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      12-28-2014, 02:40 PM   #1
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M3/M4 Paint Quality

I had heard that BMW paint on new M4 was ridiculously soft and I have now noticed dullness to paint left where bird poo was. Can't get rid of it!
Tried shampoo +++
Not ideal as it is in the nature of birds to do their business on our cars!
Any ideas?!
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      12-28-2014, 02:50 PM   #2
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bird shit is acidic...it will etch the clear coat if not removed right away...only way is to buff it out with a machine
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      12-28-2014, 03:21 PM   #3
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Yep, if you don't get bird poo off fast, that's what happens. It will etch your clearcoat.
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      12-28-2014, 03:28 PM   #4
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Yup, liquid surface protectants can help or you can go with something like C quartz or opti-coat.

If you care, keep a microfiber and quick detailer and/or bird poo remover.

More info here:http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...oop-stain.html
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      12-28-2014, 04:42 PM   #5
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Bird dropping will etch and mark ANY paint on any car... nothing to do with soft BMW paint (or more correctly, clear coat ).

You can remove the dullness with an abrasive polish and orbital buffer (maybe by hand if it isn't bad) but washing it won't do much.
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      12-28-2014, 06:58 PM   #6
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It is soft. My M3 has 2000 miles and already has numerous chips on the front bumper. I noticed a few at 1200 miles as well. Unfortunately it is because of the hippies and water-based paint.
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      12-28-2014, 07:17 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Accel Junky View Post
It is soft. My M3 has 2000 miles and already has numerous chips on the front bumper. I noticed a few at 1200 miles as well. Unfortunately it is because of the hippies and water-based paint.
Xpel!

This is going to be my first "mod" right after the new year. I've had the car for almost a week and it only has 50 miles (from driving it home and a few in my neighborhood) because I refuse to take it out and enjoy it until I can get it protected.
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      12-29-2014, 10:24 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gthal View Post
Bird dropping will etch and mark ANY paint on any car... nothing to do with soft BMW paint (or more correctly, clear coat ).
^Yep and for the real reason why check out: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/...-your-car.html so this would also apply to mud or any other substance left on the paintwork
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      12-29-2014, 10:31 AM   #9
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Just seriously washed my ~5,000 mile m3 and noticed rock chips on: one rear wheel well IN FRONT of the wheel but above the plastic protective coating, a few on the front bumper, none on the hood, and one on the front fender.

The bumper doesn't bother me much, but I dislike rock chips on metal parts. At least they are aluminum, so I don't have to worry about rust on those pieces, but still.

It's not the end of the world though: Come spring I'll do a full detail and touch up any rock chips. But I am concerned about winter/winter salt/rocks as this becomes the most brutal time of year.
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      12-29-2014, 10:58 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeFromPA View Post
Just seriously washed my ~5,000 mile m3 and noticed rock chips on: one rear wheel well IN FRONT of the wheel but above the plastic protective coating, a few on the front bumper, none on the hood, and one on the front fender.

The bumper doesn't bother me much, but I dislike rock chips on metal parts. At least they are aluminum, so I don't have to worry about rust on those pieces, but still.

It's not the end of the world though: Come spring I'll do a full detail and touch up any rock chips. But I am concerned about winter/winter salt/rocks as this becomes the most brutal time of year.
after only 200 miles with my 15mm spacers I had multiple rock chips on the rear fender about the film. i touched them up and applied expel in a much larger area there and have a little more piece of mind now.
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      12-29-2014, 11:54 AM   #11
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Hmm, good consideration re: spacers. I'm running stock 18s and then a winter setup that's actually a bit more inwards than stock, so I doubt I'm kicking up more, but that's a good reason to be leery of spacers...but they look so good
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      12-30-2014, 12:05 AM   #12
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Since my last car (06 335 e92) I've always added dealer added paint protection to my car. I've done the same for my new F80 M3. What I've found with paint protection is that after 6 years after every wash the car looks brand new. It does appear to add extra defense to the standard paint resistance. It's obvious when looking at the beading after each wash.
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      12-30-2014, 08:28 AM   #13
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Meguiar's Ultimate Compound saves the day. Black M4. Bird Lime etching 90% gone. Very impressive.
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      01-30-2015, 11:55 AM   #14
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F80 M3 Paint Quality

I was looking at my car yesterday and noticed that the paint job (SSII) looks like it was rushed or maybe not enough layers of paint was put on. I can also see the orange peel that people have been talking about especially while sitting inside the car and looking at the hood bulge area.

