Dear Everyone.
Calling all repairers, bodyshops and paint experts.
Have you all seen the new Shadow Chrome or Chrome Shadow paint that is on the prototype M3 CSL that was at the show?
Tripod don`t allow direct linking to my website so posting the pics here in the text doesn`t work for me.
A direct link is ;
http://members.tripod.com/abcwarrior/m3.htm
Now, the E39 guys have being going mad over this, but I have looked around the house, down the back of the sofa etc, but can`t seem to find the FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS that I had ear-marked for a new car.
Seriously though,
Does anyone know what the technique is behind this paint. I know it has to have a black base coat, like the "flipper" paints, but from there on I don`t know how they do it. I vaguely understand the flippers, but this is something new.
Apparently from reading the E39 section of this site and press releases, the car was hand sprayed, it cannot be done yet by production line robots. The car took more than one attempt to do.
The paint has three reported issues.
1.
The cost (reputably $22000, which I do not believe). Not expected to be an option until 2004 ish
2.
If you damage it, you can`t just respray a panel, even if you kept some original mix paint aside, you have to do the whole car again, in order to make it match.
3.
No longevity tests yet done, as the paint is brand new technology and no-one knows what it will look like in 5 or 10 years time.
errr.... BMW UK, if you`re reading this, I volunteer to have my car done
Now firstly, does anybody here have any experience with this painting type. I know that shadow chrome or something similar has been available in the E39 M5 wheels for a short time, but I have not seen one in the flesh as it were.
I have mentioned before that my Turbine wheels are off the car for refurbishment at the moment, so the idea of having this done to them for a little bit of exclusivity seems nice.
I have access to all the right baking rooms etc, but any light that could be shed as to the technique and colours or paints required would be appreciated. The more detail the better, I will experiment and get them done and done again until it`s right, I just want a crude list of the stages required to obtain the effect.
If this request is successful, and I have a valiant go at doing this, then of course I will publish a complete list of all stages with photos on the web, and maybe a downloadable PDF of what to do.
Thanks for your time and trouble guys,
Ivan.
PS. I can`t afford it yet, maybe in two years time when the official car comes out, but who on this board is going to be the first to take the plunge and have their whole E34 done in this colour???
Please take a photo of your main dealers face when you park next to their first delivered E39 Shadow Chrome and say "oh yes, but I think it suits the earlier model better" !!!!!
Chrome Shadow Paint
Linear Mode
