BMW cost cutting on the paint job?

[bigdog]

I was once told by a detailer that another possible cause for the poor finish especially on the sides is down to gravity - after the clearcoat is sprayed, on vertical panels, it 'sags' due to its own weight before it is baked. On horizontal surfaces, it can settle flat (or flatter at any rate)

I'm no pro. But I would imagine it is somewhat down to gravity, But mostly due to the poor quality paints mandated by the ecomentalist's in the government. Wouldn't a high volatility paint set up a bit faster as the solvents evaporate much quicker than water based one's.

[jools1963]

To answer the initial question about the bonnet/boot shuts paint finish its quite simply a cost saving. The body before colour coat has been electrocoated for corrosion protection, then it is sprayed in a surfacer/sealer coat. All shuts and under bonnet/boot lid were typically hands prayed. The outer is machine sprayed. The sealer coat is coloured as per the basecoat . The bodies then being base coated in whatever colour it is supposed to be. The shuts are hand sprayed. The body is clear coated/lacqured on the exterior only. The process of clear coat deletion to shuts has been standard for over 10 years to my knowledge, its a big cost saving!

Water based colour coat in my opinion as an ex paint shop (mg rover) shift manager is crap! Solvent based always gave a greater depth of shine with less orange peel. But it is/was only the base coat that was water based at the time. Although technology was moving toward water based clear coat.

Hope this helps!!!

[ferry]

Thread resurrection but something I've just noted on my car, too. The shut lines are neatly masked. Clearly that extra 10 mm of paint coverage would have made all the difference to the profitability of the Z4.

Still, at least it's well documented so people don't assume the car has been front ended.

Has anyone ever had a go at touching up that strip? Seems a relatively low risk endeavour given the location (famous last words)......

[bz4kev]

Thread resurrection but something I've just noted on my car, too. The shut lines are neatly masked. Clearly that extra 10 mm of paint coverage would have made all the difference to the profitability of the Z4.

Still, at least it's well documented so people don't assume the car has been front ended.

Has anyone ever had a go at touching up that strip? Seems a relatively low risk endeavour given the location (famous last words)......

if you look at the link at start of post someone has done this with pics

[ferry]

Thread resurrection but something I've just noted on my car, too. The shut lines are neatly masked. Clearly that extra 10 mm of paint coverage would have made all the difference to the profitability of the Z4.

Still, at least it's well documented so people don't assume the car has been front ended.

Has anyone ever had a go at touching up that strip? Seems a relatively low risk endeavour given the location (famous last words)......

if you look at the link at start of post someone has done this with pics

Thanks, just found that on pistonheads.

[mr nurburgring]

Lol. It was me who did that on pistonheads.
Still looks prefect.

[bz4kev]

Lol. It was me who did that on pistonheads.
Still looks prefect.

think I may have to do mine Toledo blue I thought someone had done a bad respray same places and in the boot top section looks awful have to sort this not good bmw hang your heads in shame very shoddy workmanship