325is Bodywork

[ortholithiation]

Details details and details. The wetsanding in 800 is done! Was a lot of work but finally finished. Some of the trim needed to be redone. Alot on the doors were vinyl wrapped (pretty well actually) so they were left alone. The bumpers and skirt needed some repairs and the cracks were sanded inwards (V shaped) and then fixed with epoxy. Expoxy is pretty tough to work with and hard to build. It's just because its fairly runny in the start and then very thick and sticky later.

[borrihong]

looks great. cant wait to see the finished product

[dvck]

wow.

definitely going to keep updated on this thread.

painting yourself or getting it painted at a shop? (didnt read everything in the thread)

[jaywood]

How is it all going?

[ortholithiation]

Time for a little update. The first couple of pics show the last bit, taking off the windshield wipers and priming probably the worst spot on an e30. This time taking a light DA first followed by a wetsand at 220/400. Touching up trim with SEM paint is very much worth it.





The shop has been cleaned up now. A much needed improvment.






It's going to look very nice with the sideskirts!





clean lines!








This may be the last time we see the car in primer.

In other news, I have been given notice that my site is closing and I will be laid off. It’s really hard for scientists these days as it is for many out there.

In the last 12 months I have; written and defended my thesis, traveled, moved, started a job, started a crazy bmw hobby, went through a merger, and now site closure. Time to buy a KLR and head to S. America or reinvent myself as a entrepreneur

The constant unknowing really caused me to keep a tight budget on this car. I most likely will have to sell the car quickly after I paint it. I've become quite attached to her and ironically won't even to fix the small fun things, turbo it, or get to drive her at all really.

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I’ll post the paint job after it’s done and a small write up of what I have learnt and what an amateur can expert when entering the realm of body and paint work.

Lastly I need to thank JD or Jean-David for his help, work, and tutelage. He's a super cool guy who likes to race motorcycles as well. Anyone in the montreal area (MASSIVE?) need any work done on an E30 or other project cars/fabrication projects PM me for his info. He likes to a do a lot of freelance work to finance his own shop.

[AbsorbantNut]

In the last 12 months I have; written and defended my thesis, traveled, moved, started a job, started a crazy bmw hobby, went through a merger, and now site closure. Time to buy a KLR and head to S. America or reinvent myself as a entrepreneur

This souds like a movie plot for yes man 2

But amazing work on the car op, I wish I was as good as you with bodywork

[ortholithiation]

Stopped by the shop just in time to see JD start to spray the base coat. At 5:30 I have to rush over to the shop to get the car and all the parts. The paint is still pretty wet and all the parts and have to be carefully handled. I already put some nicks in my side mirrors .
















After getting it back after a very short illegal drive, I can now show you this. Warning pic heavy.











wait













for
















it









I know very bad, but we were rushing to move these parts.











a bit later






In the garage having a little mini celebration with the car.





thats nice!

Goodnight

[White325is]

Looks great man, now all you need is a good wet sand and a buff!!

[ortholithiation]

This is madness..... This is cut and buff time.

But seriously, its hard to take 1000 grit sandpaper to nice paint!






Pressure is on, no mistakes allowed.

[ortholithiation]

Cut and Buff.





Looks good after the rubbing, have swirl removal and glaze to finish.

[Bimmerista]

Nice job so far, but one major n00b move you pulled was leaving the trunk spoiler on the car during paint. I would have painted that off of the car.

I didn't read the whole thread to see if there was a reason why you left it on, but if there isn't, you should have taken it off.

[ortholithiation]

More Cut and Buff. Using a foam pad (3M) the one with the bumps on it and 3M II rubbing compound the first stage of buffing is done.

Now it is time 3M purple bottle which is a swirl remover/polisher. It is fun but slow work. Really nice to see it shine up. Afterward it’s the glaze.

[White325is]

Very nice. Looks like all that hard work is paying off.

[audiquattrot]

nice work man....question though, did you mask around the door lock? I'm gonna have my car resprayed soon, and was curious b/c i noticed you left the lock in the pics. I'm going to try to pull the lock, but if its a pain the ass, I might just mask around it since this is DD.

[ortholithiation]

Almost finished, about 1/3 of the way with the final glaze.