Quote:
Originally Posted by rcouchh
Nothing new, it's Autoflex. Basically a glorified plastidip and it has been around for a long time. It has become much less popular over the years because you need to be an expert painter with a full paint booth to do a decent application. Tons of labor for a mediocre product. 9/10 installers will not remove panels like needed, and just spray everything on the car. Also a nightmare with overspray and you'll be finding it for years to come.
I had a car done with it. Removal is a pain in the ass because you'll never get rid of the overspray between panels. Certain spots youll find with not enough coats and it won't peel in full pieces.
No offense to the owner but vinyl/PPF will always be a better alternative. $4k for plastidip is crazy to me. From the first red pic looks like it has a lot of orange peel in the door/fenders too.
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Not sure I understand all of your hostility.
Autoflex is one option that BMW owners can assess on their own.
To compare Autoflex to "plastidip" is like comparing a rattle can of Rustoleum to BMW individual paint. They are NOT the same thing.
You are correct that Autoflex requires a high quality installer with a high quality paint gun and booth. That's because it is a high quality product, and needs to be installed professionally. It's just like paint, and requires quality control to look its best. Maybe your installer was a rookie or didn't know what he was doing. If there was "overspray," that was a terrible mistake by the installer, not the fault of the product.
That's why it is important to make sure you find a high quality installer, just like we should all do if we're looking at a PPF or wrap installer
I've now had two BMWs Autoflexed, and have had more than a dozen friends do the same. The result is simply amazing. It looks and behaves just like normal paint - - except that it has the protective qualities of PPF and can be peeled off, leaving a brand new unblemished paint job underneath.
I had my San Marino Blue M2 at many car shows and dealerships next to factory original M6s and M3s in San Marino Blue, and you couldn't tell the difference. Dealer employees have seen it and thought I must have somehow gotten an "individual" BMW paint job.
Autoflex (the latest updated version is "Clarity Coat") is now on it's 4th update, and it keeps getting better and better.
Mine was just applied (all 6 coats over 3 days), and it is thick and rich (and yes, shows orange peel, just like the original and wonderful BMW paint jobs of old). After it sets (about three months) it'll be cut and buffed, and ceramic coated, and will be smooth as glass.
This is an option for those who want the best. Short of spending $12,000, this is the best way to change colors on a BMW and add the protective qualities of a PPF. It doesn't yellow or end up with edges coming apart after two or three years. Properly maintained, it looks brand new for 5-7 years (or more).
No one is forcing you to do it, but I'm thrilled that we have the option.
I didn't post the picture to be attacked. I posted it as a "Random" thing I've done to my car.