So I painted my E34. Here's what went down. PICZ

[Leonator134]

Hey all,

First of all thanks to Brady (HE53) and Greg (Tyrannt) for helping me out with this project. Seriously, those guys rule. Can't thank them enough!

So in Oct 2012 I bought my E34 540/6. Bought it with 119,000 miles. Really clean car, two bubbles of rust on the driver's door, and many many tiny door dings on the rear passenger door. And of course many small scratches etc. It was in a minor front end collision at one point, a sideskirt didn't match as well as the lower valence and sections of the front bumper. Hood was a little bit off as well.

So after ~15k miles of driving I wanted to fix all the rust on it and repaint the whole thing. At first I was going to have my buddy and coworker do it and I'd help, but I ended up doing the whole thing myself. Always wanted to learn how to do bodywork and paint.. so I just went for it (with some help!) Pictures may be a bit out of order.. I collected approx 250 pics through the process so I'm sifting through them.

Project duration: mid June 2014- now.
Project cost: $2,000 (Including air compressor and paint gun and all supplies.)
All supplies used were Dupont or 3M.

The teardown.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/B071D33F-5478-45D6-B226-7E68F6507DE2_zpshknpm1o2.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/B071D33F-5478-45D6-B226-7E68F6507DE2_zpshknpm1o2.jpg.html)
New grille (genuine BMW) cuz old one bent.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/426CE87D-73B7-44E5-96FB-1FA709AA281E_zpshesadidk.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/426CE87D-73B7-44E5-96FB-1FA709AA281E_zpshesadidk.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/EE2B7710-F85B-43F0-BECD-3B558A28AC58_zpsiv4u6hoe.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/EE2B7710-F85B-43F0-BECD-3B558A28AC58_zpsiv4u6hoe.jpg.html)
Parts had to live in the trunk of my '64 Chevy :rolleyes
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/B83D241F-9075-4972-9301-1CABB4D135FE_zpsay8kjdln.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/B83D241F-9075-4972-9301-1CABB4D135FE_zpsay8kjdln.jpg.html)

Here's some pictures of the body damages/blemishes.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/FDADDA87-CC53-4439-BA78-4289FF7F7D16_zpsiym4xbxp.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/FDADDA87-CC53-4439-BA78-4289FF7F7D16_zpsiym4xbxp.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/94845A67-F2E8-474D-8D3A-44F74CF7E8A8_zpsrc0bnh4f.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/94845A67-F2E8-474D-8D3A-44F74CF7E8A8_zpsrc0bnh4f.jpg.html)
(dings)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/4AB3CC2E-33F3-412D-B0CC-D43198C6C1E2_zpspelitxm6.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/4AB3CC2E-33F3-412D-B0CC-D43198C6C1E2_zpspelitxm6.jpg.html)

Removed sideskirts to find:
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/4E055C50-9CC2-49C8-93D4-19167AA8A0B1_zpsrmm94grv.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/4E055C50-9CC2-49C8-93D4-19167AA8A0B1_zpsrmm94grv.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/5D82F7E9-6149-4906-949E-CF7D4245549E_zpsezmtlhuz.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/5D82F7E9-6149-4906-949E-CF7D4245549E_zpsezmtlhuz.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/D7F2FA6F-FE80-4736-8E6F-AF4D9319F1CA_zpspeqqtuxj.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/D7F2FA6F-FE80-4736-8E6F-AF4D9319F1CA_zpspeqqtuxj.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/CB7B230F-D23C-46CF-ABA1-66DCBC5BDD15_zpszpzoolu4.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/CB7B230F-D23C-46CF-ABA1-66DCBC5BDD15_zpszpzoolu4.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/8EF615BE-A56B-41B6-94A7-B306D79FE9E6_zps9q9lqb1r.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/8EF615BE-A56B-41B6-94A7-B306D79FE9E6_zps9q9lqb1r.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/4B4C7638-894E-49A3-9914-C2D98D903021_zpsbmluutm7.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/4B4C7638-894E-49A3-9914-C2D98D903021_zpsbmluutm7.jpg.html)
This is what fell out of the space in between the fender bottom and body^:
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/557C7FA1-7533-49F5-A758-0BD227D96447_zpsex7za86m.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/557C7FA1-7533-49F5-A758-0BD227D96447_zpsex7za86m.jpg.html)

So begins the fixing.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/5DAC7DEE-1A10-47A4-A21F-D25D8633F6F8_zpschtzxy0m.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/5DAC7DEE-1A10-47A4-A21F-D25D8633F6F8_zpschtzxy0m.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/FEFE43B8-1B1C-419B-937B-9EDA95E3544A_zps1aj8nu0a.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/FEFE43B8-1B1C-419B-937B-9EDA95E3544A_zps1aj8nu0a.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/0DE12C7B-8079-42ED-83C2-00B215A359DA_zpsdnyszzhs.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/0DE12C7B-8079-42ED-83C2-00B215A359DA_zpsdnyszzhs.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/8853F553-54EE-48EE-9CAB-A7E5FA026E5B_zpsqg6eulq7.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/8853F553-54EE-48EE-9CAB-A7E5FA026E5B_zpsqg6eulq7.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/CDD4E4B4-D6D8-4AB2-9BBF-93179F8DFE1C_zpspvx64me6.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/CDD4E4B4-D6D8-4AB2-9BBF-93179F8DFE1C_zpspvx64me6.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/B97646D3-0BB4-4394-A309-C7E1B7A07BFE_zpss0jaqgt3.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/B97646D3-0BB4-4394-A309-C7E1B7A07BFE_zpss0jaqgt3.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/9C793323-9F35-4733-A9F4-1224CE60B220_zpso0n2ms2p.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/9C793323-9F35-4733-A9F4-1224CE60B220_zpso0n2ms2p.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/DABE1154-6283-4063-9F86-86EEF4522F3C_zps81fay0u7.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/DABE1154-6283-4063-9F86-86EEF4522F3C_zps81fay0u7.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/040A0BDB-6A5B-404F-83B1-82A23867086D_zpslc1ftksb.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/040A0BDB-6A5B-404F-83B1-82A23867086D_zpslc1ftksb.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/C49BC2BE-C2EF-41AD-98E7-A36AC2B809C3_zpsfqhbnvvw.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/C49BC2BE-C2EF-41AD-98E7-A36AC2B809C3_zpsfqhbnvvw.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/EE3C9AB6-A979-4778-8651-2143D97B0229_zpscyld2qqz.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/EE3C9AB6-A979-4778-8651-2143D97B0229_zpscyld2qqz.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/F73F7536-4D52-4BA6-835E-BE9DCA9BDC9D_zpssmntinox.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/F73F7536-4D52-4BA6-835E-BE9DCA9BDC9D_zpssmntinox.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/AF9AE803-2F47-41EE-A267-9E6F14DC0465_zpspvpandlp.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/AF9AE803-2F47-41EE-A267-9E6F14DC0465_zpspvpandlp.jpg.html)
Thanks to Mike (BloodHound50) for grabbing me some sideskirts to replace the one I mangled (can see hole in sig pic)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/B2E7B6FB-F873-4009-8A13-E303D46E4456_zpswewenvfw.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/B2E7B6FB-F873-4009-8A13-E303D46E4456_zpswewenvfw.jpg.html)

