DIY On My E30

[al3dx]

* Respray & Clean "Air Box" & "Grills"Well this is actually an easy DIY...I guess most of you guys have done this...But to my case as a student...With no sustainable income... I cannot do this together with the Body in the body shop...So... Since i cannot do this in the body shop so i'll just start with the faded & rusted parts...Well this time i did not spend as much as i did...All i have to buy is:- Spray Can (Flat Black) = Rm7.00 x 3 rolls- Rough Sand Paper = RM2.50 x 2 rolls Total = RM26.00Let's start with the Air Box...This is my old rusty Air Box... (Front The Top)

To The Side...

To The Other Side...

The Spray Can I Use...

Actually this image is when, i started to use the sand paper & scrub off the rusted area... but did not manage to take another picture when it's done because My hands were too dirty...

Sorry again... But this was when i already spray the 1st coating...

This one is when after the 2nd coating was sprayed...My friend came by & help me take the pictures...But as you can see the top head has a more smoother look than the base... It's cause i did not spray the 2nd coating yet on the base...

* Now On With Repainting The GrillsThis is my grills after taken out from the car....

This was how bad was the Grills...http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS0cMu2O9I/AAAAAAAAA9o/QncaS_tnOpo/s800/DSC02484.JPGThis is real carbon grills... Which was one of the 1st thing i change when i 1st got my E30...I still remember that time i saw it online @ BMWCM & the person who was selling it is Nik @ Nik Surano... Thanks Again Nik...http://lh5.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS0fcAL39I/AAAAAAAAA9w/JvdVWJoKqiw/s800/DSC02490.JPGActually...Before I paint them.. I kinda wash them 1st to remove what ever dust & then sand paper the top of the grills & the inside...Sand papering the inside of the grils is not easy by the way...http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS0nIqeCeI/AAAAAAAAA-E/EHxeN9wd6-M/s800/DSC02494.JPGAfter Cleaning Them...(Sorry I did not have pictures of me Sand papering it...)http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS0pZfQOtI/AAAAAAAAA-I/s5aCf74Ak4U/s800/DSC02495.JPG1st Layer is sprayed on...http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS0s9wjloI/AAAAAAAAA-M/Bduaq8e8HrM/s800/DSC02496.JPGhttp://lh3.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS0w1x3_hI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/E1eLjo3ogFI/s800/DSC02497.JPGI even painted the Bolts & Clips Together To Match the Grills...http://lh5.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS09EsMh2I/AAAAAAAAA-c/Blhu3Hqk8Og/s800/DSC02500.JPGSorry about the lack of pictures...Luck was not on my side that time...cause it was about to rain...So i rush to spray the 2nd & 3rd coating...Plus i did not have time to take picture...But this one is after the 3rd coating & it was wet...http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS0_c1uGvI/AAAAAAAAA-g/DZH0vsh-GVg/s800/DSC02501.JPGRain.... :xhttp://lh5.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS1DaZHKwI/AAAAAAAAA-k/V9fJ1wcUHfk/s800/DSC02502.JPGRain Stop.... :lol:http://lh5.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS1HNpY05I/AAAAAAAAA-o/VWpr7rnpcNE/s800/DSC02503.JPGSo after reinstalling it back & drying it after the rain...This is how it looks like now....http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS1MKZefcI/AAAAAAAAA-0/2g-2XlEbEIU/s800/DSC02591.JPGCloser Look...http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS1PSrF9iI/AAAAAAAAA-4/k92iem5reAI/s800/DSC02592.JPGThis was how it looks @ night...http://lh6.ggpht.com/_TNb7GHpzyLQ/SsS1Ju_rsFI/AAAAAAAAA-w/aXk3CdVTDwM/s800/DSC02590.JPGWell That's about it....I've done a lot of DIY actually....but I have not even yet uploaded my photos into my computer..I'll try to post it as soon as possible...Thanks for viewing... & All The Best.....Cheers....

 

[bmw7833]

Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[al3dx]

Thanks man...

 

[vixxx]

Good Job Alex!

 

[mizhan]

good job bro..

 

[al3dx]

Thanks Guys... But I'm sure that everyone has done this before, especially the Pioneer / Older Club Members... right...?

 

[miepower]

Its not an issue of who have done it or not, but the part of you sharing your info that counts. Keep it up.

 

[al3dx]

Ah.... Thanks guys...

 

[maxkpp]

Bravo!
Keep up with the good work.
Not many people like to share.
Sharing is good, especially for the new guys ...
I remember during my students day ... some friend doesn't even know that they can DIY changing the headlights.
When working time ... some have not even change their own tyres...
Sharing is good, knowledge and experience are meant to be shared...

 

[-fm-]

al3dx, keep it coming. upload your other diy projects...

 

[Strider]

Good one Alex. I think i should do this also

 

[al3dx]

Thanks alot guys...

