Need Help w/ Paint Repair

[BMW0033]

My E90 M3 has a handful of areas that have a poor paint repair job done by the previous owner. I am wondering what my options are to try and repair myself. I have all the tools for paint correction (compound, polish, and wax) but I don't think a compound will be able to fix this.

I'm afraid of any levels of sandpaper. Could this be "cut out", paint fill in w/ clear, and then the compound/polish to blend back in?

Any information is appreciated.

[slowdown_dan]

You'll have to use sandpaper. No compound is going to cut that out. Get some 5k discs, maybe 1 3k sponge and a big bottle of water. After that you can decide if it needs base + clear+wet sand+cut/polish or b) just clear, another wet sand, and then a compound/polish (only if you're going for 99% fix) you can cut some of those steps out if you just seek a basic improvement.

[BMW0033]

Originally Posted by butte2butte

You'll have to use sandpaper. No compound is going to cut that out. Get some 5k discs, maybe 1 3k sponge and a big bottle of water. After that you can decide if it needs base + clear+wet sand+cut/polish or b) just clear, another wet sand, and then a compound/polish (only if you're going for 99% fix) you can cut some of those steps out if you just seek a basic improvement.

Thanks for the reply. I have a 6 inch orbital for the compound/polish. I started looking for some 5,000 grit and 3,000 grit discs. I was surprised by the cost. I will need to do more research on the standard discs vs. the foam discs. I'm also concerned with the amount of work it will take to get that off, with a big 6 inch pad, will dig into the clear coat significantly.

I don't think I have the ability to apply base+clear or just clear after this process. Seems like proper spray equipment is needed to do that. I am not sure how that would blend into the original as well ... even after the compound stage. I am not going for 99% fix but I am hoping for a step above basic improvement.

More research to do but I appreciate the information.

[slowdown_dan]

Def don't use a 6" orb. I was thinking like a 2" on a mini polisher.

[WagonR]

You can try this: http://www.langka.com/index.php/feat...lob-eliminator

If it works, you'll save yourself some trouble. I've had luck with it on a used car where the previous owner did something similar to what you've pictured.

I also use it when I fill chips, it works really well on simple paint colors. Metallics and pearls are harder, but those are a pain no matter what.

[BMW0033]

Originally Posted by WagonR

You can try this: http://www.langka.com/index.php/feat...lob-eliminator

If it works, you'll save yourself some trouble. I've had luck with it on a used car where the previous owner did something similar to what you've pictured.

I also use it when I fill chips, it works really well on simple paint colors. Metallics and pearls are harder, but those are a pain no matter what.

When you had the similar situation how did you "knock down" the excess paint from previous owner?

The blob-eliminator seems to be a good product. Thanks.

[BMW0033]

I'm thinking I need to tape very close to the problem area and use some sand paper; 1000 grit minimum.

https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Touch...n-the-Car-Door

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...1L5LUN92&psc=1

[WagonR]

Originally Posted by BMW0033

When you had the similar situation how did you "knock down" the excess paint from previous owner?

The blob-eliminator seems to be a good product. Thanks.

The same method that you would use if you followed their approach for a freshly applied paint chip fill. Usually i do a microfiber cloth wrapped around a plastic card (hotel room key). Put the remover on the cloth and then rub back and fourth about 100 times! That might be an exaggeration, but it took some effort. I did it about 8-9 months after I bought the car, and who knows how long it was on there before. I think maybe the person used the base color, but didn't to the clear coat step in a 2 step touch up, so the pant was able to be rubbed off/down.

The remover doesn't do anything to the factory paint, so for $35 or so you might as well give it a try before you're taking more harsh approaches that will require you to correct the underlying paint. Worse case it doesn't work, and you can still use it to fill chips correctly in the future.

[BMW0033]

Originally Posted by WagonR

The same method that you would use if you followed their approach for a freshly applied paint chip fill. Usually i do a microfiber cloth wrapped around a plastic card (hotel room key). Put the remover on the cloth and then rub back and fourth about 100 times! That might be an exaggeration, but it took some effort. I did it about 8-9 months after I bought the car, and who knows how long it was on there before. I think maybe the person used the base color, but didn't to the clear coat step in a 2 step touch up, so the pant was able to be rubbed off/down.

The remover doesn't do anything to the factory paint, so for $35 or so you might as well give it a try before you're taking more harsh approaches that will require you to correct the underlying paint. Worse case it doesn't work, and you can still use it to fill chips correctly in the future.

I like this idea a lot. Thanks for the info. I'm prepping tools and information before doing the job. I will update in the coming weeks/months when I am able to get the project going.

[timothy2001]

Originally Posted by BMW0033

I like this idea a lot. Thanks for the info. I'm prepping tools and information before doing the job. I will update in the coming weeks/months when I am able to get the project going.

I have the exact same repairs on my hood from a previous owner over three years ago.....Jet Black. Some of the paint blobs have come out so the primer or metal shows and have been considering Dr. Colorchip.

Would love to know how the Blob Eliminator works out and if you use their touch up system.

[Potteron]

and then just as carefully change the entire windshield)))