I remember one member took the paint right off the car around his front bumper when he washed it with do it yourself car wash. Anybody else disappointed in there paint job, or am I completely wrong about this.

Don't get me wrong I love the color of my M3, but something is different from my previous BMW'S.
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      01-30-2015, 11:57 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by secretariat View Post
I was looking at my car yesterday and noticed that the paint job (SSII) looks like it was rushed or maybe not enough layers of paint was put on. I can also see the orange peel that people have been talking about especially while sitting inside the car and looking at the hood bulge area.

I remember one member took the paint right off the car around his front bumper when he washed it with do it yourself car wash. Anybody else disappointed in there paint job, or am I completely wrong about this.

Don't get me wrong I love the color of my M3, but something is different from my previous BMW'S.
Orange Peel is a factory BMW option. Cannot deselect
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      01-30-2015, 12:01 PM   #16
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Yeah I forgot about selecting the orange peel, thanks for reminding me.
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      01-30-2015, 12:09 PM   #17
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The best answer I've read is that it is different form past cars due to environmental regulations/concerns. I believe they switched from oil based to a water based paint and it is thinner as well. Not so thin though that I've heard of somebody taking it off in a self serve car wash. That is a new one.
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      01-30-2015, 12:15 PM   #18
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You would think M's would get a little different QC and better grade of paint & application. Wonder if this happens further up the M line?
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      01-30-2015, 12:20 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minn19 View Post
The best answer I've read is that it is different form past cars due to environmental regulations/concerns. I believe they switched from oil based to a water based paint and it is thinner as well. Not so thin though that I've heard of somebody taking it off in a self serve car wash. That is a new one.
BMW is indeed using a water based paint now. I just got back from the Munich plant and this fact was stated. In fact in the plant tour you can see how the paint is applied. To be honest as I stood there watching the robots painting the final coat (right after primer) I thought to my self, boy that doesn't seem like a lot of paint or a long process. Couldn't have been more then 1.5 minutes of paint from the robots. But then again, I don't know anything about painting a car; I just naturally assumed it would take longer. Each of the 4 steps took about a little over minute maybe a bit longer. I followed the chassis from one station to another through the paint booths. Couldn't have been more then 2 minutes per station tops.
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      01-30-2015, 12:25 PM   #20
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minn19, the member took the pressure washer from the do it yourself car wash and seemed to apply it for a little too long on the front bumper removing the paint. He showed pictures of it.

Water based paint seems to make a lot of sense, it is thinner for sure. Which means it will come off easier. I wish the nannies would leave us alone.
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      01-30-2015, 12:30 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by secretariat View Post
minn19, the member took the pressure washer from the do it yourself car wash and seemed to apply it for a little too long on the front bumper removing the paint. He showed pictures of it.

Water based paint seems to make a lot of sense, it is thinner for sure. Which means it will come off easier. I wish the nannies would leave us alone.
Sorry, I wasn't trying to come off in a way that was disputing that it happened. I just had not heard of it before.

Paint delamination is not a new thing and many issues can cause it. I remember in the late 80s/90s GM had a hell of a time trying to fix it.
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      01-30-2015, 12:34 PM   #22
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Almost every manufacturer uses water based paint today as far as I know. Maybe someone like Rolls Royce doesn't, IDK.

The member who removed paint was using a very high pressure spray nozzle and got too close to his bumper and peeled off some paint. It may have been the hose was too high pressure, he got too close, the angle was just right to get under it, the bumper paint wasn't cured right, etc.....but it's not because BMW does a sub-standard paint job.

Orange peel is related to the thickness of the clearcoat application (usually). When you see alot of orange peel, usually it means the clearcoat there is quite thick.

Thicker clearcoat lasts better, avoids actual scratches better, avoids chipped paint better, has better UV lifespan, has better ability to resist acid (think bird poop), and a number of other benefits. Yes, detailers don't like the look of it - but everyday people get a better experience with thicker clearcoat.

Also, orange peel can be rectified or mitigated with wet sanding. It's alot of work and you are literally removing clearcoat in order to get a level non-textured surface, but it can be done by many competent folks or even as a DIY job.
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