Ugh

resdm50 · 12-16-2011, 05:48 PM

Just noticed the following damage on my car, at first I thought it was dust or wax residue, but it appears to be small chips. The pic below is on the inside of the side skirt directly behind the front wheel, but this is duplicated behind the wheels on all four corners. My questions are -

a) is there anyway to repair this damage without a full repaint?
b) is this common on M3s? (mine is relatively low mileage)
c) Do you guys normally protect this area? (inner wheel well area as shown)

THE TECH · 12-16-2011, 06:08 PM

Seems like a common spot on the Ms. It all depends how picky you want to be about the repair and how many, if any, chips there are outside that area. Talk to your favorite local body shop to see what they suggest. After the repairs are done you might wanna consider a clear bra to protect those areas in the future.

MKE_M3 · 12-16-2011, 06:10 PM

I believe the fender is plastic, so you shouldn't need to worry about rust. No matter what you do to protect you'll have issues as the wheels will always kick up stones and what not.

MKE_M3 · 12-16-2011, 06:10 PM

probably perfect canidate for touch up paint as you can't see it easily and there are no rust concerns

SchnellM3 · 12-16-2011, 08:03 PM

Common issue especially if the roads you travel have a lot of gravel on them.

For chips like that you could try the Dr. Colorchip repair kits they are a pretty easy DIY and not expensive.

Chris M4CS · 12-16-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchnellM3

For chips like that you could try the Dr. Colorchip repair kits they are a pretty easy DIY and not expensive.

I agree! The DR Colorchip is the best DIY touchup kit out there.

1MOREMOD · 12-16-2011, 10:50 PM

thats what the entire front end of my car as well as the wheel areas and side skirts looks like. its inevitable and the track really helps speed up the process.

F9T · 12-16-2011, 11:03 PM

Yeah, that is very common. Most everyone has that unless they have a clear bra. Don't worry about it and just enjoy your car!

BMW Fanatic · 12-16-2011, 11:17 PM

If you're worried about this, then you don't wanna look on the underside right at the front of your car.

Don't worry about it, enjoy the car!

gblansten · 12-16-2011, 11:28 PM

That's good advice.

CBS · 12-17-2011, 09:48 AM

Agreed, enjoy your car! Life's too short.

But if it really bothers you than repair it and then clearbra (film).

Mr. ///M3 RD · 12-17-2011, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchnellM3

Common issue especially if the roads you travel have a lot of gravel on them.

For chips like that you could try the Dr. Colorchip repair kits they are a pretty easy DIY and not expensive.

This ... ^^^ and stay clear of roads with gravel or other types of debris on them like freshly resurfaced asphalt

Another suggestion would be to get the areas lined with clear bra like 3M ... I had the 3M bra on my former M3 on the front bumper and the front section of the hood to protect it from stone ships. The only draw back here is that there will be a slight difference in colour still hardly noticeable to the naked eye.

mmmpowered · 12-17-2011, 12:43 PM

Another vote for Dr. Color chip. That stuff is awesome and the color match is spot on. So spot on that I'm going to see about getting a larger quantity of the stuff to have new body parts sprayed with. Even the "best" bodyshop in town couldn't get my new bumper to match 100% perfect after two tries. This stuff is 110%.

I had an unfortunate incident with one of those damn plastic speed bumps with square edges...scraped/gouged about the first 2' of my sideskirt behind the front wheel. Thought I was going to need bondo/sand/repaint. An hour with Dr. Color chip and I don't even notice when I wash my car now.

resdm50 · 12-17-2011, 12:55 PM

Thanks again for the advice so far guys. I actually do have a clear bra installed on the bumper, hood, fenders, etc. But it doesn't wrap around or extend to the inside portion of the wheel well shown in the photo. I'm not sure I've actually seen any kits that do. Does anyone have protection on this inner portion, or is it something I'll just have to live with?

LTJohn · 12-17-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by resdm50

Thanks again for the advice so far guys. I actually do have a clear bra installed on the bumper, hood, fenders, etc. But it doesn't wrap around or extend to the inside portion of the wheel well shown in the photo. I'm not sure I've actually seen any kits that do. Does anyone have protection on this inner portion, or is it something I'll just have to live with?

