|
|
11-06-2012, 02:40 PM | #1 |
Second Lieutenant
85
Rep 280
Posts |
Not a good idea to wetsand M3 clear coat?
Dropped my '11 E92 off with a detailer today. Apparently he's very meticulous and only works on higher end cars out of a residential garage. He's the guy who details all the Ferraris around here and came highly recommended as the only person they take their cars to.
One thing I wanted done was to have all the orange peel wet sanded down. Outside the car looks great but under fluorescent lights the Space gray paint is far from smooth. He measured the paint and it was about 88-92 microns all the way around. Apparently he likes to see at least 120. Given it's a daily driver and it will see the track he told me he couldn't in good conscience recommend taking it down at all. 2 tiny rock chips had already hit the front and nicked it through the paint so I can understand his comment. But, I've also seen pics of other BMW's that have been sanded to a mirror smooth finish. It's not about the money although not sanding it will save me a grand. I just want the best appearance without risking the integrity of the paint and causing more problems down the road. FWIW, it's getting an Avery Dennison clear bra after the detail. Anyone have their M3 sanded? Was the paint as thin to start with? Anyone agree it's a bad idea? Thanks |
11-06-2012, 02:47 PM | #2 |
Banned
0
Rep 24
Posts |
Safest bet would be to reclear the panels and then wet sand, but that will be a big expense. I think your detailer is doing the responsible thing and doesnt want to chance burning through the clear
Removing orange peel is a huge expense typically done for concurs or show quality cars..not street driven cars |
Appreciate
0
|
11-06-2012, 03:27 PM | #3 |
Colonel
348
Rep 2,937
Posts
Drives: 2013 Estoril 328i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
|
88-92 microns is really low to begin with; I've actually never seen an E9* M3 w/ that low of a clear coat depth. Every single M3 I've worked on is around 120-130 microns across the entire car, w/ 100 being the lowest in some spots. What type of paint depth gauge was he using and was it calibrated properly?
Removing orange peel is worth it if done properly. My previous car after wet sanding: http://www.eclipsisna.com/?ena=eclipsism3-page5 |
Appreciate
0
|
11-06-2012, 04:05 PM | #4 | |
Second Lieutenant
85
Rep 280
Posts |
Quote:
I've seen those pics before, beautiful car. I also like the plate. I must be a better driver because I'm averaging 10 mpg, lol. At present the plan is to buff it and get the swirls out and then seal it and wax it. His guess to wet sand the entire car was at least $1000 extra. While I do okay financially, there are other things I could spend that money on and if it wouldn't make a huge difference once a person is 10 ft away then I can let it go, for now. I should probably add that I have every intent of tracking this car. I will say, outside it's not that noticeable unless the sun hits it just right. In his shop it made an actual orange rind look smooth and he said it's one of the worst he's seen (bearing in mind most of his work is on Ferraris). |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-06-2012, 04:11 PM | #5 | |
Second Lieutenant
211
Rep 289
Posts |
Brand new m3 yesterday and today: 85-92 microns on the c-pillar(both!). Until then, I had never seen a new one with paint that "thin". I would not ws at that point either.
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-09-2012, 11:15 PM | #6 |
Private First Class
17
Rep 102
Posts |
I have seen several brand new M3s sub 90 Microns. Listen to him. He knows what he is talking about as you will realistically not be able to ever buff the car safely again. I'd rather spend it on corrections down the road because defects are going to be present later. Orange peel is orange peel. Every car has it to an extent and these cars are particularly known for it. Its an understanding to knows who know cars. And like you said, you could use that money much more well spent. I know of the guy ur talking about and ur in good hands.
__________________
BMW: THE ATHLETE IN A SUIT
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-13-2012, 01:12 PM | #7 |
Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant
448
Rep 3,195
Posts
Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Queens/NYC
iTrader: (4)
Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00]
2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00] |
i wanted to do this as well...but i was advised against it. im not doing it anymore just to be safe....
__________________
"AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i | '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi | '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP | '10 Silverstone X5M | '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi |
Appreciate
0
|
11-13-2012, 02:48 PM | #8 |
Second Lieutenant
16
Rep 281
Posts
Drives: like grandma
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: New England
|
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Orange Peel
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-13-2012, 11:18 PM | #9 |
Second Lieutenant
85
Rep 280
Posts |
Got it back today and it looks great. His used a different meter, which he told me was top of the line and will display the depth of each layer of pain and it confirmed the initial findings.
He did experiment on a few small areas with some 3000 grit and couldn't make much of a difference without significantly thinning the clear so he stopped. So the orange peel is still there but man, the paint looks incredible. Now for the clear bra for the entire front end. Also need to figure out which tint to go with. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-16-2012, 04:16 PM | #10 | |
Second Lieutenant
85
Rep 280
Posts |
Quote:
It's nice to have people agree with the detailer that it's not a good idea. Makes it easier for me to accept. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-16-2012, 06:30 PM | #11 |
Banned
1770
Rep 6,696
Posts
Drives: F30 340i
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego,CA
|
i've been always fine with orange peel. lucky me i guess
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-16-2012, 06:45 PM | #12 |
Major General
1887
Rep 5,506
Posts |
Removing orange peel also makes future repairs harder. If you ever have a body shop respray a panel, they will leave orange peel and then you will have to wet sand it again and have it match the other panels.
99% of cars on the road have orange peel.. the only exceptions being cars that cost more than most houses. It isn't worth the cost of both time and money to do. Enjoy the car and drive it. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-20-2012, 05:20 PM | #14 |
Colonel
348
Rep 2,937
Posts
Drives: 2013 Estoril 328i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
|
There isn't any "higher maintenance" associated w/ maintaining your paint after orange peel removal.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-20-2012, 05:42 PM | #15 | |
Colonel
348
Rep 2,937
Posts
Drives: 2013 Estoril 328i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
|
Quote:
There are negatives to removing orange peel that have already been mentioned in this thread, and I agree with them, but higher maintenance or making scratches more visible is incorrect. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-20-2012, 06:09 PM | #16 | |
Colonel
348
Rep 2,937
Posts
Drives: 2013 Estoril 328i M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
|
Quote:
On the other hand, orange peel DOES have an effect on the way light is refracted against the surface. That's a whole other topic though. The image reflected by the orange peel-laden surface is distorted by the variances in the paint's height, whereas a flat surface evenly reflects light and thus no distortion. Think of a mirror's reflection vs. the reflection of rippling water. Last edited by eclipsisNA; 11-20-2012 at 06:16 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|