MyE28.com

Hi all,
I just recently got my hands on a euro valance for my Alpineweiss e28. The valance is currently in primer and I'm wondering what people have used and had luck with for matching that color. I found some aerosol cans on Amazon but it says "Alpineweiss II 1988 - 1994" so I'm skeptical.
Thanks!

I have the same color (Alpine white 1) car and need to respray several parts too.

I've found that Dupli-Color makes a recommended spray for Alpine White 1 with the code DSMZ12, check the catalogue attached. Although I haven't tried it yet, if you give it a go I would be very interested in your results.


https://www.saauto.com.au/userfiles/fil ... 202011.pdf

Getting a perfect match is going to be near impossible. Even if you got some of the original paint, out of the same bucket, it will look different some ~35 years later. On Alpine white 1 vs 2, I know 1 is single stage, and I believe 2 is a base/clear system, which never looks quite the same, and I think the Alpine whites got "whiter" as the years went on, my 85 with that color was distinctly yellow/white, so even discounting the single stage/two stage it might be a different color. Although 6 months later you might not even notice.

But what about a automotive paint store? It won't be cheap, it will probably be a brighter/whiter white as Alpine 1 I'm told ages yellowish, but it might be your best bet. They should be able to set you up with a single stage paint, albeit with hardener more than likely. No compressor and spray gun? Well, there is always the Preval system. I've done a large hood with it, which is way too large for the format, but a valance should be ok. Get at least 2 propellant units, maybe more. Amazon, local hardware store, where ever. You will probably have to reduce it to get it thin enough to spray.

Or go ask at a couple of local body shops. At worst, all they can do is say no, or give you an absurd quote. But maybe, just maybe, they can do it for a couple of hundred and match the color, although they too are likely to want to use 2 stage paint.

Or... go to the local hardware store, if you can in this Covid 19 era, and ask them to match it with a metal compatible paint. Then use that and lacquer thinner and or paint thinner and spray it with a preval. No, it won't be as hard and durable as auto paint, but you could probably do it for a fifty.

Lots of options, many depend on your use/goals with the car and your price sensitivity.

Believe it or not, there are still auto parts stores that will match your paint and put the mix into a rattle can. It's not cheap, about $35 a can or more, but I just had some mixed and sprayed a repro Hartge spoiler with it, and it came out awesome (well... for a DIY job).

My local store is United Auto, in Durham, NC. They have a camera that takes a series of images, from right up on the surface, and they match the paint from there. You might want to inquire and see if anyone in your area offers the service.

BTW, where did you source the euro valance? I am also in the market (after trying an aftermarket repro that doesn't fit very well).

I used to buy custom spray cans in the correct Alpine White for my '86.. some NAPA stores offer this service. I still have two cans on the shelf. Mike's right, all you can do is get close. And yes, Alpine White II is a much brighter white: I have a friend with an '87 E28 that was repainted in Alpine White and it is distinctly brighter than mine.. he said the shop had his color in stock when they repainted, but a close look at his doorjambs and underhood confirmed that he had the later Alpine and not the creamier, more ivory original, which is indeed single stage. I touched up a 'is' valance with this paint just couple of years ago and you cannot tell the difference, really.

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'm going to weigh my options and see how it goes. I've got a local paint guy that I trust so I'll see what sort of quote he gives me. Otherwise I'll probably end up going with the Dupli-color. My e28 isn't a show car by any means and close enough is good enough for me.

Ken, I sourced the valance from a member in the LA area who had a bunch brought over from Holland some how. Luckily I had a friend who was coming up and brought it with him.

Hopefully I'll get to it soon and I'll post pictures of the finished product.

Really, try a NAPA store.. there’s usually one per area that does paint in spray cans. Trust me when I say that if it isn’t close, you’ll see the difference, and it’ll drive you crazy!

You can also order the correct shade of alpine white from numerous online paint touch up vendors.

BRRV, I called my local store and they can order it from the main hub. (I live in a small country town, so I was skeptical at first)
They said they need the paint code which I'm assuming is just Alpineweiss 1, correct?

Anybody consider Paint scratch? https://www.paintscratch.com/

I was considering buying and painting some panels to see how they came out for my daily e28...

I would have to buy both the base coat and then the clear, but they do offer it in spray cans for a reasonable amount...

OilBurner524TD wrote: Jul 08, 2020 3:30 PM BRRV, I called my local store and they can order it from the main hub. (I live in a small country town, so I was skeptical at first)
They said they need the paint code which I'm assuming is just Alpineweiss 1, correct?

No, the paint code is a 3 digit number on a sticker in the engine compartment. Pass side I think, black and white sticker. Grabbed this off ebay so it probably won't last long, but something like this. See the 151/7 number in the bottom corner? That's what you need. Just the 3 digits.

Right you are.
For future reference here it is.

Mike W. wrote: Jul 08, 2020 4:48 PM

OilBurner524TD wrote: Jul 08, 2020 3:30 PM BRRV, I called my local store and they can order it from the main hub. (I live in a small country town, so I was skeptical at first)
They said they need the paint code which I'm assuming is just Alpineweiss 1, correct?

No, the paint code is a 3 digit number on a sticker in the engine compartment. Pass side I think, black and white sticker. Grabbed this off ebay so it probably won't last long, but something like this. See the 151/7 number in the bottom corner? That's what you need. Just the 3 digits.