Rust spots hit with rust converter and por 15.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/7163ADB7-C5B4-4A6F-8644-45BF35E59201_zps31fwjbpo.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/7163ADB7-C5B4-4A6F-8644-45BF35E59201_zps31fwjbpo.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/7C377429-1C6F-4887-B9F8-16FA2207A20B_zps5pjrpuc2.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/7C377429-1C6F-4887-B9F8-16FA2207A20B_zps5pjrpuc2.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/6EB79E29-77CF-4E29-9604-FEE1CB7FFE6D_zpsvvhbn2bw.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/6EB79E29-77CF-4E29-9604-FEE1CB7FFE6D_zpsvvhbn2bw.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/F35606F5-4C71-4313-A342-123F619EA757_zpsbv1txrq9.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/F35606F5-4C71-4313-A342-123F619EA757_zpsbv1txrq9.jpg.html)
All jack points cleaned and POR15'd, as well as all side skirt metal. Don't think I have any pics though.

So begins the sanding.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/3C180EDA-4B80-4C93-94A7-06FD5C20B349_zpsn5vvaela.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/3C180EDA-4B80-4C93-94A7-06FD5C20B349_zpsn5vvaela.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/11008540-661E-4AFB-869D-FD65DB0997E2_zpsazqwd2wo.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/11008540-661E-4AFB-869D-FD65DB0997E2_zpsazqwd2wo.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/3F5AE6D5-65BC-43C9-806A-441335756E46_zpspriu3tz8.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/3F5AE6D5-65BC-43C9-806A-441335756E46_zpspriu3tz8.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/4D59DB69-40DA-421B-B09A-0DADACF7F7D9_zpsvd9o3hvl.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/4D59DB69-40DA-421B-B09A-0DADACF7F7D9_zpsvd9o3hvl.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/3A558006-BBD8-474C-9EC2-163478F8F1D3_zpsqbsiaxcm.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/3A558006-BBD8-474C-9EC2-163478F8F1D3_zpsqbsiaxcm.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/BCA970E2-84B4-4274-8809-47B24FF38C20_zpsjrheo9k2.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/BCA970E2-84B4-4274-8809-47B24FF38C20_zpsjrheo9k2.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/1BB2F2AF-2377-44B3-AC00-B9C68F283FA0_zpsjvlztjdv.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/1BB2F2AF-2377-44B3-AC00-B9C68F283FA0_zpsjvlztjdv.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/7B7C6820-A9E2-427D-82F6-1F6032C32BFA_zpscuqdk0jg.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/7B7C6820-A9E2-427D-82F6-1F6032C32BFA_zpscuqdk0jg.jpg.html)

http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/A80DBE6A-04E0-41FE-BDB5-3520D0AC2B45_zpslifuebnl.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/A80DBE6A-04E0-41FE-BDB5-3520D0AC2B45_zpslifuebnl.jpg.html)

http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/EC58453F-2474-4B0A-988E-5E952E57818B_zps1df7ddcp.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/EC58453F-2474-4B0A-988E-5E952E57818B_zps1df7ddcp.jpg.html)
Selfies are necessary.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/5B0807EC-1D92-4A97-A14E-6144A1ECE37C_zpszutpxeps.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/5B0807EC-1D92-4A97-A14E-6144A1ECE37C_zpszutpxeps.jpg.html)
Just about ready for primer.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/8D380E72-47F1-4DEA-B3C8-63CF193D2449_zpsvjtjcfkc.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/8D380E72-47F1-4DEA-B3C8-63CF193D2449_zpsvjtjcfkc.jpg.html)

Build a paintbooth on the far half of my garage using shrink wrap from the Marina job I had at the time. Had a powerful box fan in the window pulling all the fumes out.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/D2AEF1AC-B586-4E56-AF66-30160C99BC32_zpsrwqvcffp.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/D2AEF1AC-B586-4E56-AF66-30160C99BC32_zpsrwqvcffp.jpg.html)
Masking.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/066ADE6F-D60D-4B1C-93FD-5AD1E01C518D_zpsodkpmbxl.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/066ADE6F-D60D-4B1C-93FD-5AD1E01C518D_zpsodkpmbxl.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/46B03E98-4CCD-4C1F-A464-CB3B10479ECF_zpsbp41wlmw.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/46B03E98-4CCD-4C1F-A464-CB3B10479ECF_zpsbp41wlmw.jpg.html)
Selfies with Greg!
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/C807CD3E-942C-4E66-B057-A703F6044AD3_zpsxjftpizx.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/C807CD3E-942C-4E66-B057-A703F6044AD3_zpsxjftpizx.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/19FFEBDF-BC73-4BD1-8737-B9FD2006D11F_zpswz3exlvc.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/19FFEBDF-BC73-4BD1-8737-B9FD2006D11F_zpswz3exlvc.jpg.html)

So at this point the primer was sprayed by my buddy from work, and the gun ended up having the wrong tip on it (too small) so the primer went on not well at all. It was VERY very rough. My guy also didn't have a moisture trap so there was a ton of moisture in it. SO I had to sand the car almost all the way back down to the color to respray. This is partly why the project took so long.

My first HVLP gun, thanks Brady for the good recommendation. DeVilbiss FLG4.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/474580B2-54C7-40C1-92E0-9EEF83753E8C_zpshdyx7eee.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/474580B2-54C7-40C1-92E0-9EEF83753E8C_zpshdyx7eee.jpg.html)
Some of the stuff I used.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/83A1DEDA-E79A-4701-A2E3-DF7873A234E8_zps7riguayv.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/83A1DEDA-E79A-4701-A2E3-DF7873A234E8_zps7riguayv.jpg.html)

Car primed the first time.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/F56F381B-8AE0-4241-A7A9-5B33028CE7F2_zpswxcicixr.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/F56F381B-8AE0-4241-A7A9-5B33028CE7F2_zpswxcicixr.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/D08A43C3-F108-42C7-A69D-65BF7F2D7009_zpst71eyfxl.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/D08A43C3-F108-42C7-A69D-65BF7F2D7009_zpst71eyfxl.jpg.html)
These are the moisture marks, had to remove these because the metallic in the paint can settle in them and throw the look of the paint off.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/7565E0EF-76F1-425D-8D9D-860F0BC6C76D_zps7ftdupzz.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/7565E0EF-76F1-425D-8D9D-860F0BC6C76D_zps7ftdupzz.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/5E7404BF-EDBA-40D7-89A9-AAD379F70CD1_zpszjdzmasw.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/5E7404BF-EDBA-40D7-89A9-AAD379F70CD1_zpszjdzmasw.jpg.html)

