Orange Peel?

snoby

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I'm looking for some input about what appears to be orange peel on my silver BMW 2008 535i. I've used some M105 on it with a white pad and topped it off with M205 with a softer pad. However all over the car it looks like the factory paint has orange peel.
I just don't feel like I'm getting the clear reflection that I should be. Is this one of those times where I need to take the car to a body shop and have someone wet sand it? Just looking for some opinions.
Feed back please
Thanks,
Matt
 
I say leave it alone man as it doesn't look bad at all. Most factory paint has orange peel in it. I actually don't mind it at all.
 
I say leave it alone man as it doesn't look bad at all. Most factory paint has orange peel in it. I actually don't mind it at all.

I'm starting to come to that conclusion.
 
Not to mention ceramiclear possibilties... which I know nothing about.

Seems so many are eager to sand factory paint...
 
Not to mention ceramiclear possibilties... which I know nothing about.

Don't know if this applies to your BMW but one thing for sure, I won't do any sanding to any factory ceramiclear paint jobs.


Ceramiclear Paints - Be Careful



Seems so many are eager to sand factory paint...


I point out my theory on the reason why in the first linked article I posted to this thread, there are other reasons too...


One thing I know, after every wetsanding class I've ever taught, ALL of the students say the same thing and that's they like that they've learned how to wetsand by hand or machine but they never want to sand down and then have to buff out an entire car.

It's a huge job unless you have all the right tools and the confidence to use them.


:)
 
So do most BMW's have an orange peel look to them?
 
So do most BMW's have an orange peel look to them?

Matt
I have an '08 BMW 535xi (same color as yours). I keep the car in mint condition, but I have to admit I've noticed the same issue. I've gotten used to it and just keep the car super clean and waxed. Honestly, no-one has ever noticed or commented on my car other than how great it looks and that it appears to be in nearly brand new condition.
 
So do most BMW's have an orange peel look to them?

Most factory paint on new cars has some level of orange peel.

It's more the norm than the exception...


People that REALLY want a true show car finish on a brand new car, that is where the paint is completely flat on the surface, zero orange peel and maximum D.O.I. can either opt to have the car wetsanded and live with the risk of thin paint or RIGHT NOW while the body is perfect and there are no dents and zero body work needs to be done... take it to a Pro Painter and have a custom paint job sprayed.

Offer to pay for,
  • Time
  • Labor
  • Materials


Time: Time to prep and spray the paint --> every time the painter sprays a coat of paint that's time to spray and flash-time in-between coats.

Labor --> Every time the painter squeezes the trigger that's labor.

Materials --> paint costs money...


No one ever likes to hear or read the above second answer...


:)
 
Matt,

If you don't mind me asking, what is your paint code? This could be very important.

BTW, 99% of cars have orange peel from the factory.
 
A BMW dealer once told me that the orange peel look to their finish is their "look."
 
Matt,

If you don't mind me asking, what is your paint code? This could be very important.

BTW, 99% of cars have orange peel from the factory.

Excellent question and one that I do not have the answer to off the top of my head. It's a titanium silver metallic. Maybe paint code 354???
 
A BMW dealer once told me that the orange peel look to their finish is their "look."


I bet, and Honda, Acura, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, ....All have their own signature orange peel :D. I hate that orange peel destroys an otherwise perfect polish job but previous posts are correct, 99% of all vehicles have it and the darker the color normally the worse it looks.
 
Matt
I have an '08 BMW 535xi (same color as yours). I keep the car in mint condition, but I have to admit I've noticed the same issue. I've gotten used to it and just keep the car super clean and waxed. Honestly, no-one has ever noticed or commented on my car other than how great it looks and that it appears to be in nearly brand new condition.

Thanks for the moral support. I'm just exploring how difficult it is to fix. Seems pretty daunting.
M
 
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