[Fujing]

I got my x3 back from the certified BMW body shop due to the OEM paint defect on the edge of the fender. I finally got a chance to take a look really closely yesterday while washing the car. I noticed there are funny texture shown underneath the clear coat. (Like thousands of white dots inside the clear. See photos)

I was told that the repair was to sand off the OEM imperfections at the edge close to the A pilar and color blend within the fender followed by a complete reclear of the fender.

Could anybody tell me what is the stuff I am looking at? And what's the cause of that. The body shop told me that the paint job was perfect and it is per BMW standard.: more importantly, how can I correct this?

[Fujing]

Originally Posted by Fujing

I got my x3 back from the certified BMW body shop due to the OEM paint defect on the edge of the fender. I finally got a chance to take a look really closely yesterday while washing the car. I noticed there are funny texture shown underneath the clear coat. (See photos)

I was told that the repair was to sand off the OEM imperfections at the edge close to the A pilar and color blend within the fender followed by a complete reclear of the fender.

Could anybody tell me what is the stuff I am looking at? And what's the cause of that. The body shop told me that the paint job was perfect and it is per BMW standard.:

It was fine at the area with the new color coat the texture area is further away from it.

[XXX3]

Originally Posted by Fujing

It was fine at the area with the new color coat the texture area is further away from it.

What you’re seeing is orange peel. They should have color sanded the repainted area after the final clear coat. Sure doesn’t match the adjacent panel. I would argue for another repaint by another dealer/body shop.

[claykin]

Originally Posted by Fujing

It was fine at the area with the new color coat the texture area is further away from it.

Painter did a sloppy blend. Keep in mind a blend has the painter spray base coat (color) on surrounding areas that currently have clear. Then they clearcoat over that. Get them to rework their poor workmanship. Maybe the shop has another, more experienced, painter?

[_ink]

+1 on crappy workmanship

[Fujing]

Originally Posted by claykin

Painter did a sloppy blend. Keep in mind a blend has the painter spray base coat (color) on surrounding areas that currently have clear. Then they clearcoat over that. Get them to rework their poor workmanship. Maybe the shop has another, more experienced, painter?

This is what I was thinking too. The new color on old clear then the new clear on that... do I really need a blend on the fender? The repainted area where has a good coverage matches very well with the a Pilar and the hood. I did some search online and people mentioned there is no need to have a blend for the solid white color

[Fujing]

Originally Posted by XXX3

What you’re seeing is orange peel. They should have color sanded the repainted area after the final clear coat. Sure doesn’t match the adjacent panel. I would argue for another repaint by another dealer/body shop.

No, this is not the orange peel, the orange peel is fine, these texture is underneath the clear.

[Fujing]

Originally Posted by claykin

Painter did a sloppy blend. Keep in mind a blend has the painter spray base coat (color) on surrounding areas that currently have clear. Then they clearcoat over that. Get them to rework their poor workmanship. Maybe the shop has another, more experienced, painter?

I was surprise that this is the certified BMW body shop and they are the only one in the area...

[Fujing]

Originally Posted by _ink

+1 on crappy workmanship

Thanks for your input, I am going to talk to them again tomorrow

[claykin]

Originally Posted by Fujing

This is what I was thinking too. The new color on old clear then the new clear on that... do I really need a blend on the fender? The repainted area where has a good coverage matches very well with the a Pilar and the hood. I did some search online and people mentioned there is no need to have a blend for the solid white color

Oh no, alpine white is as tough to get the shade right as many other solid colors. Sometimes it looks good in bright sun, then not under moonlight or artificial light. AW is generally easier to spray, but color match is the same nightmare as most other solid colors.

[Fujing]

Originally Posted by claykin

Oh no, alpine white is as tough to get the shade right as many other solid colors. Sometimes it looks good in bright sun, then not under moonlight or artificial light. AW is generally easier to spray, but color match is the same nightmare as most other solid colors.

So when they try to redo the panel, they will still have to blend the paint? I am worry about the same thing is gonna happen if they start blending into the door and the hood

[claykin]

Originally Posted by Fujing

So when they try to redo the panel, they will still have to blend the paint? I am worry about the same thing is gonna happen if they start blending into the door and the hood

A good painter can blend and you won't be able to see where old/new begins/ends.