So, I got a good air compressor (10+ CFM @ 90PSI) and some serious water traps, and went to re-spray the car in primer myself. Well as I was pulling into the booth to do it the passenger ebrake shoe totally locked up. Car COULD not move, the driver's wheel would just spin (LSD). Tore it down in the driveway.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/60E355CF-BD1B-4FB5-930A-C5D12ABD1032_zpsqawiuqcj.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/60E355CF-BD1B-4FB5-930A-C5D12ABD1032_zpsqawiuqcj.jpg.html)
Old man came home and gave me a hand.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/D4131362-0BDF-4CD8-8C2F-87B2CFA9AF5F_zpsg7ueim7m.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/D4131362-0BDF-4CD8-8C2F-87B2CFA9AF5F_zpsg7ueim7m.jpg.html)
We were eventually able to get the car to move in reverse, so with his eyes I backed the totally masked car up the neighborhood, around the fork and back into the garage where I sprayed it that night.

Sprayed. Never used a paint gun before, and it came out phenomenally. Only thing was that it had a ton of dust in the primer from the masking paper I used. As soon as paint hit it, the paper got all pilly and went everywhere. This is no big deal cuz primer, and was going to be sanded anyway. (Got proper paper for the rest of the job).
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/37CBF421-BCB0-4343-9186-DCF886D4431A_zpsndvzhsyo.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/37CBF421-BCB0-4343-9186-DCF886D4431A_zpsndvzhsyo.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/36D21C85-19CA-45FA-9F82-92B14E9F8072_zps8dls9o0b.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/36D21C85-19CA-45FA-9F82-92B14E9F8072_zps8dls9o0b.jpg.html)

http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/A09CDE1F-2F0D-42ED-B027-6E96CEA9FBE3_zpsdfzlr1qa.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/A09CDE1F-2F0D-42ED-B027-6E96CEA9FBE3_zpsdfzlr1qa.jpg.html)

Wet sanded and washed whole car. Had some sand-throughs but touched those up prior to basecoat.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/9B3B9FFB-5F22-4624-880C-F648FEC82A9D_zpsv3hxuuzp.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/9B3B9FFB-5F22-4624-880C-F648FEC82A9D_zpsv3hxuuzp.jpg.html)

Washed and wet the booth.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/ED14A946-1092-4DB1-B8BA-96E7A3B3A75F_zpssa9y56sf.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/ED14A946-1092-4DB1-B8BA-96E7A3B3A75F_zpssa9y56sf.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/C0AAB739-4996-46EA-9A7E-63EEEE7F3B08_zpsuxzopzpi.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/C0AAB739-4996-46EA-9A7E-63EEEE7F3B08_zpsuxzopzpi.jpg.html)

Only have two pictures of the basecoat before clear. Metallic is tricky to spray I learned, very stripey and spotty, but it ended up coming out pretty good. (more on that later)
These are just after the first coat of basecoat.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/7AC02E30-9B66-49A0-8054-9A2B2CA8DFD4_zpsaz3xmi6j.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/7AC02E30-9B66-49A0-8054-9A2B2CA8DFD4_zpsaz3xmi6j.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/F55CCBD5-E712-4F9D-A6C7-327858F3FAC8_zpsyenv67ja.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/F55CCBD5-E712-4F9D-A6C7-327858F3FAC8_zpsyenv67ja.jpg.html)

Next pictures I have are after the clear.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/EBBA40A4-9501-47E2-B5B7-ABE2867DD6B7_zps0xwvafkt.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/EBBA40A4-9501-47E2-B5B7-ABE2867DD6B7_zps0xwvafkt.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/D1EF8A7D-FC5D-4B08-B798-B67BDCB49C58_zpsqzahmiu9.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/D1EF8A7D-FC5D-4B08-B798-B67BDCB49C58_zpsqzahmiu9.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/86D9E60E-5488-43B7-98AA-09DE6A6C8D42_zpsymyg3vki.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/86D9E60E-5488-43B7-98AA-09DE6A6C8D42_zpsymyg3vki.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/828FC5FE-FC27-4A70-8D7B-7C99B97D5F59_zpstphtdmt7.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/828FC5FE-FC27-4A70-8D7B-7C99B97D5F59_zpstphtdmt7.jpg.html)
Orange peel galore!
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/EF9AB0C8-E0D9-4866-BA7E-FE9BAE2B412E_zpstwptozgy.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/EF9AB0C8-E0D9-4866-BA7E-FE9BAE2B412E_zpstwptozgy.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/BBF2646D-704C-4C95-BB3B-33A590A770B8_zpsffrxqrah.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/BBF2646D-704C-4C95-BB3B-33A590A770B8_zpsffrxqrah.jpg.html)

Overall it came out really nicely. Oh and I had zero runs :)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/1BA67182-8A57-4310-8F7F-AF7716A73A84_zpso0awoyo5.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/1BA67182-8A57-4310-8F7F-AF7716A73A84_zpso0awoyo5.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/46A85CFC-FFEC-4CB8-B2B2-88FE445A64A8_zps3yavfdom.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/46A85CFC-FFEC-4CB8-B2B2-88FE445A64A8_zps3yavfdom.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/4244342E-B967-4368-8E93-0E8EA2F04804_zpsx5lhbivp.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/4244342E-B967-4368-8E93-0E8EA2F04804_zpsx5lhbivp.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/518EE4D9-B5DF-4D0F-A77E-86749D6063F4_zpschzx7uou.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/518EE4D9-B5DF-4D0F-A77E-86749D6063F4_zpschzx7uou.jpg.html)

And thus begins the polishing. Over the summer we connected with distant relatives who it just so happens lives in the same town.. my distant uncle is a professional auto painter of 35 years, so he helped me polish it.

