F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Cosmetic Maintenance: Wash, Wax, Detailing, Repairs > Respray and avoiding rock chips before PPF
ARMA SPEED
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-08-2018, 11:34 AM   #1
aps
Captain
aps's Avatar
334
Rep
960
Posts

Drives: 2018 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: NC

iTrader: (6)

I'm having my bumper resprayed next week (wife parked into a curb and bumper has a ton of rock chips from unprotected highway driving), and will be following up with PPF.

I've been told by every PPF installer in the area that I need to wait at least 30-45 days before having the PPF installed to let the paint "gas off"(?)/cure. Problem is, this is my daily and my commute is 90% highway (30 miles round trip). I'm worried about picking up new chips during the waiting period, so dumb question is: what can I do to keep the paint in the best condition possible until PPF time?
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      05-08-2018, 12:26 PM   #2
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8170
Rep
15,962
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Find a cheap bra for it. The car, not the wife.
Appreciate 1
sspade2460.00
      05-08-2018, 12:47 PM   #3
M2Rush
First Lieutenant
Canada
83
Rep
348
Posts

Drives: 2014 BSM 335i x-drive
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: The 6

iTrader: (1)

You're pretty limited but do have a few options; Take local routes, rent a car, take out the bike, leave more space between, take the bus or as stated above(get a cheap faux leather bra that will probably leave minor scratches but easily buffed off, much better compared to rock chips, some hit so hard they even take off a bit of primer).
Appreciate 0
      05-08-2018, 02:24 PM   #4
aps
Captain
aps's Avatar
334
Rep
960
Posts

Drives: 2018 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: NC

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Find a cheap bra for it. The car, not the wife.
LOL

Quote:
Originally Posted by M2Rush View Post
You're pretty limited but do have a few options; Take local routes, rent a car, take out the bike, leave more space between, take the bus or as stated above(get a cheap faux leather bra that will probably leave minor scratches but easily buffed off, much better compared to rock chips, some hit so hard they even take off a bit of primer).
thanks for the suggestions. local routes puts me at about an 1.5hr commute, thanks ATL traffic. was hoping to avoid another couple hundred for a car rental. guess that leaves me with leaving space or the leather bra. so far the leather bras i've seen are only for the non-msport models
Appreciate 0
      05-08-2018, 02:55 PM   #5
aps
Captain
aps's Avatar
334
Rep
960
Posts

Drives: 2018 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: NC

iTrader: (6)

Is it a crazy idea to buy a $500-$1500 beater for a month or 2, then try to sell it?
Appreciate 0
      05-09-2018, 12:17 PM   #6
Sea-Tac
Major
Sea-Tac's Avatar
United_States
1452
Rep
1,487
Posts

Drives: 2108 X3 xDrive30i
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Bellevue, Wa

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Take his advice. Wait at least 6 weeks. Don't take the car on long drives to avoid stone chips. Driving local should be OK. I faced the same thing, Had the front re-painted but had to wait 6 weeks before clear mask. I took a gamble and started highway driving around 4 weeks later. One small touch up chip was all and they did a spot fix at time of mask install. Can't see it at all.
Appreciate 1
aps334.00
      05-11-2018, 10:17 AM   #7
aps
Captain
aps's Avatar
334
Rep
960
Posts

Drives: 2018 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: NC

iTrader: (6)

Well somewhat good news is that I'll be able to drive my wife's X3 for the first week after the bumper is done. Gonna have to drive it after that though :/

Does sun/heat help with the curing process? Thinking about parking the car at the top of the parking garage to let it sit in the sun all day, but not sure if it matters.
Appreciate 0
      05-11-2018, 12:15 PM   #8
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8170
Rep
15,962
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

Sun curing will accelerate the process. I can't see it needing more than five days in the sun for the paint to fully cure.
Appreciate 0
      05-11-2018, 12:49 PM   #9
Sanelko
Second Lieutenant
Sanelko's Avatar
70
Rep
235
Posts

Drives: 2012 Jet Black 328i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (0)

I had my front bumper replaced + painted and Xpel installed the next day. The bodyshop had a special baking process that completely cures the paint and allows for this. Year has gone by no problems.
Appreciate 0
      05-11-2018, 04:49 PM   #10
435MSport6Speed
Captain
435MSport6Speed's Avatar
432
Rep
814
Posts

Drives: 435i M Sport 6 Speed
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Mass

iTrader: (0)

My body shop baked the bumper and said to wait 3 days. So far, so good.
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2018, 05:38 AM   #11
aps
Captain
aps's Avatar
334
Rep
960
Posts

Drives: 2018 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: NC

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sanelko View Post
I had my front bumper replaced + painted and Xpel installed the next day. The bodyshop had a special baking process that completely cures the paint and allows for this. Year has gone by no problems.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 435MSport6Speed View Post
My body shop baked the bumper and said to wait 3 days. So far, so good.
Man!!! I've asked every shop about the baking and they said I'd still need to wait 30 days. Wtf.

