Respray?

[vtm3]

I am considering a respraying rockers and bumpers? I have never had this done before on any vehicle. Does it hurt resale or trade? I have minor road rash and would prefer respray over trying to fix every little chip. Also how about the hood?
Anyone with insight or experience would be appreciated.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Spraying the bumpers and lower side skirts shouldn't be a problem for resale and will refresh the car nicely...I would resist spraying the hood if possible, being white you should be able to have the stone chips expertly touched up almost invisibly.

[JCtx]

Just take 'before' pics so future buyers know why you did it. And since it's not an insurance claim, it won't show up on a carfax. Good luck.

[markjord]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Spraying the bumpers and lower side skirts shouldn't be a problem for resale and will refresh the car nicely...I would resist spraying the hood if possible, being white you should be able to have the stone chips expertly touched up almost invisibly.

Why not the hood? JUst about to get mine done as I have a tiny dent at the very front - this could be fixed with a paintless dent removal system but spraying it will get rid of all the stone chips so I thought it would be the right thing to do?

[rzm3]

Work on plastic (bumper, rockers, etc.) are generally seen to be OK because they are designed to be wear and tear items. You can even order factory PAINTED bumpers from BMW.

Work on metal are more frowned upon because they are usually only painted when there is a more serious accident. And this raises questions about the history of your car.

Moreover, a lot of times re-spraying only makes things worse (i.e. color match, over spray, dust, etc.) depending on the quality of your body shop.

[Benjjman007]

I think its all personal preference. Painting plastic is fine. Metal only if its really bad. How long are you planning on keeping the M? Lease or long term? If its a lease, its BMW's so resale isn't an issue. If your going to turn it over in 3 years or less, i'd wait unless it looks like you were driving behind a gravel truck. And if you in for the long haul, then do it!

Just my .02

[vtm3]

Thanks for the info. I did buy it and plan to keep it for at least 2 more years. It does not look bad. It's noticable, and annoying to me. I was searching the forum and it seemed like some people just do it every couple years and it's no problem. I did not know if it would be a pita or if it would be that simple and just do it every 2 years. It makes sense to me to try and touch up any chips on the hood or metal pieces and respray the plastic pieces. thanks fo rthe advice

[NeoE46]

Be careful. When you take the car in for trade-in an expert can spot the smallest of details that indicate the car was repainted. Overspray, color differences, etc. Also, if any parts are removed, scratches on bolts, fastening surfaces, etc. can be indicators of paint and to their eyes an accident of some sort.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Indeed...plus paint depth gauges give a pretty good idea of whether the paint is original or not.

[SlammedR8]

def okay to paint the bumpers and rockers.

I paint my bumper every spring to refresh the cars appearance. I have never done the rockers, but I was going to do it this year but decided against it.

If the hood is real bad, then go for it. but its best to avoid painting the hood, because people will think it was even minorly hit!

[FredVMI]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

Just take 'before' pics so future buyers know why you did it. And since it's not an insurance claim, it won't show up on a carfax. Good luck.

Good advice. Also, have the shop document the reason for the re-spray on the estimate and/or invoice. Specifically, ensure the documents indicate that there was no accident damage and that the purpose of the re-spray was only to address minor cosmetic issues (chips, pitting, etc). Good luck!

[SchnellM3]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

Work on plastic (bumper, rockers, etc.) are generally seen to be OK because they are designed to be wear and tear items. You can even order factory PAINTED bumpers from BMW.

How much for a front bumper? I dont have any pictures yet, but I was getting dinner the other night and parked far like I usually do come out to my car and someone swiped the side of the bumper. Its down to the body kit in 2 places but not really any damage. Its really been bugging me on what to do.

[Georgeair]

Originally Posted by slammedm3

I paint my bumper every spring to refresh the cars appearance.

That is quite a spring clean-up list you must have there! Congrats on your dedication.

[markjord]

Gonna go ahead and get my hood done. Not only loses the stone chips but also all the swirls and holograms the dealer left for me. I'm hoping the car will look so much better.

[SenorFunkyPants]

OK well its your totally your choice....but I had my last (5 year old) E46 M3 detailed before selling it and the guy touched up the paint chips and rectified the paint work and the end result was a car that looked nearly as new.
For less than the price of a bonnet respray you could have your whole car (less the plastic parts which might still need a repaint) restored.

[markjord]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

OK well its your totally your choice....but I had my last (5 year old) E46 M3 detailed before selling it and the guy touched up the paint chips and rectified the paint work and the end result was a car that looked nearly as new.
For less than the price of a bonnet respray you could have your whole car (less the plastic parts which might still need a repaint) restored.

Well I'll let you know how it goes - car went in today - back on Saturday. £150 for the job sounds pretty reasonable to me. He's done work for me before, all of it good.

[markjord]

Job done - happy with it - nice JB hood with no chips or swirls. Thought about adding clear bra but I think at £150 for the paint job I'll probably just get it done if and when it needs doing again.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Excellent...that's certainly a good price for the respray.