No Tanzanite touch-up paint in North America

[Poiseuille]

So I have three very tiny stone chips in the front of my hood, thought I'd drop by my local friendly BMW dealer to pick up some touch up paint. Nice fellow says "what color?" " tanzanite", says I. " seems we don't have that. looks like we never did". After listening to me express my chagrin, the nice fellow called BMWNA. Guess what? They don't have it either! In fact, they said there's none in North America. And there never has been!

At this point I decided to go home and calm down. I called two other dealers, and got the same result. The last one suggested I take the paint code to some random body shop and ask them if they could cook me up a small batch. Those who have seen Tanzanite in bright sunlight will understand what a goofy idea that is. Finally, I called BMW myself just to make sure this isn't some elaborate joke. Nope. Not a joke. $88,000 car, and no touch up paint.

Now, I understand that this is an unusual color, and it may not pay dealers to stock the stuff which after all may have a shelflife. However, I believe it's a reasonable expectation that BMWNA would make the effort to stock a case or two in Woodcliff Lakes. maybe in liquid nitrogen, like in a sperm bank. I must say that the very nice lady at BMWNA was extraordinarily pleasant and an asset to BMW. Unfortunately, it remains that an accurate summary of that conversation is "tough luck".

[Draper]

That's definitely pretty weird...like most BMW owners are cool just living with chips all over their cars.

It looks like https://www.drcolorchip.com has TB, and many have had pretty good experiences with their stuff.

[doug_999]

Second vote for Dr Colorchip! Amazing and MUCH better than buying touchup from paint from BMW.

[Poiseuille]

I agree about Dr C: i've used that stuff on a titanium silver 540 I, and a black Z3. Great results, no question. I think Tanzanite is different however, stuff looks like something George Barris cooked up. Looks like Dr. C is the only solution.

[RickFLM4]

Sorry to hear. Hindsight is 20/20 but paint protection film may be worth looking into for the next car.

[420Coupe]

That is completely astonishing that they dont carry their own factory paint.

[Poiseuille]

Originally Posted by 420Coupe

That is completely astonishing that they dont carry their own factory paint.

Two years ago I bought a Toyota pick up truck to carry Poiseuille Jrs race kart around, and THAT was delivered with a bottle of touch up paint in the glove box. Even included a little applicator kit. geez...

[6spdTanzM4]

So what happens when people need more than just rock hip repair? What about minor fender benders and bigger needs? No luck for anyone with tanzanite color? That could be very concerning.

[Poiseuille]

Originally Posted by shiftmr2t

So what happens when people need more than just rock hip repair? What about minor fender benders and bigger needs? No luck for anyone with tanzanite color? That could be very concerning.

I asked that question: the very nonreassuring answer was the same, take it to a body shop and have them cook up a color. Again, if you see that color, you know he's going to have to paint the whole car.

[boss2k]

Originally Posted by Draper

That's definitely pretty weird...like most BMW owners are cool just living with chips all over their cars.

It looks like https://www.drcolorchip.com has TB, and many have had pretty good experiences with their stuff.

Thanks for this link and advice, great to know it.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

So I have three very tiny stone chips in the front of my hood, thought I'd drop by my local friendly BMW dealer to pick up some touch up paint. Nice fellow says "what color?" " tanzanite", says I. " seems we don't have that. looks like we never did". After listening to me express my chagrin, the nice fellow called BMWNA. Guess what? They don't have it either! In fact, they said there's none in North America. And there never has been! At this point I decided to go home and calm down. I called two other dealers, and got the same result. The last one suggested I take the paint code to some random body shop and ask them if they could cook me up a small batch. Those who have seen Tanzanite in bright sunlight will understand what a goofy idea that is. Finally, I called BMW myself just to make sure this isn't some elaborate joke. Nope. Not a joke. $88,000 car, and no touch up paint. Now, I understand that this is an unusual color, and it may not pay dealers to stock the stuff which after all may have a shelflife. However, I believe it's a reasonable expectation that BMWNA would make the effort to stock a case or two in Woodcliff Lakes. maybe in liquid nitrogen, like in a sperm bank. I must say that the very nice lady at BMWNA was extraordinarily pleasant and an asset to BMW. Unfortunately, it remains that an accurate summary of that conversation is "tough luck".

I had a few stone chips on my YMB M4 as well. I didn't even bother going to the dealer to ask for touch up point so I can't even say if they stock it or not but what I did was take it to a reputed garage who touched it up nicely and then polished it you can't ever tell they were there. I think they just get the color codes and mix the colors then and there.

