How to tell quality of paint

[slammed_e30]

What are some ways to gauge the quality of the panit on in e30? Where are the trouble areas? Does certain lighting show flaws? etc... Anything help is appreciated.

Thanks, James

[BahnE30]

if it's smooth and glassy thats a good sign
i don't know what you mean by problem area's thou
do you mean rust

[slammed_e30]

common rust areas, maybe places where the paint is thin. Basically what to look for in good factory paint.

[george graves]

watch out for red cars - they fade BAD - well at lest the plastic painted stuff does - but a little elbo grease will shine up most any car - just don't expect 100%...

[e30Matt]

If you mean "aftermarket" paint, look for "orange peel", a condition where the surface of the paint has small shallow dimples that look like an orange peel. Also look for "beads" of paint around edges of panels, overall color evenness, etc.

For original paint, check for oxidation, fade, swirl marks (not a huge deal), scratches, clearcoat peels, etc.

[MattM20]

check the trunk and the roof for fade and oxidation

[///M42 sport]

I think if you use a quality wash and wax product (zymol) you should be able to restore the original paint and make it last for years more.

Off course if the clearcoat is flaking off (such as on black, or red), then thats another story. Alpine white is a one stage, meaning no clearcoat, so if the paint appears chalky then you can remove all the oxidation with a good claybar to reveal a shiny surface underneath.

IMO I think factory orginal paint is the best b/c the factory is able to bake the chassis naked. You can really do this if you get a respray b/c you have to worry about the upholstery and stuff.
________
Greatman replay

[Bryson]

for rust, check under the rear windows and the back of the fenders, behind the wheels. If you can get underneath the car, check around the muffler area and underneath the battery tray and the heatsheild next to the downpipes/cat
check the front end for chipping paint (common mostly on some 318ises) if it has the 'anti-chipping' stuff on the valance, check the bar under the headlights

[christophbmw]

i have a Q. did the factory paint come with a clear coat? i have an 85'. whenever i polish it it takes of a shitload of paint. my rag is litteraly black (i hand polish it). i think my car has been resprayed in the past but im not sure. if anyone know's if they have clear oat from the factory i would much appriciate it. thanks.

[Spaz]

i have a Q. did the factory paint come with a clear coat? i have an 85'. whenever i polish it it takes of a shitload of paint. my rag is litteraly black (i hand polish it). i think my car has been resprayed in the past but im not sure. if anyone know's if they have clear oat from the factory i would much appriciate it. thanks.

yes alll e30's had clear coat...most of them even had it in the engine compartment....but that ended in 89 or 90 i believe.

[christophbmw]

thanks, now i really know that my car has been repainted. and that also answers why my engine compartment still has clear coat on it. thanks again.

[Charlie]

Visual test, feel it, and test it with a thickness guage.

-Charlie

[BS87]

Alpine white is a one stage, meaning no clearcoat

yes alll e30's had clear coat...

:oops:

[e30Matt]

to anyone with Alpine White. The true man's paint. :)

::dons the flame suit:: :firehop:

[Beej '86 325es]

i have a Q. did the factory paint come with a clear coat? i have an 85'. whenever i polish it it takes of a shitload of paint. my rag is litteraly black (i hand polish it). i think my car has been resprayed in the past but im not sure. if anyone know's if they have clear oat from the factory i would much appriciate it. thanks.

yes alll e30's had clear coat...most of them even had it in the engine compartment....but that ended in 89 or 90 i believe.

Not all E30s had a clear coat. Not sure about other colors, but the Alpine White cars did not start using a clear coat until the later years. Probably when they switched to Alpine White II.