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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic Maintenance: Wash, Wax, Detailing, Repairs > So it happened, how do I fix a paint chip?
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      04-12-2012, 03:14 PM   #1
bcl0328
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So it happened, how do I fix a paint chip?

I hate those paint-chipping windshield-shattering dump trucks on the road. Already got a small chip in the paint. How can I fix it?
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      04-12-2012, 04:06 PM   #2
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anyone ever use dr. color chip?

http://drcolorchip.com/select-produc...&submit=Submit
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      04-12-2012, 04:55 PM   #3
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Ive used it, it fixes the color aspect but it does not fill it in depth wise.
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      04-12-2012, 05:02 PM   #4
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there is barely any depth, i just want the color to match.
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      04-13-2012, 06:50 AM   #5
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The non-metallic color will always match better. Nobody on here is going to know enough about your particular color unless you tell us the color of your car.
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      04-13-2012, 08:04 AM   #6
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Your BMW dealer can sell you a little touch up paint and clear coat paint kit, if that what you want.
They also have a larger BMW chip repair kit with small sanding and polishing compounds
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      04-13-2012, 08:16 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E90Fleet View Post
Your BMW dealer can sell you a little touch up paint and clear coat paint kit, if that what you want.
They also have a larger BMW chip repair kit with small sanding and polishing compounds
The Dr. Colorchip will *likely* look better than the simple touch up paint. The reason why is the touch up paint usually beads up and forms a lump where the paint chip was. The Dr. Colorchip quickly bonds to the paint, and allows you to wipe it off with a pad that is dampened with a paint sealant.

Now if you want to go all out, the sanding/polishing kit is the way to go. Basically you apply the touch up paint and let it form a lump. Then come back later and wet sand it flush with the paint, then polish out the sanding marks. The result should be nearly flawless.

Personally I dont have a lot of faith in myself taking sand paper to my car finish, so I use the Dr. Colorchip.
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      04-13-2012, 08:26 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcl0328 View Post
I hate those paint-chipping windshield-shattering dump trucks on the road. Already got a small chip in the paint. How can I fix it?
You can get a quality clear-bra on the front of your car. Got mine 2 years ago, and not a chip on my baby. The peace of mind is worth the cost, plus bugs and stuff just wash off so much easier.

And for those that say the line is so noticeable...it's all about the quality of the material and the installer....look for yourself....



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      04-13-2012, 08:46 AM   #9
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Did you get the mirrors also?
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      04-13-2012, 12:24 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KneeDragr View Post
The non-metallic color will always match better. Nobody on here is going to know enough about your particular color unless you tell us the color of your car.
alpine white
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      04-13-2012, 12:27 PM   #11
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alpine white
Have they offered that color before 2012? Id check on other forums to see if anyone with that color has had success with a a particular product.
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      04-13-2012, 01:38 PM   #12
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Dr. Colorchip worked great on one of my old cars that had metallic paint. I was afraid it would be a little dark where I applied the touch-up but I couldn't find it after applied. If you want to fix the depth you apply more than one coat. I wouldn't mess with trying to sand it. If it's really large I would bring it to a paint shop and have them try and fix it.
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      04-13-2012, 01:40 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shoptb View Post
You can get a quality clear-bra on the front of your car. Got mine 2 years ago, and not a chip on my baby. The peace of mind is worth the cost, plus bugs and stuff just wash off so much easier.

And for those that say the line is so noticeable...it's all about the quality of the material and the installer....look for yourself....



The clear bra works great. Having no rock chips on your car driving in Columbus is saying something. There are a ton of large trucks that drive through there.
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      04-13-2012, 05:03 PM   #14
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this shop wanted $690 to do a full clear bra, including mirrors.
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      04-13-2012, 05:13 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shoptb View Post
And for those that say the line is so noticeable...it's all about the quality of the material and the installer....look for yourself....
This is a trick question right? I can see that in both pictures quite clearly and on the headlight sprayers. I'd rather have a few rock chips and not have to see the clear bra every time I approach my car, but understand why folks go either route.

I'm detail obsessed and have a four year old Jet Black car that I don't find that hard to keep nearly swirl free, just for reference.

