-
BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
It's been a while (7 years to be exact) but I have a car that will basically be dedicated to a stereo install. Not much happening yet but follow along because I'll be adding to this slowly.
https://i.imgur.com/HQPKP1S.jpg
It needs a lot of work; but that's ok. I wanted something to tinker with.
https://i.imgur.com/MNHyS8Z.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PUc06BH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/OMSjkxZ.jpg
It came with the Harmon system. This is what that looks like
https://i.imgur.com/f4Cv4Jc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/hwLaBpW.jpg
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Nice. I was entertaining doing a dedicated build when I bought my Neon. And I probably will, but I want to dedicate the Mazda to SQ and keep the miles off of it.
What are you plans? Gutting the dash, like Mic?
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JayinMI
Nice. I was entertaining doing a dedicated build when I bought my Neon. And I probably will, but I want to dedicate the Mazda to SQ and keep the miles off of it.
What are you plans? Gutting the dash, like Mic?
Nothing too crazy for now. Just a nice 2way in stock locations until I think I need to upgrade. Maybe 1 or 2 IB 15s in the trunk and a decently fancy trunk build out.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Continue to work on the project.
I have spent a considerable amount of time trying to refinish the headlights.
As I received the car.
https://i.imgur.com/rPJlY24.jpg
A few passes with PlastX maybe
https://i.imgur.com/S8OnzLV.jpg
Here is as good as I have been able to get them.
https://i.imgur.com/WciCCiX.jpg
I'll continue to work on these. I really want them looking clear without having to buy new covers.
I bought a Harbor Freight paintless dent puller kit and it worked ok.
One of several dents before
https://i.imgur.com/GZcM4yg.jpg
After
https://i.imgur.com/Elly3Ye.jpg
It looks better. The glue does not stick all that well. If you buy one on your own be aware of this fact.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
The big project this weekend was paint correction. And what a job that is
The hood was by far the worst. The part on the right is what the hood looked like when I got the car.
The portion on the left is after a pass by hand with Meguiar's Ultimate compound.
https://i.imgur.com/cBHO0C5.jpg
Here it is getting set up
https://i.imgur.com/AZvsaxi.jpg
Not much in the way of progress but here is the end of the day yesterday after compounding, polish, then hand wax.
https://i.imgur.com/YcOaBLm.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QHrrv8X.jpg
Still working toward the stereo install so you'll have to be patient with me. The factory HK.
https://i.imgur.com/Pj0FzeJ.jpg
My Diamonds are an exact fit replacement diameter and depth
https://i.imgur.com/7YkMZIw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/u0Za1Fl.jpg
In addition I replaced the broken side mirror glass and installed my new kidney grills.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Great work so far Kendal! I really like what you did to the paint surface, and I’m looking forward to the next steps with the audio. The Milan was always one of my favorite cars at my meets!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Y'all remember this picture?
https://i.imgur.com/Pj0FzeJ.jpg
I decided to dye the rear deck back to black instead of the purple it has faded to over the years.
I used this spray fabric dye from duplicolor https://www.duplicolor.com/product/v...abric-coating/
It worked very well. Its not like paint as in it doesn't coat the fabric and weigh it down. After each light coat I used a paint brush to fluff the fabric up.
Getting started
https://i.imgur.com/bNmQ3lP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/042eyF8.jpg
You can see it changing each time
https://i.imgur.com/JbJXh74.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7RAUNJx.jpg
And finished
https://i.imgur.com/GUY3jF3.jpg
And just so everyone knows it took the whole can of spray dye to get it to this.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
I've been goin through headlight hell, as well. I'm doing a retrofit on the Neon. I started with some aftermarket Depo clear lens headlights.
They had turned yellow, and hazy. I found a video on YouTube from ChrisFix where he wet sands some PT Cruiser headlights out with 3 different grits of paper (ending with 2000)then paints them with clear Rustoleum 2X paint (which says it has some UV protection in it.) I won't say they looked amazing, but they looked pretty good, and tons better than when he started.
Wet sanding them out has been fine, but 3 times now, the paint has reacted badly. The last time, I even tried adhesion promoter. Nope. I think there might be something wrong with the paint because I could make one pass and then had to shake it up again. (And, yes, I shook it up to start)
So, finally I ordered some Spraymax 2k Glamour Clear. I've used it before on plastic, and had no issues. It's about $22 a can, so it isn't cheap. (And I had to buy a 2 pack...but I have other uses) I'm going to wetsand it one more time, and try it with the new clear.
This stuff dries hard enough I could wet sand it out after it's done (probably 3000 grit or something) and then I'll use my 3" air polisher to make it perfect.
If it reacts AGAIN, (after I recover from losing my shit) I'm going to assume it's the plastic and figure something else out. If it goes well, I'll let you know.
