[vincent.s]

Just out of curiousity, is it possible to plasti dip paint the roof for the black roof look?

[3_runner]

...Probably, but why not use vinyl?

[fdriller9]

Gloss black vinyl is about $50...

[chromisdesigns]

Sure -- if you want your roof to look like you coated it with truck bed liner...

[galahad05]

Just took a look at OP's "garage": yeah, go with the vinyl wrap, if you want to go the black-on-white look. Personally I'd rather go with different wheels first....

But then, I'm more about go than show (low-weight wheels = better handling).

[dick.breakey]

I had a buddy on another forum do it to his fusion and it didn't look too bad. I plastidipped my grill and wheels on my fusion and it looks really clean and matte when done right. An issue for that is bird shit and what not. Can't really just get to scrubbing on it. And if you don't scuff the paint it's likely to start peeling around the edges over time. And I doubt you want to scuff the paint. I say stick on vinyl instead since that will be easy to clean, however that's pretty permenant too. And it fades unevenly.

And imo plasti dip doesn't look like bed liner. Much finer grit that bedliner.

[galahad05]

If OP is going this route, does anyone know if there is such a thing as "carbon-fiber-look" vinyl wrapping?
By that I mean, "carbon-fiber-look wrapping that doesn't look like ass".

If the answer is yes, then OP should consider going that route--that would look quite M3-ish.

[chromisdesigns]

Sorry, I save PlastiDip for fishing lures and tool handles.

Can't see messing up an expensive paint job that way, just so it can look...well...like it was dipped in plastic...

[JamesM3M5]

Originally Posted by chromisdesigns

Sorry, I save PlastiDip for fishing lures and tool handles.

Can't see messing up an expensive paint job that way, just so it can look...well...like it was dipped in plastic...

No doubt. It may look fine for small parts, but a whole roof? How would you work around the sunroof gasket? Sounds like a bad idea just in principle. Vinyl lasts about a year in the sun, but it can be removed and redone.

[jvsxn]

Originally Posted by *********

Gloss black vinyl is about $50...

Best way to go. It's sleek and cost-efficient and not to mention mess-free. I don't think I've ever hear about or met anyone that plasti-dipped their roof. Hell, I hardly come across people who plasti-dipps in general.

[ENINTY]

So, while BMW engineers develop a carbon-fiber roof for the M3 to reduce weight of 1.5MM thick steel roof panel and lower the center of gravity of the car, you want to go add a few 5 pounds or so of rubber to the top of your car. Go figure.

Also, I doubt it would hold up to prolonged sun exposure very well.

[Simple5]

I contemplated on doing this myself but after looking at some other forums of people who have done this I will pass. Some turned out okay but others turned out looking ghetto. But hey, its your car, do what you want with it!

[babbs]

Actually that sounds like a great idea. Think of the cost savings.

Plasti-dip $5

Brush from Home Depot $5

Masking tape (totally optional, but hey let's do it right, it IS a BMW) $3

Having a slip resistant roof, and no need for a roof rack. Priceless

I think I saw a DIY thread on another thread. Redneckengineering.com

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by babbs

Actually that sounds like a great idea. Think of the cost savings.

Plasti-dip $5

Brush from Home Depot $5

Masking tape (totally optional, but hey let's do it right, it IS a BMW) $3

Having a slip resistant roof, and no need for a roof rack. Priceless

I think I saw a DIY thread on another thread. Redneckengineering.com

So would you use the blue painter's tape, or recommend something a bit heavier. It is plasti-dip after all...

[Reznick]

I was on another "German" car site and they were talking about plastic coating everything. From wheels , to badges ,to side mirrors. I honestly thought it was a joke. With the cost of vinyl being so cheap, all you need is a little practice(and some time watching DIY's on youtube) and you'll end up with a finished product that looks close to perfect ,that you did yourself. Over a large area the plastic dip will not look good & its gonna cost a lot to cover it. No offense to the OP, but leave the plastic coat for the end of wrenches like it was intended

[GetSomeE92]

I saw a post where someone did this. (I believe it was this forum, so run a search and you may find it.) It came out looking really blotchy so the guy just took it all off.

[DesiRoc]

Yeah someone did it, looked awful. Too splotchy and not even at all.

[bimmertt]

why stop at the roof? just do the whole car.

[NightStalker]

it not going to look uniform the paint, your best bet it vinyl.

[scarzie]

If done properly plasti dip can come out amazing, I really don't see where all the hate is coming from. For example Fonzie from Audizine's S4 fully dipped minus the roof:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...tte-white-pd-2

The best part about the dip is that it's completely removable, so if the OP doesn't do it properly or he doesn't like it, then he can just peel it off! I guess the same goes for vinyl, however applying vinyl on such a large area properly will definitely be more labor intensive than simply masking off the rest of the car and spraying it (not to mention one slip up and you have to start over). Also, for those saying don't do it to your precious BMW, or what will people think etc... What will people think when you say you put vinyl on your car? Most likely a scene from fast and the furious will play out in their head... so who cares?!

I say go for it OP, just test it out on some random pieces of plastic/scrap metal you have laying around to get your technique down (yes people, there IS a technique to properly applying spray paint. It's not brain surgery, but in order for it to come out right you need to take your time and prep properly as well) and make sure you like the finish! Godspeed sir.

[Slow_335i]

Yeah just have it done in vinyl plasti dip wont look right

[wkndwrrr]

plasti-dip comes in Gloss Black now!
no more trunk liner finish, the supposed gloss black finishing sounds very promising