BMW 2 Series detailing in Houston

What we watch for

Paint and interior on the 2 Series

Paint and exterior

Short overhangs and a long hood put most of the bug and chip damage on a small nose. Alpine White and Black Sapphire are common, and the deep intakes on M Sport bumpers hold bug remains and old wax that a quick wash leaves behind.

Interior

Sensatec on most cars, Vernasca leather as an option. The rear seats are small, so the cabin stays cleaner than a family car's, but the driver's bolster wears from sliding in and out of a low seat.

Living in Houston

Plenty of 2 Series coupes are weekend cars kept in a garage in Cinco Ranch or Towne Lake. That keeps the sun off, but dust under a car cover rubs in soft swirls over a summer.

• Hard clear coat: swirls take more cutting to remove, so correction is slower, but a corrected finish holds up well afterwards.
• Black and dark colors are common: they show swirls, water spots and pollen film first, and benefit most from a coating.
• Synthetic leather: it does not need conditioner, just a gentle cleaner and a matte protectant so it does not go shiny.
• Piano-black trim: it scratches if you look at it, so it gets plush microfiber only and can be polished and coated.