Snowbum's BMW Motorcycle Repair & Information Website

There is also some, not extensive, information on K bike and Oilhead colors.

In my private files I have a lot of information on old BMW car paints, you can ask, on the Airheads LIST, about a specific model, year, color.   Glasurit's very old literature does not seem to have been included to a full extent in Glasurit's on-line charts, for motorcycles, although listed in that category.  BTW, Glasurit paints are distributed by BASF in the USA.

Every BMW motorcycle, and cars too, is coded with a three-digit paint finish code number.    BMW motorcycles use that code number, usually found on a label under the seat, on the seat pan or top of the rear fender... to refer to an over-all paint job.  This is a finish code; covering the entire paint job.  Europeans, and many in the USA, refer to this finish code number as the Scheme code.  All of which means exactly what I say here:

This is not a number that describes 'just' the color(s) of the paint, although that number may be the primary paint color.  You should think of the scheme number as describing an entire paint color and layout, even pinstripes, ....except for exact paint gun passes, thickness of coatings, exact placement of pinstripes, ...in other words it is not a full engineering description, but it is a description of, generally, the products.  This code does describe, possibly not fully, pin-striping, even dual-pin-striping.

Glasurit, & some others, have a lot of information. They know what that BMW code basically means...or, should know.   This information may not be published in their internet-sourced charting!    This can be particularly troublesome with the pinstriping and the smoked colors, and R90S paint.     There may be several color coats used, & a finishing top clear coat, one or more colors or types of pinstriping, etc....it all depends on the model (and, probably, year).  If you want information on color depth, fading, etc., you need to speak to an expert BMW motorcycle painter.

For a simple example, you might have a bike whose under-seat label has the color scheme number 572.   In this instance, it happens that 572 is a specific BMW color, Magenta Red, and you can get paint in that color.   But ...for 572 you also need a clear coat, and what about the pinstriping?....gold pin-striping used most often with that paint code?    Single pin-stripe or a dual pin-stripe? Width?   Is it installed before the top clear coat, or underneath? How many layers or dusting coatings of a paint are use to get the appropriate depth of color? ...too much/many may be darker than originally intended. Some schemes are VERY complicated!

In some instances there is a base color coat, which has an over-coat applied to get some desired effect ...or more than one! ...and then perhaps a clear coat.   Some paints are not clear coated.  When investigating a paint code you may need to contact the paint manufacturer.  Try Glasurit.....by first looking at the parent website,
https://refinish.basf.us/
 

BMWNA (& Butler & Smith, the importers of the early BMW bikes), sometimes had different names for the same color when used on different models!  BMW themselves sometimes had different names for the same paint when used with different colors of pin striping, and may or may not have changed the Scheme code, confusing things badly.

Little-known-fact: BMW used a descriptive 00 for color for right hand drive cars, single 0 for left hand drive cars!

Snoop around here: http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/colourschemes.htm

Duplicating an original paint job is where a highly experienced professional painter earns their money.

Additional information:

1.  On matching colors and numbers.... http://www.glasurit.com/.  It used to be that in order to use that URL,  you selected "BMW" and on the next page enter your color sticker number.  Glasurite is part of BASF now, and use of the internet pages is quite different.   Look carefully.  For the old pages, the next following page had the trim code.  I used the first color number listed, entered it back into the previous page, it give the color name. 

2.  Sometimes hard-to-find information is in literature such as the SNABB Katalog; or, BMW's microfiche, etc.

3.  The first number in a BMW code is the paint, the second number is the finish code.  You will probably find that confusing in actual use, until you are familiar with how it is used.

4.  In 1983-1984, the front fender of the R80RT had ONE pinstripe; the R100RT had DUAL stripes.  This was true for the R100CS, R100S, R100RS, and Last Editions.

5.  Due to the age of all Airheads, paints previously available from BMW are OFTEN, if not mostly, no longer available; particularly via BMW.  The paint may well be available from other sources. That is particularly so for the State of California, but, increasingly so for other States.   Sometimes, though, while NOT available from a California dealership, or anyone or any company in a particular State, due to VOC & other smog laws, they are available from other State's dealerships.   BMW dealerships have some access to availability.  HINT:  In some instances a paint is NLA in fiche & in dealer information, but MAY still be available.  You can try ordering it from your BMW dealer!    SEE #9 BELOW!