Reflection of garage light in trunk lid, before and after:
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/3C09AAC3-E1CB-4926-84C8-894D7C20090E_zpspgasai4b.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/3C09AAC3-E1CB-4926-84C8-894D7C20090E_zpspgasai4b.jpg.html)
After. Reflection of uncle.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/8E5AD470-A6E9-46BC-863C-1FB8A6415004_zpscxrlk0dx.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/8E5AD470-A6E9-46BC-863C-1FB8A6415004_zpscxrlk0dx.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/D4FB7900-BD24-4BDA-93A6-EA2AE9CEBA20_zpsci0cpzwo.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/D4FB7900-BD24-4BDA-93A6-EA2AE9CEBA20_zpsci0cpzwo.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/D646DA77-D963-4D50-8DE4-AE61D9AD7730_zpspqsuzdyy.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/D646DA77-D963-4D50-8DE4-AE61D9AD7730_zpspqsuzdyy.jpg.html)

Then we did the whole car the next weekend. Tons of dust in the clear coat, 95% sanded out! My mask did however drip some water into the clear when I was spraying it, can't do anything about that :mad:

This project has been going on for some time..
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/80EC503E-789C-4506-BD09-4DB66FC16519_zpsaub0q7g8.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/80EC503E-789C-4506-BD09-4DB66FC16519_zpsaub0q7g8.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/35BFBBCE-535F-468A-9E49-B3A2807A2FAA_zps7ou2d6qc.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/35BFBBCE-535F-468A-9E49-B3A2807A2FAA_zps7ou2d6qc.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/2F1E976A-D00F-47FB-A2ED-1353AFC2D5BC_zpsez8nvgi0.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/2F1E976A-D00F-47FB-A2ED-1353AFC2D5BC_zpsez8nvgi0.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/8CBC44D5-3406-4E9F-AEB1-655E5B9CDEA5_zpsmkcknmg5.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/8CBC44D5-3406-4E9F-AEB1-655E5B9CDEA5_zpsmkcknmg5.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/F797C9F1-B1A1-43A6-BB28-3D6417E46201_zpspzvna4ko.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/F797C9F1-B1A1-43A6-BB28-3D6417E46201_zpspzvna4ko.jpg.html)

I did accidentally sand through the clear at the bottom of the doors a little bit, but it will be touched up before the lower door moldings go on.
Whaddyagonnado.

By the time I was spraying the body, I hadn't prepped the plastic (bumpers, side skirts etc) and ended up using up all my basecoat trying to get the metallic lay down properly on the hood roof and trunk.. so had to get more basecoat made.. that matched.. which proved to be a harder task that I'd have liked..
Sorry if this is offensive, I'll take it down if so.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/7609f0ca-8409-4cf5-8fc4-98f351839318_zps088efb30.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/7609f0ca-8409-4cf5-8fc4-98f351839318_zps088efb30.jpg.html)

But on the 3rd try they realized the problem and got it right.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/89DE4391-5AF8-4D08-B508-9CD4106D3B51_zps3mi2qcsg.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/89DE4391-5AF8-4D08-B508-9CD4106D3B51_zps3mi2qcsg.jpg.html)

Quick preview on match between bumper and body which had to different batches of basecoat. In direct sunlight you can see they're not a perfect match. Whatever.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/F0AA9E8C-982A-4932-BF10-73EC175433C7_zpszrnr42py.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/F0AA9E8C-982A-4932-BF10-73EC175433C7_zpszrnr42py.jpg.html)

Oh and that's right, huge shoutout to CostaMellios! Dude shipped me a friggin' M5 rear bumper for my project! (I owe him my staggered Mpars- working on it man!!)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/6A4BCA70-366D-4D3E-916A-9DBADEADD83E_zps3qxarpnk.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/6A4BCA70-366D-4D3E-916A-9DBADEADD83E_zps3qxarpnk.jpg.html)

And so began reassembly.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/74CEF09E-0DFA-498B-9DF2-E4CAE2E220EC_zpsbrwfoxcu.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/74CEF09E-0DFA-498B-9DF2-E4CAE2E220EC_zpsbrwfoxcu.jpg.html)

Oh and I POR'd all the back bumper stuff cuz it was rusty.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/D4AE480E-6C4E-4459-9F31-1496D236B9F6_zpsvunohcn8.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/D4AE480E-6C4E-4459-9F31-1496D236B9F6_zpsvunohcn8.jpg.html)

Took it out for a blast through the gears, love this car all over again. However I need to do a PS line and brakes.. And threw the ambers back on. (amber fronts, Hella smoked rears..)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/E01B1D20-5B15-4895-BA90-ED4D9FF2521D_zpsuqtdeumt.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/E01B1D20-5B15-4895-BA90-ED4D9FF2521D_zpsuqtdeumt.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/4E5DC7A6-59E6-450E-A0CB-D7DAADC70947_zpsqohhmssw.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/4E5DC7A6-59E6-450E-A0CB-D7DAADC70947_zpsqohhmssw.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/837CB30B-E255-481B-80CB-1F9848C6FD33_zpshfyaugzj.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/837CB30B-E255-481B-80CB-1F9848C6FD33_zpshfyaugzj.jpg.html)

And then painted and installed the bumpers and skirts (but not door bottom moldings cuz I still have to touch up the bottoms where I sanded through)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/1711830E-E8D2-49A0-81E2-006C4CBE318F_zpsa5kzshxr.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/1711830E-E8D2-49A0-81E2-006C4CBE318F_zpsa5kzshxr.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/D9D430D0-B6ED-450B-928C-5E5FC88EE783_zpsljknm79b.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/D9D430D0-B6ED-450B-928C-5E5FC88EE783_zpsljknm79b.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/C9CAC0C0-5726-4891-8790-A8AF1884235E_zpsq98etj3x.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/C9CAC0C0-5726-4891-8790-A8AF1884235E_zpsq98etj3x.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/F25E4638-9ECE-481D-BE8C-447D9D06BB62_zpsncqteer2.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/F25E4638-9ECE-481D-BE8C-447D9D06BB62_zpsncqteer2.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/D48B5ADE-BF39-4A56-BEA0-6D11BEC6F19A_zpsk1pp2xzb.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/D48B5ADE-BF39-4A56-BEA0-6D11BEC6F19A_zpsk1pp2xzb.jpg.html)

I bailed the clear on too hard on the bumpers, so got some absolutely juuuicy runs but they'll come out when I polish it.
At work Firday morning:
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/A4BC4DAF-BC24-4F7E-ADBF-4BFAF221FF7B_zpsgjeapbr9.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/A4BC4DAF-BC24-4F7E-ADBF-4BFAF221FF7B_zpsgjeapbr9.jpg.html)

If you look closely you can see the residue from the swirl remover. Haven't been able to wax it yet since paint is stull curing/breathing. Will be able to next weekend. However I ordered my own buffer as there's a few places I want to hit again before waxing.