 

[winzz]

Good job bro, i like your headlights.......

 

[al3dx]

E36 Interior Lights into my E30 Roof Panel...

I actually did this before i started my grill paint DIY work...
here it goes....

*Molding an E36 Front Interior Lights

Sounds cheesy... But i did it my self...
Basically I intend this DIY project to Brighten my Front Interior...
All i spend was RM96...
All i need is:
- E36 Interior Lights = RM80 (Thanks To Nick Who sold it to me)
- High Performance Adhesive Gum = RM10 (Can buy in Hard Wear Shop)
- Small Paint Brush = RM6
- A little bit of Guts To do it = RM0 (Free)

At 1st i thought it was hard to do..
but then again once you get a hang of it..
It's easy... + Fun...

Going to the DIY Project:
1. Take out your E30 Roof Panel. (The one where your Check Light is mounted on)

In other case...
This will be mounted on/in here...

2. This is optional to do 1st....
Either you can strip off the leather 1st or leave it on...
But i decided to stirp the leather off...
In other case... I am scared that i'll damage the leather...
After that I measure the center of the panel & also the size of the E36 Interior Light's Mounting hole...

3. So once the marking is right...
By the way... Be sure to increase the measurement by 2mm because the leather once put back in place will take some space..
In anycase... Make a hole in the middle of the cut part slowly..
Be sure not to break it...
Then i use a Wire cutter & Slowly cut of the access piece that i dont want... Again Slowly... Not to break it....
Make sure not to cut it over the marking...

Once already cut, it will look like this:

4. Use a Wood/metal File ( Don't know how to spell)
But it's to make sure that the surface of the cut aged is smoothed out...

Ok here is the thing...
I use a nail file for this picture, because i had to return the borrowed wood/metal file back to my friend...
But again... as you do it... do it with care... Don't Break It..

After the long hour of care service...
Here it should look like...

5. Now it's time to put back the leather...
Because i strip off the leather... so now i have to put it back...
Beside... The leather is kinda loose... so i'm in the same time making it tighter...
This is what i use...

I quote the whole panel with the gum once, then after 2 minute,
I quote it again... for the 2nd layer...
I don't know about what you guys think...
But to me... I think the 1st layer helps make the panel more stronger... Thus the 2nd one make it easyer to stick the leather on...
and it help...

That's me in action by the way...

Making the edge, Tighter....

Nip & Tuck....
By the way, That's the file i used.....

Once Finish... It will look like this:

Then leave it to dry for 1 hour or less...
I went out with my friends for lunch and came back in an hour so yeah...

6. Cutting the leather...
This I did not take any picture... Because i forgot...
But anyways... From the back you cut off the hole...
Take a pen knife and cut it open like an X marking....
So that the leather can be spread north, east, south, & West...
Then cut of the excess part and leave a short strip to glue it to the panel...
Again Nip & Tuck...
After doing it... You can now fit in your E36 Lights...
This is how it look's like...

From the back...
You can see compare to the other side of the panel is not as dark as the one's near the hole..
I quote another layer of gum on it to strengthen it...

7. Wiring part....
Here is the best part..
Again i have to apologize for not taking any pictures of this process...
Again... I forgot...
All you have to do after this is get a male/female head wire connector...

For The DOME LIGHTS ( The 2 Side Lights )
Use the wire from your Check Lights.....
Find The Direct Positive Wiring... It's PURE RED...
Then Find The Direct Negative Wire.... It's PURE BROWN....

(For The DOOR LIGHTS (The Single Middle One)
This one i have not done yet.... because i have not found the wire to suit it.... So i'll post this after i'm done with it....
But after a few research of my own... I have to extend the wire from the 2 interior lights Originally from the E30.. I can use either one...
But let's leave that on the side 1st shal we....

If you can't do the wiring...
Then better find a wire man who can do it for you....

Once it's done...
Connect the wire based on it's connection....
Mount everything back in place....
Connect back the check light....
The door seals and so on....

Thus it will look like this:

Thus saying... YOU'RE DONE!!!!!
Here is The Result As For Me.....!!!!!!


BEFORE!!!!!
I had to use flash... because it's too dark...

AFTER!!!!!!!

This is how it will be in your ride....

Clean Look....!!!!!

Happy As A Child Laughter....
Job Well Done.....

By the way....
Adjust the Front downwards a bit or you can place a piece of leather under it... so that it wont shine directly to your face....

I Felt happy & satisfied after installing it, Thus going through the time of doing it.....

Good luck you guys if you want to do it....

 

[al3dx]

M20 Transparent Rear Filler Plate....

This is a recent DIY Work i did... very minor and easy....
Now i have to make the red rear lights match the cover's color tone.........

Well after getting the plates from Azmi...
I got the time to stick the remaining lining to make it look nicer....
So this is how it looks with the lights....

BEFORE....

NOW.........

Now... I just have to paint the rear lights to match the cover...