Paint correction problem

[Denny347]

I'm pretty sure the hood has been repainted at some point in it's past. Under opaque lighting, the car has very clear and distinct reflection lines (like a mirror) on other panels EXCEPT the hood. The hood does not look like orange peel but just dull, as seen in the upper reflection in the picture. Plenty of clear coat on the hood so is this something that careful wet sanding could correct?

[mgmarsh39]

Take it to a professional to have the paint depth measured to ensure wet sanding is feasible. If there is not enough clear, you'll burn right through it.

[rjd598]

Wet sand is way too aggressive and you need a true professional to complete it.

A good compound/polish will turn that around no problem. Even a one step with proper da could do wonders.

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by rjd598

Wet sand is way too aggressive and you need a true professional to complete it.

A good compound/polish will turn that around no problem. Even a one step with proper da could do wonders.

THAT I can do. I have a Porter Cable DA that works great with my Wolfgang Swirl remover. Time for something more aggressive.

[Freiheit]

Originally Posted by Denny347

I'm pretty sure the hood has been repainted at some point in it's past. Under opaque lighting, the car has very clear and distinct reflection lines (like a mirror) on other panels EXCEPT the hood. The hood does not look like orange peel but just dull, as seen in the upper reflection in the picture. Plenty of clear coat on the hood so is this something that careful wet sanding could correct?

Since you are guessing about the paint history that means there was at least one owner prior to you. Perhaps a previous owner put paint protection film on the hood, and its now degraded to the point where you can see a problem? Go take a look around the underside of the edges, and also around the hood badge. You'll be able to tell there.

The reason I mention this is that my car arrived from the original owner with 3M Invisiguard or similar stuff, and at 7-8 years of age it has degraded to the point where it still looks shiny but it has a matte feel to it. It becomes more apparent every time I wash the car, probably due to the harder water here.

I'm really not looking forward to steaming and peeling all this stuff off. Really, really not.


Bonus points: props for backing in to your garage, like a boss.

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by Freiheit

Since you are guessing about the paint history that means there was at least one owner prior to you. Perhaps a previous owner put paint protection film on the hood, and its now degraded to the point where you can see a problem? Go take a look around the underside of the edges, and also around the hood badge. You'll be able to tell there.

The reason I mention this is that my car arrived from the original owner with 3M Invisiguard or similar stuff, and at 7-8 years of age it has degraded to the point where it still looks shiny but it has a matte feel to it. It becomes more apparent every time I wash the car, probably due to the harder water here.

I'm really not looking forward to steaming and peeling all this stuff off. Really, really not.


Bonus points: props for backing in to your garage, like a boss.

Interesting, I will check that. I back into EVERY spot, have done so for the last 30 years. I've gotten very good at it. Thanks for noticing. BTW, I'm the 6th owner I believe.

[Freiheit]

Originally Posted by Denny347

Interesting, I will check that. I back into EVERY spot, have done so for the last 30 years. I've gotten very good at it. Thanks for noticing. BTW, I'm the 6th owner I believe.

If the car has been through 5 previous owners, then I'd be surprised if the hood was even the original one that came with the car. Thats E36 level previous ownership!



j/k... j/k....

[akkando]

Originally Posted by Freiheit

Since you are guessing about the paint history that means there was at least one owner prior to you. Perhaps a previous owner put paint protection film on the hood, and its now degraded to the point where you can see a problem? Go take a look around the underside of the edges, and also around the hood badge. You'll be able to tell there.

The reason I mention this is that my car arrived from the original owner with 3M Invisiguard or similar stuff, and at 7-8 years of age it has degraded to the point where it still looks shiny but it has a matte feel to it. It becomes more apparent every time I wash the car, probably due to the harder water here.

I'm really not looking forward to steaming and peeling all this stuff off. Really, really not.


Bonus points: props for backing in to your garage, like a boss.

yeah but the paints going to look great under it

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by Freiheit

If the car has been through 5 previous owners, then I'd be surprised if the hood was even the original one that came with the car. Thats E36 level previous ownership!



j/k... j/k....

Haha, yeah, 5 owners and only 58k miles. One of the owners was in the military and had it shipped from the States to Italy for a year then back. I found this in the door jamb. Interesting.

[BayE30]

For some reason all e9x cars i have seen that live outside have fucked paint on the hood specifically. I think its just due to it being a large flat horizontal surface area, combine that with the heat coming from underneath, and the paint is toast. My e90m3 paint is IMMACULATE everywhere except the hood. I am constantly working on the hood to keep it nice, and my car lived its whole life garaged.

[Freiheit]

Originally Posted by akkando

yeah but the paints going to look great under it

True. It'll be the first time the paint has tasted fresh air since 2011, I'm betting.

[Freiheit]

Originally Posted by Denny347

Haha, yeah, 5 owners and only 58k miles. One of the owners was in the military and had it shipped from the States to Italy for a year then back. I found this in the door jamb. Interesting.

Very cool bit of personal history for the car!

How old is that photo? That rubber edge protector is looking a bit sketchy. Mine are starting to go as well, very slightly but I can still tell.

[akkando]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

For some reason all e9x cars i have seen that live outside have fucked paint on the hood specifically. I think its just due to it being a large flat horizontal surface area, combine that with the heat coming from underneath, and the paint is toast. My e90m3 paint is IMMACULATE everywhere except the hood. I am constantly working on the hood to keep it nice, and my car lived its whole life garaged.

Yeah there is something up with the paint on the hood of mine. I can't figure it out. Even feels strange. I'm like the 4th owner so who knows. I tried washing with dawn soap to strip off anything weird on it.

I need to have a professional paint correct it and do a coating, but I'm debating if I want to spend the money to have the bumper painted and the reflectors shaved down so it's like a euro bumper. I suppose I could always do that later.

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by Freiheit

Very cool bit of personal history for the car!

How old is that photo? That rubber edge protector is looking a bit sketchy. Mine are starting to go as well, very slightly but I can still tell.

A month. Yeah, it could used refreshed. Sad thing that new rubber is smooth and not the same texture as the original.