Paint Durability

Kyoshi71 · 08-25-2009, 07:38 AM

Has anyone who has owned mutliple BMWs ever noticed a difference in durability of the finish depending on the color.

The TiAg finish on my '04 was bomb proof but the JB finish on my '07 seemed to be much more delicate (in terms of swirl marks or damage from pebbles). Maybe it's just that you notice so much more on the JB or is it that the metallic additive changes the characteristics of the paint?

Nawaaz · 08-25-2009, 07:44 AM

This is my very first BMW, but I do recognize that this paint is more sensitive and harder to clean compared to the other cars that I've owned in the past.

Overall, it could be better.

foosh · 08-25-2009, 08:08 AM

Black is no different in terms of durability than any other color. What you are seeing is not in the black base coat, but in the clear coat. It is the same clear coat on every color. A dark background makes the swirls and other imperfections in the clear coat more visible. The darker the color, the more you will see.

In the "old days," before 2-stage base/clear finishes became universal, dark colors would fade in the sun more quickly than light colors. Clear top coats eliminated that issue for the most part.

Try this simple little experiment for yourself. Put a black cloth on the floor, and sprinkle some salt on it. Then, try the same thing with a white or light gray cloth.

I don't believe the paint finish on these cars are substantively better or worse than on any other of my many recent cars. In all car forums, this is one of the universal themes. There is always a vocal group who believes that the paint on their particular make is worse than on most other cars. It's the old "grass is always greener on the other side" curse.

Nawaaz · 08-25-2009, 08:14 AM

^ My last car was a Black Evo IX MR, and I felt that paint was more friendly & less sensitive to clean than the IB on my M3.

MMMorish · 08-25-2009, 09:46 AM

The paint on my car is much softer, as is the metal used as well. I just had my first dent removed by a PDR specialist and he told me he's been working on bimmers for almost 20 years and this one is the softest one he's ever touched. Dent came right out, though.

edcvin · 08-25-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foosh

Black is no different in terms of durability than any other color. What you are seeing is not in the black base coat, but in the clear coat. It is the same clear coat on every color. A dark background makes the swirls and other imperfections in the clear coat more visible. The darker the color, the more you will see.

In the "old days," before 2-stage base/clear finishes became universal, dark colors would fade in the sun more quickly than light colors. Clear top coats eliminated that issue for the most part.

Try this simple little experiment for yourself. Put a black cloth on the floor, and sprinkle some salt on it. Then, try the same thing with a white or light gray cloth.

I don't believe the paint finish on these cars are substantively better or worse than on any other of my many recent cars. In all car forums, this is one of the universal themes. There is always a vocal group who believes that the paint on their particular make is worse than on most other cars. It's the old "grass is always greener on the other side" curse.

After being on a couple forum boards..I think you may be on to something here lol.

-Vin

JCtx · 08-25-2009, 11:14 AM

I think the OP is probably comparing the relatively new 'environmentally friendly' paint with the old solvent-based one, which was indeed much durable IMO. And yes, it seems to be as crappy on all cars, so I don't get mad about it anymore.

quality_sound · 08-25-2009, 01:06 PM

The problem with this new water based crap paint everyone has to use is it's harder than old paint so when ANYTHING hits it it chips because there's no give. I've even seen chips from bugs on newer cars.

In the last 3 years I've owned 3 VWs, a Honda, and my wife's had a VW and Jeep. The only one that's faily chip resistant is the Jeep.

Also, because the paint is hard it's very easy to swirl the paint and a bitch to repair it as well.

The environment is better off though, right??? lol

URBAN LEGEND · 08-25-2009, 04:59 PM

I think this coating is super thin.

Griz · 08-25-2009, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quality_sound

In the last 3 years I've owned 3 VWs, a Honda, and my wife's had a VW and Jeep. The only one that's faily chip resistant is the Jeep.

Probably more-so since the car is elevated and has a better chance of passing over debris.

Quote:

Originally Posted by quality_sound

The environment is better off though, right??? lol

Makes up for the 15 MPG, right?

quality_sound · 08-26-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

I think this coating is super thin.

Thin paint would flex more and chip less.

bigjae1976 · 08-26-2009, 01:42 AM

Of course swirlmarks will be a LOT more visible in a darker color like JB than in Tiag which will hide almost anything. Tiag is probably the easiest color to take care of.

Kyoshi71 · 08-26-2009, 11:42 AM

You would be correct

Quote:

Originally Posted by elp_jc

I think the OP is probably comparing the relatively new 'environmentally friendly' paint with the old solvent-based one, which was indeed much durable IMO. And yes, it seems to be as crappy on all cars, so I don't get mad about it anymore.

