E36 cheap track day toy
Discussion
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.
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. 
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. 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 st 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. 
Some serious work gone in since I last checked in on this thread 
Hope you don't mind me asking but how much was the cage? Been after one for mine but they always seem a bit OTT for what I'm after whereas yours looks relatively simple.
That and race dynamics wheels... there might be a few pressies to myself this year
Booked in for the goodwood trackday on the 13th - another sticker for my collection around the rear window!
Hope you don't mind me asking but how much was the cage? Been after one for mine but they always seem a bit OTT for what I'm after whereas yours looks relatively simple.
That and race dynamics wheels... there might be a few pressies to myself this year
Booked in for the goodwood trackday on the 13th - another sticker for my collection around the rear window!
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