Question: BMW E30 Original German Paint Manufacturer?

[zipzam]

Hey Guys.....

I was wondering if anyone on the Forum knows what German paint manufacturer that BMW used for painting all the E30's in the mid 1980s-1992 when production ended.

I know that BMW used the German manufacturer, Galsurit as well as Sikkens paint products for some of their BMW models, but I'd like to know specifically what German brand paint was used in 1991 for their Sterling Silver metallic paint process.

I'm planning to eventually do a full paint in Sterling Silver and I'd like to use the original solvent based metallic paints that BMW used back in the day if possible. I'm also curious if anyone else has had this same question when planning to do full re-paint, as I tried doing a search with no success.

I know that the major American paint manufacturer PPG also makes a high quality paint as well, but I'd like to use the original German paint manufacturer if at all possible. I have also heard that German paints are also more difficult to use and more expensive, so this may be a deciding factor to consider as well.

PPG has been around for a long time and has a great reputation, so I was wondering if anyone knows if their Sterling Silver metallic, uses a fine grain metallic? I'm looking for the finest grain metallic silver flake possible in the color #244, Sterling Silver metallic.

If anyone has experience with having a full paint job done on your E30 hard top or Vert, i'd love to hear your thoughts. I'd also be grateful for some advice from anyone who has experience with professional paint products like Glasurit, Sikkens and PPG.

PPG has always been a solid American company and their products are probably less expensive than buying German paints, but i'd like to learn more before I decide on the paint to be used. Thanks!

[Jordan]

It was almost certainly Galsurit or Sikkens. I doubt anyone can tell you with a certainty though.

PPG is a good company as well and there is no reason to not use their paint materials in a full respray, but like any other company quality is sold is graduated steps. Global/Deltron if shooting solvent base, or Aquabase/Envirobase is shooting waterborne.

If the shop painting the car is using Omni or Shop-Line keep looking.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

My car was paint with spies hecker and its good stuff. Love the way it turned out and appears to really close to the factory color if not exactly like it.

[TobyB]

Californis

I hate to be the bringer of doom here,
but even if the original formulations were available,
you'd never get them into your state for aftermarket repair.
Or even new vehicle production...

And I would be shocked if the original toxins were available-
Europe has come around to the opinion that breathing matters...
Plus, they've had 30 years to improve things, AND what works
in a production environment may not be best in a paint shop...

That prognosticated, the system used is independent of the grain of the metallic.
There are about a bazillion different ones, changing daily, but the matches get
better with every generation. On top of that is application- everything from the wetness
of the base to the reduction of the first clear to an electrostatic charge (intentional or otherwise)
to technique to final surface finish affects the way the metallic goes down. Or stays up. Or does that cool
wobbly thing that happens right before you get a monster hanger...

At the end of the day, pick a good shop that uses a good system, and explain what you
want. They will get really close.

Plus, there's no real way to know what it looked like in 1991- paint ages, just like the rest of us...

t

[MSGGrunt]

When I did a total re-spray on my 1982 300SD Mercedes I discovered that even one particular brand of paint, say PPG, has different levels of quality for example "Deltron", "Value-Pro", "Omni" and "Shop-Line". You really do get what you pay for. Read about high solid clears and the different levels of quality of the paint as there can sometimes be a big difference in price. Also, just like woman, painters have their preferences with what they like spraying. If you want PPG and a shop is familiar with say DuPont I wouldn't ask the painter to shoot something he is not familiar with.

I have done a bit of ready and found BASF Glasurit R-M Diamont, which is one step down from their top tier paint, has gotten very good reviews and is probably what I will be going with when I repaint my maroon 1986 325e. Toped with their high solids clear coat. It is not an inexpensive products but, from everything I have researched, even if painting in your garage, you can get a better quality re-spray using higher quality products over lower quality.

Just know that not all PPG/DuPont/BASF (Glasurit)/paint is created equally. I would ask what "tier" PPG is being used.

[Eric Giles]

As has been mentioned, the formulations of the paint you get today would be quite different from what was available back in 1991.

Although I am far from an expert, a very good friend of mine is part owner of a collision repair shop and has been in this business for years. They exclusively use R-M Diamont/Glasurit and have their mixing system in house. We used R-M Diamont on my previous '87 325is full respray back in 2008, and in seeing recent pictures from the current owner, it has held up extremely well overall.

Their Glasurit line of products is more expensive, but is of higher overall quality. The other guy that is partner in the business has an early 70's Chevy Nova that he painted around 10 years ago with the Glasurit products. It is one of the most perfect paint jobs I have ever seen, with remarkable depth and clarity in the clear coat.

[zipzam]

Hey Guys...Thanks so much for everyone's input ! Though I'm still not sure if my question was answered completely, but at least i'm on the right track. I agree that the paint formulas have changed over the years since 1991 and that now there are a lot of excellent paint choices out there.

I will do more research on the subject of paint quality before I make my choice. Thanks to everyone who shared their paint experience but the R-M Diamont /Glasurit sounds closer to what I was hoping for. Thanks for sharing your information Eric. It sounds like Glasurit was purchased or absorbed by another company R-M Diamont. I had never heard of them before, but what I care most about is the overall quality. Of course there are a lot more details to worry about than just paint material quality. Experience of the craftsman painter who is prepping and spraying the car is probably the most important factor to be concerned with.

R-M Diamont/ Glasurit, definitely appears to be a great product and even though I also heard that the cost is higher, but the paint quality is supposed to be one of the best. I will also do further research on PPG as well, as I didn't realize that they have several levels of quality to choose from. Every little bit of information is important , so thanks again for everyone's helpful comments and observations.

[jeffnhiscars]

The simple answer to your question is Glasurit. The less simple answer as has been very well explained, is that whatnthey sprayed on our cars at the factory is not what you can buy today.

Quality paint is important but the quality of the artisan who applies it with a paint system he knows, is more important. Beyond all that, prep is king.

And yes, I mean artisan. you have to find not just the guy with the skills, but the guy who cares what he puts out.