Bentley piano black Z4MC

[GTWayne]

There has been a fair bit of controversy about the quality of finish on newer BMW's and although I am not overly fussed myself, a recent inspection of my Saphire black Z4MC has not only highlighted an overall lacklustre finish but a few war wounds that have been collected over the months are a little worse than I had originally thought.
I have been speaking with a very well known and respected local panel works and have decided to take the plunge and get the whole car sprayed what is called 'Bentley piano black'.
Although a bh to keep clean I feel this to be a worthwhile expenditure and proof of what some loons are prepared to do in the name of personalising their ride

[dan101smith]

Sounds interesting...

Did you also consider getting some paintwork correction done? My g/f's Z4 is black, and the finish on it was pretty poor. It went into the bodyshop for a repair to the front wing, and the guys there machine polished the whole thing, made such a difference!

A LOT cheaper than a respray, too.

[GTWayne]

I am more interested in the change from metallic paint to a deep rich gloss as much as anything but you are right, it is indeed amazing what can be done to the original paint by a competent engineer

[evenflow]

Is Bentley Piano Black a colour they offer? AFAIK "piano black" refers to the interior veneer on the dashboard (I think Merc also offer a piano black trim).

[carl_w]

evenflow said:

Is Bentley Piano Black a colour they offer?

Sounds like a colour that Bentley offer, yes.

[GTWayne]

evenflow said:

Is Bentley Piano Black a colour they offer? AFAIK "piano black" refers to the interior veneer on the dashboard (I think Merc also offer a piano black trim).

I do actually have that very same interior veneer optioned in my Z4MC but with regards to 'Bentley piano black' being an official colour choice from Bentley, I don't know. The way it was described to me as being a mile deep and a very flat un peely finish wouldn't surprise me if the word 'Bentley' was added just to make it all sound more classy although I really do think this is going to look fantastic but then I am a wee bit keen on the colour black as anyone who knows me will testify

Edited by GTWayne on Wednesday 22 October 17:36

[evenflow]

GTWayne said:

evenflow said:

Is Bentley Piano Black a colour they offer? AFAIK "piano black" refers to the interior veneer on the dashboard (I think Merc also offer a piano black trim).

I do actually have that very same interior veneer optioned in my Z4MC but with regards to 'Bentley piano black' being an official colour choice from Bentley, I don't know. The way it was described to me as being a mile deep and a very flat un peely finish wouldn't surprise me if the word 'Bentley' was added just to make it all sound more classy although I really do think this is going to look fantastic but then I am a wee bit keen on the colour black as anyone who knows me will testify

Edited by GTWayne on Wednesday 22 October 17:36

Cool - sure it will look fabulous. The Z4MC is really, really growing on me at the moment. I may even add it to my PH "fantasy car" list
Make sure you post a lot of pictures during/after the respray

[M3John]

Wow now that sounds intresting indeed sir.


Edit to add;

Have to agree with the statement above about the piccies !

Edited by M3John on Wednesday 22 October 17:51

[GTWayne]

Have no fear chaps, there will be pictures a plenty once the deed has been done ( unless it looks crap of course )

[evenflow]

Got any "before" pics?

[GTWayne]

Car is already in the paint shop but pictures can be found on a thread from December '07 in this section titled: Z4 M Coupe; Underated or what? Mine is obviously the black one with black CSL's all posted by my good mate M3Desmo. ( before anyone points it out I know Underrated has two R's in it,... NOW! )

[kds keltec]

GTWayne said:

I am more interested in the change from metallic paint to a deep rich gloss as much as anything but you are right, it is indeed amazing what can be done to the original paint by a competent engineer

Thats so true what can be done to the original paint in the right hands!!!

here is a black truck which had been (HAND) wet sanded to get the best results
and would be far cheaper than a full respray without the warranty issues!!

Before



Wet sand



After



Here is a more recent truck with the same process (Metallic Black)

Before



Wet Sand



After

Edited by kds keltec on Thursday 23 October 10:27

[M3John]

Now that is absolutely amazing !!!!!

[Donut]

Stunning........

One of the chaps here doesn't belive that the final two pics are of a Black car!!

[M3John]

Donut said:

Stunning........

One of the chaps here doesn't belive that the final two pics are of a Black car!!

Its funny how a real shiny black can come up. One of my cars is black - a proper jet black and hasn't been washed in 25+ years (just doesn't get dirty). It is more reflective than a mirror although it's probably not quite as shiny as that above. Whats the info on having this done as i would think about having my car done too?

Edit;

You can sort of see what i'm saying from this picture below of my car - you can also notice that it is a black car in places.

Edited by M3John on Thursday 23 October 11:58

[Donut]

M3John said:

Donut said:

Stunning........

One of the chaps here doesn't belive that the final two pics are of a Black car!!

Its funny how a real shiny black can come up. One of my cars is black - a proper jet black and hasn't been washed in 25+ years (just doesn't get dirty). It is more reflective than a mirror although it's probably not quite as shiny as that above. Whats the info on having this done as i would think about having my car done too?

Edit;

You can sort of see what i'm saying from this picture below of my car - you can also notice that it is a black car in places.

Edited by M3John on Thursday 23 October 11:58

Cool car matey

I know what I'll be doing on my next weekend off, see if I can get my wife's White 1 series that shiney

[paoloh]

GT, what bodyshop you thinking of using?

[PhilLL]

kds keltec said:

GTWayne said:

I am more interested in the change from metallic paint to a deep rich gloss as much as anything but you are right, it is indeed amazing what can be done to the original paint by a competent engineer

Thats so true what can be done to the original paint in the right hands!!!

here is a black truck which had been (HAND) wet sanded to get the best results
and would be far cheaper than a full respray without the warranty issues!!

Before



Wet sand



After



Here is a more recent truck with the same process (Metallic Black)

Before



Wet Sand



After

Edited by kds keltec on Thursday 23 October 10:27

Very nice looking M3 btw

[GTWayne]

paoloh said:

GT, what bodyshop you thinking of using?

Hello paoloh, how is it going?
The body shop that I am using is called Portslade Panel Works. The proprietors are Paul and John Chambers and have worked there for their father since leaving school roughly 30 years ago. They are Porsche and MB approved repairers and I have done various window installations for them both over the years and so we have a good working relationship

RE; Detailing. I have seen this type of finish on standard paint before and it does indeed look remarkable but it is a colour change that I am after as much as anything.

[carl_w]

Does this 'wet sanding' process affect the longevity of the paint in any way? Would seem reasonably simple to include it as a step in the painting process at the factory, so I'm not sure why they don't?