You can just have the installer wrap that area for you. probably not now, though. Dr. Colorchip works wonders, but I don't think the clearbra will stick well to it. I needs to be a rather smooth surface to work well.

Just be sure on you next car to wrap the area. i learned the hard way too.

apecush · 12-17-2011, 06:16 PM

I put a layer of vinyl behind the wheel wells for the winter and spring (until the gravel is cleaned up). Since it was diy in a cold garage, it doesn't look that great in a few places, but once the car is dirty, you can't notice.

resdm50 · 12-17-2011, 06:58 PM

Welp, lesson learned then I guess.

Is there any way at all that I can fully repair this without repainting everything? If not, then I guess I will be re-painting both skirts and the rear bumper...

shay2nak · 12-18-2011, 12:25 AM

i wouldn't worry about that. If you wanted to stop it from getting worse, maybe get some starshield.

resdm50 · 12-19-2011, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shay2nak

i wouldn't worry about that. If you wanted to stop it from getting worse, maybe get some starshield.

Yeah, if I didn't get it repaired though, it would bother me for the rest of my ownership, lol. Does anyone know how much it would cost to repaint both rockers and the rear bumper?

CeeP · 12-19-2011, 12:18 PM

Find a reputable mobile paint guy and they'll be able to paint and blend it. I have a great one out here in CA that filled in a strange dent and painted a scratch down to the primer on my wife's car. Looks brand new and I haven't noticed any weird paint or color issues in the two years I've been staring at it.

If anyone in the bay area needs touch up, this guy does great work.

http://www.lmcartouchup.com/

resdm50 · 12-20-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CeeP

Find a reputable mobile paint guy and they'll be able to paint and blend it. I have a great one out here in CA that filled in a strange dent and painted a scratch down to the primer on my wife's car. Looks brand new and I haven't noticed any weird paint or color issues in the two years I've been staring at it.

If anyone in the bay area needs touch up, this guy does great work.

http://www.lmcartouchup.com/

Thanks, I'll see if I can find one. I would really hate to pay $1000+ to have the bumper and rockers repainted, so this might be a good compromise.

