My 325iC Body/Paint Project

[bimmerboy12]

Ok here are the latest pics after two straight evenings of sanding...
oh yeah my duct tape idea on the rear window seal failed miserably. After a day or two it all let go and it was a mess. I bought some thin rope from Walmart for 3 bucks and wedged it in the whole way around... works awesome shoulda started with that.

Hardtop looks like it has leprosy. After getting the top perfectly smooth down to 120, I filled in every little divet, hole, pore, you name it, to get it perfectly smooth. Then sanded the hole thing down with 220. Keep in mind this was all done by hand. im hurtin today...











After sanding 220...









Hopefully spraying color tonight!

[bimmerboy12]

Thanks man! Yeah it's brutally painful. I figured about 270 hours is what I have into just the car. The hardtop I have about 25 into so far.

[BoxDriver86]

Just read the entire post! Looks great and being that I have done this too many times I truly appreciate the insane amount of hours you have put into this. It definately shows!

[bimmerboy12]

Breakthrough: I started sanding with 120 with the DA, and I put so much sealer primer on (about 6 coats cause the fg was so porous) that I was able to get it paper smooth. Im in a much better mood now. It's gonna look as good as the car or better.

[White325is]

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

[M-technik-3]

Looking good thou.

[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.

[N2MYE30]

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

[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...

[White325is]

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

[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.

[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.

[N2MYE30]

Yep, red is the way to go!

[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.

[M-technik-3]

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