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Last edited by Bernanke; 09-07-2011 at 07:03 PM.
Seems like alot of work when you can buy them in mint used condition for $50. Also seems like alot of work when they will return to their prior state in a few weeks.
It all seems like alot of work for a parts car? Maybe I'm confused.. but he actually drives that?
PS.. I just now read your post. Sorry, extend to him my condolences.
Tenured Automotive Service Professional - Avid BMW Enthusiast
was that car under water????? nice job on the headlights.
1997 M3/4 5spd: Dinan Supercharged; Vortech V2 SQ; AA Tuned; Stromung exhaust; Cross-drilled rotors; Bilstiens; NO SUNROOF; Manual non-heated seats; 3.38 LSD; only 56k miles young!!!
Pics: http://summer2006-m3pics.mypicgallery.com/ Pics: http://m3-pics2.mypicgallery.com/ Pics: http://m3-pics.mypicgallery.com/
Could you elaborate on how to nicely paint the vanos cover like that ?
thanks !
Current:
Alpine White E46 325i Touring S54 6MT
Titanium Silver E39 540i Touring M-Sport S62 6MT
Past:
Alpine White E46 330i ZHP Sedan S54 6MT
Interlagos Blue E85 Z4 M Roadster 6MT
Le Mans Blue E92 M3 6MT
Japan Red E46 325i Touring S54 6MT
Estoril Blue Individual E46 M3 Coupe 6MT
Cosmos Black E36 M3 Coupe S54 6MT
Alpine White E92 M3 6MT
Alpine White E90 M3 6MT
Laguna Seca Blue E46 M3 Coupe 6MT
Jet Black E36 325is S52 5MT
Lagoon Green E36 325is 5MT
You can tell by the overspray on the valve cover bolts that he just taped around it and covered the rest of the engine bay with paper/cloth and just sprayed away. I recommend removing it, spraying the whole thing, and then replacing the valve cover gasket while you are at it.
Rob - 2000 BMW Z3 M Roadster | 1986 Porsche 944 5.3L LM4
Nice job on the lights. Is the hood itself rusted or is it oxidized? It looks like it is oxidized but it seems like the edges have completely lost the paint. A little elbow grease and it should be up to shape =D.
What is Plastic X rated for as far as heat? Almost any clear lacquer isn't going to last long at all in front of a light bulb and a wax would be even worse. You would have been better off just sanding it to 10,000 grit.
I have done it before. Go 600, 1000 wet , 1500 wet, 2000 wet then switch to 10,000 grit paste. The stuff I used was blue. It feels like toothpaste. Use a soft cloth to apply it like you are waxing a car. Do not apply a clear coat over it! At 10,000 grit it will be crystal clear and super smooth.
The only thing I WOULD spray on a plastic lens like that would be a UV protectant that they use for motorcycle windshields. It will keep it from yellowing in the Arizona sun.
Wow, those turned out fantastic.
The engine looks great too. What process did you use to clean the engine bay?
Thanks.
I just don't understand how he was actually getting any light through the covers in the first place, I'm sure he loves driving at night now that he can actually see the signs and such. I'm not going to hate on his car, like you mentioned before, not everyone can afford "nicer" things in life and at least he's being part of the BMW family!!
BTW, did you take off his front bumper cover or is his just missing? If he doesn't have one then everyone, lets through in a couple bucks and try and find this man a used bumper that way at least he has 95% of his car!
Oh yeah, you did a heck of a job on those lights.
If you have a compressor, I would put out some money on a spray gun and learn to paint on that bad boy. Worst case, you would get some drips/orange peel. If you were near PA I would say come out because I have always wanted to learn but never had a donor car.
Props on keeping Karma on your side though I always help people out as much as possible and I like to think it pays off.
there - adverb: "look over there" ~|~ their - pronoun: "they left their keys" ~|~ they're -contraction of they are: "they're very good drivers"
Brake: a device to slow or stop a vehicle
Break: to smash, split, or divide into pieces
That's an impressive transformation on those headlights!
2013 BMW M3 Coupe : Interlagos Blue : Silver Norvillo : 6MT : Competition Package
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
pics of M3
Mad props. What's with the hood??? Is that faded paint or rust?
