My woman's sister has a black BMW that's in need of help. Her boyfriend also has a dark blue BMW in need of help. Both are around 2001-2002 year, one is a 3-series, one is a 5-series.

What kind of precautions do I need to consider before looking into doing these two cars? Do BMW's have some special paint that's finicky?

Thanks in advance.

 

From my experience, BMW's standard paint system seems to be harder than most of the domestics that you'll encounter. That said, it'll take a heavier cut, more time, much more patience, and quite a bit of skill to deal with either one of those colors....

I've worked on BMW black - also a 3 series - and it was one of the most challenging cars that I've worked on... It's not rocket science but, in all honesty, it'll take more skill than your average Lumina. To my recollection (I haven't worked on this car in quite some time as the owner moved out of the area), I was using a rotary during most of the polishing.

-RP-

 

Good to know. The girl (black car) doesn't care much for her paint. Her's would be a good test of what I can do with the DA. Her boyfriend on the other hand is very protective so I'd need to be confident before even talking to him about it.

Thanks as always RP.

 

I have worked on 2 BMW's. One Black 5 series and 1 Blue 3 Series.

The black one was very hard to work on, but it it was mostly due to how bad the car was taken care of. It had lots of scuff and buff on it from "Maco". I did the best I could.

The 3 series was new. But still difficult to work on. I hit it with Optimum Polish, EX-P and S100.

 

Nice face... Neither car needs anything too aggressive. Just a good polish, seal, and wax. What did it take on the DA that was different from any other car? Was it a pressure thing, or just working the product in more?

 

What did it take? Patience and skill as RockPick pointed out.

 

Hmm, I did a buddies brand new Black 335i. It was brand new but that doesn't mean anything with this guy. I did notice the paint to be a little harder to work but I was able to get everything out with not too much work.

 

Think BMW is hard, try Corvette

 

where have you been hiding?

 

back to school.

 

Not that this will answer your specific question, but it may provide you guys with some background details. Later model BMW's use powder coating for their clear coat as opposed to a (liquid) spray clear coat as used by most other manufacturers. Generally speaking, powder coating provides a harder finish than most conventional sprayed on paints. It also helps avoid the orange peel effect that most of us have to one degree or another.

 

I've got one lined up for early spring... will report back.

 

Hope it doesnt look like this, http://www.mustangmods.com/ims/u/1301/8877/220832.jpg

If so, I can tell you a PC wont touch it. After attempting to correct that paint, I learned how to use a rotary.

 

My 89 corvette has hard clear coat. I am going to tackle it again in a month or so. I need to build up some patience before I start to work on it.

Kevin

 

Actually... it's something along those lines from what I've seen of it. I had already planned on my Makita being the primary weapon.