[Jrmend8]

Have an 07 335i Coupe Space Grey and have some chips and scratches in paint, mainly on hood and doors. Besides a re paint, any experience with products/solutions that work to remove or hide these types of issues?

[Detailed Image]

Originally Posted by Jrmend8

Have an 07 335i Coupe Space Grey and have some chips and scratches in paint, mainly on hood and doors. Besides a re paint, any experience with products/solutions that work to remove or hide these types of issues?

Sorry to hear about your issues. Some polishing may help improve or remove the scratches if they're not too deep, but aside from the repaint, you're basically looking at touchup paint for the chips. A basic touchup will help hide the chip a bit by filling it with the same color, but if you want a really thorough job you're basically looking at filling up the chip with paint, waiting for it to cure, then sanding and polishing. This will usually give a really good finish but it's very hard to get perfect, so finding a local professional may be your best option.

One of the best and quickest options is Dr. Colorchip because the paint is less "clumpy" than typical touch up paint, so it simply fills in the chip a bit but doesn't leave the bulge on the paint. This improves the look from 5-10+ feet away, but obviously if you look at it within a few feet you'll be able to tell where the chip was originally.

Hope you can take care of it soon!

Ivan @ DI

[Jrmend8]

Originally Posted by Detailed Image

Sorry to hear about your issues. Some polishing may help improve or remove the scratches if they're not too deep, but aside from the repaint, you're basically looking at touchup paint for the chips. A basic touchup will help hide the chip a bit by filling it with the same color, but if you want a really thorough job you're basically looking at filling up the chip with paint, waiting for it to cure, then sanding and polishing. This will usually give a really good finish but it's very hard to get perfect, so finding a local professional may be your best option.

One of the best and quickest options is Dr. Colorchip because the paint is less "clumpy" than typical touch up paint, so it simply fills in the chip a bit but doesn't leave the bulge on the paint. This improves the look from 5-10+ feet away, but obviously if you look at it within a few feet you'll be able to tell where the chip was originally.

Hope you can take care of it soon!

Ivan @ DI

Appreciate the info. Have tried a number of chip kits and scratch removal kits from multiple places with minimal success through out the years even though they show before and after shots of perfect finishes... I'll have to look into the dr colorchip product and see how that works. The worst area is the rock chips on the hood so anything to make that look better for now until I either pull it and do a repaint or get an aftermarket hood.

[Jrmend8]

Watched the Dr Colorchip video on the site and it looks promising...

[Detailed Image]

Originally Posted by Jrmend8

Watched the Dr Colorchip video on the site and it looks promising...

I'll be the first to tell you that it won't be as perfect as they make it seem in those videos unfortunately . However, it really is one of the best solutions because it fills in the chip to an extent, so the color is the same as around the chip, but there's still a chip there and it will be seen in certain light and distance easier than other.

When doing the hood, you can do multiple chips at the same time before removing the additional paint that's around the chip, just make sure you stay under about 4-6 minutes from when you start filling in chips and stop to start removing the excess paint.

[Jrmend8]

Originally Posted by Detailed Image

I'll be the first to tell you that it won't be as perfect as they make it seem in those videos unfortunately . However, it really is one of the best solutions because it fills in the chip to an extent, so the color is the same as around the chip, but there's still a chip there and it will be seen in certain light and distance easier than other.

When doing the hood, you can do multiple chips at the same time before removing the additional paint that's around the chip, just make sure you stay under about 4-6 minutes from when you start filling in chips and stop to start removing the excess paint.

Thanks for the direction on the timing to stay on the safe side while using the product.

[PTek Will]

Check out Langka touch up products. I've had pretty good results using it.

[Jrmend8]

Originally Posted by PTek Will

Check out Langka touch up products. I've had pretty good results using it.

Thanks. I'll have a look.

[medic894]

Ive used the dr color chip on mine and honestly from about 5 get away you can't tell, you need to get up and close to see where the chips and scratches have obviously been touched up. The product delivers as promised, but it won't look as good as a complete respray.