Nice work on the paint correction, it's looking a lot better.
Jay
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Notloudenuf
They sell d/a polishers at Harbor Freight for $9.99 (6"). Save a little labor (and a lot of time) for a 10 dollar bill, even if it dies after one use.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ckirocz28
They sell d/a polishers at Harbor Freight for $9.99 (6"). Save a little labor (and a lot of time) for a 10 dollar bill, even if it dies after one use.
I should have mentioned I bought this https://www.harborfreight.com/7-in-1...iABEgIADvD_BwE to do the job. Still took hours but no Karate Kid wax on/wax off
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Notloudenuf
Damn, $40 bucks on 1 item at HF! But yeah, some things are too cheap to NOT buy for a job.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ckirocz28
Damn, $40 bucks on 1 item at HF! But yeah, some things are too cheap to NOT buy for a job.
Never go in there without a 20% off coupon.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Notloudenuf
Never go in there without a 20% off coupon.
The 20% off coupons almost always exclude what I want to buy. lol
Jay
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
So I bought one of these...
https://www.maxshinecarcare.com/prod...lisher-5-inch/
I didn't want to drop the coin on a rupes, but I take my car and paint care seriously, I have a fairly meticulous wash regime.
Even my old beaters get taken care of and I always seem to have a project car that need some paint correction (old bmw habit) so I wanted something quality that wasn't so loud and violent.
I've used a the Porter Cable polisher but after an hour my arms are numb and I have the wear ear protection. This thing is quiet and smooth, comes with a lifetime warranty and they have 15mm and 21mm throw versions. For the price it is hard to beat.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
That harbor freight item might be dangerous... not a random orbit type.
(Some professionals don't have a problem with this type though.)
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
diy.phil
That harbor freight item might be dangerous... not a random orbit type.
(Some professionals don't have a problem with this type though.)
I did fine with it. You just have to keep it moving. You are right they typically don't recommend them for beginners.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
E46 series BMW are one of my favorites, looked at picking up a ZHP for a while, I'd still love an E46 M3. Great work so far, looking forward to the updates.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Haven't been on this site much lately, so I'm late to this party. Nice work you've done so far, keep it up Kendal!
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Y'all have seen my struggles with headlight restoration.
I found this......https://www.ebay.com/i/263160733254?...evt=1&mkcid=28 :daniel: you have GOT to be kidding me.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Is that the one where we put the headlights into the oven to bake it to loosen the old piece/glue. Then the boss comes over wondering why the oven is on, looks in there and starts screaming after seeing the big eyes
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
I have 2 dents that need repair. This is one I thought I could improve
https://i.imgur.com/kaUw5bt.jpg
I took the interior of the car apart to try and get to the body panel that way.
https://i.imgur.com/ITXoS7w.jpg
My wife helped a bunch here. It looks a little better but I stopped because I thought I might make it worse. I'll probably see if a PDR place and fix it.
I had lots of the interior out so I started recovering B and C pillars. I found some nice fabric at Hobby Lobby and started on that today.
Here is the C pillar with the factory covering removed. You can see a previous owner tried to "fix" it..
https://i.imgur.com/2O8kHGy.jpg?1
There is another liner fabric under the covering. I thought I might be able to use the same dye technique I used on the rear deck. That was not satisfactory.
https://i.imgur.com/zKRPwmK.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/p1469a4.jpg?1
Here is the panel with my new fabric on it.
https://i.imgur.com/NvYpVXc.jpg
Here is the panel with the old fabric layed over the new stuff.
https://i.imgur.com/Y9hVAlo.jpg
You can see how filthy the old fabric was.
I'll post finish product pictures when I get everything back in the car.
Next project headliner
https://i.imgur.com/3SoH68u.jpg
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
That's going to look great once it is all finished.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Notloudenuf
I wish someone did that for my Neon. I've polished and cleared the lenses on mine 4 times now, and the clear always reacts badly.
Jay
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Found some matching headliner locally over the weekend so got to tackle this project on Saturday.
You can see the sags
https://i.imgur.com/yy1kaS8.jpg
Headliner removed
https://i.imgur.com/NR5QFo4.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/UFEN85n.jpg
All the old material removed and the foam
https://i.imgur.com/Ki9Hxdb.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/tW4e6Wa.jpg
Here it is back in. C-pillars are in this picture too
https://i.imgur.com/5UR0bAs.jpg
B-pillars here
https://i.imgur.com/vP7TERR.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/9BNKxgk.jpg
The lighting is terrible but I wanted you all to see that I had actually completed some tasks.
