My 325i

Doing a minor build / restoration or an epic one, post it here

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onthames
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Mon Dec 13, 2021 9:38 pm

BenHar wrote:
Mon Dec 13, 2021 9:18 pm
Good to see some progress.

The two welding pictures seem to show some missed bits. Will you be going back to fix them?

Ben
Yep I patched them up with more weld. It's all seam sealed now and undersealed.
onthames
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Mon Dec 20, 2021 10:30 am

Getting all the parts painted.
I used two coats Jotun jotamastic 87 epoxy primer with their Wintergrade hardener and then one coat of their hardtop hb polyurethane topcoat.

I'll be writing a guide on how to spray these paints effectively as it took quite a lot of experimentation. They are fantastic alternatives to powder coating and if you have a compressor then you can do it cheaply at home.
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spannerrash
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Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:23 pm

Looks like a good result. How hard is the finish on that stuff?
I've painted lots of stuff like that in 2k gloss black, looks great but the finish is definitely softer than I'd like.
onthames
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Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:40 pm

rem1858 wrote:
Mon Dec 20, 2021 7:23 pm
Looks like a good result. How hard is the finish on that stuff?
I've painted lots of stuff like that in 2k gloss black, looks great but the finish is definitely softer than I'd like.
Hard as nails. It's a marine paint used on ships + oil rigs etc. It's seriously tough stuff
onthames
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Tue Dec 21, 2021 12:12 am

How to spray Jotun Jotamastic 87 and Jotun Hardtop HB:

Jotamastic is an epoxy primer. Hardtop HB is a satin polyurethane topcoat. Jotamastic requires a topcoat as it is unstable under UV.

This guide is applicable to spraying outside in winter, with an ambient temperature of around 2-10 degrees C.
If spraying in winter, be sure to buy the Wintergrade version of the Jotmastic 87. It's a two part, and the wintergrade version basically just has a more potent hardener.
After many many trials with different gun sizes, thinning ratios etc this is what works:

For Jotamastic 87 use a scale to weigh it out. You cannot use volume as a measurement for small volumes as the volume ratios Jotun supplies are for the whole 5L can and it doesn't work with smaller amounts (say 250ml); I've tested it. Here is the weight table. https://www.smlmarinepaints.co.uk/files ... 200314.pdf

This is the spraygun I use. https://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/index ... aygun.html
I originally bought it with a 2.5 tip but you will also need a 1.8 tip for the topcoat. You can buy the 1.8 tip seperately for the gun here: https://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/index ... kmyGN.dpbs
Make sure you stir both the hardener and the base paint very well (using separate stirrers of course). Decant the amounts you need using a scale and add thinner. You must use Jotun Thinner #17. In 0-11 C temperatures I have been using 10% thinner by weight for Jotamastic 87. For example, you may use 608g of base and 102g of hardener. A total of 710g. So you'd use 71g of thinner.
Be sure to use a filter when putting the paint into your gun - I used a 240 mesh.
In terms of the gun itself, I use a standard full size gravity gun. A 2.5 size tip works best for Jotamastic 87, it's a very thick paint (it is a mastic after all).
For air pressure, you want 35 PSI at the gun.
Don't have the fluid knob too far out as you need good atomisation. If its a particularly cold day add 5% more thinner and up the pressure to 40psi.

Add one coat of the Jotamastic 87 and let dry for an hour. I have been using black Jotmastic 87 and I'm also using a black Hardtop HB topcoat so for the next Jotamastic 87 coat I do this in grey instead so I can apply the topcoat of Hardtop HB more effectively. Two coats of Jotamastic 87 is enough. After your final coat of Jotamastic 87 and before applying Hardtop HB, leave 2 hours.

Similarly, use a scale to measure out Jotun Hardtop HB. Use the above weight table and thin in the same way as above but to 15% instead of 10%. Use Jotun Thinner #10 for this.
Use a 1.8 tip size on a full size gravity gun.
Use 35 PSI at the gun.

