project daily driver

[rodrigo]

I got a set of semi-clean bottle caps that I was intending on using for the winter with snow tires, but since my budget is running a little tight as the accumulation of parts is almost complete, I will be driving around on the bottlecaps for the summer and winter (unless an unexpected stroke of good fortune happens).

Last night I started cleaning with Simple Green, scuffing and wet sanding 3 of the bottlecaps and just got the 4th one de-tired this morning. I'll be washing and wet sanding that one today and painting as well.

Some pics if the wheel refurbishing on the three I started last night: Duplicolor silver metalic, and I will be applying clear coat this evening in my home made booth in the basement. It is not an OEM color, but it will be clean :)

This was the first coat, and it got wet sanded a little on the face of the rim and the lip areas:


This is what I am up to now: the third coat....and there will be more. I have 3 cans to kill on these and 2 cans of clear :D


The last photo came out a little funny because of the strong morning sun.


...anyone have a set of 14" tires they are looking to get rid of in the NY area? Used with about 50% tread left....since these will have snow tires mounted on them come the end of fall...no sense in getting new tires if I can get used and good condition to last me to the end of the summer and fall.

My wheels next summer will be different. :)

[rodrigo]

A few coats of clearcoat and some wet sanding from 2400g to 12000g, some liquid abrasive....my $80 wheels...I like em:



...and yes, one of them does have a very insignificant bend. I'm not at all concerned as it should balance out fine.

[rodrigo]

just a pictureless update: sparyed the exterior B-piller trim that runs up the trailing edge of the driver and passenger door with SEM trim black ..shit looks money....

also finished clearcoating and wet sanding and polishing the last bottle cap. for winter wheels they sure are looking nice!


glad I got 3 cans. :)

[rodrigo]

All parts are painted...car is getting wetsand and polished...will have some pics up tonight.

:)

[rodrigo]

The European plates I will be using for cosmetic purposes only:



Period correct and letter specific. The 'RF' was for all German cars imported into Portugal from Feb. 1988 to June of 1989 (the E30 is from March of '89) by Ferry and landing at Porto customs (where all German cars were coming in from at the time). This style lisence plate was circulated in Portugal from the late 50's until around '91 or '92. Older cars that had them can still use them but most people switch to the standard metal or acrylic plate. Note front plate is smaller than rear plate. :pimp:

Also painted the trim this evening...rubbed down with some acetone and a little more SEM Trim Black! :)

[rodrigo]

I got the car back on Friday night, but my weekend was so busy that I dod not even have the chance of putting up pictures....so here they are:

The hood is nit aligned properly yet...once the car is drivable, and all the gaskets/seals are in place, I will take it bacl to the shop for a hood and trunk alignment.






The rear bumper is bolted in place just to hold it there...it will go on this tomorrow.



...also started piecing some items together like the front bumper, the headlights and grilles are on...emblems front and rear...slowly but surely. :)

[scabzzzz]

Dang. Do it big. I like.

[kellie]

Sooooo pretty...

I like that color a lot. Nice and girly.

[rodrigo]

Sooooo pretty...
I like that color a lot. Nice and girly.

Its even prettier in the sun!

[z50_Jumper]

Looking awesome. Cant wait to see it finished.

[delatlanta1281]

subscribed. cool color!

[rodrigo]

Just installed the rear bumper and the trunk vents/sunroof drain trays, new Euro bumper trim (from group buy), trunk latch and lock, power antenna with new rubber grommet, the group buy fender-hood seal and the rear quarter-boot lid seal.

Tomorrow the front bumper will go on, and I'm hoping to finish the rear end of the car: tails, plate, seals, etc, etc.


This weekend: headliner :?

[rodrigo]

Looking awesome. Cant wait to see it finished.

you and me both, man!

[rodrigo]

update:










my favorite photo:

[kellie]

It's really starting to come together, and so far, everything looks fantastic. I'm looking forward to seeing it with the wheels and tires all cleaned up. I think that'll make a big difference.