Painting OE aero side skirts

[dekaliber]

Hoping some folks who have installed the OE aero package side skirts will chime in.

I'd like to install these myself but I'd need to get them painted by a bodyshop to match black sapphire. I got a quote for $370 through this shop I worked with before to fix a key mark. It seemed a little high -- they are charging 4.6 hours of paint labor & supplies for what seems like a pretty straightforward job -- so I was hoping to get an idea of what other folks have paid. Maybe my expectations are unrealistic here...

[Chuck I]

I had mine painted to match my Sterling Gray and I installed them myself. It cost me $120 each for the paint job... I was surprised because the same shop charged me $318 to paint my Aero front bumper. They were easy to put on. But be sure to look at the DIY on here because you do have to make a slight modification to the front tab.. Chuck

[takedown8]

I just got a quote of $250 to paint the pair. This is from a very reputable place with the best prices I've seen. I'll bring it to them just 'cause I know they'll do a great job.

[Burt Reynolds]

Anyone take any before after aero pictures?

[Chuck I]

Here's mine... Chuck

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by takedown8

I just got a quote of $250 to paint the pair. This is from a very reputable place with the best prices I've seen. I'll bring it to them just 'cause I know they'll do a great job.

That's the most important factor....

[Burt Reynolds]

Hey that is very nice- good job on the aero kit.

[dekaliber]

Hm, sounds like $370 is maybe $100 too high. I'll keep looking around...

Anyone have pics on a black car? PeteH's M roadster is the only one I've seen (from zed-cars.eu)

Thanks guys!

[epbrown]

I got a call from the paint shop today - mine are ready. I'm installing them on Saturday, and I'll take some pictures then.

[dekaliber]

Originally Posted by epbrown

I got a call from the paint shop today - mine are ready. I'm installing them on Saturday, and I'll take some pictures then.

How much did it cost you to paint them?

[nate96]

A friend of mine works at a body shop. Took him about an hour total to prep and paint. He did between other jobs.

Before



After

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by dekaliber

How much did it cost you to paint them?

A little over $300. I might have gotten them done cheaper if I shopped around, but I like this shop - they do a lot of work on BMWs, and they're only a couple of blocks from my place.

[NJREDZ06]

So nice!

I just got my aero bumper and ordered the side skirts for next week.

I didn't know the Fog lights didnt come with the bumper so I ordered those as well.

Great pics! for those who have already installed their aero parts!

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by epbrown

A little over $300. I might have gotten them done cheaper if I shopped around, but I like this shop - they do a lot of work on BMWs, and they're only a couple of blocks from my place.

Better late than never. Total price was $314.91 for paint, but the match is perfect. I've seen people say it takes 90 minutes or so, but I had problems with some of the plastic connectors along the base, so it took me 2.5 hours from start to finish - some of that was my neighbors chatting while I worked.

One thing I don't like - the passenger side top front corner sticks out a bit, less than 2mm, but it bugs me. I may remove it and try again, but I'll need a new mounting kit before I try.

[speedygirl]

Can you guys confirm that the side skirts are not metal. Saw a few small blemishes while claying/waxing the car yesterday and my first though was that they looked early corrosion due to the colour. They are pinhead size. Hard to believe since I have a 2006. Anyways, the sills feel like fiberglass. A friend thought it might be where the fiberglass panel is tacked to the frame.

Thought someone here might be able to comment as you have seen the unpainted panels and taken your original OEMs off the car. Thanks!

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by speedygirl

Can you guys confirm that the side skirts are not metal. Saw a few small blemishes while claying/waxing the car yesterday and my first though was that they looked early corrosion due to the colour. They are pinhead size. Hard to believe since I have a 2006. Anyways, the sills feel like fiberglass. A friend thought it might be where the fiberglass panel is tacked to the frame.

They are completely fiberglass, and almost all of the attachment points are fiberglass as well. There are two metal screws, one front and one rear, and they screw into... fiberglass. Now way they're rusting.

Originally Posted by epbrown

One thing I don't like - the passenger side top front corner sticks out a bit, less than 2mm, but it bugs me. I may remove it and try again, but I'll need a new mounting kit before I try.

D'oh! I found inTgr8r's thread where he mentions you have to trim the top front a bit, that's why mine are sticking out. What do people use to snip a bit of fiberglass safely? I checked my old ones and they were obviously snipped at the factory to fit them as well - weird they simply didn't design them to fit!

[rc'Z]

Originally Posted by speedygirl

Can you guys confirm that the side skirts are not metal. Saw a few small blemishes while claying/waxing the car yesterday and my first though was that they looked early corrosion due to the colour. They are pinhead size. Hard to believe since I have a 2006. Anyways, the sills feel like fiberglass. A friend thought it might be where the fiberglass panel is tacked to the frame.

Thought someone here might be able to comment as you have seen the unpainted panels and taken your original OEMs off the car. Thanks!

Although they shouldn't, rubber, plastic, fiberglass, can delaminate or corrosion can get into or behind part of the layers and bubble up looking like rust.