12-16-2011, 05:48 PM	#1
resdm50 New Member 5 Rep 18 Posts Drives: Genesis Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Ugh - What can I do about this damage? Just noticed the following damage on my car, at first I thought it was dust or wax residue, but it appears to be small chips. The pic below is on the inside of the side skirt directly behind the front wheel, but this is duplicated behind the wheels on all four corners. My questions are - a) is there anyway to repair this damage without a full repaint? b) is this common on M3s? (mine is relatively low mileage) c) Do you guys normally protect this area? (inner wheel well area as shown)
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12-16-2011, 06:08 PM	#2
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	Seems like a common spot on the Ms. It all depends how picky you want to be about the repair and how many, if any, chips there are outside that area. Talk to your favorite local body shop to see what they suggest. After the repairs are done you might wanna consider a clear bra to protect those areas in the future.
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12-16-2011, 06:10 PM	#3
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	I believe the fender is plastic, so you shouldn't need to worry about rust. No matter what you do to protect you'll have issues as the wheels will always kick up stones and what not. __________________
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12-16-2011, 06:10 PM	#4
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	probably perfect canidate for touch up paint as you can't see it easily and there are no rust concerns __________________
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12-16-2011, 08:03 PM	#5
SchnellM3 Digger 205 Rep 2,619 Posts Drives: 03 E46 M3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pa iTrader: (5) Garage List 2003 BMW E46 M3 Tra ... [8.00] 2009 BMW E92 M3 [8.30] 2009 Yamaha R1 (FOR ... [9.50]	Common issue especially if the roads you travel have a lot of gravel on them. For chips like that you could try the Dr. Colorchip repair kits they are a pretty easy DIY and not expensive. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 /// Melbourne Red /// Fox Red /// M DKG Full Innotech Exhaust - DINAN Intake - IND Engine Bay Appearance - IND Hand Stitched Boot Covers - and much more....
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12-16-2011, 10:50 PM	#7
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	thats what the entire front end of my car as well as the wheel areas and side skirts looks like. its inevitable and the track really helps speed up the process. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
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12-16-2011, 11:03 PM	#8
F9T Captain 76 Rep 724 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	Yeah, that is very common. Most everyone has that unless they have a clear bra. Don't worry about it and just enjoy your car!
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12-16-2011, 11:17 PM	#9
BMW Fanatic Banned 135 Rep 3,293 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Calgary iTrader: (11)	If you're worried about this, then you don't wanna look on the underside right at the front of your car. Don't worry about it, enjoy the car!
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12-16-2011, 11:28 PM	#10
gblansten Brigadier General 1967 Rep 4,213 Posts Drives: 23 Tesla S Plaid Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Thick ascending limb iTrader: (0)	That's good advice.
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12-17-2011, 09:48 AM	#11
CBS Major 87 Rep 1,253 Posts Drives: F10535, E90M3, E30M3, E28M5 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Alpina B6 GC [0.00] 2014 535xi M Sport [0.00] 2014 X3 3.5 M Sport [0.00] 2011 M3 E90 [9.74] 2007 Z4 M Coupe [7.00] 1990 M3 [9.50] 1988 M5 [10.00]	Agreed, enjoy your car! Life's too short. But if it really bothers you than repair it and then clearbra (film). __________________ ESS VT-1 550 \| M24 Oil Cooler \| Fall Line Half Cage \| RaceTech 4009W \| 6 pt Harness \| Lifeline Zero 360 Fire Suppression \| Rear Seat Delete \| Motion Control DA Dampers w/remote reservoirs \| 900/650 Hyperco Springs \| RD Sport Sway Bars \| Brembo 380 BBK \| GC Camber Plates \| Hoosier R7 \| Eisenmann Sport \| Stack Gauges \| Painted Challenge Front Lip \| Painted ZCP Rear Spoiler \| Xpel Ultimate Film \| LuxAngelEyes
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12-17-2011, 12:43 PM	#13
mmmpowered Private First Class 6 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 08 M3 Coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Left Coast iTrader: (1)	Another vote for Dr. Color chip. That stuff is awesome and the color match is spot on. So spot on that I'm going to see about getting a larger quantity of the stuff to have new body parts sprayed with. Even the "best" bodyshop in town couldn't get my new bumper to match 100% perfect after two tries. This stuff is 110%. I had an unfortunate incident with one of those damn plastic speed bumps with square edges...scraped/gouged about the first 2' of my sideskirt behind the front wheel. Thought I was going to need bondo/sand/repaint. An hour with Dr. Color chip and I don't even notice when I wash my car now. __________________ Last edited by mmmpowered; 12-17-2011 at 12:48 PM..
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12-17-2011, 12:55 PM	#14
resdm50 New Member 5 Rep 18 Posts Drives: Genesis Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Thanks again for the advice so far guys. I actually do have a clear bra installed on the bumper, hood, fenders, etc. But it doesn't wrap around or extend to the inside portion of the wheel well shown in the photo. I'm not sure I've actually seen any kits that do. Does anyone have protection on this inner portion, or is it something I'll just have to live with?
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12-17-2011, 06:16 PM	#16
apecush Lieutenant 30 Rep 521 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (2)	I put a layer of vinyl behind the wheel wells for the winter and spring (until the gravel is cleaned up). Since it was diy in a cold garage, it doesn't look that great in a few places, but once the car is dirty, you can't notice.
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12-17-2011, 06:58 PM	#17
resdm50 New Member 5 Rep 18 Posts Drives: Genesis Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Welp, lesson learned then I guess. Is there any way at all that I can fully repair this without repainting everything? If not, then I guess I will be re-painting both skirts and the rear bumper...
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12-18-2011, 12:25 AM	#18
shay2nak smoke if ya got 'em 1070 Rep 2,179 Posts Drives: F80 M3/Lotus Exige/500 Abarth Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Calipornia iTrader: (0)	i wouldn't worry about that. If you wanted to stop it from getting worse, maybe get some starshield.
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12-19-2011, 12:18 PM	#20
CeeP Enlisted Member 14 Rep 33 Posts Drives: Silver e92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South SF Bay iTrader: (0)	Find a reputable mobile paint guy and they'll be able to paint and blend it. I have a great one out here in CA that filled in a strange dent and painted a scratch down to the primer on my wife's car. Looks brand new and I haven't noticed any weird paint or color issues in the two years I've been staring at it. If anyone in the bay area needs touch up, this guy does great work. http://www.lmcartouchup.com/
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