I feel your gripe for this lack of support from BMW, such a simple thing that's available for any cheap car but the good news is, it's an easy fix.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

So I have three very tiny stone chips in the front of my hood, thought I'd drop by my local friendly BMW dealer to pick up some touch up paint. Nice fellow says "what color?" " tanzanite", says I. " seems we don't have that. looks like we never did". After listening to me express my chagrin, the nice fellow called BMWNA. Guess what? They don't have it either! In fact, they said there's none in North America. And there never has been! At this point I decided to go home and calm down. I called two other dealers, and got the same result. The last one suggested I take the paint code to some random body shop and ask them if they could cook me up a small batch. Those who have seen Tanzanite in bright sunlight will understand what a goofy idea that is. Finally, I called BMW myself just to make sure this isn't some elaborate joke. Nope. Not a joke. $88,000 car, and no touch up paint. Now, I understand that this is an unusual color, and it may not pay dealers to stock the stuff which after all may have a shelflife. However, I believe it's a reasonable expectation that BMWNA would make the effort to stock a case or two in Woodcliff Lakes. maybe in liquid nitrogen, like in a sperm bank. I must say that the very nice lady at BMWNA was extraordinarily pleasant and an asset to BMW. Unfortunately, it remains that an accurate summary of that conversation is "tough luck".

Here are a few sources, including Walmart

https://touchupdirect.com/shop/touch...-metallic-x10/
https://www.amazon.com/BMW-TANZANITE.../dp/B06W577ZWX
https://www.amazon.com/ColorRite-Aut.../dp/B00KXNRUYI
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/tou...16/all-models/
https://www.colorandpaint.net/index....+Blue+Metallic
https://www.walmart.com/ip/BMW-4-Ser...&wl13=&veh=sem

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Here are a few sources, including Walmart

https://touchupdirect.com/shop/touch...-metallic-x10/
https://www.amazon.com/BMW-TANZANITE.../dp/B06W577ZWX
https://www.amazon.com/ColorRite-Aut.../dp/B00KXNRUYI
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/tou...16/all-models/
https://www.colorandpaint.net/index....+Blue+Metallic
https://www.walmart.com/ip/BMW-4-Ser...&wl13=&veh=sem

[3liter1]

Another vote for dr color chip. Been using it for years

[Poiseuille]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Sorry to hear. Hindsight is 20/20 but paint protection film may be worth looking into for the next car.

Oh, I agree with that, but as I said, the chips I have are tiny and there are only three. Car has 6200 miles on it. I've made arrangements to have three-quarter Xpel and a full quartz done at the end of this month, and the fellow said I want to fix those three chips before he does that. That's what sent me to the dealer today.
So here's the plan:
I've just now ordered a Tanzanite kit from Dr.colorchip. The work on the car won't be completed until after the first week of April. After I get it back, I'll start a new thread titled "Tanzanite & DrColorchip" so owners of this color will know if it works, and if so how well.

[drgmt]

Front clear film then don't worry about Chips

[x.shell]

I also got the Dr Color Chip kit for my Tanzanite F80. I have lots and lots of chips.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Poiseuille

However, I believe it's a reasonable expectation that BMWNA would make the effort to stock a case or two in Woodcliff Lakes.

Sounds like you have a good plan with Dr C.

I'm no expert but I've had a lot of work done on my BMWs: Jerez Black, and Moonstone.

Moonstone is about the weirdest of all weird colors and the auto body shop matched it no problem (and I inspected). They actually did a slightly worse job with Jerez - it was almost completely invisible unless you knew where to look, which I did

Anyway, my point is, my experience would lead me to believe that BMW counts on their authorized body shops to do the mixing for all colors, no matter how weird, including Tanz (which I now have) ... which would explain why dealerships don't stock it (who aren't BMW, rather independent businesses, and BMWNA isn't a repair shop or a dealer sooooo...)

[nathanm4]

Originally Posted by Modaddict79

Front clear film then don't worry about Chips

100% agree. It's worth the money.

[rexb16]

Originally Posted by Modaddict79

Front clear film then don't worry about Chips

Yea, until it gets left on there too long, starts to turn yellow and then you get this nice little line where the paint no longer matches. Rock chips show that a car has been driven and give the car character.

[drgmt]

Originally Posted by rexb16

Yea, until it gets left on there too long, starts to turn yellow and then you get this nice little line where the paint no longer matches. Rock chips show that a car has been driven and give the car character.

Buy good film ie not 3M rubbish and it won't yellow for a very long time.

If by "character" you mean make the front look crap. Then I agree.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by rexb16

Yea, until it gets left on there too long, starts to turn yellow and then you get this nice little line where the paint no longer matches. Rock chips show that a car has been driven and give the car character.

Originally Posted by Modaddict79

Buy good film ie not 3M rubbish and it won't yellow for a very long time.

If by "character" you mean make the front look crap. Then I agree.

I had the whole front of my M4 done with wrapped edges. There are no lines. After 4 years, the front still looks exactly the same color as the rest of the car and no stone chips. Well worth the money invested.