derBayerische September/October 2021 - 30

Outdoor Winter Prep
A
s a native Southern California car guy, I faced a dreaded dilemma - my
2017 BMW X3, purchased new, garage kept, and detailed lovingly and
frequently with my preferred Mothers Car Care products, was now going
to be parked outdoors.
Actually, this X3 was no longer mine, but it was staying in the family.
We were gifting it to our oldest daughter; she was living in an apartment with
neither a garage nor covered parking.
Coming from an area where 330 days out of the year the temperatures
varied between 68F and 72F, the East Coast weather patterns were quite a shock.
While advertised as having four seasons, car people know that the East Coast
roads actually have only two - winter and construction. Watching the headlight
lenses on our 2007 X5 turn from clear to a cloudy yellow after one winter in
Philadelphia illustrated the harsh effects of
the snow and ice-removal chemicals.
Having to replace a number of cracked
windshields illustrated the lack of care
associated with road construction, while
the three bent rims and two destroyed tires
that I replaced showed the attention, or lack
thereof, by the local municipalities to their
road conditions.
With the car in a garage, I could continue
my wash and detail routine in relative
comfort to maintain the vehicle's desired
show-condition shine. However, knowing
that the X3 was now going to live outside,
I needed something to help my daughter
maintain that shine.
A little background before I continue.
I've been involved in the auto
popularity of these products would be so great that the OEMs would
capitalize on that popularity by offering their own while cheapening their
standard offerings. Today's BMW OEM standard floor mats (remember when the
driver's side floor mat had a reinforced area with the BMW logo?) and the
number of upscale, extra cost " BMW Original Equipment " floor mats offered by
BMW dealers illustrates this point.
I DO NOT buy into those overpriced " never wash or wax your car again "
coatings that most every car dealer tries to sell.
Reviewing the Mothers website (https://mothers.com/collections/cmx),
By James Chew
I was intrigued with the prospect of spending an afternoon working on the X3 to
help ensure a " showroom shine " throughout the winter months. So, I chatted
with my friend at Mothers to discuss these products in the context of my
dilemma. He assured me that these were
not " never wax your car again " nor " never
get again get a scratch or stone damage "
types of products, ensuring me that the
vehicle would still require regular washing
to maintain the shine. To convince me of
the benefits, he provided me with some
samples.
The package I received consisted of a
clay bar kit, car wash solution, surface
prep, the coating spray, a three-in-one
polish and coat, ceramic trim restore and
coat, and some microfiber towels. After
reading the instructions and watching the
online video, I felt fully prepared.
As with any car detailing task, prepabusiness
since 1986, consulting for an
OEM. In 1998, while I was still consulting, I initiated the auto section in my
hometown newspaper. During that time I became involved with a new auto
journalist group, known as the Motor Press Guild, and have maintained my full
journalist membership since.
I first became aware of Mothers Car Care products when they participated
(Above) The Main Components of the Mothers CMX Ceramic
Coating Kit.
ration and patience are key. Even with the
best of care, road debris, construction
grime, urban pollution, and bird droppings
(what on earth do the seagulls here eat!?!) take their toll on your vehicle's
exterior. So don't be surprised with the improvement in the shine and
smoothness of the vehicle's exterior after using the wash and the clay bar.
I cannot praise the clay bar enough. It is not intuitively obvious that
in the annual Motor Press Guild Track Test Days at Willow Springs. The Mothers
reps would provide each journalist a full set of their products for use and
evaluation. Later, when I was working for an auto battery company, upon request
I would provide our latest " custom car " batteries free of charge to Mothers and
other aftermarket part companies for use in their show cars during the annual
SEMA show.
The Mothers company story is truly one that exhibits American entrepreneurial
spirit. In my experience, their products are outstanding. From time to
time, I do receive complimentary samples from Mothers. If I find them to my
liking, I'd like my fellow BMW CCA members to be made aware of them, along
with my impressions.
I unexpectedly received a media alert from Mothers, announcing the launch
of their new do-it-yourself CMX Ceramic Coating kit. I have no issue with those
who choose to have their vehicle professionally ceramic coated or have them
professionally covered with some sort of a protective material, but those options
never appealed to me. Having worked for OEMs, I always fear that the
30
rubbing a carefully formulated bar of clay, with a proper liquid for lubrication,
would yield such stunning surface finish results. I've used the clay bar to remove
everything from tree sap to paint overspray, always with the same outstanding
results.
With elbow grease and patience, the CMX ceramic surface prep and then
the CMX ceramic spray coating were applied. I waited 24 hours before applying
a second ceramic coating.
After two months, the shine is holding up quite nicely. I use German Super
Shammies and a bucket of water to wash my vehicles and it's clear that the
surface finish smoothness and shine from the ceramic coated vehicles is just as
good as the carnauba waxed surfaces - without having to wax the vehicle every
three to four weeks!
So, this relatively affordable product so far is providing the promised level
of performance. Of course, we have yet to experience the snow and associated
salt, so we'll reserve our final judgement. But after two months with that selfapplied
coating, I am much more at ease with having our 2017 X3 " live "
outdoors!
derBayerische
https://www.mothers.com/collections/cmx

derBayerische September/October 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of derBayerische September/October 2021

derBayerische September/October 2021 - Intro
derBayerische September/October 2021 - Cover1
derBayerische September/October 2021 - Cover2
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 1
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 2
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 3
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 4
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 5
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 6
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derBayerische September/October 2021 - 8
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 9
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derBayerische September/October 2021 - 14
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derBayerische September/October 2021 - 18
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derBayerische September/October 2021 - 24
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derBayerische September/October 2021 - 30
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 31
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derBayerische September/October 2021 - 33
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 34
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 35
derBayerische September/October 2021 - 36
derBayerische September/October 2021 - Cover3
derBayerische September/October 2021 - Cover4
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