Can the sheet metal painting at a BMW 4S store achieve the original factory effect?
2 Answers
BMW 4S store sheet metal painting can only achieve the original factory effect in appearance. The original factory painting environment is dust-free, and the painting is done as a whole, resulting in uniform paint and consistent thickness throughout. However, post-repair painting is done locally, making it uneven compared to the original car paint, and the paint thickness will also differ from the original. Current paint mixing technology can basically restore the original car color, making it difficult to detect with the naked eye. However, differences in paint thickness, painting environment, and temperature can lead to color deviations. The difference between 4S store painting and original factory paint is that while the 4S store can achieve the effect of the original factory paint, it is not the genuine original factory paint. Processes such as electrophoresis in the original factory paint are beyond the capabilities of both 4S stores and repair shops; they can only repair the top three layers: the primer, color coat, and clear coat.
I've always been fascinated by automotive repair techniques, especially for premium brands like BMW. 4S shops can typically achieve OEM-level sheet metal painting results because they use BMW-authorized equipment and paints, along with professionally trained technicians. They use computer systems for color matching to ensure the new paint perfectly matches the original vehicle color. However, this depends on the car's condition - for example, if the car is several years old with paint aging, even the best repaint might slightly differ from a brand-new car's finish. I recommend that when choosing OEM services, owners should ask technicians about detail handling, such as surface preparation processes and drying environments, as these significantly affect final gloss and durability. Overall, 4S shop standards are top-tier, achieving nearly 99% of OEM quality.
