is the bmw oem spray paint ok straight onto plastic trim? [arch] or should i use some kind of plastic primer 1st...

 

There are whole threads on arch painting technique...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ng-arches.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...aint-them.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ng-arches.html
(the last one has some good specifics on sanding, adhesion promoter, priming, flex additive, etc.)

And many more.
To do this right with good results is a BIG job and best left to folks with lots of painting experience.
You will NOT get good results by just spraying the OEM spray paint straight onto the plastic trim...

 

thanks for links, all arches are already colour coded, lost top 1/3 section so black isnt an option, dont want to pay bodyshop rates on a small job as i hope to go aero in fall or early part next year

 

Hate to resurrect an old thread, but was wondering if anyone can answer this. I've had pretty good success using a chili red auto sharp pen. But I've now got two decent sized chips in my white roof after this absolutely abysmal winter, what color pen do I get? They only list the pepper white but I don't think that's the same as the white they use for the contrasting roofs, is it?

 

The color code for the pure white MINI roof is:

#899 "Aspen White Clearcoat".

Pepper white (Code #850) is not pure white and it is only used in the roof when the car is ordered with PW body color matching roof.

 

And, stay away from touch up pens. They all suck to high ground.

I much prefer this:

http://www.touchup123.com/

 

Cool, thanks. I've had decent success with the red pen. Granted, I haven't used it for major blemishes. Just hope I never have to.

 

Does anyone know the code for lightning blue touch up paint from MINI?

I ordered a bottle back in January (when it was REALLY cold up here.) When it came in, it said 'electric blue' on the packaging.

When I questioned the parts guy, he insisted that it was the correct color and that it was the only code in the system for that paint color.

now that it has warmed up, I know, in fact, that he was wrong. I have electric blue touch up paint.

So, I'm going to try to return it tomorrow, and order the correct paint. but I'd prefer to have the part number handy before I go to avoid the 'discussion' that will inevitably happen.

 

try www.paintscratch.com

 

Looks like A63 on that site. Now I get to go talk to the parts guy and try to get my $21 back, or at least have them switch my paint for the correct stuff.

 

... you're welcome.

 

Sorry! I started my original reply with thanks! but then deleted the whole thing, and by the time I finished it, I forgot the thanks part.

so,

Thanks!

 

hahaha NP!

 

Good day everyone and Happy New Year. I am looking for some touch up paint for some door dings where the paint was chipped. Any recommendations of online stores besides the dealer to get a touchup pen? Many times other stores besides the dealer sell as good as dealer touchup paint for a fraction of the price. I will also be using Langka to remove the blob. I have had good success with Langka in the past. Any help or info greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

I've been using these guys for several years with very good color match results on seveal different brands of cars. At times I've ordered, bottles, pans and rattle cans

http://www.automotivetouchup.com/auto_paint.asp

for simple chips I prefer the bottle with a VERY fine brush (000) and follow up with LANGKA as well. Tried the pens .... don't like the loss of control, in most situations end up with way too much paint going down.

Like the factory kit this supplier is usually providing base/clear system so you need to order and apply both for the correct repair.

 

By the time you factor in shipping, you might as well just get it from the dealer. Plus I use my BMW CCA club discount and get 20% off list at the Mini dealer too.

 

true if simply buying for 1 vehicle and 1 color

back in 'the day' these guys had MINI colors b4 the dealers had the t/u kits on the shelf which was how I found them first time out

if you already have clear for another vehicle you can buy just the color .... or if ordering for multiple vehicles buy color once. These guys also have the wheel and roof colors which I guess the dealers don't have cuz many have asked me for a supplier for those. Again you can get multiple colors - body and roof and wheel - and buy clear once while the dealer kits I've seen were always the two parter . . .

just food for thought . . .

 

Having used the touch up paint from BMW before, and also being an artist....I would recommend not using the brush that comes in the bottle. It doesn't provide smooth or detailed application. Go to your local craftstore and get a really fine brush instead!

 

I use a tooth pick rather than a brush. I have been using OEM touch-up for about 5 years now, still on the first bottle of BRG, white, and the clear.

Mark

 

yep ... toothpick, some even use a match stick .... just DO NOT use that horrible horrible brush built into the bottle(cap)

I like a 000 brush or finer ... and

- use the bottle brush to dispense a small amount of paint onto a mixing surface; and old business card is good, or a hunk of file card; plastic/metal/glass.

- the stuff out of the factory bottles (all, not just MINI) seems to be thick as old glue (well, it won't run) so I use some spirits and thin it down to a working consistency.

- then use the small brush to carefully fill the now very clean chip area. If following with clear it is desirable to leave the surface level below the existing ... then a day later follow the same proceedure with clear or if one stepping - bring the level above existing. Multiple coats may be necessary and an hour or a day 'tween is advisable.

- {a workable short cut in a base/clear situation is to mix your color and clear and apply as a one step . . . I only mention because if you dig into proceedures you will find this. How well it works is an opinion thing.}

- Once everything dries for a day or several I get out the LANGKA kit

Over kill? Probably ... but on the other hand I fix some of my chips with the air brush . . . (and adjust the dry/flash times accordingly) .... then buff ... now there's a way to get a nice result . . .

 

Hi all,

I've been reviewing all the U.N.B.E.L.I.E.V.A.B.L.E. work done by Phil at Detailers Domain as well as member threads, and I've got some questions for you all.

I've got a 2003 Silk Green R50 that is in need of some serious TLC. She's MINI number 168 sold in the USA and has been in my family since we picked her up from the dealer's lot in November 2002, so she's very special to me. I just purchased some new wheels for her and I don't want to have these sweet shiny new wheels on a dull-looking MINI, so it's time for a full detail. The poor MINI has lots of swirls, a few chips (I have a paint pen from Atlantic British for touch-up), serious paint fade (sun damage), and a fair number of spots that need to be buffed out (embedded in paint around front of roof and front bumper). Some of the detail works that I admire most (and is similar to what I'll need to do) are DD Audi RS4 detail, and the amazing DD R50 MINI detail (almost exactly what I'm looking at needing to do).

Questions:

1. What products do you recommend for repairing sun fade?
2. What products do you recommend for dealing with chips?
3. What products do you recommend for polishing the paint?
4. What products do you recommend for removing swirls/ other imperfections?
5. What products do you recommend for waxing the car?
6. What products do you recommend for wheel cleaning/ protection?

In short, what products do you recommend to make my MINI look better than new!?! I want this car to be absolutely stunning as I'm trying to make it to AMVIV and I want to watch heads turn and jaws drop when I roll by! This is my baby and I want her to look amazing!

So help me, NAMers!

Cheers, and happy motoring!

 

I like Menzerna polishes, Opti-seal sealant, and Opti-bond tire dressing by optimum polymer technology. However I am in the minority on this particular forum.

 

to a certian degree its more about technique than products, but you can only go so far with crap products

 

Yeah, there's a lot involved in the technique and such, but better products coupled with better technique and work results in better results. Hence why I'm asking about the products. I might just grab a lot of the stuff in the DP MINI detail thread, since that's most applicable, but I wanted to ask since my car is a light, metallic color instead of that darker blue...

 

how about you take it into detailer's paradise and have Mr. Nick polish her up for ya?

that's wat i'd do. then come home with some Hydro to maintain.