Single Stage- Black Help

[bmwstephen]

Hi Mike and everyone else!

I've been a long time lurker and have constantly followed everyone's posts about SS paints. It's been an eye opener and just by seeing the work everyone has accomplished with these types of finish has been draw dropping.

That said, I'm still a little newbie when it comes to recognizing and comprehending SS finishes (I've been a base/clear man my whole life but it's just too unrewarding....)

In any event, I'm about to purchase an older bimmer based soley on the fact that the paint and body is original. Suffice to say, there are areas that I'm concerned about as I was reading up on "pigment instability" and "point of no return".

As you can see in the pictures, the car is fairly dull as you move towards the back. chalky paint, with no gloss. I'm worried that even if I put enough effort and money short of a respray, the imperfections would reappear within 2 weeks.

Are there any quick and easy tests that I can administer on the paint before confirming it's unstable? I'd hate to waste the sellers time or my money (more importantly).

http://i.imgur.com/ya4Ub.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/q3sht.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/OHWZl.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/u5Vag.jpg

[Mike Phillips]

Are there any quick and easy tests that I can administer on the paint before confirming it's unstable?


I'd hate to waste the sellers time or my money (more importantly).





Yes.



What I do is clean the paint with a good quality paint cleaner, you can also use a quality polish and even compound like Meguiar's Ultimate Compound.



Just apply to a section of one of the worst spots by hand and a microfiber applicator pad and then wipe off the residue. If the paint can be saved it should restore a deep, dark black appearance.



Then apply and work in some #7 Show Car Glaze. Wipe off the excess.



Next seal that section with some type of wax or paint sealant.



Now wait for about a week to see if the paint stays deep, dark and black. To really test out the stability, expose the car to rain and sunlight.

If the paint fades back to a white or milky dull look the pigments have become unstable and chances are very good you won't be able to save it.


Also...

Welcome to AutogeekOnline!


:welcome:

[Mike Phillips]

In any event, I'm about to purchase an older bimmer based soley on the fact that the paint and body is original. Suffice to say, there are areas that I'm concerned about as I was reading up on "pigment instability" and "point of no return".




For everyone that will read this thread into the future... here's what Stephen is talking about...


Page 37 - Paint Condition Categories (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/51281-page-37-paint-condition-categories.html)



See categories #9 and #11



:xyxthumbs:

[bmwstephen]

thanks mike! although it might be hard to predict, can you tell (using your experience) the health of the paint just by looking at those pics?

[Mike Phillips]

thanks mike! although it might be hard to predict, can you tell (using your experience) the health of the paint just by looking at those pics?

From this picture...


http://i.imgur.com/q3sht.jpg



It looks pretty bad. The paint on the rear pillar looks like it's physically flaking off?

Normally oxidized single stage paint turns chalky white or opaque.

Oxidized clear coat paints turn dull and if they are really bad they turn whitish. Are you positive this is a single stage paint?

Also, from the wheels and overall condition it looks like the owners of this car have never lifted a finger to maintain it on the exterior. Chances are good the same holds true for the mechanicals.

I'm not a BMW aficionado but from other people's experiences it seems repairing BMW's mechanically is a tick on the expensive side. At a minimum I would want to do a compression check of the cylinders.


:dunno:

[bmwstephen]

From this picture...


http://i.imgur.com/q3sht.jpg



It looks pretty bad. The paint on the rear pillar looks like it's physically flaking off?

Normally oxidized single stage paint turns chalky white or opaque.

Oxidized clear coat paints turn dull and if they are really bad they turn whitish. Are you positive this is a single stage paint?

Also, from the wheels and overall condition it looks like the owners of this car have never lifted a finger to maintain it on the exterior. Chances are good the same holds true for the mechanicals.

I'm not a BMW aficionado but from other people's experiences it seems repairing BMW's mechanically is a tick on the expensive side. At a minimum I would want to do a compression check of the cylinders.


:dunno:

haha I appreciate the input. This would be my 3rd of the same bimmer. first one to be single stage. although the owner claims it to be original, I do question his claims

that said, the 2 similar cars that I do own have been professionally resprayed b/c. However, no matter what, I am never satisfied with how it turns out. Maybe it's my luck with the body shape of these cars but No body shop I've been to could get it 100% perfect despite my close monitoring and guidance of the respray job. This is one of the sole reasons I want an original colored car.

I've thrown more money on paint than I the have mechanics on these car. My biggest lesson is "engines are a dime in a dozen, but a straight and original body is a unicorn"

[Mike Phillips]

My biggest lesson is "engines are a dime in a dozen, but a straight and original body is a unicorn"




That's a good one... :dblthumb2:



Have you ever seen this BMW? It's one of the cooler BMW's I've worked on in my life...


RIDS and Feathersanding (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wet-sanding-cutting-buffing/21469-rids-feathersanding-highly-specialized-technique-mike-phillips.html)


This is a Side-by-side, before & after demonstration I did for the 2002 Bimmerfest in Santa Barbara.

http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2600_before1.jpg


http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2600_bmwsidebyside2.jpg


Then down the road a few years this dramatic before and after was used on the label when SwirlX was introduced...



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/828/SwirlX1.jpg



:)

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Welcome to AGO.


I've thrown more money on paint than I the have mechanics on these car. My biggest lesson is "engines are a dime in a dozen, but a straight and original body is a unicorn"

Yep that is typical of the old e30. The chassis and drivetrain is very well built but the paint will degrade rather quickly if not maintened.

[BillE]

Maybe one of the members can help you out 'in-person'...where are you located?

Bill

[bmwstephen]

Well im from norcal and I plan on flying down to san deigo, ca to check out the car. That would be a great idea as I will be happy to reimburse someone for their time in accompanying me to check the car out

Sent from the heavens

[Mike Phillips]

Well im from norcal and I plan on flying down to san deigo, ca to check out the car.

That would be a great idea as I will be happy to reimburse someone for their time in accompanying me to check the car out




We should have a lot of members that live in the San Diego area, just start a thread with a title that states you're looking for a forum member in the SD area and maybe someone will step up to the plate and tag along...


:)

[bmwstephen]

well, my trip to SD was disappointing to begin with. Mike hit the nail on the head on the car I was looking at. The paint wasn't oxidized... the genius PO decided to heavy sand the car to give it a satin flat look.

However, I did end up running across a 2nd candidate schwarz car that looked pretty darn good for its age aside from a few other things. I'm working things out with the owner now to see if he'd like to sell it. As far as imperfections goes on the paint, these are the only ones:

http://i.imgur.com/oVmti.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kVUJs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZIdFJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/W9k0R.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/oSBdo.jpg

The chips don't bother me as much since I've seen people touch up and make them seamless but the SCRATCHES... I'm worried would be difficult to touch up...