what is this orange peel everyoen with BMWs talks about? pics please? thanks in advance

It's a condition of a painted surface that has the effect of a rough pebbly texture like the peel of an orange.

On new cars, you'll see this effect throughout the paint job. It will be continuous thoughout the paint job however, and will be minimal. It can be usefull in determining if a car has had an area repainted in that the repainted area will have a different texture ornage peel then the fatcory paint.

On really a poor paint job, where the paint was applied too think, the air pressure to the paint gun was set too high, or the gun was placed to close to the surface during painting, the orange peel can be extremely rough causing a very dull textured finish.

No pics, but I'll try to describe it.

Orange peel is a defect in a paint finish. The easiest way to see it is to look at the reflection of an object that has straight lines. The image will be distorted so that the straight lines have a jagged edge.

From what I've read this occurs when the clearcoat wrinkles as it dries. Apprently it's related to the low VOC paints that have been used for the last several years. Almost every car I've seen has OP to some extent.

I think that it's only really visible in dark paintjobs. I can see it on my car in some places but not on my mom's silver acura.

then again, her car is five years newer

I think that it's only really visible in dark paintjobs. I can see it on my car in some places but not on my mom's silver acura.

then again, her car is five years newer

Think again, I was at a carshow held by a group at my college and there was a white 300zx with miserable orange peel where they had the sideskirts painted white over rock chip goo. You could see it from 10ft away.

This is stock orange peel
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/importcaracer/attachment.jpg

Now this is a pic of my car with no orange peel. That is next to my door handle.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y226/importcaracer/DSC00755.jpg

aw crap i have a bunch of that, and i thought thats how its supposed to look after a good wax...

aw crap i have a bunch of that, and i thought thats how its supposed to look after a good wax...

no problem though. its not really a BAD thing

as long as its shiny and reflective, right? :buttrock

no problem though. its not really a BAD thing

as long as its shiny and reflective, right? :buttrock

Yeah, its nothing to worry about. Most of the time it doesnt look *bad*, it just looks great when its minimalized/ not there.

so whats the best way to remedy it if any?

so whats the best way to remedy it if any?

New paint job.

New paint job.

Not necessarily, I just wet sanded out the orange peel till it was flat and then buffed it.

wet sanding works, but if you are not familiar with the process don't try it! Its not for the meek.

Yea, wet sanding will also decrease the thickness of the clearcoat and, therefore, decrease the life of the paint.

Yea, wet sanding will also decrease the thickness of the clearcoat and, therefore, decrease the life of the paint.

If your paint is allready pretty old deffiently get another coat of clear on there before its sanded flat.

wet sanding works, but if you are not familiar with the process don't try it! Its not for the meek.

Yah dont try it if you dont know what your doing. It is very easy to sand through the clear especially on edges. If you go through the clear you are screwed. It is very easy to buff right through the clear also.

Yah dont try it if you dont know what your doing. It is very easy to sand through the clear especially on edges. If you go through the clear you are screwed. It is very easy to buff right through the clear also.

I've watched it happen. Cousin got a bit overzealous with an orbital buffer... not my car not my problem though.