waxman]

If body oil messes up these matte finishes, what will emulsified road oil and carbon soot do to it???

Where can you wash the car? Self serve?

Selling out does make a statement, I agree.

However, remember the following also sold out at one time and think of where they are now:

1. cabbage patch dolls.
2. Beanie Babies
3. New Kids on the Block cds.

 

[pitzerwm]

Wax, making money on ebay are where those items are.

 

[Waxman]

Well I'll tell my wife. She's got a beanie baby army in the cellar!

 

[pitzerwm]

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1311&_nkw=beanie+baby&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[bigleo48]

Don't see that color as an option in the BMW M configurator!?

 

[johnklien]

Ford Mustang

Hi,

Ford Mustang is my dad's favorite car and offcourse mine too

John Klien

 

[mac]

Self cleaning paints are coming, just don't know when. Anybody remember the tune up shops that used to be around in the 80s?

 

[buda]

Nanovere has unveiled a new paint technology that will not only clean itself but is also scratch resistent.

The new paint a a clear surface coat called Zyvere 2K Nanocoating and it relies on embedded nanotechnology to perform its scratch-resisting and self-cleaning ability. According to the manufacturer, the new paint is 53% less prone to scratches than conventional paints and it remains 60% cleaner.

The material has a gloss retention attribute that is claimed to remain as good as new for up to 5 years. The new paint finish will repel oil, dirt, stains, water and ice to ensure the car is as clean as possible. It can also be applied to alloy wheels, a blessing for detailers who have to clean brake-dust, covered multi-spoked wheels.

While an official independent test has not been conducted, an "independent" test of Zyvere 2K Nanocoating by Eastern Michigan University has hound that the Nanovere product is superior to popular rival products from CeramiClear and DuPont in weather resistance and ease of cleaning. The coating has also proven successful in protecting aircraft and marine vehicles, where surface damage and corrosion can cost millions of dollars to repair.

Regards
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS

 

[bigleo48]

Bud,

Having worked in the technology sector for many years I always look for new "Disruptive" technologies. The internet for example has been a big game changer. For example, in less than 5 years, it along with Bit-torrent databases, has decimated the video rental industry (read Blockbuster).

So being a carwash owner with a significant investment (to me) in the industry...I try to stay informed (hence reading this post).

Now I have no doubt that "easier to clean" paints and coatings are evolving. However, what you posted on Zyvere 2K is pushing 8 years old. From what I can see, it is not widely used, nor are its competitors from PPG and Dupont. From posts I've read from detailers, its difficult to work with and you better get it right or you can be in a world of trouble. It does not last forever (up to 3 to 5 years according to the producers) and I can't seem to find any real opinion on it. So to me, so far, it doesn't have traction.

So to put aside the fear of change. When does anyone believe this will become mainstream (aside from the Nissan EX elastic resin 3 year "self-healing" paint) and what effect will it really have on our industry. Will it kill it...or make it easier to wash cars and so make daily job easier and more profitable? Any insight?

On a funny note, my distributor claims he is working on a pill that would make people believe their car is clean! The interesting thing here is that cleanliness is a perception. After all, washed cars leaving my lot are only cosmetically clean and the level of cleanliness only matters to the owner...some are fanatic and others don't care. So is this technology just going to move the barometer up across the board, where people would "expect" a cleaner car? Much to contemplate.

 

[bigleo48]

Funny, right after writing this, I started hanging up some clothes that had just been washed and dried. I was a little ****ed at a wrinkled shirt that's supposed to be wrinkle free. Then I smiled and continued with my day.

 

[rph9168]

I remember several years back I was attending a meeting at Dupont regarding new vehicle paints. One of their "experts" made the claim that their new clear coat paint at that time required no waxing or sealant to maintain a high shine and protection from the elements. When the meeting was opened for questions I asked him if he had that type of paint on his vehicle. He said he did. I asked him if he had wax on it. He sheepishly replied that he had. I wanted to ask why but I didn't want to embarrass him further.

I guess a lot of things that work in theory don't work that well in the real world.

 

[mac]

Well the times they are achangin. I love to read the popular technical magazines and nanotechnology is really hot right now. As with any emerging technology, successful applications will initially be expensive and somewhat rare. I can't believe it, but I remember when color TVs came out. Nobody in our neighborhood had one because it cost as much as a new car, around $3,000. Expensive things such as aircraft will probably use this first. My crystal ball says look for it in everyday products in 10 to 12 years. So we still have time to sell the washes before it hits.

 

[bigleo48]

Mac,

Like all other car related technologies, you'll start seeing them in the high end vehicles first (think airbags, traction control, key-less entry, etc).

But as rph mentioned, "lot of things that work in theory don't work that well in the real world." Think 'self cleaning windows' that have been around for a number of years. My friend had his big picture window made of this technology because he never wanted to look out through a dirty window. Turns out that the window has a slight tint or polarization to it and he hates looking out of it. Hey, but its never dirty!