6.  For R-M paint (BASF's mid line):   http://color-explorer.rmpaint.com/.    If the paint formula is available, a BASF paint store can mix it for you.  Some formulas may only be available in certain types of paint (single, two stage, etc.). For Glasurit paint (BASF's high end line):
http://color-online.glasurit.com/

7.  There are many sources for paint, here is another one:  http://www.rsbikepaint.com/en-us/colours.php

8.  RUST, TANKS, FRAMES, etc:
For black frames, there are numerous black paint products that work well. See two tables further down (titled: Miscellaneous codes, colors, containers, etc:) for recommendations.

Regarding aluminum door & window frame cleaners and Naval Jelly (any hardware store or Lowe's or Home Depot):
When touching up or otherwise repairing painted steel surfaces, & you have rust areas, do fine grit sanding & feathering into the 'OK' paint area, & then treat the area to either a metal etching liquid from the local store (it contains phosphoric acid, & will so state on the container), or; for surfaces where the liquid would flow off, use a similar gel product called Naval Jelly.  Naval Jelly usually works reasonably quickly.  The screen door & metal etch stuff will work reasonably quickly, but I usually use it diluted 1:1 with water, & let it sit overnight.   I do this for frames as well as the inside bottoms of fuel tanks, after the tanks are well-hosed-out with warmish water & a bit of detergent, then flushed well.  These phosphoric acid products convert rust, even hidden rust under the edge of paint, to an iron phosphate type stuff that is grayish-blackish & is protective.  Do not sand it off, do not rub it, only wash the acid product off.  Let dry, repaint your rusted area you just fixed.

GREATLY EXPANDED SECTIONS ON CLEANING AND TREATING FUEL TANKS IS LOCATED IN MY ARTICLES 9D AND 73.  PLEASE READ THOSE SECTIONS!

9.  Availability of paints from your BMW dealership varies considerably!   Some dealerships will, especially on their on-line fiche, show something as not available, or not shippable.  It may well be that the item is still available, so contact other dealerships & try out-of-State ones in particular.  This problem has been especially seen in California with its Rules & Regulations about VOC's in paint.   As one example, the touch-up 'stick' which is really a small round container with a brush attached to the cap & a shaker-ball (?) inside, for the up-to 1980 black frames, is 51 91 0 302 284, & was still available last time I checked a few years ago, yet many dealerships either had it as "Ended" or NLA, or "not shippable".

10. Smoke colors are not what you may think.  Many examples.  78 red smoke uses dark blue (not black) for the smoke, and over time might fade to purplish; the silver smoke paint is actually dark green for the smoke.  If you want  to try to be sure of 100% authenticity, contact someone like Holt's.

11.  Cast alloy wheels are painted.  An excellent match for that paint is Würth's Silver Wheel Paint.

12.  When painting, whether it is from a rattle-can ....or with professional equipment, ....preparation of the surface is extremely important!  I suggest you spend the money and use high quality paints.   The area should be dust free. Absolutely no contaminants should be left on/in  the surfaces ...this is especially important if there are any silicones from such as waxes/polishes having been used in the past. If the surface is not perfect, the final appearance will be much worse than you wanted!

13.  Regarding instrument pointers and dial colors, which have varied depending on year, model, etc.   I have an article that includes some of these changes.  Since they often vary with the rear drive ratios, I have put them here:  https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/ringgears.htm

14.  DUNKEL means dark colored.

This is a rather short list for paint work.   Inquire on the appropriate Internet Mailing List or Forum.   Be sure to ask detailed questions.

Complete paint jobs:  Holt's, in Ohio.   740-593-6690 (they also do fuel tank repairing)

Paint:   Excellent paints; can match any color.  Color-Rite.  Their chief Tech is Doug Hodgins, in the business for >40 years.  Small to large containers available; as well as aerosol cans; and a 'trick' touch-up pen.   https://www.color-rite.com.  In the USA:  in Whittier, CA   (562) 947-9796.  In Canada (418) 876-3867, if you are not French speaking, ask for Reggie.

RSBIKEPAINT.com   in U.K.     0044 (0) 1707 273219       Sales@rsbikepaint.co.uk Will, I think, ship worldwide.

Powder coating:
(1) Fusion Coatings, Livermore, California.
(2) Greber Machine Tool & Custom Powder Coating; 313 Clark St.  Elyria, Ohio   44035 440-323-8588.   This company does it REALLY right, even cooking the parts first; then coating, then fusing at temperature. HIGHLY recommended.