Side note: removing a headliner is a easy enough by yourself. Re-installing a headliner is NOT as easy when working alone. Phone a friend.......if you have one.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
A-pillars got finished and installed yesterday.
https://i.imgur.com/lZdoCsz.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/3VFLmvt.jpg
The little plastic strip that covers the screw holes did not come with the car. I will probably touch up the silver screws with some black paint.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Notloudenuf
I might have an extra set of the trim pieces I could give you... I bought a few in the past and I think there might be a decent pair in my shop... Next time I go up there (hopefully this week) I'll look for you.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Got the wires through the boot and around the molex plug. Just had to cut off a little tab at the top and they went right through.
https://i.imgur.com/c8QbFZV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/BbJccRv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/BMNKLEe.jpg
While I was in the door I figured I take stock of the factory stuff.
There is technically a 3way in the door.
https://i.imgur.com/NeeabwP.jpg
They are in a little bit of rough shape
https://i.imgur.com/fOpraud.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ItrRLjs.jpg
I also got the important upgrade made as well.
https://i.imgur.com/ogdiyPY.jpg
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
So I went through my e30/36/46 hoarder shelves and only found 1 set that were a little brittle and beige. I figured I would offer them up and you could at least paint them, but when I got home I noticed they are cracked up on the tabs. I Have another spot with some other BMW stuff I need to check, I was sure I had at least one set of minty black ones.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dakine_surf
So I went through my e30/36/46 hoarder shelves and only found 1 set that were a little brittle and beige. I figured I would offer them up and you could at least paint them, but when I got home I noticed they are cracked up on the tabs. I Have another spot with some other BMW stuff I need to check, I was sure I had at least one set of minty black ones.
I really appreciate you looking for this.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Notloudenuf
I really appreciate you looking for this.
Of course! I'm heading up to the shop this weekend... anything else you need I'm happy to share, don't hesitate to ask.
-
1 Attachment(s)
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Do you have a headlight washer cover for the passenger side?
If you zoom in on this picture you can see the one missing in the passenger side. Attachment 14460
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
I have an idea to add a little flair to the amps. The KS series is the same size as the SE series. The SE have the aluminum strip through the middle. I decided to try to match the Bavarian flag of the BMW logo in plasti-dip. Here's the idea.
https://i.imgur.com/gfuWATI.jpg
Getting ready
https://i.imgur.com/2DKUOFq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/5cQiAPn.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fMq7hCD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qIGO0Sh.jpg
And here's the first amp finished
https://i.imgur.com/OkqBrmN.jpg?2
It's plasti-dip so if necessary I can just peel it off and start over....
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
I know a great airbrush guy who can paint what ever you want on your amps...also in NC (near Raleigh).
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
You guys may remember this picture
https://i.imgur.com/RfPbBc4.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/5ibvXE1.jpg
I'm pretty sure its from a Red Bull or other energy drink that overflowed and was set on the trunk lid. It made a damn mess of the clear coat.
Since this is all about DIY I figured I might as well start wet sanding. Started with 400 and went up to 800.
https://i.imgur.com/Io6dGiy.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/irczV5v.jpg
It's getting better but still plenty of bubbles in there
https://i.imgur.com/JC4jNU3.jpg
This finally felt smooth but you can see I got down through the paint just a touch.
https://i.imgur.com/y46BqE3.jpg
I went ahead and roughed up the rest of the clear hoping it would stick when I sprayed it.
https://i.imgur.com/tOOvMRP.jpg
I have everything all sanded down and the rest of the car taped off waiting on the paint to come in. It finally came in today but it's a little too cold to work on it at night so hopefully this weekend I can spray it.
https://i.imgur.com/kbESFGM.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rpoCVvv.jpg
I also dipped the other amp in the Bavarian flag style. Jeremy suggested I get some thin silver pin striping to cover those edges so I'm looking for that now.
https://i.imgur.com/hRyN9XP.jpg
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
Should be interesting. Going to follow this. I'm a sucker for a BMW install... or BMW anything really.
I need another e46 in my life. Owned 1 and installed in 4 or 5.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
I got some time to spray the trunk lid.
https://i.imgur.com/SqLHYM9.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fPSpIBJ.jpg
The clear coat is on too.
https://i.imgur.com/ghgC1Xh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/RjtfFts.jpg
There is orange peel in it but I expected that. When it cures in 3 days or so I will cut and buff it to make it shiny again.
-
Re: BMW e46 330cI by Notloudenuf
More progress. I have spent some time working on my box.
Here I am checking the angle for the front. The plan is woofers flushed in and facing forward. Ports will go out the side and angle up through the rear deck speakers which I will remove.
https://i.imgur.com/LnOHF60.jpg
My cutting setup
https://i.imgur.com/cYZ1lpv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Vs0PtpQ.jpg
A few pieces put together. Pay no attention to the inset front piece because that was a wrong measurement...
https://i.imgur.com/cmjQGEI.jpg
Also got some pin stripe to finish off the amps and hide the rough edges
https://i.imgur.com/RZKmspK.jpg