The previous owner drove my M3W with a loose strap over the bonnet. This collected grit and sanded the paint underneath, with a small spot seemingly through the color coat.
It even scratched the chrome on the faux radiator cowling.
As delivered to me from the dealer, the strap had shrunk and couldn't be properly tightened. I soaked the straps, worked conditioner into them and was successful in tightening the strap. The tightened strap naturally covers most of the scratches. But some are exposed. I have done some light polishing, but have been conservative as that just removes more paint.
If I were to try to get some matching paint from a professional automotive paint shop, what do I need to know to select a compatible paint?
Any suggestions about the scratches in the chrome? I do have some chrome polish, but it is very fine and probably more intended to manage discoloration.
The car is meant to be driven, so it doesn't need to perfect, but I do want to take care of it.
The cowl should polish with autosol and I've even used the finest grade (0000) wire wool with polish then followed up with mutton cloth & polish on chrome on a Harley which was left to the elements.
It all depends on the depth of scratches you're dealing with of course.
Sounds like a bonnet re-paint for the paintwork.
I have to agree the straps are a bad fit and chafe the paintwork - I'm even considering fitting clear rub tape under the strap edges but as for looks. Under normal road use vibration, the strap moves fore and aft & the bonnet twists as the chassis flexes.
The previous owner drove my M3W with a loose strap over the bonnet. This collected grit and sanded the paint underneath, with a small spot seemingly through the color coat.
It even scratched the chrome on the faux radiator cowling.
Sufficient reason, I think, for not having a bonnet strap.
Or self adhesive baize applied to both surfaces (strap and Bonnet) so there is no contact. The strip of baize applied to the bonnet should be a bit narrower than the strap width so it does not show, and can be removed by soaking with white spirit if you need to refresh it at some point. Works on my trad and although you cant see it, it is available in various colours on Ebay.
Have a big scratch on my Gulf bonnet. Try to polish the scratch out but it only got worse. Because it's no paint it's just wrapped film. Anyone knows how to handle ?
But is the paint a color base with a clear top coat? A single stage, water-based paint? Anyone have a clear idea of what the paint is so something compatible can be chosen?