It should be touch dry overnight and ready to handle after 36 hours. Ready for use after 7 days.
onthames
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Tue Dec 21, 2021 1:34 pm

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onthames
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Wed Dec 22, 2021 1:18 pm

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Tzantushka
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Wed Dec 22, 2021 7:37 pm

The spray booth is working a treat!
DanThe
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Wed Dec 22, 2021 7:45 pm

Looking forward to seeing how durable the paint is 8)
Did you put some heat into the tent at all?
onthames
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Wed Dec 22, 2021 7:46 pm

DanThe wrote:
Wed Dec 22, 2021 7:45 pm
Looking forward to seeing how durable the paint is 8)
Did you put some heat into the tent at all?
No heat but I move the parts into a warm garage after they are painted

On the parts that are dry the paint is rock hard, I have high hopes for it
onthames
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Thu Dec 23, 2021 10:52 am

This arrived today. Converted from green LEDs to orange buy a gent in Germany. Going to look so awesome in the 325
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martauto
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Thu Dec 23, 2021 11:59 am

Is this the type that all of the radio pulls out?
I had a pioneer in my first e30 and loved it !!
Your right, it will look very cool in the car :banana: :banana:

Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
onthames
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Fri Feb 11, 2022 10:32 am

Few photos of some stuff I'm doing
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onthames
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Fri Feb 11, 2022 10:33 am

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onthames
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Fri Feb 11, 2022 10:35 am

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onthames
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Fri Feb 11, 2022 10:37 am

Basically, this has turned into a full blown nut and bolt restoration. I want the car to be the same as it came from the factory, or better/OEM+
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flybynite
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Fri Feb 11, 2022 1:21 pm

onthames wrote:
Fri Feb 11, 2022 10:37 am
OUCH
Get yourself some mechanics gloves! Don't feel right at first but you get used to them. Even the lightest ones save hands from surprising number of cuts, scuffs and burns but more importantly they keep the modern fluids off your skin. :thumb:

Losing sensation in your hands in your 40s or 50s is no fun. I had compounds from tyres detected in my blood the day after swapping 2 sets of wheels with no gloves. 8O
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martauto
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Fri Feb 11, 2022 2:22 pm

A lot of work to do and lots done already !!
I love that big sheet with the bits laid out on it, lovely bit of thinking !!

I have to second the gloves bit .
Im 62 and been an engineer since I was 16 and have always looked after the bits that matter 8O
Barrier cream and the wifes hand cream when I get home too plus other safety stuff as well.

Back on subject, A massive up for doing what you have started (and well into) so please keep the updates coming !!
What a great attitude and approach to the job you have :clap: :clap:

Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
DanThe
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Fri Feb 11, 2022 6:27 pm

flybynite wrote:
Fri Feb 11, 2022 1:21 pm
I had compounds from tyres detected in my blood the day after swapping 2 sets of wheels with no gloves. 8O
What were they testing for to find that, and what was it they found? Doubtful it was the NHS doing the testing!
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flybynite
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Fri Feb 11, 2022 7:44 pm

DanThe wrote:
Fri Feb 11, 2022 6:27 pm
What were they testing for to find that, and what was it they found? Doubtful it was the NHS doing the testing!
Correct, not NHS! Private Tox screen

1,3 Butadiene, known to absorb through the skin. not good. My levels were 'significant' and only thing I had done is change tyres. Better 6 months later having not gone near any. Wear gloves for everything now.

Sent you a PM :thumb:
onthames
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Fri Feb 11, 2022 9:10 pm

I do normally wear gloves. Although I didn't on this occasion unfortunately!
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martauto
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Sat Feb 12, 2022 1:15 pm

onthames wrote:
Fri Feb 11, 2022 9:10 pm
I do normally wear gloves. Although I didn't on this occasion unfortunately!
:cry: :cry:

Mart.
Only the E46 cab left now.
Just got too old.
onthames
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Mon Feb 21, 2022 5:39 pm

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