08-25-2009, 07:38 AM	#1
Kyoshi71 Colonel 93 Rep 2,528 Posts Drives: 2010 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Paint Durability Has anyone who has owned mutliple BMWs ever noticed a difference in durability of the finish depending on the color. The TiAg finish on my '04 was bomb proof but the JB finish on my '07 seemed to be much more delicate (in terms of swirl marks or damage from pebbles). Maybe it's just that you notice so much more on the JB or is it that the metallic additive changes the characteristics of the paint? __________________ "But resist we much; we must; and we will much; about that be committed." ~Rev. Al Sharpton 2010 E92 M3\|Silverstone II\|M-DCT\|NCSW\|2MT\|ZCW\|ZPP\|ZTP\|302\|507\|Gas Guzzler Tax
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08-25-2009, 07:44 AM	#2
Nawaaz Brigadier General 221 Rep 4,643 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: . iTrader: (0)	This is my very first BMW, but I do recognize that this paint is more sensitive and harder to clean compared to the other cars that I've owned in the past. Overall, it could be better.
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08-25-2009, 08:08 AM	#3
foosh Major 27 Rep 1,314 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 E93 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Annapolis, MD iTrader: (0)	Black is no different in terms of durability than any other color. What you are seeing is not in the black base coat, but in the clear coat. It is the same clear coat on every color. A dark background makes the swirls and other imperfections in the clear coat more visible. The darker the color, the more you will see. In the "old days," before 2-stage base/clear finishes became universal, dark colors would fade in the sun more quickly than light colors. Clear top coats eliminated that issue for the most part. Try this simple little experiment for yourself. Put a black cloth on the floor, and sprinkle some salt on it. Then, try the same thing with a white or light gray cloth. I don't believe the paint finish on these cars are substantively better or worse than on any other of my many recent cars. In all car forums, this is one of the universal themes. There is always a vocal group who believes that the paint on their particular make is worse than on most other cars. It's the old "grass is always greener on the other side" curse. __________________
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08-25-2009, 08:14 AM	#4
Nawaaz Brigadier General 221 Rep 4,643 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: . iTrader: (0)	^ My last car was a Black Evo IX MR, and I felt that paint was more friendly & less sensitive to clean than the IB on my M3.
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08-25-2009, 09:46 AM	#5
MMMorish Just call me J.J. McClure 156 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & C4 Corvette Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	The paint on my car is much softer, as is the metal used as well. I just had my first dent removed by a PDR specialist and he told me he's been working on bimmers for almost 20 years and this one is the softest one he's ever touched. Dent came right out, though. __________________ MODS: Meisterschaft GT Racing Exhaust / BMC Air Filter / UUC SSK & DSSR (Modded)/ RPI Scoops / Passport SRX Hardwired / Custom Wrap 3M Clearbra / 20% Tint / 50% Windshield Tint / Key Hole Delete / Matted Out Accessories / VRS Type II Diffuser / Smoked Reflectors / Euphoria 6K LED Interior Lights / Rear Fog Light Mod / 6000K HID's / 6500K LUX H8 Angel Eyes / RDash License Plate LED Kit / LED Xenon Reverse Lights "M3 drivers have no friends"
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08-25-2009, 11:14 AM	#7
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	I think the OP is probably comparing the relatively new 'environmentally friendly' paint with the old solvent-based one, which was indeed much durable IMO. And yes, it seems to be as crappy on all cars, so I don't get mad about it anymore.
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08-25-2009, 01:06 PM	#8
quality_sound 8 tracks of madness 62 Rep 2,735 Posts Drives: Slowly Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: At home iTrader: (1)	The problem with this new water based crap paint everyone has to use is it's harder than old paint so when ANYTHING hits it it chips because there's no give. I've even seen chips from bugs on newer cars. In the last 3 years I've owned 3 VWs, a Honda, and my wife's had a VW and Jeep. The only one that's faily chip resistant is the Jeep. Also, because the paint is hard it's very easy to swirl the paint and a bitch to repair it as well. The environment is better off though, right??? lol
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08-25-2009, 04:59 PM	#9
URBAN LEGEND Rocky 412 Rep 3,085 Posts Drives: 16 M5, 18 ZL1 1LE, 18 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brenham TX iTrader: (0)	I think this coating is super thin. __________________ 22 Audi RS E-Tron GT 21 Model S Plaid
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08-26-2009, 01:42 AM	#12
bigjae1976 Major General 1571 Rep 8,076 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	Of course swirlmarks will be a LOT more visible in a darker color like JB than in Tiag which will hide almost anything. Tiag is probably the easiest color to take care of. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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