Covering up a poor paint job - Vinyl?

[ninjaotter]

Hey guys and gals-

I have a 1990 325is Coupe that was in a minor accident and got repaint Calypsorot. They did a very very poor job with the prep and the spray, so something needs to be done about it. They glued the spoiler on, didn't remove the 325is emblem, left two huge runs on the rear drivers side quarter panel. Stuff like that. I dont have the time or funds to do a full repaint at this point, so I'm thinking about other options. I have a crap load of matte black vinyl, as well as a vinyl cutter.

The plan:
1. Do a full wash, cut, buff, clay and wax. The whole nine yards. Detail the crap out of it. Sand down the runs so they dont poke through the vinyl.
2. Shadowline the chrome trim.
3. Take off the trunk and hood, pull the spoiler off the trunk.
4. Remove the bumpers and whatnot. Basically take every body part I can off.
5. Wrap the car in matte black vinyl. Leave the kidneys chromed.
6. Reassemble.

That's the basic plan. Here is where I want to change thing up. I'm thinking about adding pin stripes by cutting away parts of the vinyl and exposing the better parts of the paint. Either regular pin striping, or some sort of graffiti design. Some cut by hand, most cut on the CNC vinyl cutter.

Anyone have any experience with anything like this? Good idea? Bad idea? Matte black wasn't my first choice, but I got it for about 10% of normal retail price. I was going to go matte white. I think matte black with hints of Calypso peaking through would look pretty good.

I'll be starting in the next couple of days, so I'll update the thread with some pictures in progress.

[Skunkworks]

Honestly you can likely wet sand and buff the car and get awesome results, or you can put a band aid on the problem.

vinyl unless its really good Fellers wrap material will look like shit in no time...

I would never suggest vinyl for any car unless it was a promotional car.

[ninjaotter]

Honestly you can likely wet sand and buff the car and get awesome results, or you can put a band aid on the problem.

vinyl unless its really good Fellers wrap material will look like shit in no time...

I would never suggest vinyl for any car unless it was a promotional car.

Most of the clear coat is shot, the paint is really really shot. I'm going to give it the old college try to save it, but I'm not betting the farm on it.

Its 3M automotive wrap, I've used it before with good results.

[bmwstephen]

removing vinyl for a paint job in the future would be a bigger mess... I would jsut be patient and save up until you can. In the mean time, if you're bored you can slowly start on the prep work and just start sanding the crap out of your car in preparation for your future paint job

[element6]

you're talking about some difficult wrap techniques when you factor in cutting away materials and an e30..

Have you wrapped a car before?

You should think of the following two options:

1. Attend a week long wrap training course and get certified.. maybe you will like it. If not, you'll at least know most of the techniques and how it's done. FYI; the cost of these is usually around $2k but you will leave very informed. I promise.

2. Begin on the prep work for a nice paint job if you have the time, tools, knowledge.

Remember.. wrapping cast is usually calendared for about 5 years on average.

What 3M film do you have?

removing vinyl for a paint job in the future would be a bigger mess

No, it would not be. Have you ever removed wrapping cast from a car after a couple years?

There are permanent and removable types of wrapping vinyl. Signage and the stuff you see on trucks and vans and stuff for advertising purposes is usually permanent and not meant to be removed. You start pulling that stuff up and you will rip the clear coat off with it.. sometimes even the base coat.

[element6]

And personally.. I don't think I'd wrap an E30.. it would look weird. You can always tell if it's vinyl.

Paint is the way to go on this car.

just my opinions.

[Vivek]

I think that a wrap would look good, just not in matte black. Be more creative than that, but if you're willing to put in the effort (which it seems like you are) you can likely yield some good results.

[profbooty]

What about plastidiping it? My friend just did his RX7 and it came out great. Its pretty cheap to do as well and takes little talent.

[element6]

I would go that route if I were trying to cover it up temporarily. It's cheap for what it is.

You will have to buy a $150 wagner paint sprayer to do it right but the plastidip won't cost you more than $150 to cover the whole car.

I have never done this before but I was looking into it.

https://www.dipyourcar.com/home.php

There are a few videos on youtube too.

[element6]

I was talking to the guys at Johns shop in Ft. Lauderdale (shared with condor speed shop) about it and one of them said it doesn't last very long on a whole car but if you look in the dipyourcar forums there are ways to fix imperfections or scratches.

They said to stay away from white.

I don't know.. I repainted black trim on cars/scooters for myself and friends with black plastidip and it holds up really nicely.