Stone protection

[Braz86]

Hi all

Can I have a few suggestions of stone protection for the under side of the inner sills, and eventually general underbody. One thing I am completely new too, and want to make sure I get it right

 

[Nodzed]

https://zroadster.org/threads/mod-how-to-stop-the-dirt-getting-into-your-sills-maybe.21808/

 

[DrWong]

If this is about paint to mimic the factory BMW underbody protection, I’m also highly interested in this

When I did my sills, I sprayed a coat of Upol Guard 10 from a rattle can (formerly Gravitex) before the primer and base coat layers. But it didn’t really do much and certainly didn’t texture up as I was expecting.

Conditions weren’t ideal though being late autumn at the time (too cold). Oh well, it’s still an extra layer of protection I suppose

 

[Braz86]

@Nodzed looking do do that at some point, but I'm after the paint/sealer for under body protection at the moment

 

[Nodzed]

@Nodzed looking do do that at some point, but I'm after the paint/sealer for under body protection at the moment

Not sure what you're after then, do you mean the stone chip paint for the sills? Under the car I just use waxoyl.

 

[Nodzed]

If this is about paint to mimic the factory BMW underbody protection, I’m also highly interested in this

When I did my sills, I sprayed a coat of Upol Guard 10 from a rattle can (formerly Gravitex) before the primer and base coat layers. But it didn’t really do much and certainly didn’t texture up as I was expecting.

Conditions weren’t ideal though being late autumn at the time (too cold). Oh well, it’s still an extra layer of protection I suppose

I have a good stone chip paint I have used its in a thread I replied to @mrscalex last year, if Rob dosent pop up with answer I'll try to find it tomorrow.

 

[mrscalex]

I bought Upol Gravi Guard on your recommendation @Nodzed . In all honesty not used it yet though.

I would think @Sean d is your man to confirm exactly what it is from factory. I think getting it right on the sill covers is the most important area which is what I wanted it for. I think it also lays differently depending on the distance you spray from.

 

[DrWong]

I bought Upol Gravi Guard on your recommendation @Nodzed . In all honesty not used it yet though.

I would think @Sean d is your man to confirm exactly what it is from factory. I think getting it right on the sill covers is the most important area which is what I wanted it for. I think it also lays differently depending on the distance you spray from.

Ahh that's it - I used Guard10 which was formerly Gravigard. Both came as rattle cans. Gravitex is the compressor version but all three are made by UPOL.

I didn't get the results I was expecting but I think a lot of it was down to conditions and user inexperience. As far as my understanding goes, BMW applied a thick rubberised underseal which also served as seam sealer on edges. This is all the long brush strokes you can see on the underside. Separate to this, there is the textured stone chip paint which all the UPOL products above are trying to imitate.

 

[Sean d]

There are quite a few good ones on the market but IMO you will not get the required build out of a rattle can, it needs to be sprayed from the correct gun, we buy it in large cans that attach to the gun which is inturn connect to a compressor,
I like Gravitex

 

[the Nefyn cat]

So, is there something brushable out there? Asking because I'll be taking the Z off the road soon to do a long list of jobs, and sills will be one of them. Or is that two? Took the back axle out a couple of years ago, but it was a cold wet winter and couldn't be ar5ed with grovelling on the floor doing stuff, hoping that doing it in summer will be better. Must be getting older.

 

[IainP]

You can buy seam sealer in 1L and 5L tins to brush on if you want. You can also cut off the bottom of a 1L can of spray material with a can opener and brush it on if you're quick. Comes in a variety of colours and is, usually, overpaintable. (is that a word?)

 

[mrscalex]

You can buy seam sealer in 1L and 5L tins to brush on if you want. You can also cut off the bottom of a 1L can of spray material with a can opener and brush it on if you're quick. Comes in a variety of colours and is, usually, overpaintable. (is that a word?)

Oh wow. Can opener on a spray can. Never thought of that. I might have to do it on a cheap can of paint just for a laugh!

 

[IainP]

Oh wow. Can opener on a spray can. Never thought of that. I might have to do it on a cheap can of paint just for a laugh!

I was cleaning the shed back in November and left a tub filled with old spray tins of white enamel outside. Forgot about them, it rained, then went to -12C. The results were Spectacular. Very Spectacular. And not at all popular with the wife. ;-)

I'm meaning this sort of stuff, though this one can't be overpainted.

Not pressurised, you can pour it out but chopping the bottom off gives a ready made can.

 

[NigeB]

I painted a new set of sills recently and used Soudal Gravel - really close to the original BMW finish. However you must use a proper spray gun like the Clarke one in the picture - they are only about £20 but its the only way to get a factory type finish - the gun fits on the tin. Its worth practicing on an old panel first though as the air pressure controls the "fineness" of the finish. I found 4 bar best and pre-warm the tins in hot water for an hour or so first. Easily overpaintable (should be a real word even if it isn't!) I am delighted with the finish I got.

 

[DrWong]

I painted a new set of sills recently and used Soudal Gravel - really close to the original BMW finish. However you must use a proper spray gun like the Clarke one in the picture - they are only about £20 but its the only way to get a factory type finish - the gun fits on the tin. Its worth practicing on an old panel first though as the air pressure controls the "fineness" of the finish. I found 4 bar best and pre-warm the tins in hot water for an hour or so first. Easily overpaintable (should be a real word even if it isn't!) I am delighted with the finish I got.
View attachment 97930 View attachment 97931

Got any pictures of the finish you achieved mate?

 

[Stevo7682]

I have heard this is an absolute 1st class stone protection for your zed.

 

[handsomejackuk]

speaking of cills one side done in etch primer... was 13 degrees in my garage today so, had to make the most of the dry day... and get cracking with this...

 

[NigeB]

Got any pictures of the finish you achieved mate?

will try and get some pictures this weekend.

 

[NigeB]

Got any pictures of the finish you achieved mate?

Its really difficult to get a decent picture but this one isn'

t too bad....

 

[DrWong]

Its really difficult to get a decent picture but this one isn'View attachment 98266 t too bad....

Cheers mate, managed to zoom in and it does look very OEM. Much better than what I got with rattle cans. Good work!