Can this paint job be polished back to life?

"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
11/01/2014 at 15:13 • Filed to: None

My apologies for the poor quality of the picture. It was getting dark. This BMW 325iT has a non-metallic red paint job. There's some discoloration between the bumpers and metal bodywork. Is this fixable with a good polish, or would it need a respray? Or something else? The IS lip is a later addition and received a recent respray.

DISCUSSION (10)

505Turbeaux > duurtlang
11/01/2014 at 15:18

oh yeah, that red fades quick, but can be polished back. You should see my 325es E30. Needs a polish every few months, but it comes right back

duurtlang > 505Turbeaux
11/01/2014 at 15:21

But what about that bumper? Can you polish it to the same color as the bodywork?

crowmolly > duurtlang
11/01/2014 at 15:22

If it's urethane vs. metal panels I don't think so. That's a common problem with the paint from this era from what I remember.

 > duurtlang
11/01/2014 at 15:22

Depends if those cars were base and clear or single stage. Single stage can probably be polished out as long as it's not too thin.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > duurtlang
11/01/2014 at 15:30

I don't see why not. You're using a buffer, right? You won't be able to do it by hand. As for the bumper, it's hard to say.

DasWauto > duurtlang
11/01/2014 at 15:41

I think the bumper(s) might need a respray but the rest should polish up nicely.

505Turbeaux > duurtlang
11/01/2014 at 15:46

short term yes, though it will fade faster being on urethane

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > duurtlang
11/01/2014 at 15:48

Yes it's fine. Those single stage paints fade quickly.

Dont be surprised if your polishing pad becomes red. It's normal when working single stage paints like so

E92M3 > duurtlang
11/01/2014 at 18:37

Should be able to pokish it back to life but it will require 2 or 3 polishes. Once with a heavy cutting formula, follow up with a medium polish and then a finishing polish.

greenagain > duurtlang
11/01/2014 at 23:01

you may as well try.