Moar picz
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/1D9778A4-688B-46E0-8292-809CF1D24A44_zpsqcsp2qqi.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/1D9778A4-688B-46E0-8292-809CF1D24A44_zpsqcsp2qqi.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/9DCB178A-5374-463B-AB42-D6665D2C6F46_zpscf9n3ebo.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/9DCB178A-5374-463B-AB42-D6665D2C6F46_zpscf9n3ebo.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/BBAF0323-24C7-4A60-B6D2-5809FB7A7671_zpsp04sai23.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/BBAF0323-24C7-4A60-B6D2-5809FB7A7671_zpsp04sai23.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/E0955C6E-96A6-49F1-96EE-63F44D146AB3_zpsvuslmpgu.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/E0955C6E-96A6-49F1-96EE-63F44D146AB3_zpsvuslmpgu.jpg.html)

Felt good to be on the road again.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/2ADBCF04-7094-41F4-B4AD-A772E8EEEBE2_zpsbtx6eh84.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/2ADBCF04-7094-41F4-B4AD-A772E8EEEBE2_zpsbtx6eh84.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/1885E27A-78F3-4E1D-815E-E098FCE5959A_zpsbghdyirk.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/1885E27A-78F3-4E1D-815E-E098FCE5959A_zpsbghdyirk.jpg.html)

Taken this morning:
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/6EAD5005-12FD-47FF-81E6-2CE9C37647A7_zps0a0vdabh.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/6EAD5005-12FD-47FF-81E6-2CE9C37647A7_zps0a0vdabh.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/6EC1CAA5-50D0-4DB2-91E7-23E93C0DB80C_zpso6op42ie.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/6EC1CAA5-50D0-4DB2-91E7-23E93C0DB80C_zpso6op42ie.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/717FE91C-4AEE-4B09-AE44-09E0B070EF0B_zpsu47lrfap.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/717FE91C-4AEE-4B09-AE44-09E0B070EF0B_zpsu47lrfap.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/895AE99D-4294-4633-9B25-72F094B94E30_zpsbp2krdbh.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/895AE99D-4294-4633-9B25-72F094B94E30_zpsbp2krdbh.jpg.html)

Tore down the booth and cleaned it out, both cars back in the garage :)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/BB2ECAF4-D7AE-448E-A83D-D03818B73418_zpsurkuayyf.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/BB2ECAF4-D7AE-448E-A83D-D03818B73418_zpsurkuayyf.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/BMW/4B42AA57-3AB5-4E72-A9ED-56A27F8982EB_zpsjytcce5x.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/BMW/4B42AA57-3AB5-4E72-A9ED-56A27F8982EB_zpsjytcce5x.jpg.html)

And that's all she wrote! (*he :shifty) I had some inquire as to my methods and products I used, PM me and I'll tell you everything I can!

All said and done, it was a huge project, and still not done. ( waiting on OEM shadowline trim). I'll definitely paint another car, but it won't be a while. But I know some good tricks to do it better now!

This was really a great experience into body and paint world.. and it's far from perfect but honestly I'd rather have a not perfect paintjob I did myself as opposed to having rust and dents etc.

Thanks for watching!
Leo

[dude99]

very impressive results! Looks great

[excelsisba]

Wow! Great project! I wish I had the patience and stamina for something like this but I would miss my car too much for me to tackle it. Congrats and nice work!

[S61Dan]

Congrats! For me, I find painting to be the most frustrating and difficult thing to do right. One slip up can cost hours of work!!! Props

[JCSe34m30]

Good job Leo.. You can stop DDing the six fo' now.

[doubleJC]

Leo,

DAMN! Kudos to you sir- definitely pulled through with it

- John

[BoldUlysses]

Holy crap, Leo! That's incredible. Great writeup, too. :thumbup: You have THE Arktis E34. The Arktis by which all other Arktises are judged. :)

Time for a proper photoshoot, methinks. Like, a Brandon-esque (RVAE34) photoshoot.

[The Night Rider]

Great job and dedication. Looks really good.

[Leonator134]

very impressive results! Looks great

Thanks!


Wow! Great project! I wish I had the patience and stamina for something like this but I would miss my car too much for me to tackle it. Congrats and nice work!

Thank you, it was a looong project.


Congrats! For me, I find painting to be the most frustrating and difficult thing to do right. One slip up can cost hours of work!!! Props

It's definitely a big deal, but the actual painting I really enjoy. I don't totally hate polishing either.


Good job Leo.. You can stop DDing the six fo' now.

Thanks Joey Macaroni!


Leo,

DAMN! Kudos to you sir- definitely pulled through with it

- John

Thanks much brother!


Holy crap, Leo! That's incredible. Great writeup, too. :thumbup: You have THE Arktis E34. The Arktis by which all other Arktises are judged. :)

Time for a proper photoshoot, methinks. Like, a Brandon-esque (RVAE34) photoshoot.

Thank you Matt! I'm pretty proud of it, especially considering it was my first paint job.

And I think you're right- but I don't know anyone local who can take pics like that :(


Great job and dedication. Looks really good.

Thank you sir!

[Aryana]

Dope thread Leo. Nice job documenting the voyage to get such a nice paint job laid on your car.

[bfp9]

"Still a bucket of junk"

-Gilligan

[V1990]

Looks great man! Props for DIY

[DKJimmy]

awesome work dude! glad to see it came out well.

[atl530i]

Your car came out really really nice.

[staystackin]

Leo. It's time to make a video about this car.

[longwayhome23]

Impressive! (But you are not a Jedi yet.) Man, I would not have had the patience to do that. Come to think of it, I would not have had the patience to upload all those photos, never mind paint the car over all those months. I would just written a big check to a pro. But you've had a great learning experience, results you can be proud of , and you created a very informative/educational thread. Congrats are in order for all of the above. You may even find you like painting cars better than selling them. John Wilkes Paintbooth indeed!

[Sam Son]

Car looks great! congrats Leo...enjoy in good health

[JimLev]

Look good Leo, can't wait to see it in person.

[zubbie]

Inspirational. Exactly what I plan to embark on eventually.

[Steve547i]

Congrats Leo. You put in a lot of work and it shows.

[priler]

very impressive if you've never done body work and paint. it looks great.

I don't like the dark rear lenses though. just being honest.

[PorscheH6]

///M rear apron really sets the rear end off.

Reminds me of Macs car, which would be high praise.

[JCSe34m30]

Congrats Leo. You put in a lot of work and it shows.

Now we need new material now, he did too nice of a job.
I'm sure he won't disappoint somehow in the near future though...

[geargrinder]

Looks awesome Leo. Great job. You must be so psyched to be driving it on the road again. Reading your thread confirms that I never want to get into paint. Just too much for me. I'd kinda like to be able to do it just out of principle but the amount of work to do a whole car is just too much for me to enjoy. I'd prob be cool and have fun doing the tear down and rust grinding and touch up / repair but that's just the start of the process of course...

I'll have to get down south some time before snow flies see if we can GTG some time... look forward to see it in person...

[Jmac95E34]

Great job Leo!

Huge undertaking and you pulled it off quite nicely.

Not only your first re-paint but a metalic paint job at that, way to go.

