Zen and the Art of e30 Maintenance

[monty23psk]

No prob – shoot me a pm with any questions. Write-up shows tools and procedures used.
Not rocket science – but super-tedious – especially when you don’t want to have holes to weld up.

- Clean it/scuff it. (gas or acetone + wire brushes/scotch brites)
- Mask desired areas off
- Grind like a dentist
- File like an artist
- Fill and sand
- Shoot primer
- Shoot paint
- Drink beer

Thanks and will take you an your offer. I will look over the area again and build my procedures and questions. It will be tedious but already have done projects that require patience. Already have the factory Brillantrot in a can sourced.

[Simon S]

No prob – shoot me a pm with any questions. Write-up shows tools and procedures used.
Not rocket science – but super-tedious – especially when you don’t want to have holes to weld up.

- Clean it/scuff it. (gas or acetone + wire brushes/scotch brites)
- Mask desired areas off
- Grind like a dentist
- File like an artist
- Fill and sand
- Shoot primer
- Shoot paint
- Drink beer

[monty23psk]

Hey Simon,

Going to attempt to remove the COP brackets from my car and might have to ask for some advice during the process, hope you don't mind. You were able to do it with dremel, and thats how I want to do it.

[poopin04]

holly cow dude. I wanna go home right now and take my whole car apart. Your thread is straight motivation. Great work and thanks for the documentation of all your work.

[Simon S]

Thanks man.

Sometimes – you just gotta put your dick in the wind.

[everlast]

Seriously, I'm pretty sure you could use any of us as a reference for a job. My advice: look for a job anywhere and do your best at it. Home Depot, whatever. Hell, McDonalds even.

You'll be a manager there in no time with attention to detail like this. Once you've proven yourself to others like you no doubt can, you'll have no problem moving up through the ranks.

I applaud you wearing your heart on your sleeve. Everybody gets a little emo now and then.

[Simon S]

print it.

You should include a brochure with color pictures of this thread with your CV when you go to apply for jobs. Doesn't matter what the job is for, they will be impressed, lol.

Ha – you guys are funny. My Dad is a bus driver in Denver – and has never touched a computer. So in order for me to share this with him, I did take and print out (front & back) the first 18 chapters of this build and put in a binder with a cover and everything. I was like an inch thick and must have used up ~$60 in ink. It was something else to hold and see it in a paper form – that’s for sure.

send me a pm. I know some people.

sent

[BrewCity11]

You should include a brochure with color pictures of this thread with your CV when you go to apply for jobs. Doesn't matter what the job is for, they will be impressed, lol.

[Simon S]

Thank you all for the kind words of support. Many times - it truly does get darkest before the morning light.. I'm ashamed and sorry to have gone emo there..


The Table of Contents Post has been updated to include recent updates.

Because there are more than 1200 photos* hotlinked over 25 individual posts – the Table of Contents post was created.
For some – visiting each post separately will yield better results on bringing pictures up.


*
Jesus Christ
> 1200 photos?
Jesus Christ

[sweet6e30]

Simon, Your workmanship is very dedicated and thorough. Very nice work, shows you had patience and determination. I like the fact you took your time, and did your build/restore very clean. Your car now has another life. Good job

The pics of the new part bundles and the old parts is EPIC

[TrentW]

I could feel the elation of your finally driving the car while reading this. Six years. Don't know if I'd have that kind of patience.

I refinished a set of weaves myself and they came out great. Blasted, etching primer, Dupli-color silver wheel paint and Dupli-color wheel clear coat. See photo. Tedious and time-consuming, but I think we've seen that's not a problem for you. You're welcome to borrow my cheap blaster anytime.

Also, don't know what type of work you're looking for but send me a pm. I know some people.

[PaladinReed]

lock it. print it. safe deposit box it. it's bigger than its broadband limitations.

magnifique.

[leegf]

wow. really hoping things pick up for you soon -- you do inspirational work. hang in there!

[ck_taft325is]

Amazing.

[Simon S]

I’m going to go ahead and make a Thank You/Credit post..

The r3vlimited community
Without the tremendous knowledge base gathered here – there’s no way I’d have come close to completing some of things I’ve done. Furthermore, countless people (too many to list) here have offered help, answers, and guidance to my numerous questions over the years. Not to mention many of the great deals on parts I’ve acquired over time. I really wanted this thread to be my way of giving back – by taking pictures and providing explanations of things I’d only read about.. and by hopefully inspiring others to have the confidence to perform needed maintenance and desirable upgrades themselves – thereby giving them the satisfaction and state of ‘zen’ that can come from doing something right – and doing it yourself.

Levent of Guten Parts
Always an email away to help. Generous with time to help brethren enthusiasts. A big help in terms of finding – or hooking me up with the right person – when it came time to source an odd/obscure used part. Thank you Levent.

Steve of Blunttech
Before his business really took off, there were countless times when he was there to help with questions I had. Afterward – Blunttech became my one/only go-to for new OE parts. The service and prices were simply unbeatable. Not to mention the solid guidance that can only come from a true/experienced enthusiast. Thank you Steve.