Looking for opinions what color to paint my e23 BBS air dam.

**D Unit** · 10-12-2014, 11:52 AM

I am looking for opinions what color to paint my new e23 BBS air dam. Keep in mind the first picture is my car. For some reason, I think it looks way too busy color-matched in white. I like it unpainted, but the primered black looks too unfinished. Right now, I'm leaning towards painting it black (Diamond Schartz?) but haven't seen anyone else try that yet.

The last 2 pics are not my cars, so I hope each owner does not mind. The 2nd pic does not have an e23 air dam and is sharknosed, but it's the only example I can find of a painted black air dam on a lighter colored car.

1) color match it white?

2) paint it black (diamond schwartz)?

3) leave it unpainted (primered black)?

**leadphut** · 10-12-2014, 01:33 PM

I always liked these unfinished, but painted black would look great too.

**offroadkarter** · 10-12-2014, 04:51 PM

I voted to keep it white

OT: when you lowered your car did you do anything to keep the alignment in spec?

**D Unit** · 10-13-2014, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by offroadkarter

I voted to keep it white
OT: when you lowered your car did you do anything to keep the alignment in spec?

Not yet but I do have a contact number from my Instagram account of a guy that can make a compatible camber kit for my custom coilovers though. In fact, he can build a complete coilover setup too I believe. Let me know if you're interested and I can try to reach him for you.

**leadphut** · 10-13-2014, 04:11 PM

Looks like i'm the only one who's responded with keeping it black. I just think this is a menacing picture in the rearview mirror.

Either way it's your car.

**D Unit** · 10-13-2014, 04:32 PM

I'm still kinda torn. Unlike other air dams, the e23 BBS air dam looks like one huge grill. So to me, the grill-like BBS air dam matches the huge euro grills when both are painted black.

I got another suggestion to paint the bumper carrier black, but color match the air dam white. What do you guys think of this?

**Cjarvis** · 10-13-2014, 05:19 PM

Paint the finned area under the bumper matte black and the rest in body color?

**leadphut** · 10-13-2014, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by D Unit

I got another suggestion to paint the bumper carrier black, but color match the air dam white. What do you guys think of this?

personally, i'm partial to the chrome around the headlights. i say leave it. painting the carrier black is interesting. just make sure you never paint the kidney black.

**D Unit** · 10-13-2014, 05:52 PM

I had a spare set of euro grills with dented chrome trim, so I removed the chrome, sanded all the grooves off, bondo'd the holes, and am prepping it for paint. The headlight trim will be reversible since I have 2 sets. But, I am thinking about painting the bumper carrier black and color matching it the air dam.

**Hit Man X** · 10-13-2014, 09:30 PM

I like that factory grey/black color.

The color matching updates the car quite a bit.

**D Unit** · 10-14-2014, 12:57 AM

The color match does update it a bit; I guess that could be a plus or minus. It does look cleaner. It also has the most votes.

But, the all black looks more monstrous and more old school. I did not notice this before, but this guy ALSO painted the bumper carrier black too (usually it's color matched to the car).

You can notice the painted bumper carrier more in this picture.

**SHOoff11** · 10-14-2014, 10:30 AM

I personally think color matching a lot of the matte pieces gives the car a more updated look, but I know that isn't for everyone. The e38 front bumper on these cars looks amazing, but I haven't been able to find out how to fit one to the car.

**lynnbilodeau** · 10-14-2014, 06:17 PM

Color match.

**BONDOSPECIAL** · 10-14-2014, 06:30 PM

The all white painted look makes me think of 1990s Pontiac w/ all the fluted plastic (that is not a good thing). The finned part of the air dam being body color is too much for me. I'd want it black.

**D Unit** · 10-14-2014, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by BONDOSPECIAL

The all white painted look makes me think of 1990s Pontiac w/ all the fluted plastic (that is not a good thing). The finned part of the air dam being body color is too much for me. I'd want it black.

haha... reminds me why people don't color match their headlight grills because it would look like this...

**Hit Man X** · 10-14-2014, 07:37 PM

What flick is that?

The car ends up being crushed at a junkyard right?

**D Unit** · 10-14-2014, 07:59 PM

Not sure what movie, but I think it's from Miami Vice.

The matte black seems like a good idea, but I really don't want to deal with a matte front end. Can someone suggest an "electric tape" type finish that is between matte and semigloss? Preferably a singe stage paint that I could easily touch up and buff out. Would Schwartz in single stage paint seem too off?

**gunner50718** · 10-14-2014, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by D Unit

haha... reminds me why people don't color match their headlight grills because it would look like this...

There is an E34 for sale here in Jacksonville just like that!! It looks terrrible haha

**offroadkarter** · 10-15-2014, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by D Unit

Not yet but I do have a contact number from my Instagram account of a guy that can make a compatible camber kit for my custom coilovers though. In fact, he can build a complete coilover setup too I believe. Let me know if you're interested and I can try to reach him for you.

I'll drop you a PM when I'm ready, if its feasible I might go the coilover route as long as I can figure out a spring rate that won't make my car ride like a CRX on ebay coils.