BMW Z3 detail - advice needed

[blue DX]

Hi, I need some help in identifying what these things are and how they can be corrected. Car is a yellow BMW Z3 convertible. Here are some pictures.

On the passenger door:




On the hood edge near the windshield:




On the hood - front part:



They seem to be globs of something that ate the paint. For the ones on the passenger door and hood (front part), there seems to be a transparent cover/film above the defect. What are these and how can I remedy them?

[PAR Detailing]

Its hard to tell but from what Im seeing #1 and #3 look like something ate through the clear and down to primer or metal. If that is the case there is nothing you can do about those. #2 looks like a paint run or where excess paint was sprayed.

Looking at the pictures that just doesnt look like factory paint to me, has this thing been resprayed?

[Mike Phillips]

Yeah... looks like touch-up paint or something?

What's the story?

Also, how about a picture that shows the entire car, that's a very bright yellow...

[KevinR]

#1 looks like a door ding that was touched up.
#2 looks like a paint run.
#3 looks like a rock chip that's had clear applied over it.

Based on the limited visual evidence, I'd say that the car has been repainted. I have owned 2 Z3s, with one still in my possession. Neither of them have or had paint texture like that.

The name of the factory paint color is found on a decal applied to the left front strut tower. It looks like Atlanta Blue metallic is peeking out through the defects in the yellow paint.

When dealing with non-factory paint of unknown origin, I treat each panel as a test section, starting with least aggressive methods and working up slowly until I am pleased with the results or until I feel I am about to do more harm than good.

[blue DX]

Yup, you guys are right. The owner told me that this car has been repainted years ago and the job done wasn't a good one. Looks as if the yellow was just sprayed on its previous red paint. The paint job was so bad that old red paint is still showing or starting to show in some areas where paint is usually thinner (edges). If you look closely in the engine bay for example, some nooks, crannies and hard to reach places are still red. Some panels at the rear have different shades of yellow too. Talk about bad work. The Z3 wasn't done justice with that kind of paint job.

Knowing this, I have really been careful with detailing this car. For one, I opted not to do any step 1 buffing or rubbing for fear of damaging the paint further. Given this, what is the best thing I can do to detail this car's paint? I still feel that this car has detail potential. (My team and I also did work for the interior to bring back some life to it.) And yes, I'll try to get some pictures of the entire car.

[Dubbin1]

I wouldn't do much more then wash, clay and wax.

[KevinR]

It's hard to tell without looking at the car, but I might consider a one-step cleaner wax on the car. Again, careful testing sections and a very cautious technique are in order.

[Wills.WindowsAndWheels]

Wow, what a horrible paint job. Yeah thats a touchy situation for sure. Those 3 spots are there to stay it looks like...its just what to do about the REST of the car. If it is painted as poorly as you described id be scared of some clear coming off if you hit it with a machine...MAYBE on a lower speed with less pressure you could get some improvement without risking damaging the car...of course explain that to the owner first and see what he wants to do.

Wash clay and wax should be safe....if you do hit it with a machine maybe use an AIO like D151 so that you only have to go over it once?

Just throwing out ideas...id really like to see the full car too. From the pics it looks lke the surface of a lemon...lemon peel instead of orange peel lol

[Mike Phillips]

It's hard to tell without looking at the car, but I might consider a one-step cleaner wax on the car.

Again, careful testing sections and a very cautious technique are in order.

Great advice...

Simply go over the paint with a good one-step cleaner/wax... the below is list of products in the "Cleaner/Wax" catagory... from this article...

The Difference Between a Cleaner/Wax and a Finishing Wax



Cleaner/Waxes
Menzerna Sealing Wax APO 60
Collinite Paste Sapphire Auto Wax #73SS
Mothers California Gold Original Formula Carnauba Cleaner Wax
Poorboy’s World Polish with Carnauba (BLUE)
Poorboy's World Polish with 100% Carnauba
Collinite Liquid Sapphire Auto Wax SS216
Dodo Juice Need For Speed Cleaner Wax


Cleaner/Sealants
XMT 360 All In One Cleaner Wax
Griot's Garage One-Step Sealant
Klasse All-In-One Polish
Duragloss Polish & Cleaner 101
Finish Kare 215 One Step Cleaner & Surface Sealant
Finish Kare 2180 Ultra Poly Wipe Sealant Conditioner
Optimum Poli-Seal
Mother's FX Synwax Paste
Mother's FX Synwax Liquid
Mother's Reflections Advanced Car Wax
Wheel Wax Glacier Polish & Sealant
3M One Step Cleaner Wax

Hybrid Cleaner Waxes/Sealants
Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #6 Cleaner/Wax
Duragloss Total Performance Polish (TPP) # 105
Meguiar's M20 Polymer Sealant
Meguiar's ColorX
Meguiar's M66 Quick Detailer
Meguiar's D151 Paint Reconditioning Cream
1Z Einszett Metallic Polish Wax
Duragloss Wet Look Paste Wax

[Y2KSVT]

From the pics it looks lke the surface of a lemon...lemon peel instead of orange peel lol

Exactly what I was thinking! It sounds like this may be a dedicated race car as the OP references his "Team." Personally, with that small of a car, I'd be considering a new paint job with all of the issues it has right now.

Mark