My 318is DD so far...(Lots of pics)

[KamakaziX]

Awesome job, man!

[z31maniac]

Great work!

[E30_(1st Musk)_]

dude you are the man for those fog lights! next time im picking up pitted fogs from the junk yard. should have today! damn it!

[Bimmerista]

Your car came out pretty well seeing as a lot of it was "on the cheap." Good job!

[Nick_S]

Little update. Came up on hood. Neighborhood hooked it up on this non damaged one. It was pretty beat but undeterred and wanting to keep my "budget" restoration going I decided to see what I could do with this.

Off to pick up the hood. You get some strange look from people driving like this.


In all it's faded glory.


Wet sanded with 1500 then 2000 grit. Probably should have started a bit lower to get rid of more of the defects in the paint, I don't want to sand any more for fear of sanding right through (did in one spot already ).


And after a few hours of buffing and polishing. Again used my Griots random orbital and 3M perfect it polishes followed but a few coats of Griots Best of Show wax. Came out pretty good. I also used some closely matching paint to hit a few rust spots on the leading edge of it. I need to go back over them to blend abit better.



Front end is nearly done, just need a lip now. Pretty psyched how I have managed to get it from this...


To this.


All while only spending around hundred bucks. Now still waiting on a few clips for my roof rack so I can actually use it.



More updates to come :up:

[Nick_S]

God damn, I am very impressed with your cleanup work on this car. You made it look great.

Thanks! It's been alot of work but the results are worth it.

what paint did you use to smoke the tail lights?

VHT niteshades. They sell it at Advance Auto. They also make it in red for those of you who like the all red look. I did but with a red car would have been a bit much.

Good job all around. I had no idea you could bring glass fogs back to life like that.

I'm going to do a more detailed write up on it cause I think a lot of people on here could use it.

Want a free hood?

Yes, yes I do! PM'ed.

[neighborhood]

Want a free hood?

[robrez]

Good job all around. I had no idea you could bring glass fogs back to life like that.

[bernzpeed]

what paint did you use to smoke the tail lights?

[Spiff325iS]

You cleaned the SH!T out of this car! I love how well single stage paint turns out after a good scrubbing- you did a fine job.

You'll love the M42- great motor, and not a pain in the ass to replace oil filters on.

[MR 325]

God damn, I am very impressed with your cleanup work on this car. You made it look great.

[selturk]

great job, looks pretty..

[lambo]

Wow. Those fogs turned out beautifully. The paint really turned around too. Nice work!

I kinda like the black hood lol

[Nick_S]

Damn you went to work. Great stretch of that $200 and impressive results. Nice find and nice car!

Any future plans besides the hood?

Thanks I think I've done well myself.
-$70 front bumper and trim bits
-$30 for fog restoration and bulbs
-$25 shift boots
-$25ish for various paints
-$75 parts from Pelican

So maybe a little over $200 but still.
As stated, a lip is next. Front end looks incomplete to me. A Mark D chip is there too as it could use a bit more grunt. Maybe do an intake setup with heatshield aswell.

I'm getting some cheap Rage wheels but decent looking 15" 5 spokes off a friend for free I'd like to get some better tires on with less sidewall. And then I'll probably refinish my weaves and get some snow tires mounted on them.

Very nice.

Thanks man. I actually read your entire thread a few times to get some ideas what to look for and maintenance that should be done.

Nice work so far!! Keep it up!! I'll be paying attention to this one

I'll update whenever possible.

Thanks for compliments so far guys!

[drutt23]

Nice work so far!! Keep it up!! I'll be paying attention to this one