Painting Sideskirts

[e36dwny325i]

The side skirts on my 95 325i always seem to get... "ashy" for lack of a better term. I was thinking about painting them myself to at least closely match and get some gloss instead of using an entire can of tire shine to get rid of that look. What are some thoughts and inputs? Would i be better off getting new side skirts? if so what are some recommendations that won't break the bank and that are preferably NON M SKIRTS! :nono

[jfmjr442]

I'm in the same boat - I have found skirts for $80 on CL and plan on painting myself using color matched rattle can and clear. Buy new OEM clips the drill template from dealer ($30) and install. Total cost should not exceed $150 with paint, template and clips.

HTH

John

[IhaveanE36]

The side skirts on my 95 325i always seem to get... "ashy" for lack of a better term. I was thinking about painting them myself to at least closely match and get some gloss instead of using an entire can of tire shine to get rid of that look. What are some thoughts and inputs? Would i be better off getting new side skirts? if so what are some recommendations that won't break the bank and that are preferably NON M SKIRTS! :nono

D3wd, there's been a million of these threads and it's maddddddd [:mad] annoying. Use the search instead of --> :help 24/7.

Now, to answer your question, if your sideskirt looks ugly, sand it down depending on how bad your sh!t is. Start with 200/250/300 grit-ish, or even 400 if its not too bad and finish with a 700+ wet sand. Get a few cans of paint that match as close as possible, along w/ clear coat.

All this should be well under $100 unlike the original "$150" and you dont need to buy a template or new sideskirts or w/e.

If you need help with the actual painting, then ask or PM.

[mkobernus]

I did mine with no real effort.

Quick sanding with rouch paper to key the surface, then sprayed some cheap black paint on them. They looked pretty good, although very close inspection showed imperfections.

But who gets that close to them anyway?

I meant rough paper, not rouch paper! lol....

[IhaveanE36]

^ Cudnt u just edit out 'rouch' instead of typing out a sentence, correcting the grammar?

[TCarlisle]

Please don't settle for "close" match when you can get exact color match at www.towerpaint.com


Sand to a smooth dull surface, wash, dry, prime, paint, clearcote, wetsand, polish, and wax.

Cans are fine for panels this small.

If you want to keep black, you can fix the fade with a product called forever black. No it isn't the same as back to black. Gotta use forever black for good job that lasts.

[e36dwny325i]

sorry guys for the repetitive thread i looked for a thread on this but it said it was not there anymore or something but i guess i didnt look hard enough. thanks for the input though ill def just paint them myself sounds like a much easier and cheaper. i have to do something it looks aweful the way it is!

[flyfishvt]

I just picked up two cans of semi gloss black at the auto parts store. $6.00

If you use gloss black do a test first and let it dry. I found some gloss paints are much glossier (is that a word?) than others. I tried a can of $0.99 from Walmart and found it was way too shiny.

[jfmjr442]

All this should be well under $100 unlike the original "$150" and you dont need to buy a template or new sideskirts or w/e.


I want my car to look OEM - you can do it half assed or the right way

John

[randywalters]

I want my car to look OEM - you can do it half assed or the right wayAnd you don't consider "painting yourself using color matched rattle can" to be half-assed?? :lol

[flyfishvt]

NOPE!!!!

It turned out great for me!!! It turned out great for others here that have done the same thing.

Its all in the prep work and patience.

[wjroche328i]

also if you have been using tire shine on the surface you should clean with wax and grease remover extreeemly well to prevent fish eyes.