[Jrmend8]

Originally Posted by medic894

Ive used the dr color chip on mine and honestly from about 5 get away you can't tell, you need to get up and close to see where the chips and scratches have obviously been touched up. The product delivers as promised, but it won't look as good as a complete respray.

Gonna try it as a first pass. Will end up with a replacement hood that gets painted anyway but this should work until then.

[Detailed Image]

Originally Posted by Jrmend8

Thanks for the direction on the timing to stay on the safe side while using the product.

Definitely. As you would imagine, paint drying times will vary based on temperature, so even with my general instructions above I would recommend you do only 1-2 small chips based on their instructions (dab the paint on the chip, smear it, let it set for a few minutes, then level).

They say to dab the paint NEXT to the chip, then smear it into it. I like to dab it halfway into the chip then smear it fully into the chip before leaving to cure. You can simply try whatever works better for you. Small warning... if you have sensitive or jet black paint, you will 100% leave some marring when removing the excess paint. The marring will look something like you get from using a clay bar and it should polish off easily, but there's really no way around it on certain sensitive/soft paints. Just wanted to give you a heads up so you don't think you "broke" it .

In this video they show a squeegee that I've never used, but it may be something you'll like if you have a ton of chips like shown in the video...

Post some pics when you're done.

Ivan @ DI

[Jrmend8]

Originally Posted by Detailed Image

Definitely. As you would imagine, paint drying times will vary based on temperature, so even with my general instructions above I would recommend you do only 1-2 small chips based on their instructions (dab the paint on the chip, smear it, let it set for a few minutes, then level).

They say to dab the paint NEXT to the chip, then smear it into it. I like to dab it halfway into the chip then smear it fully into the chip before leaving to cure. You can simply try whatever works better for you. Small warning... if you have sensitive or jet black paint, you will 100% leave some marring when removing the excess paint. The marring will look something like you get from using a clay bar and it should polish off easily, but there's really no way around it on certain sensitive/soft paints. Just wanted to give you a heads up so you don't think you "broke" it .

In this video they show a squeegee that I've never used, but it may be something you'll like if you have a ton of chips like shown in the video...

Post some pics when you're done.

Ivan @ DI

Thanks. I have space grey paint on my e92 Coupe. I'm gonna go with the base kit and see how that works out testing on small spots first to see the result and probably something along the lower body line so if it does look bad it's not right out there in front on the hood. I will take some before pics and post them and then will most likely do it this weekend or next week depending on how long it takes to get the kit. Post pics after as well.

[Jrmend8]

Originally Posted by Detailed Image

Definitely. As you would imagine, paint drying times will vary based on temperature, so even with my general instructions above I would recommend you do only 1-2 small chips based on their instructions (dab the paint on the chip, smear it, let it set for a few minutes, then level).

They say to dab the paint NEXT to the chip, then smear it into it. I like to dab it halfway into the chip then smear it fully into the chip before leaving to cure. You can simply try whatever works better for you. Small warning... if you have sensitive or jet black paint, you will 100% leave some marring when removing the excess paint. The marring will look something like you get from using a clay bar and it should polish off easily, but there's really no way around it on certain sensitive/soft paints. Just wanted to give you a heads up so you don't think you "broke" it .

In this video they show a squeegee that I've never used, but it may be something you'll like if you have a ton of chips like shown in the video...

Post some pics when you're done.

Ivan @ DI

Here are some before pics.

[Detailed Image]

Most of those look like they will greatly improve with Dr. Colorchip, but the one big chip in the 3rd pic with the raised edge is a bit questionable. It'll surely look better, but I doubt it will look as good as the rest.

[Jrmend8]

Originally Posted by Detailed Image

Most of those look like they will greatly improve with Dr. Colorchip, but the one big chip in the 3rd pic with the raised edge is a bit questionable. It'll surely look better, but I doubt it will look as good as the rest.

Yeah I'm hoping for the best but expecting improvement but not perfection...

[MDesmond]

Originally Posted by Jrmend8

Yeah I'm hoping for the best but expecting improvement but not perfection...

Have Langka, but Colorchip has the paint and the squeegee looks nice ... Langka sends a firmer credit card plastic...

