[Bmw330]

Does anyone know how bmw paint shops are able to replicate the bmw orange peel finish (virtually identical to original) yet when you go elsewhere they don’t seem to be able too?.

I’ve previously had warranty work completed on another car which was completed at bmw main dealer and the orange peel finish was spot on, but recently had a rear bumper completed elsewhere and the finish just looks wrong, so stands out like a sore thumb. The paint shop said they are unable to get the same orange peel finish?.

I’m assuming it’s not just the paint manufacturer used but thinning quantities and application. If bmw can match the finish why can’t any others!

[tadaska]

Why would you want the orange peel? I thought the orange peel on new cars was due to cost saving.

[Bmw330]

To match the original finish, nothing worse than seeing the ‘original’ paint then a flat paint repainted panel, which points to an obvious repair.

I suppose my question is why can only bmw seem to replicate their own paint finish?, what do they do different to a std paint shop using the same paint manufacturer?

[CitizenKane]

Originally Posted by tadaska

Why would you want the orange peel? I thought the orange peel on new cars was due to cost saving.

This. I always thought orange peel was something caused by cheap or incorrect painting techniques.

[blueh88]

Very strange. If I was in your position, I would be getting whatever panel painted by a reputable paint shop and then getting the whole car corrected to get rid of the orange peel finish. Yes, it's money but if it bothered me as much then I'd rather go full whack and get a proper paint correction done.

[bee-ma]

Originally Posted by CitizenKane

This. I always thought orange peel was something caused by cheap or incorrect painting techniques.

Agree. The orange people looks more like an imperfection.

[mjn77]

Orange peel always looks naff.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by CitizenKane

This. I always thought orange peel was something caused by cheap or incorrect painting techniques.

It is?

I thought orange peel was clear coat that wasn't sprayed perfectly.

[Bmw330]

I agree orange peel looks naff on BMW’s, but wouldn’t you want the repainted finish to be the same as the original/existing finish?.

It was just a question how BMW can replicate their finish but others can’t (there must be some bmw painters on here)

[Dann]

The reason it's hard to replicate is because of the way it's sprayed and the use of water-based paints.
In the factory they use more like a sprinkler (Youtube it), where-as refinished will use a proper spray gun.

Plus most garages wouldn't let a orange peely car out the door as it is an imperfection.

[Bmw330]

So what do BMW paint shops (ie bmw accident paint shops) do that differ to normal paint shops to get their orange peel finish?

[Dann]

Originally Posted by Bmw330

So what do BMW paint shops (ie bmw accident paint shops) do that differ to normal paint shops to get their orange peel finish?

Nothing.
It's down to the materials used, the skill of the painter and how much effort goes into the finishing (Wet sanding/polishing etc)

A decent paint shop will give you a finish with no orange peel another one will give you the most orange peel you've ever seen. All depends on the above.

If you want orange peel, then go somewhere cheap or tell them to paint it like crap

[mjn77]

The biggest difference is in the method. In the factory it is all done by robots. And at a paint shop, all done by hand.

[Doofus]

Lol, people are finding it so hard to understand what OP is asking.

I agree with OP. If my BMW's paint finish is orange peel (which it is), then a panel being repaired/repainted with no orange peel looks odd.

What OP is asking, is, how come, when you get panels repaired/painted by BMW, they can replicate the factory orange peel finish perfectly?

This has gone over most people's heads in this thread.

OP, I don't know the answer, sorry, but it is interesting.

[Bmw330]

Ha ha, I’m glad you understood what I was trying to ask!

[bee-ma]

OP - why do you prefer the 'orange peel' look?

[MattOz]

OP, do you mean the the repair is 'dry' or is it still a glossy finish, but with more, or less, orange peel. Pics would really help.

[tadaska]

Originally Posted by Doofus

Lol, people are finding it so hard to understand what OP is asking.

I agree with OP. If my BMW's paint finish is orange peel (which it is), then a panel being repaired/repainted with no orange peel looks odd.

What OP is asking, is, how come, when you get panels repaired/painted by BMW, they can replicate the factory orange peel finish perfectly?

This has gone over most people's heads in this thread.

OP, I don't know the answer, sorry, but it is interesting.

Surely his entire car isn't orange peel? I noticed the bottom half of my rear bumper is orange but the rest of the car isn't. OP which parts of your car are orange peel?

[Chappers 71]

I,d be surprised if it was noticeable on the rear bumper, I notice the Orange peel on the doors, roof, wings but not so much on the boot lid & bonnet but have never noticed it on the bumpers. Although i suppose it's possible that they've been repainted before I owned the car.

[Bmw330]

I think I’ve caused confusion, it was pretty straightforward in my mind.

I don’t prefer the orange peel look, the original bmw paint finish is orange peel, when repainted by bmw they replicate the factory orange peel look, so it looks factory.

When painted elsewhere orange peel isn’t there, thus on a car with factory bmw paint everywhere else, you now have a panel with no orange peel, so it points to an obvious repair.

I would expect any garage to replicate the original finish as far as possible so it matches the rest of the car, I was hoping someone knew how a bmw repair shop can be replicate the orange peel finish but others can’t

My current car has completely original paint, so every panel including bumpers has factory orange peel (the bumpers are less so than the car)

[wallsmk2]

I think the answer to your question, in summary of what people have said, is that BMW paint shops are generally shit and don't have the high standards of a good shop. Therefore, they are quite adept at replicating an orange peel finish. Try spraying thick coats of aerosol lacquer on a panel, in the summer on a hot day and you'll get orange peel.