What is this and is it possible to repair?

**HadleysHope** · 06-05-2014, 03:06 PM

Hi guys, I have a couple of these on my hood and wondered if there is an easy way to repair it.

HH

**Angus** · 06-05-2014, 03:20 PM

Looks like Type II bird dropping - Fractured/Wrinkled Etching. If it is there`s not much you can do short of major work. Are they noticeable? Can you hide them with wax? Maybe pretend its not there?

**HadleysHope** · 06-05-2014, 03:22 PM

Its not super noticeable, just that I know they are there. :-( figured that might be the case. Thanks for taking the time to reply BTW, much appreciated.

**Angus** · 06-05-2014, 03:31 PM

If you can find a good pro detailer in your area they might be able to wet-sand the marks and hopefully make them less noticeable?

**HadleysHope** · 06-05-2014, 03:39 PM

Top tip, thanks Angus.

HH

**JSFM35X** · 06-05-2014, 05:03 PM

Sorry to tell you that it paint fracture. Seen it a few times and I have never been able to get it to look satisfactory. Best I did was wet sand, to get it to lie flat and then a very light polish to remove sand marks and dr colorchip in the fracture lines. Apply LSP and ignore the eye sore.

**steve1972** · 06-05-2014, 06:19 PM

That will not be able to be taken all the way out. Sorrry to say

**HadleysHope** · 06-05-2014, 06:27 PM

No stress, I figured as much. Thanks for your input

HH

**GearHead_1** · 06-05-2014, 08:35 PM

I think I may agree with the bird droppings. I`ve seen some shrink back look similar. If the hood hasn`t been repainted chances for shrink back go down dramatically though on occasion repairs are made before they leave the assembly line.

**Stokdgs** · 06-05-2014, 10:49 PM

I would be really careful about trying to fix this, as it looks like the clear coat is cracking and if it continues to spread, it will not be pretty...

Also, would never try to wet sand this down to make it go away, because too much clearcoat can be removed and there is no replacing it process that will make it look perfect again...

I like the idea of filling it in with a good, proven, paint touch up such as Dr.ColorChip...

But it is there and unless it is just barely into the clearcoat thickness which is usually not much to begin with, the owner will just have to live with it until they decide to repaint, which would include the entire panel, as touch ups are hard to do with the paint used these days..

I would personally, measure the paint thickness all around the spot including the spot, and that would help give me an idea of what there is to work with - to a degree.

If you decide to find someone to repair just that spot, and they dont mention measuring the paint in microns, well, please be careful going further.. Inquire much about their experience repairing something EXACTLY like this, and if possible see if they have before and after pics..

Back in the days of Acrylic Lacquer and Enamel, I could have fixed this so easily...

Good luck with this !
DanF

**HadleysHope** · 06-06-2014, 08:02 AM

Thanks DanF,

To be brutally honest I am not going to mess with it. Its actually really small and I think the potential to cause more issues is greater than my ability to fix it, especially after reading your wise words.

**Ronkh** · 06-06-2014, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by HadleysHope

Thanks DanF,

To be brutally honest I am not going to mess with it. Its actually really small and I think the potential to cause more issues is greater than my ability to fix it, especially after reading your wise words.

And it`s gonna drive you NUTS.............

People will tell you how fantastic your car looks, and your eyes will always go to that one spot. It`s gonna happen. THat`s where you will look after every wash, every wax.

That said, I`m in the same camp as you. For door dings and small stuff like that, I`d say let the next owner worry about it.

**Todd@RUPES** · 06-06-2014, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by JSFM35X

Sorry to tell you that it paint fracture. Seen it a few times and I have never been able to get it to look satisfactory. Best I did was wet sand, very light polish to remove sand marks and dr colorchip in the fracture lines. Apply LSP and ignore the eye sore.

This is the likely the best bet.

**HadleysHope** · 06-06-2014, 09:19 AM

Originally Posted by Ronkh

And it`s gonna drive you NUTS.............

People will tell you how fantastic your car looks, and your eyes will always go to that one spot. It`s gonna happen. THat`s where you will look after every wash, every wax.

For sure, I didn`t think the paintwork was bad until I wend over it ince by inch waxing it and finding every single spot which of course no one else sees, but I know they are there! like a splinter in my mind hehehe.

**JSFM35X** · 06-06-2014, 11:00 AM

I would really only attach this if you say to yourself, "If I make a bigger mess than I can handle, I can always hire a pro to fix this". In this case it will be a re-paint. with that mind set, give it a shot. If your not there yet. Let it ride and enjoy the M3.

Originally Posted by HadleysHope

Thanks DanF,

To be brutally honest I am not going to mess with it. Its actually really small and I think the potential to cause more issues is greater than my ability to fix it, especially after reading your wise words.