[93FIM5]

Great job Leo, looking forward to more pics!

-Greg

[JCSe34m30]

Once you get the last few items worked out I hope you can get a chance to get down to the Deep South and get together with Wes and do some professional quality videos..
Does he do still photography as well. Maybe a jersey get together for some of the boys?

[Leonator134]

Leo. It's time to make a video about this car.

How do you mean Wes?


Impressive! (But you are not a Jedi yet.) Man, I would not have had the patience to do that. Come to think of it, I would not have had the patience to upload all those photos, never mind paint the car over all those months. I would just written a big check to a pro. But you've had a great learning experience, results you can be proud of , and you created a very informative/educational thread. Congrats are in order for all of the above. You may even find you like painting cars better than selling them. John Wilkes Paintbooth indeed!

Thanks for the kind words John. Like I said, it's far from perfect, and it shows when you see it in person. But it's a good story and I'm proud of it. Really just excited about having a rust free car!


Car looks great! congrats Leo...enjoy in good health

Thanks Mike! Had fun hooning around in yours at bfest.


Look good Leo, can't wait to see it in person.

Thanks Jim! Will be in touch about this weekend.


Inspirational. Exactly what I plan to embark on eventually.

Thanks Zub! It's a big project. *Part* of me wants to do it again because I could do it better.


Congrats Leo. You put in a lot of work and it shows.

Thanks Steveage.


very impressive if you've never done body work and paint. it looks great.

I don't like the dark rear lenses though. just being honest.

Thank you very much. And I'm not set on them, I have a few sets to play with, just trying to get the car totally done first. (E34's are never ""done" :shifty)


///M rear apron really sets the rear end off.

Reminds me of Macs car, which would be high praise.

Thanks much Andrew, and I agree. This car needed the M rear.


Now we need new material now, he did too nice of a job.
I'm sure he won't disappoint somehow in the near future though...

Lol I'll do something stupid soon..


Looks awesome Leo. Great job. You must be so psyched to be driving it on the road again. Reading your thread confirms that I never want to get into paint. Just too much for me. I'd kinda like to be able to do it just out of principle but the amount of work to do a whole car is just too much for me to enjoy. I'd prob be cool and have fun doing the tear down and rust grinding and touch up / repair but that's just the start of the process of course...

I'll have to get down south some time before snow flies see if we can GTG some time... look forward to see it in person...

Thanks JC, get psyched. Think I might be headed up your/Jim's direction this Sunday!

- - - Updated - - -


Dope thread Leo. Nice job documenting the voyage to get such a nice paint job laid on your car.

Thanks man!


"Still a bucket of junk"

-Gilligan

Lol he's too busy finding battery drains :D


Looks great man! Props for DIY

Thans Vic!


awesome work dude! glad to see it came out well.

Thanks dude! Good to meet you at bfest, your car is sweet :)


Your car came out really really nice.
Thanks mate!

- - - Updated - - -


Great job Leo, looking forward to more pics!

-Greg

Thanks Greg! Me too.. just need to get the shadowline on, put on lower door trims and give it one more buff and then wax!!

- - - Updated - - -


Once you get the last few items worked out I hope you can get a chance to get down to the Deep South and get together with Wes and do some professional quality videos..
Does he do still photography as well. Maybe a jersey get together for some of the boys?

When this thing is where I want it to be I'll be ready to take a long road trip and visit you all, maybe when I'm done with my semester!

I would LOVE for Wes to have his way with my car, I would pay him handsomely as well.



I'll be redoing the hood at some point as the metallic didn't lay down perfectly. There's a light metallical strip down the middle you can see in the sun,and some spotting on other panels. I call the hood strip "the Milky way".

Just for full disclosure, it's far from perfect. The pictures make it look amazing and it is! But in person you see it's far from perfect. But it's a good representation of my love and involvment with it.

Thanks all for the kind words!

[E38740iMD]

ok now i see it

[Leonator134]

Plus it's my DD so It won't ever be perfect, it'll get scratched and ding'd etc. but for now I'm happy with it.

[staystackin]

Yeah Leo, well take pics and make a video telling your story. I'm in!

[JCSe34m30]

Leon, when you final polish/ de swirl use a dimpled foam pad with lighter pressure or you just might constantly have more swirls to chase.

[Leonator134]

Okay joe. And Wes id really love that

[e34Croak]

Me rikey (RUBS CROTCH)

[Leonator134]

Me rikey (RUBS CROTCH)

I'm actually sitting in the car doing the same :shifty

[Redfive]

Great job. Such a massive undertaking. My car needs paint too, but the amount of work you put in has put me off to doing it at home. I guess I better start saving...
Would love to see it in person one day.

[K Fox]

I saw this yesterday, but had to wait to respond am I'm both jealous and impressed. I'd love to be able to do this myself, but I'm still working on getting my own place with a garage. Meanwhile, that really did come out good for a first time - especially with metallic. As you said, it's not perfect, but you can respray the hood when you get an itch and now you have the experience to draw from, so it's only going to be better.

BTW, am I the only one who hears your little 'Top Gear reference' in the first pic in James May's voice? That was the first thing I saw, and it colored my viewing of the thread. I was expecting their famous 'ambitious but rubbish' kind of result, but yours is rather good - still have to think about it in Top Gear terms after that, though...

Fox ( miss my Top Gear...when does it come back on??!?)

[philly98540]

Dedication!!! You did an awesome job! So hard to keep the end game in sight when you find the rust that lies below. You stuck it out till the end. Out came a beautiful car! Can't believe you did metallic for your first job. Way hard to get right on a whole car. Kudos on your skills. Enjoy the car!

[Leonator134]

Great job. Such a massive undertaking. My car needs paint too, but the amount of work you put in has put me off to doing it at home. I guess I better start saving... Would love to see it in person one day.

Come take a cruise out! Just a couple hours away.

[Leonator134]

I saw this yesterday, but had to wait to respond am I'm both jealous and impressed. I'd love to be able to do this myself, but I'm still working on getting my own place with a garage. Meanwhile, that really did come out good for a first time - especially with metallic. As you said, it's not perfect, but you can respray the hood when you get an itch and now you have the experience to draw from, so it's only going to be better. BTW, am I the only one who hears your little 'Top Gear reference' in the first pic in James May's voice? That was the first thing I saw, and it colored my viewing of the thread. I was expecting their famous 'ambitious but rubbish' kind of result, but yours is rather good - still have to think about it in Top Gear terms after that, though... Fox ( miss my Top Gear...when does it come back on??!?)

Thanks fox!

That was not a TG reference and I didn't see that until now.. Lol you can thank my immature friends for that one.


Metallic WAS tricky and it didn't come out perfectly. But I'll redo it again someday. Would rather have this as opposed to rust and dents!

