Advice on what to do before pickup

marie-louise · 06-03-2006, 07:37 PM

I've been reading through the archives about Zaino and clear coat bras. Is the very best time to do this before I get it from the dealer? (One thread mentioned putting Zaino on before taking it on a long drive from the Performance Center.)

I am not a DIY'er, nor do I want to become one. (I know, I know...) I am willing to pay someone to do this for me.

So, assuming I'm going to be taking this to someone to do anyway, what ideally should get done when the finish is pristine?

picus · 06-03-2006, 08:10 PM

You'll want to do the clear bra asap because if you get a stone chip before it's on it'll bother you forever.

Zaino is just a synthetic paint sealant (a wax alternative), so you will want to use it (or another sealant too) within the first few days/weeks of owning, but not having it on their immediately isn't going to hurt anything.

Krockit · 06-03-2006, 09:43 PM

Pay attention to the build date of your car. You really shouldn't apply any wax products or sealants to the newly painted surfaces for 60 days. After this time, have at it. I'd suggest checking around your area for speciality shops that do high-end restorations or body work on Porsche, BMW, MB, etc. Check with the local chapters of owner's clubs. Have the car professionally cleaned, glazed and waxxed once per yr.

picus · 06-03-2006, 10:08 PM

That used to be true, but since manufacturers started baking paint in the factory it's actually OK to wax/seal as soon as you accept delivery. Because manufacturers are able to bake the cars at such a high temperature (unlike body shops, which need to bake at lower tempatures because the car has trim on it) all solvents will have been burned off. The 60 day advice does hold true for any re-paints though!

Desert Bimmer · 06-04-2006, 09:10 PM

It's a good question. I'm wondering if you put the zaino applications on first, then put the clear coverings afterwards? I see that the dealer offers the clear covers..is that the only place we can get them?

picus · 06-05-2006, 02:03 PM

You don't put a sealant or wax down before the bra; if you do it won't matter because the bra installer will use alcohol and water to strip anything on the paint anyway. There are tons of 3rd party bra installers; check local listings (yellow pages) or talk to local car guys/dealers - you'll often find they can install it much cheaper, just be sure to demand a quality job. No rough edges, no bubbles, wrap the edges if they can (so they're wrapped into the seams) and so on.

Ghunger · 06-05-2006, 02:07 PM

Most the time the dealer outsources the clear bra to a near by shop anyway. My CA told me which place they use and told me I should just go to them directly to get a better deal.

Desert Bimmer · 06-05-2006, 05:56 PM

That sounds like a plan guys--thanks. So where is a good but inexpensive place to buy the clear bra? From the dealer or are there any alternative sources?

Desert Bimmer · 06-05-2006, 06:19 PM

I got quoted $795 for parts and installation here in Tucson from a local tint shop and the same price for the BMW dealership up in Phoenix. The dealer offered a 5-year warranty and the shop in Tucson offered a 1-year. What do you guys think? Too much? Worth it?

DLJJ3399 · 06-05-2006, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert Bimmer

I got quoted $795 for parts and installation here in Tucson from a local tint shop and the same price for the BMW dealership up in Phoenix. The dealer offered a 5-year warranty and the shop in Tucson offered a 1-year. What do you guys think? Too much? Worth it?

I paid around the same price $850 I think. I got it from the dealership because they guaranteed it for the life of the car.

I'm not a DIY person either but I Zaino'd my car about 3 weeks ago. It's really very easy.

I recommend DIY so you can learn what and how this product works on your car, for easy touch ups and future maintenance. Good luck!

