[motogpfan82]

Bought an 06 325i from Carmax the other day and it has these ugly rock chips on the drivers side passenger door. They tried to buff it out but it didn't work. You can't see it from a distance but up close it's noticeable. Anything I can do? Would touch up paint work or would I have to get the whole side repainted? I love the car, but this one imperfection is bugging me.

My brother just bought an 07 today and his paints in better condition. If I could fix this one thing my car would be perfect. Yes sibling rivalry has gotten the best of me, lol

[motogpfan82]

Oh and it's not on the bottom either, it's about level with the door handle between the two doors.

[mrE92]

Originally Posted by motogpfan82

Oh and it's not on the bottom either, it's about level with the door handle between the two doors.

Check the dealership and see if they can touch it up. Usually they have someone that can touch it up professionally than your DIY kits. You'll end up spending more if you mess it up. Do some online searchs like drcolorchip, etc..Those chipslook look pretty deep to the bare metal.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

If someone wanted to take the time to "touch up" that paint they would be there for a long time, then they would need to wet sand and buff and hope it looks ok at the end. I highly doubt you will find anyone willing to take the time or the risk. For the cost they want you can get a respray for about $250 on a door.

Without seeing the car in person I would imagine if that is the only area with chips like that then it was probably resprayed from an accident or previous damage and the last body shop did a poor paint job resulting in chips in uncommon areas.

[motogpfan82]

I saw the dr. colorchip, it looks to good to be true, any experience with this? It's really only the one door around the hing, if 250 would take care of that I would gladly pay. Assuming it matches up.

[just4kickz]

i gave up a long time ago haha. if you don't want rock chips, then clearbra a new car or after a new paintjob. otherwise, you'll get over it.

[aandrew335]

I would get a respray on the door. Touching it up, especially in that area will just take forever, and might not come out how your thinking, but you can give it a shot, this is what i recommend.

Get the OEM touch up paint. Then go to any arts store and get the finest, thinnest brush they have, then try to touch up a few that are a bit out of sight or something and see how you like the result. Its the only way to find out.

[jm3as]

Originally Posted by aandrew325

I would get a respray on the door. Touching it up, especially in that area will just take forever, and might not come out how your thinking, but you can give it a shot, this is what i recommend.

Get the OEM touch up paint. Then go to any arts store and get the finest, thinnest brush they have, then try to touch up a few that are a bit out of sight or something and see how you like the result. Its the only way to find out.

andrew, sent you a pm!!

[Ed328xiCoupe2011]

Since your car has a dark color I would just bring it to a bodyshop and let them re-spraypaint the whole door.

[Rotary Rasp]

That is an odd spot to get rock chips. I'm betting that your door was repainted once already using substandard methods/paint.

[motogpfan82]

Originally Posted by Rotary Rasp

That is an odd spot to get rock chips. I'm betting that your door was repainted once already using substandard methods/paint.

That's what I thought too. The Carmax guy insisted it was just rock chips, but that high on a door? To me it looked like it was repainted wrong and the paint was bubbling. I once got a cheap Maaco paint job on a cobra R bumper I put on my mustang back in college, some parts bubbled off leaving little spots.

[RoundelM3]

I've used Dr. Colorchip on several cars...it really works quite well for those places with lots of little pockmarks, etc.

[motogpfan82]

Originally Posted by aandrew325

I would get a respray on the door. Touching it up, especially in that area will just take forever, and might not come out how your thinking, but you can give it a shot, this is what i recommend.

Get the OEM touch up paint. Then go to any arts store and get the finest, thinnest brush they have, then try to touch up a few that are a bit out of sight or something and see how you like the result. Its the only way to find out.

I have a few days off coming up, might drive down to the BMW body shop down the street to see if they could respray the whole door, and if it would match up with the rest off the car. Fairfax VA area has a lot of body shops, so if BMW wants my soul I can get other quotes close by. I was obsessed with a laser red mustang I had back in the day, I spent hours touching up any imperfection, and it was never perfect.

[micano]

Originally Posted by roundel335

I've used Dr. Colorchip on several cars...it really works quite well for those places with lots of little pockmarks, etc.

Howdy,
Any tips you can share on the dap. smear or wipe processes ?
Or things not to do ?
I want to try this before doing a respray.

Thanks

[RoundelM3]

^ Yes - for small chips, you can dab with the supplied brush and then just lightly smear with your thumb or finger (with the glove on, of course). Wait until the paint is tacky, and then put some of the blending liquid on the cloth and wipe lightly across the area until the excess is gone.

For areas with a larger number of chips (like road rash), carefully dip your finger in the paint and smear it on, rather than trying to do individual "dabs" with the brush.

Micano - where in CT are you? I'm from NW CT originally.