[JCSe34m30]

Me rikey (RUBS CROTCH)

Thinking of the car or Leo??

[Leonator134]

Dedication!!! You did an awesome job! So hard to keep the end game in sight when you find the rust that lies below. You stuck it out till the end. Out came a beautiful car! Can't believe you did metallic for your first job. Way hard to get right on a whole car. Kudos on your skills. Enjoy the car!

Thank you very much!

I was frequently discouraged through the project. But I'm glad I stuck through it. I love this car.

And it's not perfect, but like I said it's my DD so it wouldn't stay perfect if it was. It has character is all :)

[JCSe34m30]

I'm actually sitting in the car doing the same :shifty

Thinking of the car or Dan???

[Leonator134]

Both* is the appropriate answer to both your questions ;)

[JCSe34m30]

Both* is the appropriate answer to both your questions ;)

Well that's good at least you are both of age. Officially.

[JCSe34m30]

Did you wet sand blend lines in jams yet? You can get a little drill attachment 2-3" polishing wheel adaptor to compound and polish them out.

[Leonator134]

Did you wet sand blend lines in jams yet? You can get a little drill attachment 2-3" polishing wheel adaptor to compound and polish them out.

The jambs, despite my masking, did catch some overspray. I'll sand and polish them later.

[JCSe34m30]

The jambs, despite my masking, did catch some overspray. I'll sand and polish them later.

If it's light overspray mist, clay and comp/ polish might be enough. If it's heavy then w/s might be needed. But like 1000-1500

[Leonator134]

If it's light overspray mist, clay and comp/ polish might be enough. If it's heavy then w/s might be needed. But like 1000-1500

Thank you Josiah.

[jfs356]

Great thread, really like to see bodywork/paint jobs come out like this - nice job on that car!

[Leonator134]

Great thread, really like to see bodywork/paint jobs come out like this - nice job on that car!

Thanks brotha!

[Htay9500]

:buttrock

[ross1]

Congrats on having the balls to take on the project and a good result. I've paid for worse work more than once.

[linklaterdavid]

Looks fantastic man. Very nice job indeed :-)

[trv541974]

Looks very nice! I own a 95 540/6 as well. What wheels are those?

[Leonator134]

Congrats on having the balls to take on the project and a good result. I've paid for worse work more than once.

Thanks Ross, always appreciated.

[Leonator134]

Looks fantastic man. Very nice job indeed :-)

Thanks David! How's the touring project?

[Leonator134]

Looks very nice! I own a 95 540/6 as well. What wheels are those?

Thanks! And nice. The wheels are Rondell 58's in 17x8.5 ET13 and 17x10 ET15.

[trv541974]

I'm in Boston and would love to see your 540 as well as that nice impala

[Leonator134]

I'm in Boston and would love to see your 540 as well as that nice impala

Ahh thanks much! Would be happy to meet up.

[Trasportador]

Leo, this is great work Doc. Can I enviggle you to paint my hellrot? Stunning for a first time painter.

[Leonator134]

Leo, this is great work Doc. Can I enviggle you to paint my hellrot? Stunning for a first time painter.

Thanks much mate. Drive it out and I
Will ;)

[IronmanE30]

Wow Leo,

I just stopped in to see what was happening in the E34 world and saw your post. Very nice project and the results look great. I did the rust thing to a 356 Porsche many years ago and it adds a lot of work to the paint job. I'm glad to see you are making progress and your car is looking much better.

Cheers,

Jim

[gixxerboy63]

Great job with the car, pictorial and step-by-step process. Can't wait to see our cars together next year at Bimmerfest!

[Confector]

Been checking out your car for quite some time now. You've done a great work and the result is just stunning. Keep it up ! :)

[Leonator134]

Wow Leo,

I just stopped in to see what was happening in the E34 world and saw your post. Very nice project and the results look great. I did the rust thing to a 356 Porsche many years ago and it adds a lot of work to the paint job. I'm glad to see you are making progress and your car is looking much better.

Cheers,

Jim

Cheers Jim! Thanks very much.

- - - Updated - - -


Great job with the car, pictorial and step-by-step process. Can't wait to see our cars together next year at Bimmerfest!

Thanks Tim! Can't wait for that.

- - - Updated - - -


Been checking out your car for quite some time now. You've done a great work and the result is just stunning. Keep it up ! :)

Thank you very much!!

- - - Updated - - -

Did some polishing and waxing today.
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/A015DE35-1774-4CCE-887F-1B383705C472_zps5ckww73l.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/A015DE35-1774-4CCE-887F-1B383705C472_zps5ckww73l.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/E9002F3E-2841-4190-AB6D-E0E55F4A189E_zpsxngj7l3q.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/E9002F3E-2841-4190-AB6D-E0E55F4A189E_zpsxngj7l3q.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/87728B57-C080-4AD5-9404-EDF78E998ED8_zps91xkhlyf.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/87728B57-C080-4AD5-9404-EDF78E998ED8_zps91xkhlyf.jpg.html)
http://i1361.photobucket.com/albums/r677/leonator1345/20214595-062B-44C5-8C07-C44236987453_zpsybj2bqpx.jpg (http://s1361.photobucket.com/user/leonator1345/media/20214595-062B-44C5-8C07-C44236987453_zpsybj2bqpx.jpg.html)

[bfp9]

Beautiful. Now you need to teach that crustation from Jersey how to detail his e34.

[Leonator134]

Lol maybe when he lets me John Wilkes Paintbooth his e28 :D

[teh_activ]

Photobucket photos aren't loading

[Leonator134]

dammit.

[bigperm206]

Leo, a little OT, but how did you get into the Impala and the BMW worlds? Just curious, since I'm in the same boat (63 Impala and a couple of bimmers). Nice job on the body work/paint btw.

[HE53]

Can't wait to see the pics when the bandwidth comes back!

[sbeckman7]

Same here haha

[Leonator134]

God dammit. Either have to pay $3 a month or do a whole bunch of purging to fix this..

Working on it.

[JCSe34m30]

Stop taking 42 selfies everyday like a 16 year old school girl with a new shirt

[Leonator134]

Stop taking 42 selfies everyday like a 16 year old school girl with a new shirt

Don't you have pasta to eat?

[JCSe34m30]

Don't you have pasta to eat?

Been there done that

[Leonator134]

Photobucket photos aren't loading


Can't wait to see the pics when the bandwidth comes back!


Same here haha

Pics be back online foolz!

- - - Updated - - -


Leo, a little OT, but how did you get into the Impala and the BMW worlds? Just curious, since I'm in the same boat (63 Impala and a couple of bimmers). Nice job on the body work/paint btw.

Dude pics of the '63 immediately.

My dad's a dealer mechanic, has been basically my entire life. So that's the root of my love of cars. When I was 5 we put together my first model, a blue 1964 Impala.. always said I'd have one.

