JackBenny's 1991 318is Project

[jackbenny]

How hard was it to seperate the rings from the plastic, and how did you re-attach them?

Held together with integrated clips. Used a screwdriver to release them and they just snapped back together. Pretty easy actually. The clips are at the top and bottom of each kidney.

[jackbenny]

Awesome updates!

Didn't see it mentioned, but did you strip the harness of the wires that you no longer needed?

The radio harness is gone along with all the speaker wiring. I have no plans to run a stereo in this car, it will be too loud and I just want to hear the 6 cylinder. I am in the process of removing all the airbag wiring. The computer and sensors are gone but I still need to remove the wires.

Things are getting rerouted in the interior so there will be more harness manipulation. I'll detail that when I get to it but suffice to say there will be no switches in the center console because there will be no center console. ;)

[flipper325es]

Thanks for the adhesive removal tip. I'll try and attack that in a week or two after I'm ready to kill more brain cells!

One more tip -- have a fire extinguisher close by. Using a heat gun and flammable propellants in close proximity is generally not recommended. And air out the rags before disposing -- safer than just throwing them in the trash.

[jackbenny]

One more tip -- have a fire extinguisher close by. Using a heat gun and flammable propellants in close proximity is generally not recommended. And air out the rags before disposing -- safer than just throwing them in the trash.

Heh, good point. Luckily I have two extinguishers located in the garage to counteract such stupidity. :D

[StereoInstaller1]

One of the best build threads on R3V.

Tell wifey we wanna see a pic of a woman working with her man on an E30...kinda like the easter bunny or Santa Claus, we mostly just don't believe it.

Carry on!

Luke

[TrentW]

Between the beer bottle I spotted and being high on the tar and paint fumes, I'd say you've accomplished quite a lot. ;)

[jackbenny]

One of the best build threads on R3V.

Tell wifey we wanna see a pic of a woman working with her man on an E30...kinda like the easter bunny or Santa Claus, we mostly just don't believe it.

Carry on!

Luke

Awe come on Luke, you'll have to go back a few pages to see those of her sanding and the like...;)

She's gotten pretty shy with the pregnancy and all. She promised to help me wetsand so I'll sneak some ninja shots in there for ya.

[jackbenny]

Between the beer bottle I spotted and being high on the tar and paint fumes, I'd say you've accomplished quite a lot. ;)

Sadly my supply of Shiner has been reduced to one each. I might have to get some more variety packs upon my visit to Texas later this month.

All they have here in Alabama is Bock.

(And yes, I know there are far better beers out there but what can I say, I'm a Texan and grew up with the stuff...It's comfort beer!)

[StereoInstaller1]

Awe come on Luke, you'll have to go back a few pages to see those of her sanding and the like...;)

She's gotten pretty shy with the pregnancy and all. She promised to help me wetsand so I'll sneak some ninja shots in there for ya.

Caught the beginning and the end...now I will go look.

[jackbenny]

So today I have most of my interior pieces but I'm struggling to decide what to do about the door panels. I want to have some foam on the cards when I wrap the alcantara around them but my research on tha interwebz doesn't give me too much direction. My thoughts were 1/8" to 1/4" foam but do I go open cell like the car originally had or closed cell foam?

Thoughts or suggestions?

PS, I started wetsanding last night...The sunroof panel. It's looking quite nice.

[Farbin Kaiber]

I'd do open cell, 1/4, and make sure to pull tight.

[jackbenny]

I'd do open cell, 1/4, and make sure to pull tight.

Should I be worried about mildew? Surely not if the car had open cell to begin with, right?

[bejbis]

My thoughts were 1/8" to 1/4" foam but do I go open cell like the car originally had or closed cell foam?

Thoughts or suggestions?

All might not approve, but if you want a bit of foam in there to make it a bit plusher, why not go with some foam type sound damping material? I have never used this stuff, but its 1/4th an inch thick and you can layer it up if you want it thicker. It will only help with the higher pitch sounds.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?t=1&products_id=55

As far as closed/open cell and mold/mildew resistance. I wouldn't let it be a deciding factor in what you choose. Things have to get wet and stay wet for mold to grow.

[jackbenny]

All might not approve, but if you want a bit of foam in there to make it a bit plusher, why not go with some foam type sound damping material? I have never used this stuff, but its 1/4th an inch thick and you can layer it up if you want it thicker. It will only help with the higher pitch sounds.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?t=1&products_id=55

As far as closed/open cell and mold/mildew resistance. I wouldn't let it be a deciding factor in what you choose. Things have to get wet and stay wet for mold to grow.

I had been looking at RAAM audio for some of their stuff but this might be more cost effective. Taking it under consideration. Thanks.

E21 is at work today :)

[constructor]

Josh,

This is turning out as stunning as I had hoped!

Really nice.