Flat Black (sorry 56k)

[Q5Quint]

I noticed that a lot of people on the forums talk about flat black and how it is "teh sex" and such. I liked it too, and decided to give it a try on my horrible faded and scratched up ix. I did learn that trying to get a 'smooth and even' finish with a spraycan is near impossible, though there are some spots on the car that look good. Keep in mind this was done with about $20 of paint and about $5 of sandpaper... and it still came out pretty mean looking in my book.

Here are some shots before:


(notice the front valance is actually duct tape)

(duct tape removed)







and after:







































BTW:
I do intend to get new roundels, non-busted fogs, give the suspension a little bit of a drop, and add a i lip. Maybe even some window tint one day.

What do you guys think?

Can you think of anything else I could add or take away?

I really like the look and color, but next spring I am going to strip it all back down and go with the real john deer satin paint instead of the rattle can. The uneven-nes of it makes me kinda :curse: but there isnt a way to fix it.

[Ravins]

I dont like I am sorry but the paint look really nice before I will buy your fogs from you tho if they ony have cracked lenses

[MR 325]

You all will hate me but I love it! My Eta was done just like your car, everything black. I want another one to do it again.

Here's my old Eta...

[permit]

You just killed an iX that had a fuckload of potential. Nice.

[motorprestige]

Don't like it, it seems like you're trying to be dave coleman from sport compact car.

[Q5Quint]

^^^ Sweet yellow fogs~ I was thinking of laminx on the fogs and high beams, but for driving up/down a snowy mountain I think I might need all the light I can get.

I am also just going to buy the mr lens lenses to fix my fogs... unless a working set of fogs can be had for cheap.

The pictures really makes the old paint look nice~ it actually was dull and looked like somebody washed the car with sandpaper and a steel wool. I tried buffing it with some rubbing compound a few times but to no avail. The whole front valance was also rusted to hell, and needed some paint anyway. Besides, the ix was the first non-black bmw I ever had, so I had to do something about that .

Like I said, next spring I am convinced I will go with the smooth satin black, and whether you like it or not, you know deep down inside that it will be very badass.8-)

I do agree that painting a car with $1 spraycans is not something you do to impress ladies.

[bimmer8604]

u fucked up.

I think it would have looked better done professionaly. Hell, i dont even think an e30 would look good flat black at all. i dont think i would be cought driving that.

Kyle

[Iain]

Looks fucking ace dude!

I love the rat rod look! I mean, an E30 is just a fucking old, outdated German taxi!

[Q5Quint]

I am more concerned with the 'go' than with the 'show', so the cheap paint job doesnt bother me at all. Infact, it gives me some peace of mind. Now every scratch can be repaired for under $1, and nobody will bother trying to key, or steal, my car. I dont have to worry about waxing, polishing, or buffing, I can just worry about washing salt off my valance and underbody.

No paintjob that cost as much as the car is worth for me!

[King Luis]

go get it done right.

[Julien]

god.. people from boone, i fucking swear app students are the epitomy of jay and silent bobism.



Julien
UNCA.

[kansas-ix]

I'll make you a good deal on some d-schwarz paint to go get it done right, let me know I have everything you need and then just let maaco paint it with the good paint and it will look better than now.

[terrybpp]

Put the old rims on it and see if some contrast helps.

The only good satin black jobs I have seen are done by a shop. Rattle cans leave to many highs and lows. Take it to Macco (<<<not a pro) and have them shoot the car. Atleast it will be even.

[Q5Quint]

^ I agree, but a real restoration will have to wait till next spring. I got most of the bigger rusty spots/scratches out, but there were lots of small ones I just painted over, so I am going to strip the car completely in order to make sure all of them get removed. The flat black is more like a winter rust fix and a see-if-I-like black enough to go for the real thing next spring.

This is the satin finish I am going for next spring~ the spray cans just helped me to see that it will be a worthwhile investment. :p

[DEV0 E30]

I applaud the effort... but silver is a color I wouldn't paint over.

Can't wait to see a certain flat black car shred up AZ.