Body - Frozen Gray Metallic Paint, Special Handling
SI B 41 02 10Body
July 2010
Technical Service
SUBJECT
Frozen Gray Metallic Exterior Paint with Matte Finish - Special Handling
MODEL
E92 (M3 Coupe) with Frozen Gray Metallic paint, option code U83
INFORMATION
Beginning with June 2010 production, a small number of vehicles will be painted with a new color referred to as "Frozen Gray Metallic". This two-stage paint color consists of a Space Gray Metallic base coat with a specially formulated matte finish clear coat.
Aside from having a unique appearance, this paint also has several unique properties which require unique handling. Failure to handle this paint properly could result in permanent damage and costly repairs, which is not covered by the BMW Limited New Vehicle Warranty.
Due to the nature of a matte finish, dirt and debris on the paint surface are less noticeable than on a glossy surface. However, when washing/cleaning the paint or repairing it, the following recommendations must be followed. If these recommendations are not followed, the result could be paint that has an uneven surface finish, bright/glossy spots, or colors that do not match.
Cleaning and Care:
^ Never polish or wax the vehicle.
^ No products that are even mildly abrasive, such as polishes, glazes, or compounds, should be applied to the surface of the paint.
^ No mechanical means of cleaning the surface, such as a buffing wheel, should be used.
^ The only recommended surface applications are BMW insect remover and car shampoo.
NOTE:
These products must be used gently and applied with a soft sponge. Rubbing too aggressively (speed and/or pressure) could result in glossy spots which can only be repaired by repainting the panel.
^ Any outside materials, such as insect remains, resins, tar spots, oils, etc., must be removed immediately using approved products, or damage may result. Repairing such damage can be time-consuming and costly.
^ Hand washing the vehicle is preferred; however, automatic car washes may be used, provided the following precautions are taken:
^ Touch-less car washes are preferred over those with brushes.
^ Car washes that use brushes may be used, but the brushes must be soft. Plastic bristle brushes should be avoided.
^ Be sure to select a wash program that does NOT apply a surface wax. No wax from an automated car wash should ever be applied.
^ High-pressure water should be used prior to entering the wash to remove any surface contaminants, such as dirt, bird droppings, etc. If not removed, these could scratch the surface of the paint.
Repairing:
^ If surface scratches, swirl marks, etc., are present, they must not be repaired by polishing or using other surface abrasives.
^ Paint damage should only be repaired by a BMW trained body shop.
^ Special repair instructions are available for this paint and should always be consulted before attempting a repair.
^ When painting a panel with a matte finish, special attention must be given to color matching, as blending of the clear coat into adjacent panels is not recommended.
^ If paint work is performed on this vehicle, only BMW approved paint products may be used.
WARRANTY
Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
This paint is covered under the new vehicle warranty for defects in workmanship and materials only.
Any other types of damages, from outside influences or improper care, including scratches, swirl marks, glossy spots, etc., are not covered by the vehicle warranty.