I need to find out more about this...
__________________
2018 Azurite Black F80 M3 ZCP
2019 Phytonic Blue G05 X5
2013 Glacier Silver F30 335i (sold)
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2018, 08:17 AM   #12
Sanelko
Second Lieutenant
Sanelko's Avatar
70
Rep
235
Posts

Drives: 2012 Jet Black 328i
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Thinking back, I think mine was 3 days too actually.
Appreciate 0
      05-12-2018, 09:24 AM   #13
M-terkait
Major
M-terkait's Avatar
Kuwait
209
Rep
1,252
Posts

Drives: F30 335i 3/13
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Kuwait

iTrader: (0)

maybe a week max, but 30days is a lot :S try to ask another shop about this process.
__________________
Docrace 6266
Appreciate 0
      05-21-2018, 02:47 PM   #14
aps
Captain
aps's Avatar
334
Rep
960
Posts

Drives: 2018 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: NC

iTrader: (6)

So the paint shops around here apparently use lamps and some sort of baking process but still recommend 30 days before cleaning/wax/sealant/ppf. Bumper has been repainted and I've only driven it home avoiding the highway.

Decided to just avoid going on the highway and deal with the long commute using the city roads. Going to be about an 60 min vs 40-50 min so just going to have to suck it up.
Appreciate 0
      03-09-2019, 11:51 AM   #15
Rokoz
Lieutenant
Rokoz's Avatar
United_States
293
Rep
496
Posts

Drives: 2016 f80 M3
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Vermont

iTrader: (0)

I hate to dig this up, but, how did this work for out for you? I want to respray my front end and PPF it but I don't want to leave the car sitting forever
__________________
Instagram: @f80ghost
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2019, 11:05 AM   #16
John in VA
Colonel
974
Rep
2,180
Posts

Drives: 2015 228i M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Leesburg, VA

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rokoz View Post
I want to respray my front end and PPF it but I don't want to leave the car sitting forever
Why wouldn't you trust the advice of the painter or PPF applier that you put your trust in? To get the best results you usually have to wait for the paint to cure fully, but it's not forever. Good luck!
__________________
____________________________________________
2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2019, 12:58 PM   #17
Rokoz
Lieutenant
Rokoz's Avatar
United_States
293
Rep
496
Posts

Drives: 2016 f80 M3
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Vermont

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by John in VA View Post
Why wouldn't you trust the advice of the painter or PPF applier that you put your trust in? To get the best results you usually have to wait for the paint to cure fully, but it's not forever. Good luck!
The issue is it feels like everyone is just blindly guessing. Painter says a week, one PPF person says a month, another says 45 days, etc.

I'll gladly get it done right, I just wanted to know what OP ended up doing about the cure period.
__________________
Instagram: @f80ghost
Appreciate 0
      03-10-2019, 07:45 PM   #18
John in VA
Colonel
974
Rep
2,180
Posts

Drives: 2015 228i M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Leesburg, VA

iTrader: (6)

Paint curing can depend on the paint used plus environmental factors. If you don't wait long enough & the PPF application leads to possibly lifting/removing the paint later you'll be hating life! I guess it's like the old "it's a software issue / no, it's due to the hardware" conundrum. Good luck!
__________________
____________________________________________
2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
Appreciate 0
      03-20-2019, 10:28 PM   #19
Blubaron79
Brigadier General
Blubaron79's Avatar
United_States
1431
Rep
4,722
Posts

Drives: 2021 M340i xDrive
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PA

iTrader: (0)

You actually do not. If they double bake it or hit it twice with the UV light you'll be fine.

Dealer ripped the paint off my bumper a week before my clear bra. They did the above process and my clear bra has been fine for a year now.
__________________
Current: 2021 M340i xDrive

Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive
Appreciate 0
      03-21-2019, 07:21 AM   #20
Billfitz
Lieutenant General
Billfitz's Avatar
United_States
8170
Rep
15,962
Posts

Drives: '15 328iX GT
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: New Hampshire

iTrader: (0)

It's what happens when you try to remove the bra that's a potential problem. If it takes the paint off with it you're back to square one.
Appreciate 1
1QuikWS61615.50
      03-21-2019, 11:53 AM   #21
1QuikWS6
No 55mph
1QuikWS6's Avatar
1616
Rep
8,474
Posts

Drives: F32 435ix MSport
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Blitzburgh, PA

iTrader: (113)

Garage List
^^ EXACTLY^^

On bumper repaint of an earlier BMW I had, the PPF installer I used stated at least 30 days regardless. You can always take shortcuts - but you may be sorry later on...
__________________
F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
Appreciate 0
      03-21-2019, 10:52 PM   #22
Blubaron79
Brigadier General
Blubaron79's Avatar
United_States
1431
Rep
4,722
Posts

Drives: 2021 M340i xDrive
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
It's what happens when you try to remove the bra that's a potential problem. If it takes the paint off with it you're back to square one.
Not worried. Mine is staying on the life of the vehicle.
__________________
Current: 2021 M340i xDrive

Previous: '18 340i xDrive; '15 335 xDrive; '14 435i xDrive; '09 335 E92 xDrive
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:03 PM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST