** Acme [Akagi] bought a pink estate car - E30 325i project log! **

[Akagi]

Yeah it will most likely slowly fade to pink, but I hope it will take longer than a few months since I've taken quite a lot off of the paint, so the new paint I have exposed should theoretically stay red as long as the car originally stayed red for! I think... I hope...

Anyway, I think @Hyburnate is trying to sort some kind of UV coating to put over it once I/we have finished DA polishing it. Should help prolong its fading.

 

[Akagi]

It won't. Just warning you!

But why?

 

[Akagi]

Meh, we'll see how she goes.

 

[Akagi]

Right then, update time. Sprayed the black section of the rear valance because it was all patchy:



Before/after example:




Did some mopping on the other side. The DA polisher was being a bit temperamental though so I didn't do it enough, its still slightly pink. Will give it another go when its not raining:

Spoiler

Painted the front valance a bit better. Should have masked the tyres... Meh! It was mostly my mate who did this, sanded it down with a pad sander and primered/rattle canned. Still has some texture to it but its smooth in places because of the sanding.





My mate did the yellow high beams on his car, he isn't sure about them. Personally I think they look great on a silver one!

[pic removed]

Spoiler

[pic removed]

Fixed @Voxination's polisher. This wire was loose and the tab it connects to was corroded:



Cleaned the connection and squeezed the plug together a little so that it fits on tighter. Good as new, and works brilliantly.



Mmmmm red...

 

[Akagi]

Cheers guys. So much more to do... even after I've done the whole car with the DA, I have to decide what to do with all the little dents and scratches and bits, before it gets a UV coating put on.

 

[Akagi]

Can confirm.

I wouldn't do it though. I tried once (caved to peer pressure when exiting a Jap vs German meet in Essex) and it smelled a bit of clutch as well as tyre.

 

[Akagi]

So it'll be £800 then?

Bang on the money.

 

[Akagi]

Wouldn't a coat of sealant and wax stop the paint fading so badly?

Yes.

 

[Akagi]

Nailed it

They knocked £280 off of what they would charge anyone else cos they love me...

 

[Akagi]

I think it has faded very slightly already.

 

[Akagi]

Long term yep. But if I can keep it red for a couple of years that would be great. Lots of cutting and polishing and then coating with UV protection etc, and hope for the best.

 

[Akagi]

I haven't got the time or patience for that but also not got enough money to blow on a respray...

I have that problem, but when a pink panel comes up red it fuels me so I can move onto the next one.

 

[Akagi]

Very nice

Thanks.

Few updates to come, with pictures... Bought new mirrors with new glass and a few other bits, fixed the wiper motor so intermittent wipers work, fixed the ABS, replaced some more interior trim, and found a rot hole in the firewall...

Thankfully very small and right at the top, easily accessable with the dashboard out so it can be patched up. Really hoped I wouldn't find it there! Bloody old cars!

Its been poked a bit, painted with rust converting paint, and filled with fibreglass reinforced filler in the mean time. So that water can't get in more than anything else, but it will slow its progression too.

 

[Akagi]

2 days until Santa Pod BMW Show. Still have so much to do!

More mopping, lots of blackening, hopefully getting new tyres fitted, then a full valet of course. Bit of black paint in the wheel arches so you can't see the rot too.

Going to take some pictures at the show to send to the chap I bought it from. I think it will make him happy to see how far its come. Bet he didn't think it would ever be displayed at a car show! Even if it won't exactly be the best thing there!

 

[Akagi]

This is the most Acme thing ever

Its not like its a permanent solution!

I don't have time to sort it before the show, and I'd rather it isn't glaringly obvious to everyone. So a bit of deception is in order! I already sprayed over the rot by the towing eye!

 

[Akagi]

Cheers guys, means a lot... I plan on keeping this one.

The lemons will get bought and sold around it...

 

[Akagi]

We aren't talking about it... I'm looking for somewhere to park it while I strip it for bits and have an eBay marathon.

 

[Akagi]

I thought you had a swapsee lined up for it?

We looked over each others cars, came to an agreement on price, shook hands on it, and made plans to do the swap the next day. I got all the documents ready, and the next day he started ignoring me. Totally blanking me, and has been ever since.

Huge time waster...

 

[Akagi]

Update! Prepped for the Santa Pod BMW Show with @Hyburnate and family on Saturday:





















Small hiccup on the morning of the show when a suspected drink driving neigbour decided to reverse into the car in the night and proceeded to completely ignore my repeated attempts to get their attention by knocking and ringing the doorbell the next morning... Smashed light, small scrape...







The incident has been reported and I'll be off to fill in some forms at the Police station and give them these pictures and some others in due course!

Anyway, on to the main event. The car at the show! I bought a replacement tail light and polished the worst of the scratches off at the event:




















Bought a new bonnet badge at the show too:



And the car got papped!!



Some quick before/after's to finish this latest installment...







Pretty happy with it right now!

 

[Akagi]

Car looks great Tom.

Thanks mate.

It's my neighbour actually, and yes, yes she is.

Quite... Way to put a downer on the morning! Remind me to go to the plod station by the way.

Fair play, that is looking tidy.

Cheers!

Car looks great Acme, job well done I'd say!

Thanks, Hyburnate deserves some credit for the shiny shiny though...

Lol you monster! What did you do to him?!

Acme! Speak to us man!

... *shudder* I feel... cold... Like I can never speak to a person again.

Looks great that

Taa. <3