How do you guys handle rock chips on hoods?

[vivithemage]

Looks like 1-2 chips on my car, no rust yet. Is there another way, besides stripping the entire hood and repainting to fix it?

I plan to get the BMW Clear Paint Protective Film after I do fix it to help prevent them in the future.

[PINeely]

Not well but I drive like 45k a year all highway so there's no avoiding a few here and there. I just leave them for now since there is little that can be done in my case. I have been looking at buying another e39 to commute in before too long to save on this kind of wear and tear and once I do I'll have the hood and bumper resprayed.

As for fixing chips without a respray, use touch up paint to gradually build the paint inside the chip back up to surface level. Leave a small bump of paint protruding above the surface. Once everything is completely dry take some 2000 grit to the paint bump and bring it back down to surface level. Finally used rubbing compound and then polish to remove the sanding marks.

[vivithemage]

What do you use to dab on the paint? Is it OK if it overflows onto the surrounding paint?

I'll repaint them and put that clear cover on to stop anymore issues in that area too.

[PINeely]

Lots of companies sell touch up paint pens which have a spring loaded rollerball instead of a felt tip. You can apply paint incredibly accurately with these. If you can't get one then a toothpick will give you the best results.

Try to minimize painting the surrounding paint too much but if it happens it's not too big of a deal since it all gets sanded back anyway.

[vivithemage]

Originally Posted by PINeely

Lots of companies sell touch up paint pens which have a spring loaded rollerball instead of a felt tip. You can apply paint incredibly accurately with these. If you can't get one then a toothpick will give you the best results

Can you buy it online? Specifically Arctic White - 2008 135i.

[PINeely]

Here's a link to many oem touch-up products:
http://www.bavauto.com/se1.asp?dept_id=394

Amazon also has some bmw touch-up pens but they may or may not have your color. They don't have mine which is jet black, haha.

[vivithemage]

Originally Posted by PINeely

Here's a link to many oem touch-up products:

Amazon also has some bmw touch-up pens but they may or may not have your color. They don't have mine which is jet black, haha.

I don't see arctic white, shoot.

[PINeely]

HAHA damn you busted me. I sent that to my brother this morning xD

[vivithemage]

Originally Posted by PINeely

HAHA damn you busted me. I sent that to my brother this morning xD

haha, it was funny.

[Adam135]

Dr Colorchip. Works great.

[vivithemage]

do they have proper color codes for AW 135i?

[Adam135]

Originally Posted by vivithemage

do they have proper color codes for AW 135i?

Yes

[Jayda]

I would really do your homework on your installer before you get paint protection film installed. I started by calling my local BMW and they "confessed" to doing very few installations. There is an art to installing correctly. When done well it is a great product but when installed poorly, it looks awful! Also BMW orders the precut kit for the car. If they mess up they can't recut a piece so they are likely to make it work. Long and short, I did a lot of homework and eventually found a highly rated detailer to install mine (the pieces are cut on site). I am very happy with it. I have 2009 Z435i and the front end still looks pristine. I despise rocks chips so when I got the car this is one of the first things I had done! Like I said though, know your installer!

[AW128i]

I actually just ordered the Dr. Colorchip kit. It should be here early next week, which will be perfect timing for the thorough exterior detail I have planned for next weekend.

[vivithemage]

Originally Posted by AW128i

I actually just ordered the Dr. Colorchip kit. It should be here early next week, which will be perfect timing for the thorough exterior detail I have planned for next weekend.

Would you by chance do a DIY on some before/afters and what you did to clean it up?

My biggest thing is, I want to get away from rust.

I actually decided to stay away from clear covers.

[vanbmw]

I used dr.colorchip and was happy with the results. It turned out better then my previous attempts with a toothpick and factory touch up paint. The chips are not noticeable until you get up very close. From 3 feet away you can't see them at all. Any closer then that and you can see them but the color match is excellent. You more notice that it is not perfectly level.

[AW128i]

Originally Posted by vivithemage

Would you by chance do a DIY on some before/afters and what you did to clean it up?

My biggest thing is, I want to get away from rust.

I actually decided to stay away from clear covers.

I'll do my best to document the process. Though, there are many videos (including some from Dr. Colorchip) documenting the application process. I, too, shy away from clear bras and protection films.

[Adam135]

Originally Posted by AW128i

I'll do my best to document the process. Though, there are many videos (including some from Dr. Colorchip) documenting the application process. I, too, shy away from clear bras and protection films.

Yeah, the YouTube video shows you exactly what to do.