Around the same age my grandfather had an E32 740iL white/tan and then an E39 Msport 540/6 white/tan. So that's where the BMW love came from.

How bout you?

[bigperm206]

Leo, built alot of models growing up and had to teach myself how to fix my cars because I was poor. My grandfather worked for Pontiac in the parts department so we always had some GM product in the driveway. At one point we had a 64 Impala convertible and another time we had a 64 Impala wagon. I always liked the 6 series so I bought one and I was hooked from there. Bought an e28, then an e12, sold the e28 and bought an e34, etc, etc. I tried to send you a picture of my 63 but it keeps crashing the app. Shoot me your email and I can forward you some pics. My email is bondojohn@hotmail.com.

[Leonator134]

Leo, built alot of models growing up and had to teach myself how to fix my cars because I was poor. My grandfather worked for Pontiac in the parts department so we always had some GM product in the driveway. At one point we had a 64 Impala convertible and another time we had a 64 Impala wagon. I always liked the 6 series so I bought one and I was hooked from there. Bought an e28, then an e12, sold the e28 and bought an e34, etc, etc. I tried to send you a picture of my 63 but it keeps crashing the app. Shoot me your email and I can forward you some pics. My email is bondojohn@hotmail.com.

Awesome! Would love to have a wagon, but 1964 was the only year that didn't get the triple taillights! What gives :mad:

Anyway, shooting you an email, definitely want to see it. I'll pass along a couple of mine as well. (Impala, I mean :shifty).

[Tyannt]

Heyyy!
Been absent for a bit but just went thru the thread.
Dam, I haven't seen the car painted yet... Will
Oh I know what you've been through alright; been there a few times!
You have every right to wallow in pride buddy!
Super job !!!

Ummm, who the hell is "ty"r"annt" ? Lol

[Leonator134]

Haha sorry for mixing up the handle, Greg.

Come check it out!!

[Tyannt]

NP lol and definitely do want to see!
Watcha doin about the trim blackout?

[Leonator134]

NP lol and definitely do want to see!
Watcha doin about the trim blackout?


OEM shadowline :thumbup:

[GIANUCCI E30]

Great job leo. Got extra paint?!? I might have to make a trip up there test out your skillz.

[Leonator134]

Great job leo. Got extra paint?!? I might have to make a trip up there test out your skillz.

Thanks joe, I do have a little bit extra ;)

[janders211]

Leo- looks great....need to update that sig pic with something new and HD to show off the new paint.

[thatonedood]

Maybe bust out the fancy 4 slice Cuisinart

[JCSe34m30]

I've always felt magic chef was a superior product.

[RVAE34]

You did a great job, Leo! And nothing feels better than knowing you did that yourself. Congrats!!

[T444E]

Hey look more pics of Leo's car to delete.

Good job knobbing it up, John Wilkes Paintbooth

[Leonator134]

Hey look more pics of Leo's car to delete.

Good job knobbing it up, John Wilkes Paintbooth

Mad on the internet at 3AM, priceless :rofl2

- - - Updated - - -


Leo- looks great....need to update that sig pic with something new and HD to show off the new paint.

I do need to do that.. made a temp for now.


You did a great job, Leo! And nothing feels better than knowing you did that yourself. Congrats!!

Thanks Brandon!

[anonoh]

Wow, what stunning results! Much respect to you! I'm looking to have a full repaint done as well but unfortunately don't have the means or time for such an ambitious project.

Question- Do you have any more before pics of the rust on your door? I have a similar rusting problem but it has gotten around to the back and into the seam. I've been told by multiple people that rust cannot be stopped and I should just replace my door with a new one if I want to fix my problem so I'm interested in seeing how the POR15 will hold up over time for you.

[JCSe34m30]

Wow, what stunning results! Much respect to you! I'm looking to have a full repaint done as well but unfortunately don't have the means or time for such an ambitious project.

Question- Do you have any more before pics of the rust on your door? I have a similar rusting problem but it has gotten around to the back and into the seam. I've been told by multiple people that rust cannot be stopped and I should just replace my door with a new one if I want to fix my problem so I'm interested in seeing how the POR15 will hold up over time for you.

If the rust is in the door between panels it will come back no matter what you do.

[Leonator134]

Wow, what stunning results! Much respect to you! I'm looking to have a full repaint done as well but unfortunately don't have the means or time for such an ambitious project.

Question- Do you have any more before pics of the rust on your door? I have a similar rusting problem but it has gotten around to the back and into the seam. I've been told by multiple people that rust cannot be stopped and I should just replace my door with a new one if I want to fix my problem so I'm interested in seeing how the POR15 will hold up over time for you.

Thanks! And I will have to check. Ive used POR15 in the past, it's good stuff. At the very least it will absolutely delay vicious rust.

[ChristopheNunez]

You are my King!! This is EXACTLY what I need to do for my BMW. I would love a PM from you about your ways!!! Thank you for the write up!!!

[Leonator134]

You are my King!! This is EXACTLY what I need to do for my BMW. I would love a PM from you about your ways!!! Thank you for the write up!!!

Thanks! Feel free to send a pm. I'm heading out to a gig but I'll get you back when I can.

There's a lot Id do differently.

[Steve547i]

There's a lot Id do differently.
You say this alot.

[Leonator134]

You say this alot.

It's true.

I don't have any ragrets, but still. Knowing what I know now I could do it better.

[JCSe34m30]

Knowing what you know now you want to pay someone else to paint it again

[Leonator134]

Knowing what you know now you want to pay someone else to paint it again

Well yes.

[geargrinder]

"A lot of things i would do differently" includes gutshotting the douche who gravel burnout sprayed your paintjob when it was brand new?

[Leonator134]

"A lot of things i would do differently" includes gutshotting the douche who gravel burnout sprayed your paintjob when it was brand new?

Yep. Whatever, can't change the past.

Just gonna have it resprayed once and for all in the fall. Door jambs, the works.

It was a good experience to do it myself though, learned a ton.

[Oldkoole34]

Thumbs up for doing it right and doing it well. Came out sweeeeeet.
I painted 3 cars o my own In The past with an improvised setup in my garage (well my parents garage at the time) and none of them came out that good.

Looks great!!

[haggus]

All those pics and a lot of work looks good I'm considering doing the same project on my 89 525i. Looks good in the pictures.

[Leonator134]

Thumbs up for doing it right and doing it well. Came out sweeeeeet.
I painted 3 cars o my own In The past with an improvised setup in my garage (well my parents garage at the time) and none of them came out that good.

Looks great!!


All those pics and a lot of work looks good I'm considering doing the same project on my 89 525i. Looks good in the pictures.

Thank you to you both. It was a lot of work. I could do it better a second time.