Can't get the pain in the engine compartment to shine.

[Zubehor]

For some reason no matter how much i wash it i cant get the paint in the engine compartment to shine. I tried a clay bar/wax/simple green nothing works. Its got a very dull and dirty look to it. How can i get it to shine like the outside paint? Thanks.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r94/dtiperformance/IMG_4563.jpg

[Gibber66]

For some reason no matter how much i wash it i cant get the paint in the engine compartment to shine. I tried a clay bar/wax/simple green nothing works. Its got a very dull and dirty look to it. How can i get it to shine like the outside paint? Thanks.
Ah! You meant paint! The subject line made me wonder a bit. I think the problem is they don't normally clear coat the engine bay which gives the paint the glossy look. Mine doesn't shine up either and that's the response I got when I researched it earlier. Sorry, probably not much help in how to get it to shine, but hopefully an explanation on why it won't.

Cheers,
Gibber

[Chi Lyon]

It's probably flat/matte paint, not gloss. There are products that can give the flat paint a wet look, but I'm not thinking you can get a gloss finish from flat paint. Maybe after many hours of polish?. The highgloss may look weird in the engine bay though. I would say just keep it really clean. There may be some aftermarket engine covers or something with a highgloss finish you could install. Good luck buddy. Gibber, thats a really nice lookin' Z3 you've got there. What color is it? It looks GREAT against the white snowy background!
Lyon

[SHWELL]

I have to agree with them.. I do not think there is a clear coat in there.... Remember the eingine compartment deals with alot of heat on a more than reg basis. Therefore, nothing will last for long with that kind of treatment. I cannot think of a way (At the moment) to help you out.....

[Zubehor]

That’s what I thought too but I saw this thread which was posted here a few days ago http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=819633

http://www.aww-kittah-aww.com/up/files/814/batch_engineside2.JPG

[Anthony914]

That’s what I thought too but I saw this thread which was posted here a few days ago http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=819633

http://www.aww-kittah-aww.com/up/files/814/batch_engineside2.JPG

hey thats my car:), i dont think i did anythign i nhtat photo, but yesterday i applied poli-seal to all painted areas and it looks great, so youll prolly jsut need to use a polish like i did.

[Zubehor]

I dont know what to say man, maybe some cars came with a clear and some didnt. I will try to polish it again but its not easy because of the lack of room.

[Maguiver]

BMW doesn't put clear on the paint in the engine bay. Anthony914 was your car ever hit in the front.

[Zubehor]

Ive seen quite a few with a clear in the engine bay or at least with paint so shiny it looks like its got a clear, just not mine

[JohnZ3MC]

My paint is flat (no clearcoat) in the engine compartment too. I've never tried any polish/prep in there either, but now maybe I'll try a little Opti-Seal or maybe a spritz or two of Ultima PGP.
I guess when it comes to engine compartments, I just resigned myself to the fact that the paint was always going to be flat. Clean but flat. (CD2 keeps it looking sharp though)
-John C.

[Anthony914]

BMW doesn't put clear on the paint in the engine bay. Anthony914 was your car ever hit in the front.
no, but the exterior is all single stage.....

[JUTTERB]

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/6346/picture015tc8.jpg
Shot with DMC-FZ20 (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=DMC-FZ20&make=Panasonic) at 2007-07-13

Dakar I...shiney :)