Paint and varnish coating — general information (BMW 5 Series E39)

Bodywork and paintwork on a car body require experience in handling and processing materials. Such experience usually comes with many years of practice. In this regard, only techniques for eliminating minor damage to the body and paintwork are explained here.

For touch-up, it is essential to use a varnish of the same color, since even a small difference in color will immediately catch the eye after finishing the work. The corresponding color tone is specified by the manufacturer in the car's parameter table, which is located in the engine compartment on the right side wall.

If a difference in tone between the original and repair paintwork is found, it may be due to the aging of the vehicle's paintwork over time, its ultraviolet solar radiation, extreme temperature changes, weather conditions and chemical influences, such as industrial gases. In addition, surface damage, discoloration and dullness may occur if the paintwork is not cleaned and maintained with suitable products.

The metallic paint coating consists of two layers: metallic primer and clear varnish. When varnishing, clear varnish is sprayed on top of the wet primer varnish layer. The risk of color differences during subsequent varnishing of the metallic coating is particularly high, since even the difference in viscosity between the repair and original varnish has an effect here.