325is Bodywork

[ortholithiation]

Shout out to DENNY for rustoleum black trunks.

Just checked out your blog Nice work!



ALl the carpet went back into mine, just wanted to seal everything up. I may go back and refinish it.

[ortholithiation]

This is how we cut 1 inch strips







Note to self less welds = less grinding




This also repaired the rusted out section near the fender







SHAVED!

[ortholithiation]

This is more a project, could a MOD move this please

[ortholithiation]

Some progress:

If you are going to shave, cut the strips from 20-22 gauge steel in perfect 1 inch wide strips using a guillotine. Buy yourself some ceramic magnets (3-4$CDN) from casa de pot.
This makes the job 100X easier, and achieves a near perfect finish. Saves time with the filler later.

Another note: You may want to pull off the door cards front and rear, a lot of smoke from burning sound deadener. There was no fire, and I'm sure you can do it with them on, but you don't want to think you have a fire and rush to pull them off.
















Guess what is next: Fabrication!




This is all pretty new to me so if you have any suggestions or comments I would welcome them.

[Tuee]

nice job man, nice to see another canadian car saved, good luck with the rest

[ortholithiation]

The bottom of the rocker was fabricated. Ironically the old rusted out part was also a fab job. Turned out there was a bit more rust further up and a piece of sheetmetal was cut and welded in a jiffy.

This was difficult to do and shape. It's not perfect but some time with grinder followed the torch and hammer should smooth it out a bit, putty covers all imperfections anyways.

[MonkeyKarma]

Hey man great job just a quick question.
Did you think about doing an M3 fender flares? With the amount of work you ended up doing on the wheel well that might have been easier.

Again I like the stock body so either way all good.

[ortholithiation]

Thanks. I considered fender flares but:

1) this repair cost me next to nothing.
2) I don't like pretending to be an M3.

They would look cool though.

[ortholithiation]

I have to admit its getting better, its getting better all the time.

[Tuee]

nice work man, and nice save on a canadian e30

[agent]

Getting so much better all the time!

This is a cool thread, and it's neat to see the car starting to take shape - literally. I'm learning body work myself, and find it's really rewarding to see the results of a hard day's work.

Keep up the good work.

[ortholithiation]

High quality Diamond Scwartz Metallic base and clear coat + reducers and supplies (more primer) have been purchased. 340$ cdn total.

[ortholithiation]

This weekend is going to be busy. Hopping to get the car finished for paint. The autobody student who was helping/doing a lot just broke his hand(s). :( So it's going to be up to me to finish this :|.











Supplies.













finishing putty



good putty!



the other side



remember that fender/rocker?





Body work is crazy amount of labour. I will never complain about costs for a good job done in the future.

[agent]

Body work is crazy amount of labour.

True, but for those of us who have significantly more time than money, it certainly makes sense! Plus, when it's finished you get to answer "wow, who painted your car?" with "me."

[ortholithiation]

This is my night tonight.






Getting better.







I can haz stance?