DIY Pealing Clear Coat fix?

3erdriver · 07-13-2011, 02:53 PM

New to me E90 from family. There is a spot where the car was bumped into and the clear coat has peeled back. I know it wasn't a wreck but maybe some shotty work at the dealer or factory before purchase? Regardless, I'm not really interested in going to a body shop until I give it a whirl myself. After all, how hard can it be!? (famous last words, I know)

Anyway I was thinking, peel back big chunks, clean up and scuff lightly with 2000 grit wet sand paper and spray with a clear coat.

I realize it's not going to be perfect by any stretch but I'm looking for "better than now" and stop it from getting worse.

Here is the bad corner - sorry it's dirty but you get the idea...

3erdriver · 07-13-2011, 02:55 PM

Here is the photo

TwinSnails · 07-13-2011, 03:01 PM

Wow.. im sure a wet sand will help make it look less obvious. It looks as if its only one layer and you still have a few coats still in place. Btw. Isnt paint covered under warrantee for a longer duration than 4 years 50k miles?

3erdriver · 07-13-2011, 11:07 PM

I suppose I could check. It is a 2006 with 51k miles on it now. Who would I need to talk to on that?

So lets say I do it myself though. Would the procedure mentioned above work, at least enough to look "better"

TwinSnails · 07-13-2011, 11:29 PM

Take my advice lightly, do it at your own risk. But if it were my car, i would probably use a fine sandpaper an sand off one layer of clear from the whole bumper to make it all consistent. Looks like there is still a few coats of clear under the peeling portion. At that point polish it back to a shine. Try checking out the detailing section for tips. Good luck.

3erdriver · 07-13-2011, 11:33 PM

i'm not that brave. haha.
i think the best thing i can hope for at the end of the day is a faint sign of something but blended well. if the bumper had actual damage or something i'd be fine going to the shop for work but it seems so petty in most regards.

RoundelM3 · 07-14-2011, 09:05 AM

Bells peal...paint peels. Take it to a body shop or someone who knows how to do 2-stage paint and is familiar with clearcoat repair process.

3erdriver · 07-14-2011, 09:24 AM

ah sorry to confuse you about the pealing/peeling but you did figure it out on your own.
i hope not to end up at the body shop but if my little experiment goes poorly i'll likely end up going that route. with such certainty that is has to go to a body shop, have you tried and failed or just saying that's what you'd do?

ceb · 07-14-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimH6

ah sorry to confuse you about the pealing/peeling but you did figure it out on your own.
i hope not to end up at the body shop but if my little experiment goes poorly i'll likely end up going that route. with such certainty that is has to go to a body shop, have you tried and failed or just saying that's what you'd do?

Post this question in the detailing section where knowledgeable people will talk you out of a DIY.

If you know what you are doing then you might make it look better. If this is one of your first attempts at paint correction then you will make it look worse. At that point, only a full respray will fix it.

3erdriver · 07-14-2011, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceb

Post this question in the detailing section where knowledgeable people will talk you out of a DIY.

If you know what you are doing then you might make it look better. If this is one of your first attempts at paint correction then you will make it look worse. At that point, only a full respray will fix it.

ah sorry to categorize wrong . i'll head over there. can a thread be transferred? i hate to post duplicates

Andy M · 07-14-2011, 11:41 AM

I would bring that to a body shop. When you spray on your clear, it should be done on top of a tacky color coat so the paint and clear layer can bond. If you're doing it well after the color coat has dried, you won't get that bonding.

Even if it looks good after your own repair, it'll be a matter of time before it peels again.

I say save your time and bring it into a body shop. If you remove it from your car yourself, you'll save some cash since they charge labor for removal and reinstallation.

07-13-2011, 02:53 PM	#1
3erdriver Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 259 Posts Drives: _ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	DIY Pealing Clear Coat fix? New to me E90 from family. There is a spot where the car was bumped into and the clear coat has peeled back. I know it wasn't a wreck but maybe some shotty work at the dealer or factory before purchase? Regardless, I'm not really interested in going to a body shop until I give it a whirl myself. After all, how hard can it be!? (famous last words, I know) Anyway I was thinking, peel back big chunks, clean up and scuff lightly with 2000 grit wet sand paper and spray with a clear coat. I realize it's not going to be perfect by any stretch but I'm looking for "better than now" and stop it from getting worse. Here is the bad corner - sorry it's dirty but you get the idea... __________________ . Last edited by 3erdriver; 07-14-2011 at 09:25 AM.. Reason: It's peeling not pealing , woops!
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07-13-2011, 02:55 PM	#2
3erdriver Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 259 Posts Drives: _ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	Here is the photo Attached Images __________________ .
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07-13-2011, 03:01 PM	#3
TwinSnails First Lieutenant 26 Rep 358 Posts Drives: 335i, X5 G05 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (10)	Wow.. im sure a wet sand will help make it look less obvious. It looks as if its only one layer and you still have a few coats still in place. Btw. Isnt paint covered under warrantee for a longer duration than 4 years 50k miles? __________________ F30 - M Sport 335i
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07-13-2011, 11:07 PM	#4
3erdriver Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 259 Posts Drives: _ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	I suppose I could check. It is a 2006 with 51k miles on it now. Who would I need to talk to on that? So lets say I do it myself though. Would the procedure mentioned above work, at least enough to look "better" __________________ .
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07-13-2011, 11:29 PM	#5
TwinSnails First Lieutenant 26 Rep 358 Posts Drives: 335i, X5 G05 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (10)	Take my advice lightly, do it at your own risk. But if it were my car, i would probably use a fine sandpaper an sand off one layer of clear from the whole bumper to make it all consistent. Looks like there is still a few coats of clear under the peeling portion. At that point polish it back to a shine. Try checking out the detailing section for tips. Good luck. __________________ F30 - M Sport 335i
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07-13-2011, 11:33 PM	#6
3erdriver Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 259 Posts Drives: _ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	i'm not that brave. haha. i think the best thing i can hope for at the end of the day is a faint sign of something but blended well. if the bumper had actual damage or something i'd be fine going to the shop for work but it seems so petty in most regards. __________________ .
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07-14-2011, 09:05 AM	#7
RoundelM3 Major General 1952 Rep 7,073 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [8.25] 2022 BMW X3 [9.87]	Bells peal...paint peels. Take it to a body shop or someone who knows how to do 2-stage paint and is familiar with clearcoat repair process. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
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07-14-2011, 09:24 AM	#8
3erdriver Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 259 Posts Drives: _ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0)	ah sorry to confuse you about the pealing/peeling but you did figure it out on your own. i hope not to end up at the body shop but if my little experiment goes poorly i'll likely end up going that route. with such certainty that is has to go to a body shop, have you tried and failed or just saying that's what you'd do? __________________ .
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07-14-2011, 11:41 AM	#11
Andy M 81 Rep 1,208 Posts Drives: 09 BMW 335i xdrive Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	I would bring that to a body shop. When you spray on your clear, it should be done on top of a tacky color coat so the paint and clear layer can bond. If you're doing it well after the color coat has dried, you won't get that bonding. Even if it looks good after your own repair, it'll be a matter of time before it peels again. I say save your time and bring it into a body shop. If you remove it from your car yourself, you'll save some cash since they charge labor for removal and reinstallation.
	Appreciate 0 Quote