E36 cheap track day toy
Discussion
Now that we have finished welding the floor, it's about time I repaired the underseal.
Wire wheeled all the burnt and droopy underseal back until it was still stuck to the floor. Making sure to remove all the surface rust to. Quick coat of self etch. Then dried gently with a hot air gun. Followed by a coat of new underseal.
Did this on all four corners of the cage. While I was under there I lowered the car onto jacks moved the ramp arms out and cleaned the original jacking points. Three out of the four plastic jacking points were missing when I bought the car. I have been putting her up on a ramp so often that the paint on the chassis points has worn away. So again wire wheeled, self etch then a coat of stone chip, before three new jacking points fitted.
Right I'm off to work to give the now dry underseal a coat of stone chip, before everyone turns up and the car has to go outside again.
Wire wheeled all the burnt and droopy underseal back until it was still stuck to the floor. Making sure to remove all the surface rust to. Quick coat of self etch. Then dried gently with a hot air gun. Followed by a coat of new underseal.
Did this on all four corners of the cage. While I was under there I lowered the car onto jacks moved the ramp arms out and cleaned the original jacking points. Three out of the four plastic jacking points were missing when I bought the car. I have been putting her up on a ramp so often that the paint on the chassis points has worn away. So again wire wheeled, self etch then a coat of stone chip, before three new jacking points fitted.
Right I'm off to work to give the now dry underseal a coat of stone chip, before everyone turns up and the car has to go outside again.
Another early start this morning after a very late night. But it's in!
I have to say I'm very pleased with it, I can't thank Arron enough for all his help.
In bright and early this morning to start the paint. Basic Hammerite on the feet and front legs up to dash level. Then at the weekend I will mask the whole car and spray the rest.
I did have some time while Arron was welding as well to start re wrapping the loom in the boot. Going to run it back down the middle and cut out any extra length around the passenger seat.
I have to say I'm very pleased with it, I can't thank Arron enough for all his help.
In bright and early this morning to start the paint. Basic Hammerite on the feet and front legs up to dash level. Then at the weekend I will mask the whole car and spray the rest.
I did have some time while Arron was welding as well to start re wrapping the loom in the boot. Going to run it back down the middle and cut out any extra length around the passenger seat.
So it's time to paint. Wasn't looking forward to it, but like I said with the engine build. I don't like to do half a job, so in it goes.
I rubbed all the bars down with red scotchbrite, cleaned them with brake cleaner. Then I started to mask.
Not the best pic I'm afraid but it's hard with the tube lights in the spay booth. I masked all around the cage, then filled in all the large spaces with brown paper.
This only took seven hours!!
Anyway it was finally done. I was advised that there would be a huge amount of overspray and to mask the whole car, so I did.
Followed by a quick coat of acid etch. This went on nicely and drys in seconds.
Time for the main event. I laid three coats of orange, 20 mins apart. Getting round behind all the bars was a nightmare, but hopefully I got full coverage.
Finally I shut the oven door and put it on to bake at 60 degrees for 40 mins. Feels like I'm on bake off!
While I was in there I gave a quick respray to the chipped mirror, although now I am kicking myself for not spraying them both! I have left it to set hard over the weekend. I guess the results will be seen on Monday.
I rubbed all the bars down with red scotchbrite, cleaned them with brake cleaner. Then I started to mask.
Not the best pic I'm afraid but it's hard with the tube lights in the spay booth. I masked all around the cage, then filled in all the large spaces with brown paper.
This only took seven hours!!
Anyway it was finally done. I was advised that there would be a huge amount of overspray and to mask the whole car, so I did.
Followed by a quick coat of acid etch. This went on nicely and drys in seconds.
Time for the main event. I laid three coats of orange, 20 mins apart. Getting round behind all the bars was a nightmare, but hopefully I got full coverage.
Finally I shut the oven door and put it on to bake at 60 degrees for 40 mins. Feels like I'm on bake off!
While I was in there I gave a quick respray to the chipped mirror, although now I am kicking myself for not spraying them both! I have left it to set hard over the weekend. I guess the results will be seen on Monday.
Edited by Hamster69 on Saturday 15th November 19:36
Finally finished the wiring loom. From this
To this
In about 100 easy steps.
That done I could now put the dash back in. After a few cuts to the ends.
I masked up the cage so not to scratch it when fitting the dash. Unfortunately when pealing it off, this happened.
I am rather gutted about that. But I will make it right. Next week. I am having a well deserved weekend off. After several weeks of going in to work at 5am and coming home at 8pm. The car is very nearly finished. With just some tidying up and tweeks to make. Time for a break.
Oh and I have booked the first track day for next year. Yay!
To this
In about 100 easy steps.
That done I could now put the dash back in. After a few cuts to the ends.
I masked up the cage so not to scratch it when fitting the dash. Unfortunately when pealing it off, this happened.
I am rather gutted about that. But I will make it right. Next week. I am having a well deserved weekend off. After several weeks of going in to work at 5am and coming home at 8pm. The car is very nearly finished. With just some tidying up and tweeks to make. Time for a break.
Oh and I have booked the first track day for next year. Yay!
Have had a bit of time now to sort the paint damage out now.
Masked up, rubbed down, primed and painted.
It's not perfect, but I wasn't about to take the dash back out. Managed to do it in situ with only a small amount of overspray which came off with thinners.
While that was drying I climbed in the back for a coat of black.
I think it's looking quite smart. Hopefully all finished and back in the garage at the weekend.
Masked up, rubbed down, primed and painted.
It's not perfect, but I wasn't about to take the dash back out. Managed to do it in situ with only a small amount of overspray which came off with thinners.
While that was drying I climbed in the back for a coat of black.
I think it's looking quite smart. Hopefully all finished and back in the garage at the weekend.
Thanks!
Checker plate floor back in this morning after some modification to clear the cage.
Followed by the seats and harnesses.
So that is basically it. Cage and all the modifications that go with it finished. It has been a very long road, but I am pleased with the results. I defiantly won't be doing another. Not without a garage of my own to do it in. One of the hardest parts has been having to have it ready to park outside every day by 8.00 am. She is going back in the garage tomorrow, until March. The next track day season doesn't feel that far away now.
Until then my day to day drive will probably get some much needed attention.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Just in case any of you would miss me.
Checker plate floor back in this morning after some modification to clear the cage.
Followed by the seats and harnesses.
So that is basically it. Cage and all the modifications that go with it finished. It has been a very long road, but I am pleased with the results. I defiantly won't be doing another. Not without a garage of my own to do it in. One of the hardest parts has been having to have it ready to park outside every day by 8.00 am. She is going back in the garage tomorrow, until March. The next track day season doesn't feel that far away now.
Until then my day to day drive will probably get some much needed attention.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Just in case any of you would miss me.
carpetsoiler said:
Those dawn pictures are lovely. I really like the grab handles too- because racecar!
Would really like to meet this at some point. It's a very cool project- completely different to how I've approached mine (still got carpet and electric seats and s
t like that), but I really appreciate how it's been done. Nice to see an E36 that's not been turned into a drift slag. Enjoy it now. 
Thanks Soiler. It is nice to know people like it. I will be doing a few track days next year. Hopefully run into you. Would really like to meet this at some point. It's a very cool project- completely different to how I've approached mine (still got carpet and electric seats and s
t like that), but I really appreciate how it's been done. Nice to see an E36 that's not been turned into a drift slag. Enjoy it now. Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff