Wheel arch Surface Rust Repair (to DIY or not to DIY)

Post Sun Apr 17, 2016 3:24 pm

Despite some paint protection measures my 318is has accumulated a bit of rust over the winter. Its completely non-structural and on the wheel arches plus little at the bottom front of the driver door (oh, and also a tiny door ding from some mug in a tesco car park).

I could grind it back and give it a go myself with spray can (apline white II) but I don't want to screw it up. Aside from this its a very rust free car so probably worth doing right.

Has anyone used anyone in the Berkshire/Surrey/West London area that would do it right or should I DIY? Iv'e worked on cars before but not toyed with paint.

Thanks

Post Sun Apr 17, 2016 4:34 pm

Colour match on alpine white is difficult I've tried various spray cans and none seem to match!!!
Probably better off getting the panels painted professionally but maybe do the prep yourself. .

Post Sun Apr 17, 2016 8:03 pm

jcm325 wrote:Colour match on alpine white is difficult I've tried various spray cans and none seem to match!!!
Probably better off getting the panels painted professionally but maybe do the prep yourself. .

I made a colour test piece with a bit of metal using the Halfords alpine white and it was a bit reddish and didn't match at all! nice to know that others aren't great too

do you think sanding it back to metal and using filler primer would do?

thanks jcm.

bonus picture of road grime and the rusty arches:

Post Mon Apr 18, 2016 11:21 am

Depends on how bad the rust is? If it's only light surface rust then filler primer may do the job,but if it's any worse then filler or replacement metal may be required. ....if you are paying for a professional paint job make sure to do it right or else it will just come back again and ruin your expensive new paint....as with any paint finish it's only as good as the preparation. ...

Post Mon Apr 18, 2016 11:28 am

If you find a decent spray can match let me know as I tried about 5 with no success including the halfords one which is nowhere near ...as has been said before these cars are old now and may have been painted /faded etc so it's difficult to know the actual colour, at least a proper paint place should be able to match the colour....

Good luck give it a try the worst thing that can happen is it doesn't match and then you'll have to get it done by a professional. ....

Post Mon Apr 18, 2016 4:17 pm

Someone on here once recommended paints4u. I've never tried them though

Post Mon Apr 18, 2016 6:34 pm

Rust is thankfully only surface. its not come through to the inside of the panels at all (yet)!

Halfords one didn't do so well:

I think I'll try a can of alpine white II from here http://www.carcolourservices.co.uk or https://www.paints4u.com/default.aspx and if I balls it up then I'll take it somewhere. It also seems like BMW did not use clearcoat on White II and the places above sell normal bascoat or cellulose paint. not sure which yet.

If I figure anything out I'll update this thread
thanks for the guidance

Post Mon Apr 18, 2016 9:40 pm

Take your petrol flap off and walk into any local auto paint shop and they will make you some paint to match and put it in an aerosol for you.
As we all know b&q is for overpriced crap diy stuff, halfords is just the same for diy car shit.

Post Mon Apr 18, 2016 11:31 pm

bimanut wrote:Take your petrol flap off and walk into any local auto paint shop and they will make you some paint to match and put it in an aerosol for you.
As we all know b&q is for overpriced crap diy stuff, halfords is just the same for diy car shit.

As I've posted in another recent thread. Stay away from the DIY stuff and go to the professionals.
Their aerosols have far better coverage than the DIY ones, and usually come with a selection of nozzles to give you a selection of spray patterns.

Post Wed May 25, 2016 8:22 pm

Thought I'd update this thread for anyone interested.

I have sourced some professionally colour matched cans from Thames Coatings in Slough/Langley so I'm taking them my filler cap next week. Thanks for the help...I'll let you know how it goes.