As for fixing Alpine White, it should be easy, it's a single stage paint, just buy the touch up paint, use a tooth pick to fill the hole with color, one drop at a time, let it dry over night, add a drop and then fill the hole slightly over level with the clear coat and then wet sand it level with a 2000 wet block. Even for a large chip, you should be able to fill the entire thing and have it sanded in under a week.
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      04-13-2012, 09:15 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
This is a trick question right? I can see that in both pictures quite clearly and on the headlight sprayers. I'd rather have a few rock chips and not have to see the clear bra every time I approach my car, but understand why folks go either route.

I'm detail obsessed and have a four year old Jet Black car that I don't find that hard to keep nearly swirl free, just for reference.
I didn't say it was invisible, but to me, that's a really good job considering that I don't have to worry about rock chips, bugs, other annoyances. I agree that if one is detail-obsessed and has the time to keep a jet black car swirl free....you're probably ok without the clear bra. I wish I was that patient!
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Last edited by shoptb; 04-13-2012 at 09:36 PM..
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      04-14-2012, 09:14 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shoptb View Post
I didn't say it was invisible, but to me, that's a really good job considering that I don't have to worry about rock chips, bugs, other annoyances. I agree that if one is detail-obsessed and has the time to keep a jet black car swirl free....you're probably ok without the clear bra. I wish I was that patient!
My sister's dad (long story) had a Gallardo that had the clear bra on the front, applied by someone in Columbus, and it was great for about two years and then weirdly began to get a little hazy, and bugs became MUCH harder to remove from the bra than the actual paint. Have you experienced this at all?
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      04-14-2012, 10:06 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SCBimmerKid View Post
My sister's dad (long story) had a Gallardo that had the clear bra on the front, applied by someone in Columbus, and it was great for about two years and then weirdly began to get a little hazy, and bugs became MUCH harder to remove from the bra than the actual paint. Have you experienced this at all?
Wow, that's interesting. No, I haven't experienced that...and if I did, I probably wouldn't be so positive about the clear-bra. I got mine installed by an independent guy (Julius Poa) from over in Dayton....he's apparently one of the best in Ohio. It's been almost two years, and no swirls/haziness yet. I wonder how much difference the actual type of material used accounts for that?
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      04-14-2012, 10:29 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SCBimmerKid View Post
My sister's dad (long story) had a Gallardo that had the clear bra on the front, applied by someone in Columbus, and it was great for about two years and then weirdly began to get a little hazy, and bugs became MUCH harder to remove from the bra than the actual paint. Have you experienced this at all?
There are dozens of different versions of the film they apply. Some of it is really cheap and yellows after 6 months of daily driving. Other stuff lasts 3+ years, but its always going to have some UV degradation over time.
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      04-14-2012, 12:56 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shoptb View Post
Wow, that's interesting. No, I haven't experienced that...and if I did, I probably wouldn't be so positive about the clear-bra. I got mine installed by an independent guy (Julius Poa) from over in Dayton....he's apparently one of the best in Ohio. It's been almost two years, and no swirls/haziness yet. I wonder how much difference the actual type of material used accounts for that?
Hmmm, I think it was applied by MAG when he bought it. It wouldn't surprise me if they put on some cheap stuff. However, it was FAR from cheap to apply.
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      04-14-2012, 01:36 PM   #21
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You guys in the south don't know what it's like to maintain a car in mint condition here above the snow belt. From Oct to April, you car is constantly subjected to rocks and pebbles left behind by the snow trucks. Many cars (not mine, of course) look like they have a cancer or pox of the front end. Totally disgusting, especially on black cars. Clear bras aren't perfect, but they're definitely the lesser of two evils.
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      04-15-2012, 12:33 PM   #22
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I have an Alpine white X3. Developed a few stone chips. Visited a reputable panel beater - and was fortunate that they repaired an Alpine white BMW the previous day. They gave me for free a "Cutex" bottle of paint which I then applied with the Cutex brush. He warned that it is a water based paint that may eventually wear off after repeated washing. Then will need to be re-applied. Sofar I didn't need to reapply though. Immediately after application the color seems "different" to the rest of the paint - after drying it is the same though. It does not fill the depth defect - this I may have done professionally before selling. The overall result quite satisfactory though. Hope this helps.
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