[JTYAMSHAYIN]

What's the best option for a paint chip correction on alpine white? I have a chip under the door on the door sill of the the rear passenger side. No idea how it got there.

[VipinLJ]

Since it's under the door and somewhere where it isn't easily visible, I'd suggest just covering it up with some white nail polish or touch up paint you can get from any auto store. There will be a mismatch but no one will notice it except you.
I've done something similar on an older car and no one even noticed it. After a while, even I had to search a bit to find that spot.

*Wears flame-proof suit*

[Tam the Bam]

I’ve used this on my mineral white G20 with success.

https://www.chipex.com/touch-up-paint/

[Burrcold]

Fortunately alpine white is the easiest to touch up and match since there's no metallic flake in it. Buy a paint pen from BMW and use a toothpick to slowly build up layers and then a touch of the clear. You will hardly notice it's there if you can get it level.

[JTYAMSHAYIN]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

Since it's under the door and somewhere where it isn't easily visible, I'd suggest just covering it up with some white nail polish or touch up paint you can get from any auto store. There will be a mismatch but no one will notice it except you.
I've done something similar on an older car and no one even noticed it. After a while, even I had to search a bit to find that spot.

*Wears flame-proof suit*

I may end up doing this if finding anything closer is too difficult haha. Nice recommendation, thank you.

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by JTYAMSHAYIN

I may end up doing this if finding anything closer is too difficult haha. Nice recommendation, thank you.

I bought touch up paint from autozone (flat white; don't remember the exact naming) and from Amazon (which was supposedly alpine white). Both were off (used to touch up a couple of tiny rock chips on the bumper). So be careful when buying from online. I've used Dr. Chip on my A4 and that was very good.

[JTYAMSHAYIN]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

Fortunately alpine white is the easiest to touch up and match since there's no metallic flake in it. Buy a paint pen from BMW and use a toothpick to slowly build up layers and then a touch of the clear. You will hardly notice it's there if you can get it level.

I heard bmw paint pens don't match at all? Or was that only true of the mineral white i had before, haha. I know thats a much more complex color

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by JTYAMSHAYIN

I heard bmw paint pens don't match at all? Or was that only true of the mineral white i had before, haha. I know thats a much more complex color

I had mineral white as well and it the BMW paint pen didn't match at all either. Alpine may not be a 100% match even from BMW but since it's a flat paint it will definitely be better. The only way you are going to get a better match is if you can find a body shop that deals with BMW a lot and see if they will mix you up a small bottle.

[JTYAMSHAYIN]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I had mineral white as well and it the BMW paint pen didn't match at all either. Alpine may not be a 100% match even from BMW but since it's a flat paint it will definitely be better. The only way you are going to get a better match is if you can find a body shop that deals with BMW a lot and see if they will mix you up a small bottle.

Maybe white nailpolish is my best bet, haha

[It8ntez]

I've used this many times. Best for chips. https://www.drcolorchip.com

[erawamai]

Another vote for Dr. ColorChip

Follow the steps and it works perfectly for a flat non lumpy finished. I was impressed.

Color match was also perfect.

[Ronan703]

Reviving this thread...

I am currently getting the passenger side doors repainted due to a large scratch down the side on my 2020 330i. I went with a BMW recommended autobody in my area.

Even they are having trouble matching Alpine White and they paint BMWs all day.

Two pics of the scratch below (much worse in person) and the paint mismatch... As you can see there is a yellow-tint to the driver door vs the quarter panel (original factory). I'm not going to take the car in its current state and I never expected a perfect match, but this is a bit excessive IMO. I've yet to see the car in person, but I think the mismatch is quite obvious in the picture.

[VipinLJ]

Yup. The mismatch is obvious in the last pic. Can't believe they have issues trying to color match non-metallic white! We have a local Carstar here that had absolutely no issues a few years ago.

[Ronan703]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

Yup. The mismatch is obvious in the last pic. Can't believe they have issues trying to color match non-metallic white! We have a local Carstar here that had absolutely no issues a few years ago.

Yeah, something is really off about that. He seems to think that it's his clearcoat that's the causing the issue. Here's what the car looks today after a repaint... What do you think?



Looks good to me. Going to take a look tomorrow in person... Fingers crossed.

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by Ronan703

Yeah, something is really off about that. He seems to think that it's his clearcoat that's the causing the issue. Here's what the car looks today after a repaint... What do you think?



Looks good to me. Going to take a look tomorrow in person... Fingers crossed.

It looks fine in this pic. But you have to see it in person, under direct sunlight. If it looks acceptable there, then it'll be fine. I've had bad mismatch only once. But it was a grey colored car. Got it repainted to perfection.

[Ronan703]

Originally Posted by VipinLJ

It looks fine in this pic. But you have to see it in person, under direct sunlight. If it looks acceptable there, then it'll be fine. I've had bad mismatch only once. But it was a grey colored car. Got it repainted to perfection.

Yep, 100%. I won't accept it unless it looks perfect.

[RedKloud]

Originally Posted by Ronan703

Yeah, something is really off about that. He seems to think that it's his clearcoat that's the causing the issue. Here's what the car looks today after a repaint... What do you think?



Looks good to me. Going to take a look tomorrow in person... Fingers crossed.

Can I ask how much it cost you?

[Ronan703]

Originally Posted by RedKloud

Can I ask how much it cost you?

$580 total for a full passenger side door respray. Great price IMO as I was quoted 1200 and 1000 at other shops. I did file under an insurance claim, but I'm not sure if that effects the pricing, just my out of pocket expenses.

[Ronan703]

I picked up the car today and it looks perfect. No complaints after the scare they gave me earlier in the week. Very happy!

[RedKloud]

Originally Posted by Ronan703

$580 total for a full passenger side door respray. Great price IMO as I was quoted 1200 and 1000 at other shops. I did file under an insurance claim, but I'm not sure if that effects the pricing, just my out of pocket expenses.

That's pretty decent actually. Good to know you are happy with the end result.

[Ronan703]

Originally Posted by RedKloud

That's pretty decent actually. Good to know you are happy with the end result.

Yeah, I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks!

[45e]

Originally Posted by JTYAMSHAYIN

What's the best option for a paint chip correction on alpine white? I have a chip under the door on the door sill of the the rear passenger side. No idea how it got there.

Based on the light reflection, looks like it's been hit by something instead of scratch, maybe something fell on it or shopping trolley or dirty shovel.

Just smooth out the bumps with dolly/hammer and sandpaper, some cleaner, then primer, then 3 coats paint, then check if body lines match, then 2 clear coats.