06-03-2006, 07:37 PM	#1
marie-louise Enlisted Member 3 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 325i Join Date: May 2006 Location: Oakland, CA iTrader: (0)	Advice on what to do before pickup I've been reading through the archives about Zaino and clear coat bras. Is the very best time to do this before I get it from the dealer? (One thread mentioned putting Zaino on before taking it on a long drive from the Performance Center.) I am not a DIY'er, nor do I want to become one. (I know, I know...) I am willing to pay someone to do this for me. So, assuming I'm going to be taking this to someone to do anyway, what ideally should get done when the finish is pristine? __________________ 325i Arctic w/ Beige leather & Poplar Trim; Premium Package/ Sports Package; Manual transmission; Xenon headlights; iDrive; heated seats, Comfort Access, Park Assist Ordered 5/3; picked up at SF Bay Area dealer 6/28 (55 days)
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06-03-2006, 08:10 PM	#2
picus Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	You'll want to do the clear bra asap because if you get a stone chip before it's on it'll bother you forever. Zaino is just a synthetic paint sealant (a wax alternative), so you will want to use it (or another sealant too) within the first few days/weeks of owning, but not having it on their immediately isn't going to hurt anything.
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06-03-2006, 09:43 PM	#3
Krockit Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 06 330i, 03 Boxster Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	Pay attention to the build date of your car. You really shouldn't apply any wax products or sealants to the newly painted surfaces for 60 days. After this time, have at it. I'd suggest checking around your area for speciality shops that do high-end restorations or body work on Porsche, BMW, MB, etc. Check with the local chapters of owner's clubs. Have the car professionally cleaned, glazed and waxxed once per yr. __________________ Ordered- 4/6, Pro#- 4/8, Vin#- 4/15, Build date- 4/17, Completion date- 4/25, At port- 5/2, Loaded @ Bremerhaven- 5/4, on the water- 5/5, docked NYC- 5/18, Docked SC and released to carrier- 5/23, arrived Milwaukee -5/25! YEAH BROTHER! Drove it home- 5/31 330i SG/Beige 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, Comfort Access, Htd seats, Sirius, 35% tint.
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06-03-2006, 10:08 PM	#4
picus Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	That used to be true, but since manufacturers started baking paint in the factory it's actually OK to wax/seal as soon as you accept delivery. Because manufacturers are able to bake the cars at such a high temperature (unlike body shops, which need to bake at lower tempatures because the car has trim on it) all solvents will have been burned off. The 60 day advice does hold true for any re-paints though!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-04-2006, 09:10 PM	#5
Desert Bimmer Sand lover! 13 Rep 149 Posts Drives: 2006--E90, Graphite Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tucson, Arizona (USA) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	It's a good question. I'm wondering if you put the zaino applications on first, then put the clear coverings afterwards? I see that the dealer offers the clear covers..is that the only place we can get them? __________________ '06 E90, SG, Premium/Sport, Steptronic, xenons, black leather w/burl trim, Sirius.
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06-05-2006, 02:03 PM	#6
picus Brigadier General 125 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	You don't put a sealant or wax down before the bra; if you do it won't matter because the bra installer will use alcohol and water to strip anything on the paint anyway. There are tons of 3rd party bra installers; check local listings (yellow pages) or talk to local car guys/dealers - you'll often find they can install it much cheaper, just be sure to demand a quality job. No rough edges, no bubbles, wrap the edges if they can (so they're wrapped into the seams) and so on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-05-2006, 02:07 PM	#7
Ghunger Major 52 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	Most the time the dealer outsources the clear bra to a near by shop anyway. My CA told me which place they use and told me I should just go to them directly to get a better deal. __________________ 330i Monaco Blue, Terra /w aluminum trim, SP, PP, CA, PDC, Nav, Folding Seats, Sat Prep European Delivery Blog Picture Gallery
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06-05-2006, 05:56 PM	#8
Desert Bimmer Sand lover! 13 Rep 149 Posts Drives: 2006--E90, Graphite Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tucson, Arizona (USA) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	That sounds like a plan guys--thanks. So where is a good but inexpensive place to buy the clear bra? From the dealer or are there any alternative sources? __________________ '06 E90, SG, Premium/Sport, Steptronic, xenons, black leather w/burl trim, Sirius.
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06-05-2006, 06:19 PM	#9
Desert Bimmer Sand lover! 13 Rep 149 Posts Drives: 2006--E90, Graphite Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tucson, Arizona (USA) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I got quoted $795 for parts and installation here in Tucson from a local tint shop and the same price for the BMW dealership up in Phoenix. The dealer offered a 5-year warranty and the shop in Tucson offered a 1-year. What do you guys think? Too much? Worth it? __________________ '06 E90, SG, Premium/Sport, Steptronic, xenons, black leather w/burl trim, Sirius.
	Appreciate 0 Quote