1999 Cosmos Black/Dove Grey BMW ///M3 convertible - 5 speed - SOLD
2005 Atlantic Blue Pearl/Taupe Leather Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT Wagon - 5 speed - SOLD
2014 Tenorite Grey/Black Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 - bone stock.
2013 Bianco/Rosso Abarth 500c - 5 speed
2016 Oxford White/Grey Ford Transit 250 Powerstroke 148 MR (DIY RV conversion)
nice job on the lights,
paint the whole car flat black
ESS 625RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
phenominal work my friend!!! its nice to know this forum has people like you willing to extend your help....really man its awsome of you to help somone out!!!
Keep it up and if I ever have anything for sale that you want remind me of this situation and I'll give you a super super discount!
Perservarance
This guy is doing something quite honorable that many young folks wouldn't bother doing, he's actually getting a car that he wants & is willing to put the work into making it the car he really wants.
Others might go get a loan & a ricer ride....
Kudos to him for taking on the project, and I think this is the best way to really appreciate any car, put a ton of work into making it what it is, and then respect the amount of work that went into getting it that way, by keeping it in great shape.
He has a fair amount of work ahead, but with friends like you who are willing to help out, he'll get there.
Good for you SB for helping the guy out!
Nice post, by the way.
1999 Estoril Blue ///M3 with common mods to the car, and driver training mods to the driver. It's a safe, intelligent, and fun combination. Member of our local BMW Club Driver Training Team.
Current:
Alpine White E46 325i Touring S54 6MT
Titanium Silver E39 540i Touring M-Sport S62 6MT
Past:
Alpine White E46 330i ZHP Sedan S54 6MT
Interlagos Blue E85 Z4 M Roadster 6MT
Le Mans Blue E92 M3 6MT
Japan Red E46 325i Touring S54 6MT
Estoril Blue Individual E46 M3 Coupe 6MT
Cosmos Black E36 M3 Coupe S54 6MT
Alpine White E92 M3 6MT
Alpine White E90 M3 6MT
Laguna Seca Blue E46 M3 Coupe 6MT
Jet Black E36 325is S52 5MT
Lagoon Green E36 325is 5MT
just did this on my camry, and DAM!!! the road is sooo much brighter now, no joke i couldnt see shit before, and now i feel like the lights are actualy doing something! I am very happy i ran across this thread. Btw i used brasso right after i wet sanded to 1,000 Grit. It seems to hold up good so far. Ill have to go find 10,000 grit sandpaper, and some of the meguiers stuff, but homedepot didnt carry anything past 600grit, and 1,000 Harbor Frieght had. Maybe autozone.... thanks bro!
how long does this whole procedure take?
Hmmm.....paint looks like Byzanz.
Anyways, that's awesome that he knows someone like you to get this done for him.
looks great... Its good to bring out the new in an old car..
96 320i Touring
98 Z3 2.8 Roadster
01 PY M Coupe
96 Z3 1.9 - DASC
95 318ti Clubsport
94 Miata M-Edition
13 smart fortwo
please update on this project! i like things like this
i started with a crap M3 that didnt run and now its nice
perhaps just sand off all the paint and run with bare metal like the delorean? that would be pretty unique/badass
or a homemade flat black. havent seen anyone do that on these!
ps. i did the same thing to my headlights except with 3m Rubbing compound (but without any sanding)
before:
after:
still looking for a lip, grill, foglights, and a few other things
anyone got a driver side brake duct?
Last edited by mkiv98; 11-01-2006 at 08:40 PM. Reason: added pics
SupaBimma- BIG props to you. You're a good guy and a good friend to your bud. If you have a lot of patience, look into the $50 paint job for his car. You never know!
sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
After seeing this my respect for you has multiplied infinitely.
I will definately keep this guide in mind when I clean my headlights over winter break (next week!).
Not related but on a side note: Can anyone recommend any good HID or HID-like bulbs that fit in the standard US spec headlights? I'm looking to upgrade the brightness without dumping too much on a complete HID/Xenon kit.
best you can get is hid matched bulbs, which in my personal opinion, reminds me of ricers, trying to act like they have something they don't. Only way to get HID bulbs is to get projectors. Well you might be able to wire them into non projector lights, but you will just be scattering light, and be a dick to everyone on the road.
Contact Matt @ Umnitza
email: info@umnitza
username: umnitza
He can steer you towards hid matched bulbs, just nice brighter halogens, or tell you about different projectors (with or without hids).
-Chaz
My SSK Faq (primarily e36 M3)
Don't PM Me. My box is way overfilled from when I was a mod. Email me if you have to get a hold of me.
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