What I can offer is to advise patience ... it may take several times to fill in the chip so paint is not overflowing or too low, over several hours, or even a day.

And it may work better in warmer climes ...but one needs to cover the metal.

[Jrmend8]

Originally Posted by MDesmond

Have Langka, but Colorchip has the paint and the squeegee looks nice ... Langka sends a firmer credit card plastic...

What I can offer is to advise patience ... it may take several times to fill in the chip so paint is not overflowing or too low, over several hours, or even a day.

And it may work better in warmer climes ...but one needs to cover the metal.

Luckily have a heated garage so it can sit for as long as needed.

[Detailed Image]

Originally Posted by MDesmond

Have Langka, but Colorchip has the paint and the squeegee looks nice ... Langka sends a firmer credit card plastic...

What I can offer is to advise patience ... it may take several times to fill in the chip so paint is not overflowing or too low, over several hours, or even a day.

And it may work better in warmer climes ...but one needs to cover the metal.

Great advice Desmond. Jrmend keep in mind that you really can't screw this up in any way unless you smear it all over the place like a 5 yr old child would and leave it on for days . Even after waiting 10-20+ minutes you should be able with enough of the "leveler" and a bit pressure remove any excess paint, so I really wouldn't worry about it. What you're doing is basically filling in the chip with paint until you're happy with it. You don't want to do too little where it's still exposed (this can happen if you apply only 1 coat and try to level too quickly, removing too much of the paint) and you don't want to do too much as Desmond said so it looks like the typical blob of paint. If the chip is represented by \__/, you're just trying to get to say half way up \--/ or a bit higher. If you really want to experiment, pick up some 1,2 and 3000 grit sandpaper and some polish. Then you would fill it so it's just above the regular paint (so overflowing a bit), let it cure and then level it by sanding and polish after. This would be the closest fix to perfection.

Well, you could actually do base + clear touchup then sand + polish, but I think you only want to improve it and not go overboard .

Best of luck either way man, hopefully it comes out great for you.

Ivan @ DI

[Jrmend8]

Originally Posted by Detailed Image

Great advice Desmond. Jrmend keep in mind that you really can't screw this up in any way unless you smear it all over the place like a 5 yr old child would and leave it on for days . Even after waiting 10-20+ minutes you should be able with enough of the "leveler" and a bit pressure remove any excess paint, so I really wouldn't worry about it. What you're doing is basically filling in the chip with paint until you're happy with it. You don't want to do too little where it's still exposed (this can happen if you apply only 1 coat and try to level too quickly, removing too much of the paint) and you don't want to do too much as Desmond said so it looks like the typical blob of paint. If the chip is represented by \__/, you're just trying to get to say half way up \--/ or a bit higher. If you really want to experiment, pick up some 1,2 and 3000 grit sandpaper and some polish. Then you would fill it so it's just above the regular paint (so overflowing a bit), let it cure and then level it by sanding and polish after. This would be the closest fix to perfection.
Well, you could actually do base + clear touchup then sand + polish, but I think you only want to improve it and not go overboard .

Best of luck either way man, hopefully it comes out great for you.

Ivan @ DI

Thanks yeah it looks like a couple of them have had this done before but they didn't use enough paint to fill. Dr colorchip is on its way and I'm sure it will be better than what's going on now. Maybe this weekend even depending on when it gets here. Then a good wash and wax and it will be looking good.

[dave4]

I'm very interested too how you car is going to turn out. I have Alpine White and in the last 8 years it sure got some road rash.

If I do the chip repair, should I do it before or after polishing the car?

[Jrmend8]

Originally Posted by dave4

I'm very interested too how you car is going to turn out. I have Alpine White and in the last 8 years it sure got some road rash.

If I do the chip repair, should I do it before or after polishing the car?

I would think for best results you would want a polish free surface clean of any oils, dirt or dust.

I will be posting pics of the results once it arrives and I get to work on it.

[Jrmend8]

My Dr. Colorchip showed up today. going to give it a shot Wednesday and will post pics of the results.