Touch up Paint too dark
 

I have a 2002 e53 in Estroil Blue. I bought BMW touch up paint #335, but it looks WAY too dark. The car was garaged for most of its life until I got it. I can't imagine that the paint has faded that much. This paint looks like the darker blue that I see on newer Beemers.

The placard under the hood says Estroil Blau 335/5. I don't know what the /5 is about, but I can't find any other estroil blue paint number but 335. Just wondering if I made a mistake, or if this is normal.

I have some chips that I'm working on now, but I also have a place about 2" across right at the back of the hood just before the windshield that just came off when I was washing the car recently. There was no visible damage before this piece just pealed off. Not sure what I'm going to do about that one.

Any ideas on the paint color?

My BMW-branded Stirling Grey Metallic touch-up is the same - too dark. I use it sparingly...

I always figured it was that the car had faded.

Same here with Imola.


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It has to be used very sparingly. I apply it on a toothpick(yes, regular tiny toothpick) and slowly 'paint' inside the chip. It takes forever but I have better results than applying directly.

I spread it as thin as I could. It looks terrible, but it's better than bare metal. I understand that all metallic paints look darker when applied in liquid form as opposed to a spray, but this is ridiculous. Unfortunately I had two quarter size chips, and the one very large spot on the hood. I will probably have to look at having the hood painted eventually because this really spoils the looks of a beautiful car. Too bad they can't adjust the paint so that it will be close to the right color when applied with the applicator they give you. Seems like a no brainer.

Don't know if this helps or 100% how to do it but one of the old body guys when I was a kid (he did lead work) would touch up with a small dot and use wax paper(?) held over the dot to press it out (like ironing thru a cloth to protect the material) to the chip edge then sand/buff to height.

I'm going off memory from about 40 years ago but my description should be close enough to get answers from someone that knows the old school ways, so hopefully somebody can ask back stateside.

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Yup same paint code here and same exact issue with BMW paint stick. Used prior to concours event and looks poor but needed something.

PO used paint from Dr Colorchip to touch up other spots and it appears to match perfectly. Havent ordered yet as other jobs more important but will likely try this route when my time free's up to take this on again.

Thanks. I might try that.

I started with the Lanka kit where you put in a blob, let it partially dry, then use their blob eliminator to smooth it to the height of the surface. I'm sure I was doing something wrong, but I couldn’t get that to work at all. I gave up. At least I’m not staring at metal every time I get in the car. I have a broken foot right now, so with mobility limited there is only so much I can do.

:iagree:
I ended up going to the ladies section of my local supermarket and picking up a range of silver nail varnish for my titanium silver i try to match, for my wifes e46 (not sure what blue it is) I ended up matching it by mixing a slate grey with a lighter blue, yup the colour fades over time on this an other cars i had

Again YMMV as I did not use the paint myself but looks much closer than BMW.

I buy from this site for my Porsche 100% match ...

https://www.automotivetouchup.com/index.htm

Just to follow up on this. I got the Dr. Colorchip #335. Pretty much the same as the BMW touchup - way too dark. Maybe a tiny bit closer. At least there is no bare metal showing anymore.

Best results I have had is using Dr. Colorchip. At least silver and black are great matches. The process to smooth out the paint really helps hide the repair. It is necessary to use very little each coat and build it up. I've tried using heavier coats and ended up starting over.

When you start over, what do you use to sand down your previous attempt. I tried the pressing out the paint with a nitrile glove, but still had a mess. I ordered their little squeegee with the kit, but I never received it and haven’t hassled with trying to get them to send me one.

No sanding or you will damage the clear coat. I don't use the squeegee. I find it too hard to apply the right pressure. I use the fluid and cloth used to
smooth out the paint to remove the paint. I spread it wearing the gloves. Apply very little pressure and go across it quickly. Paint will spread across the chip and onto the good paint. Then use the fluid and cloth to remove. Again very little pressure. Let the fluid do the work. Don't wait to spread the paint. Do it right away. Wait at least the time recommended before using the fluid. If you do the finish work too soon or use too much paint or rub too hard all the paint will come out. Thin multiple layers only.

I’m probably doing several things wrong, although is did basically what you said. Anyplace the fluid touched the clear coat, it ruined it. I ended up just being extremely careful not to get any touch up on the old paint. I’ll try to work on it some more. If I could just get it somewhat smooth with multiple thin layers, I’d be fairly happy.

FYI https://www.drcolorchip.com/store/al...eid=aed3930d05

:iagree:

Just touched up my X with Dr Colorchip. Very close match. Mine's olivine green. Figured it would be off with 13 years on the paint, but no. Very close match.