My 325iC Body/Paint Project

[M-technik-3]

Not gonna mod a Yakima? They honestly look better than the OEM rack.

Nice work keep at it.

[bimmerboy12]

okay, i wasnt sure... and quicky scanning over the thread may not of helped me.

in that case, should look awesome when done! Are you going to add the black strips back on the roof?

Yeah there is no padding, its just a layer of heavy fiber-reinforced vinyl.

Yeah the roof rails are aluminum, I took them off and repainted flat black. Looking for a roof rack that will bolt on at the 4 mounting points.

[Hick]

okay, i wasnt sure... and quicky scanning over the thread may not of helped me.

in that case, should look awesome when done! Are you going to add the black strips back on the roof?

[bimmerboy12]

how does the rear window fit in there? will it always stick out like that since there used to be padding/fabric on the top?

nope it won't stick out. The reason it looks raised is because I wedged rope underneath the rubber seal the whole way around in order to spray underneath without window removal. Then the tape makes it look even more raised. The rubber will sit back down right on top of the finished paint very nicely.

I would have to say that the paint is nearly the thickness of the original vinyl. I applied 5 "drop" coats of color and 5 thick coats of clear so its probably over a millimeter in material thickness...

[Hick]

how does the rear window fit in there? will it always stick out like that since there used to be padding/fabric on the top?

[thereisnoyun]

you are my hero.

[bimmerboy12]

OK update time, I was in NYC for work sat and sun, so I had today to mess around with this hardtop... got 5 layers of paint and 5 thick layers of clear. It actually turned out really good with a only 6 drips, 3 sags, and 5 bugs. I'll hit it with wetsanding tomorrow night then power buff. Can't wait to see the end product...

[iamsam]

damn you guys on the suspension comments... I didn't mind it for years but now all I see when I look at my car is the massive gap between the tire and fender.
Its in the works. I have to watch the $$$ cause the wife is starting to notice that Im dumping a lot into this car and her E36. I keep bumping my wanted ad for springs...

hee hee.... sorry bro, your car looks amazing, and i am just imagining how much more amazing it will be when it gets dropped on some sweet springs.

and i know how wives get when you spend money on your cars... i haven't spent nearly as much as you and i bet i am getting twice the crap you are getting.... ;)

[bimmerboy12]

waiting for the suspension slammage....

thanks a lot you guys on the suspension comments... I didn't mind it for years but now all I see when I look at my car is the massive gap between the tire and fender.
Its in the works. I have to watch the $$$ cause the wife is starting to notice that Im dumping a lot into this car and her E36. I keep bumping my wanted ad for springs...

[iamsam]

waiting for the suspension slammage....

[e30rapidic]

looking good!!

[bimmerboy12]

well I already kinda shadowlined the lower trim, I like the chrome strip that runs from A-pillar to A-pillar around the boot lid so I think I'll leave that as it is.. its in great condition too. I will drop it with a set of eibachs (pro kit). I will keep my eye out for some alpina reps since those are my dream wheels, otherwise I like the wheels I have now. I will get a roof rack for the hard top. Im getting a custom tan suede headliner from Kevin Chinn to match the complete interior I already bought from him (still need to install that!). Already have rear headrest kit to install when I reupholster. THEN it's on for a 5 speed swap.

[White325is]

Got any plans for shadow line or a different set of wheels?? I actually like the wheels you have now. A set ogf 16x9 would be right at home on the rear with a nice drop. :)

[bimmerboy12]

Nice work friend, glad you took the extra time to smooth it out. It will be worth it in the end.

yeah me too. It was a pleasant surprise when I started sanding that primer. I think the secret is to layer a ton of primer on to allow sanding smooth, cause it was REALLY porous, uneven, bumpy, and in places you could feel/see the fg weave. No wonder they coated it with vinyl fabric.

I think in the end this is gonna turn out even better than the car.

[White325is]

Nice work friend, glad you took the extra time to smooth it out. It will be worth it in the end.