My 325iC Body/Paint Project

[iamsam]

AWESUUUUM! needs more lowering, can't wait!!!

[Desaevious]

Wow I just read through your progress. Great job OP!

[bimmerboy12]

OK, been awhile since I've posted some pics.

Here's one with a friend's dad's M3 and 5 series... he also has a new X6 but he was driving it at this time.





SOOOO... on to PHASE II of this project... the hardtop. I got it for $575 from an old dude in Chicago and its in great shape and complete.





Developed a saggy headliner this past summer...





...and the stripping of the vinyl fabric begins. The yellow spot is where I sanded the green spray glue off. The fiberglass is silky smooth under that glue, so it won't take much to get a great surface prep.



Stay tuned...

[MR 325]

The big question is red... or gloss black? I'm hoping for black to be honest.

[M-technik-3]

Black.... countour does not look right if it's body colored.

[bimmerboy12]

Nope sorry, body color. Did a lot of research and Vlad's cars steered me towards a body colored hardtop. It's gonna look sweet.

[N2MYE30]

Yep, red is the way to go!

[bimmerboy12]

OK sorry I've been neglecting this thread for the last week or so, I have been enjoying driving my car so much that I've taken a break from the work. Phase II has officially started on the top, and it's gonna be tough. Everything about the top is so rare that Im scared to take it apart... the rubber seal is $1,200 on realoem, Im sure its cheaper elsewhere but jeez, that's expensive.

I've started disassembly of the inside...







I'll post each step of the progress, since I have not seen any threads detailing hardtop disassembly or stripping/painting/headliner installation.

ALSO, with the fall colors changing I am gearing up for a fantastic photoshoot with both my cabby's. Stay tuned.

[bimmerboy12]

Ok heres the latest, still plugging away on this hardtop. The green glue gums up sandpaper instantly so its kind of a pain. I will be able to complete this project without removing any of the rubber or rear window... check out the pics, I shoved a piece of rope in between the rubber and the fiberglass to expose the fiberglass underneath. Pull it out when Im done and it will look perfect.









There will be a lot of work getting this smooth. You can see there is some filler they put in at the factory but there are still holes everywhere.

[White325is]

Man, I dunno. I think black with black on the front window frame would look freakin awsome.

[bimmerboy12]

OK here is the progress I made on it today... right now waiting for the primer to dry to sand out some drips/sags then on to color...









I cheated.. didn't take the window out but taped up the rubber surround to get underneath it...



Needed to do a little bondo









I'll keep you posted...

[N2MYE30]

Looks like you got allota sand to do. It sure is gonna be worth it in the end though.

[bimmerboy12]

yeah it def won't be as smooth or nice as the car... I would have to coat the whole thing is something like resin or bondo, and you would never get it straight if you did that (waves). I'll get it looking good though.

[M-technik-3]

Looking good thou.

[White325is]

why half ass it? Put a skim coat of bondo on that bitch. A skim coat and go to town with a DA!!!!