2018 BMW-Motorcycles Touch Up Paint (5 OEM Colors)

The 2018 BMW-Motorcycles Vibe

2018 was the year BMW Motorrad decided to stop playing it safe. We were at the height of the 1200cc Boxer reign, with the R 1200 GS and the S 1000 XR ruling the tarmac and the trails alike. The aesthetic was all about "high-definition" saturation-think the sharp, track-ready Racing Red or the deep, electric punch of Lupin Blue. While the palette was diverse across the showroom, we've focused our energy on the survivors that defined the era, from the stealthy Kalamata Metallic Matte to the classic, deep Black. It was a time of "Spezial" factory customizations where a bike didn't just have to go fast-it had to look like a bespoke piece of German engineering.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the Thin Paint Era. By 2018, the robots in Berlin had become absolute masters of efficiency, and by "efficiency," I mean they got real stingy with the clear coat. These bikes were painted with incredible precision, but the actual thickness is lean-sometimes barely enough microns to cover a bad thought. If you've been riding your GS the way it was intended, or even just commuting on an F 800, you've probably noticed that the front fairings and fuel tanks are absolute chip magnets. Because the factory finish is so thin, a single stray pebble doesn't just nick the surface; it craters straight through to the primer. It's a "Robot Efficiency" special: looks like glass, but acts like eggshells under pressure.

Restoration Tip

When you're touching up a 2018 Beemer, you have to match that factory discipline. Since the original finish is so thin, the biggest mistake you can make is trying to fill a chip in one heavy go. If you "blob" it, you'll end up with a high spot that's impossible to level without sanding through the surrounding factory clear. Build your layers slowly. Apply a thin coat, let it shrink down, and repeat until you're flush. Especially with the Kalamata Metallic Matte, remember: no heavy rubbing or polishing, or you'll turn that sophisticated matte finish into a shiny mistake that sticks out like a sore thumb.