Paint Chip Questions

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

The only issues I have with the clear bras are these:



1) They may yellow. Some claim they never will

2) When you wax, the wax gets stuck along the edjes of the bra, and can be a pain to remove

3) Seems the plastic stuff can scratch easily... and leave marks.



All these, except the yellowing, is from working with a clear bra at work, produced by 3M on a black car.

[m3f_astan100_7ef66fbe89]

For the price of re-painting you hood....how much would a CF hood be?



I thought I saw those going for less.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Prob, I have seen price ranges from 390 - 550 for the CF hoods. Matter of personal taste, cause you can't paint them from what I have read. So, you prob gotta like the look of the CF if you're going to get it for non-racing reaons.

[m3f_Sammyzuko_f27405666b]

Thanks guys, lots of good info. I'll go with KUpolo's idea first and see how it turns out. When I was shopping for M3s I looked at one with a clear bra and I couldn't even tell it had one until I was standing over the front end staring right at it. The bra had a few spots where the plastic had bunched up a tiny bit(about the diameter of a pencil tip) from rocks hitting it, but no paint chips.

Edgy: My advise is to get the front end covered with the 3M bra right away. Don't wait like I did.

[m3f_romh_9db5ad5d95]

There is some technique involved in using touchup paint and I'd be happy to share it with you if decide to go this route.





can you share your tips with me? I forgot the name of the product that supposedly lets you flattern out the touch up paint . I 've read it before on these forums, but I have it bookmarked at home.

Thanks

[m3f_KUpolo]

Sorry that took so long. Here's the pic:



you can kind of see a little bit of a white line since I just waxed the car, but it is barely visable and it will go away in a few days.

[m3f_Sirius_880bd69485]

Hahahah I can see you! :P, yeah, I just saw an E46 M3 at bmw with an invia bra too. Same colour too hehe. He had them on his fenders also, errm, the lower part behind the wheel.

[m3f_Sammyzuko_f27405666b]

KUpolo - That stuff is great! The line is the only way you can even notice it's there.

"There is some technique involved in using touchup paint and I'd be happy to share it with you if decide to go this route." - We'd like to hear how it's done

p.s. - I've always wondered, is that you in your avatar?

[m3f_KUpolo]

Ok for the technique I use for touch up painting:



It's really very simple.



1) You do not want to dab. That is the mistake that most people make.

When you dab, it leaves an elevated bubble on your paint.



2) The secret is to use a brushing motion.



3) The best way to do this is to get a piece of thick stock paper and set it immediately next to the spot you want to touch up. Make sure that the paint will not seep through the paper before you begin.



4) You want to make sure you are not loading the brush with too much paint.



5) Start your brush stroke on the piece of paper and finsh on the spot you are touching up. Starting the stroke on the paper will enable you to avoid getting too much paint on the spot and making it uneven with the rest of your paint.



If this is at all unclear, I can attempt to take a picture that maybe explains it better.



I hope this helps!



P.S. I wish I could take credit for the pic, but that is Jeremy Bloom, world champ bumps skier.

[m3f_Sammyzuko_f27405666b]

Alright, thanks KUpolo. I'll give it a shot when I get home.

[m3f_Edgy_592e912c16]

Awesome intell as usual, KUpolo.



Re touch-up, what about the clearcoat? Same procedure?

[m3f_KUpolo]

Re touch-up, what about the clearcoat? Same procedure?



That's a good question. I've never messed with clearcoat when I use touch-up paint. I'd be curious to hear if anyone else has.

[m3f_Edgy_592e912c16]

Well, for now I've ordered the half bra for the front of the car. Figure that will protect the edge of hood, where most of the damage would be, as long as I religiously use every time I hit the highway.



If in a few years the bumper really is hurting, I'll replace it.



Also ordered the smoked Euro lens protection, which should look pretty cool on my Hellas.



It' not costing me anything, since Mom got me a gift certificate at Bav Auto for the B-Day! Thanks Ma! :beer:



And while I'm at it, will take care of two small chips on driver door, using the KUpolo paper method. Love the sound of it, I too always had too much paint on the applicator when I've tried it previously.

[m3f_KUpolo]

And while I'm at it, will take care of two small chips on driver door, using the KUpolo paper method. Love the sound of it, I too always had too much paint on the applicator when I've tried it previously.





Cool. Lemme know how it works out.

[m3f_m3-dude]

Where could i buy the clear bra stuff at, or is it one of those things where it has to be "professionaly" installed?