Be SURE to read this ENTIRE Introductory Section!!

I DO have a LOT of information on older BMW car paints, you can ask about a specific model, year, color.

Each BMW motorcycle (and cars too) is coded with a three-digit paint finish code number.     BMW uses that code number, usually found on a label under the seat, to refer to an over-all paint job..... this is a FINISH code; that covers the entire paint job.   That means exactly what I say here.  This is NOT a number that describes 'just' the color of the paint....although that is often also the case.  You can think of this as the number describes an entire paint SCHEME....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 solid description of the products used.

Glasurit, and some others, have the information....they know what that BMW FINISH code means.    This is particularly troublesome with the pinstriping and the smoked colors, and the orange R90S paint job, ETC.     There may be several color coats used, and a finishing top clear coat, one or more colors or types of pinstriping, etc....it all depends on the model.  

For example, you might have a bike whose under-seat label has 572.   That 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 gold pin-striping used most often with that paint code?    Is it a single pin-stripe or a dual pin-stripe?  Is it installed before the top clear coat, or underneath? How many layers or dusting coatings of a paint to use to get the appropriate depth of color?...too much/many may be darker than originally intended.   

This is just one area where a highly experienced professional painter earns their money.   In some instances there is a BASE color coat, which then has an over-coat 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 (see note 5 below) for the information, although some of this is found in BMW literature/parts lists. 

Not only are these things somewhat confusing, but you may find in some instances that the colors and coatings, etc., are all the same, but a different code number signifies perhaps a different PATTERN to a pinstripe.   BMW and 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.

What I have TRIED to do, in the information and the chart, is to give you information and some hints...and to refer you to some other websites (which sometimes may not be accurate!).  

In many instances, a finish code can be decoded, to incorporate the numbers of the other paints/finishes used...and I have tried to give these in the chart below.

NOTE 1:  When using the parts lists, note that different colors of 'pin-striping' were available (BMW uses the term 'ruling').   There are a number of 'ruling' pinstriping colors available.   Some of these are:
101, Weiss
104, Gold
105, Blau
107, Feurrot
108, Minzgrün
110, Dunklebraun
111, Oliv
112, Orange
113, Red
114, Hellblau
115,
116, Grün
125, Mittelrot
113, 114, 115, used with "MotorSport"

Additional information is in literature such as the SNABB Katalog, section 51, page 72 and on.

NOTE  2:  The BMW frames before 1981 used a gloss black paint, Schwartz, code 086.   From 1981, the frame was a semi-matte black, 121 Schwartzmatt, and the BMW part number for this in a spray can was 51-91-1-453-483.      To touch-up the Avus black on a frame, see #51-91-0-302-284, a touch up 'stick'.     BMW has a FLAT BLACK (matt schwarz) paint that is used on Airheads, K-bikes, BMW CARS, and even on late BMW motorcycles like the S1000RR, etc.   In a spray can it is 51-91-1-900-346.   That paint was used on some frames, insides of fairings, etc. See note 16.

NOTE 3:   I can supply the paint code, part number, and color description name, for the BMW cars, to 2001.  NOTE that there are several sources for paint codes, especially for BMW cars.  Google is your friend!

NOTE!  BMW used a descriptive 00 for color for right hand drive cars, single 0 for left hand!

NOTE 4:   For a more complete list of Paint Codes, including color scheme codes, see Phil Hawksley's website.  There may well be errors on that website.
                 http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/colourchemes.htm

NOTE 5:   For further information on matching colors and numbers:    http://www.glasurit.com/
In order to use that URL,  select "BMW";  on the next page enter your color sticker number. The next page will have the trim code.   Use the first color number listed and enter it back into the previous page and it will give you the color name.
     I have NOT compared everything in my chart, below, with the Glasurit website above.

NOTE 6:   Snowflake wheel 'silver' was 51-91-1-240-868 in spray cans and 51-91-240-867 in 1/4 litres.  

NOTE 7 :  The first number in a code is the paint, the second number is the finish code.  You will probably find that information confusing, so maybe disregard it.

NOTE 8:   My charting was originally primarily for USA shipped bikes, but I have added a fair amount of European shipped color information as time goes on.

NOTE 9:  Many paints previously available from BMW are no longer available; BUT...in some instances, while NOT available from a California dealership due to smog laws; they ARE available from other State's dealerships.   BMW dealerships have access to availability. 

Note 10:  In 1977 (ONLY) the R100S had a red metallic paint, but I haven't the reference numbers, except as noted in my chart.

Note 11:  In 1983-1984, the front fender of the R80RT had ONE pinstripe; the R100RT had DUAL stripes.

Note 12:  Every model that used a particular Paint Code MIGHT NOT be listed under Models.

Note 13:  The 'black' BMW luggage can be sanded and painted.   Good results have been seen for that black by using common truck bed liner paint, from rattle-cans!

Note 14:  For R-M paint (BASF's mid line):   http://color-explorer.rmpaint.com/
               For Glasurit paint (BASF's high end line):  http://color-online.glasurit.com/

Note 15:  Classic K bike valve covers are black from the factory.   Rustoleum Black Satin seems to match well enough.

Note 16:  In some instances a paint is shown as NLA in fiche and in dealer information.  That may be not so, and you can try ordering it.
 
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.).

When painting, whether it is from a rattle-can....or from professional equipment....preparation of the surface is EVERYTHING!!!!   Use of quality paints in a dust-free area is of considerable importance.   Absolutely no contaminants should be left on the surfaces....this is especially important if there are any silicones from such as waxes/polishes having been used.  If the surface is not perfect, the final appearance will be much worse than you expect!

NOTE:  Avus Black was always 086, but has been used with 519/086/640/590/608, since year 1955.

585

528

It was reported to me that, at least in Germany, the code 528 signified TURQUOISE, and was used on 1992 or 1993, or both, R100RT

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