Here are some tips from BMW World and professional detailers...

Waxing

Liquid Carnauba waxes only last a few weeks. Carnauba paste waxes last a couple of months with pampering. Even paint sealants will only endure six months of washing. Because wax protection is essential to guard against UV damage, wax often and wash by hand with a mild shampoo. No wax can withstand automated car washes.

A true wax is essentially a protective coating with a little color enhancing. A smooth, flawless shine can be achieved by pre-cleaning the paint before applying the wax. Swirls, light scratches, and oxidized paint are major causes of dull paint. Swirl removers that utilize mild abrasives, can safely and easily remove surface contaminants. Once they are removed, the paint regains its depth and gloss. Then wax is applied to keep it that way.

Convertible Top

If you have a stain on your convertible top, start with a fabric spot remover, let it soak for a few minutes, scrub it with a stiff brush, and finish with a strong dilution of a professional-strength carpet/fabric shampoo. If this does not completely remove the stain, add a little kitchen cleanser (the powdered kind containing bleach), scrub with the brush, let stand a few minutes, and rinse. When the top is dry, spray with a fabric guard product every two months. This will protect the fabric from UV damage, future stains, and make it water resistant.

Mothers Convertible Top Cleaner (16 oz.) Ultra high sudsing convertible top and vinyl cleaner. This unique pH balanced formula safely deep cleans all fabrics. Whether vinyl or cloth, MOTHERS CONVERTIBLE TOP CLEANER will help remove embedded dirt and soil with ultra sudsing action. The pH balanced formula is great for frequent use, with no harsh chemicals to risk damaging paint surfaces or stitching. Unlike those harsh bleach-based products, MOTHERS CONVERTIBLE TOP CLEANER is safe for all colors.

Cleaning Windows

Oily fumes are released as vinyl ages. Try to scrub the surface. Then apply a water-based vinyl protectant to the dash. The protectant will seal the dash, and prevent additional UV damage. Never use a solvent-based dressing on an auto's interior since it will only speed the deterioration.

Clean the windows after cleaning everything else inside the car. This will prevent soiling of the windows while doing the dirty work of cleaning door panels, headliners, etc. Do your interior dressing and conditioning after window cleaning.

When cleaning windows, first lower the windows slightly and clean the top edge of the window pane. Then fully close and clean the remainder of the window.

Clear Coat Finishes

"Clear coat" is nothing more than non-pigmented paint. It was originally designed to protect metallic paints, but it is now applied to all colors. It is extremely thin, and it is easily scratched. Never rub the paint with abrasive compounds, or anything that holds dust or soil. This includes dusters, nylon brushes, wash mitts, natural chamois, heavy car covers, and bras. Instead, use cotton towels, natural sea sponges, clear coat-safe paint levelers, light washable car covers, and chip-resistant tape. Maintain the clear coat with a high-quality wax applied four times a year, a light surface polish twice a year, and always wash by hand.

There are many ways to distinguish between clear coat and conventional paint. An easy way to tell is to take a small amount of polishing compound on a white rag and rub a small and inconspicuous painted area of the vehicle. If the color of the vehicle comes off on the rag, the paint is conventional. If not, it is most likely clear coat.

Auto Bras

Auto bras can cause a tremendous amount of paint damage!

They trap dust and grit, and they vibrate in the wind. At its worst, it's like rubbing your paint with sandpaper. Auto bras can also cause uneven fading because the paint under the bra is not exposed to the sun.

So how can you protect your car from road chips? You can safely protect your car's paint with a new type of clear plastic tape. The tape is nearly invisible, extremely durable, it can be used anywhere, and it can be removed at any time. BMW dealers carry this product for most makes and models.

Engine Bay

Always wear safety goggles and an apron to keep clean and protected.

Clean the engine bay before washing the vehicle so that any grease and dirt that lands on the vehicle during engine bay cleaning will simply be washed off during the wash step.

Use a fender protector or drape wet towels over the front fenders to protect the paint from the spotting and streaking that can occur when using strong cleaners and degreasers. This also protects the finish from scratching while you lean over the fenders to work on the engine bay. Watches, jewelry and belt buckles can also cause scratches.

The computer and electronic modules of many BMW’s are located in a separate compartment in the upper left- or right-hand corners of the engine bay. Keep water out of this area to reduce the possibility of damage to these vital engine components. You can wipe them with a damp towel to clean off any dirt or dust.

A dressed BMW engine looks incredible, but it can also attract dust very quickly. Be sure to wipe off any excess dressing with a clean towel.

Should you steam clean your engine? Click here!

One of the easiest and most effective ways to improve the appearance of your vehicle is to apply a high-quality protectant. Leave it to Zymol to produce the best protectant! Perfect for your BMW!

Rich, natural Zymol Protectant yields long lasting shine and protection to automotive rubber, vinyl, wood, leather. It restores the natural luster and supple feel while providing exceptional protection and shine. Concentrated formula is pure protectant with no added water. It beautifies and enhances color white leaving a fresh natural scent. Zymol Protectant is made with premium ingredients that are all natural. Contains an exclusive U.V. ray inhibitor, nourishing Shea Butter from the African Karite Tree and Balsam Copaiba, a rare conditioning ingredient that is cultivated in the Amazon rain forest.