Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion - DetailCity.org

GregCavi · 06-16-2005, 10:42 PM

Hello Everyone.

I was consulted today about a BMW M3 I will be detailing. The question ran through my mind , arent BMW CC's really hard. I read an article and have came up with BMW clearcoats are actually softer than american CC's. Does everyone agree with this? I have worked on a jaguar and it was a dream to work with. It was very easy. FWIW the article I read is
http://www.properautocare.com/aregepadi.html .

Thanks

Greg

GregCavi · 07-26-2005, 11:48 PM

BUMP! Doesnt anyone want to throw in their idea?

Greg

ape drape · 07-27-2005, 11:48 AM

I have found that BMW factory paint, both CC and single stage, is quite easy to polish. It's relatively easy for me to get most of the scratches out and end up with a swirl free finish.

The problem is with repaints. Some painters believe they are actually chemists and know better than the actual chemists at the paint manufacturer. Improper mixing can result in, basically, an unbuffable finish.

To be honest, I've found that MOST German made cars have very workable paint on them. It shouldn't be too difficult for you to polish that Beamer.

The Woob · 07-27-2005, 01:42 PM

Greg I've found on older cars the paints are harder to polish, however the newer paints are alot more fun. On the Bimma I've found the paint is hard as heck, but the clearcoat is very soft! Either way, be prepared to do your best. German paint yields beautiful work if you do it correctly!

Beemerboy · 07-27-2005, 02:08 PM

My black bimmer was easy to get the swrils out of. I had read that German CC are softer so they will scratch easier than US CC......From my experence with German cars I have found this to be true......Don't know if that's a draw back or good thing....that's my .02

P.S.
That's an interesting article about German CC thanks!

G35stilez · 07-27-2005, 02:14 PM

From the Bimmer's I've done, they are all relatively hard.

Bill D · 07-27-2005, 02:42 PM

Audi clear is hard, therefore taking a little more time and perhaps an extra polishing step or so to truly get it just right. It does "clean up" rather nicely given the high quality Spies Hecker paint.

pappy · 07-30-2005, 02:58 PM

there was a post either here or at autopia about why clear coats differ from US to euro. and i believe it had somthing do do with the autobahn. i might be wrong but i think euro is softer clear then the US but of course it would differ between manufactures.

Conundrum · 06-08-2006, 05:00 PM

Sorry to bring back an old post but does anyone here know what company Honda of America uses? Is it PPG, Dupont, or BASF? I have a 2006 Accord and it seems to have issues with a softer clearcoat than my older sunfire did (I've already scratched the paint by leaning against the car once for a few seconds while drying the roof).

Shaun Carollo · 06-08-2006, 08:41 PM

I vote for hard. My mom's blue 325 ci had moderate buffer swirls after being hit with PG on a wool pad via rotary. Followed up with OP on a polishing pad, that seemed to clear everything up. As for Honda, I don't know who manufactures their paints, but they are the biggest pain to keep swirl free.

-Shaun

06-16-2005, 10:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
GregCavi Pinnacle Detailing Owner Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lake City, MN Posts: 2,808	Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion Hello Everyone. I was consulted today about a BMW M3 I will be detailing. The question ran through my mind , arent BMW CC's really hard. I read an article and have came up with BMW clearcoats are actually softer than american CC's. Does everyone agree with this? I have worked on a jaguar and it was a dream to work with. It was very easy. FWIW the article I read is http://www.properautocare.com/aregepadi.html . Thanks Greg __________________ Shiniest Red Cavalier "Love is Beautiful" - Grandpa Howie Holmgren

07-26-2005, 11:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
GregCavi Pinnacle Detailing Owner Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lake City, MN Posts: 2,808	Re: Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion BUMP! Doesnt anyone want to throw in their idea? Greg __________________ Shiniest Red Cavalier "Love is Beautiful" - Grandpa Howie Holmgren

07-27-2005, 11:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
ape drape Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3	Re: Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion I have found that BMW factory paint, both CC and single stage, is quite easy to polish. It's relatively easy for me to get most of the scratches out and end up with a swirl free finish. The problem is with repaints. Some painters believe they are actually chemists and know better than the actual chemists at the paint manufacturer. Improper mixing can result in, basically, an unbuffable finish. To be honest, I've found that MOST German made cars have very workable paint on them. It shouldn't be too difficult for you to polish that Beamer.

07-27-2005, 01:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Woob Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Vancouver BC/NC Posts: 2,031	Re: Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion Greg I've found on older cars the paints are harder to polish, however the newer paints are alot more fun. On the Bimma I've found the paint is hard as heck, but the clearcoat is very soft! Either way, be prepared to do your best. German paint yields beautiful work if you do it correctly!

07-27-2005, 02:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Beemerboy Just One More Coat Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sonoma County, CA Posts: 7,128	Re: Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion My black bimmer was easy to get the swrils out of. I had read that German CC are softer so they will scratch easier than US CC......From my experence with German cars I have found this to be true......Don't know if that's a draw back or good thing....that's my .02 P.S. That's an interesting article about German CC thanks! __________________ Old Enough To Know Better, Too Stupid To Care.... Dave's Detailing Sonoma County, CA

07-27-2005, 02:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
G35stilez Ari Gold Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,037	Re: Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion From the Bimmer's I've done, they are all relatively hard.

07-27-2005, 02:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bill D Hooked For Life Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: "Works great on poop." Posts: 1,286	Re: Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion Audi clear is hard, therefore taking a little more time and perhaps an extra polishing step or so to truly get it just right. It does "clean up" rather nicely given the high quality Spies Hecker paint. __________________ "Nothing is good enough.There is always a way to make it better; a way which we must all strive to learn". ---Sir Henry Royce Treat it like it's the only one in the world.

07-30-2005, 02:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
pappy Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 474	Re: Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion there was a post either here or at autopia about why clear coats differ from US to euro. and i believe it had somthing do do with the autobahn. i might be wrong but i think euro is softer clear then the US but of course it would differ between manufactures.

06-08-2006, 05:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Conundrum 2006 Accord V6 6spd Coupe Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Courtice, ON, Canada Posts: 34	Re: Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion Sorry to bring back an old post but does anyone here know what company Honda of America uses? Is it PPG, Dupont, or BASF? I have a 2006 Accord and it seems to have issues with a softer clearcoat than my older sunfire did (I've already scratched the paint by leaning against the car once for a few seconds while drying the roof).

06-08-2006, 08:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
Shaun Carollo Slave to Swirls Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Burbs of "the D" Posts: 201	Re: Euro Clear Coat hard/soft discussion I vote for hard. My mom's blue 325 ci had moderate buffer swirls after being hit with PG on a wool pad via rotary. Followed up with OP on a polishing pad, that seemed to clear everything up. As for Honda, I don't know who manufactures their paints, but they are the biggest pain to keep swirl free. -Shaun __________________ Superior Detailing

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