Refurb help

[estee]

Hi - Just wondered if anyone had some snippets of wisdom regarding the renovation of my car E30 Cabo.

Basically I was gonna leave the paint job till last after the leather retrim/carpets and hood replacement

Is it better to sort the speaker/stereo etc out before doing the upholstery or after

Cheers
Estee

[panesar_e30]

i wouls do the ice install first before you get the retrim. makes thins easier

[placey]

estee

careful thought will save work and improve results.

consider stripping your interior completely (except the dash?). get hold of a spare seat if you can and bolt it in so the car remains driveable. this will go down well with the bodyshop - they won't be keen on taking on a car with an install present as it creates hassles if it goes missing while in their care.

same goes for wheels - fit a set of old steelies if possible.

while the painters do their thing the trimmers can work away too.

if you can strip any externals too it saves bodyshop labour - hence money. consider removing all lights and bumpers and glass - less paint lines too. you definately don't want a convertible roof going near paint or dust - especially a new one. even if this means driving the motor to outside the bodyshop with a hatchback equipped friend and stripping in the road it's all good.

when the painters call you and tell you it's ready spend half an hour checking it over and make sure you're happy before parting with any money. they'll be happy(ish) to help before payment and not too bothered after. incidently it's worth engendering the very best relationship you can with the bodyshop - visit the car as often as you can and ask to see each crucial stage before allowing them to continue - any rust needs cutting out and replacing rather than scouring and filling.

so when the car body is being done you have a unique opportunity to clean all the stripped parts - fitting clean parts to a freshly painted car is so much more satisfying than filthy ones. cleaning is cheap/free too.

first thing to do once you have the car returned is waxoyl everywhere. use loads. can you do this while a trimmer fits the roof?

installs require careful planning - but if the interior is already out they are considerably easier to do. dynamat as much as you want and run all the cables required everywhere before re-carpeting. if this is parked outside you'll need to cover them up for when it's unnatended. don't do any install work visibly outiside near where you live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

when the install is completed it's re-fit the interior time - all freshly trimmed. no paint lines, no dirty parts, no unnecessary risks.

paul

[estee]

Paul..thats pretty sound and comprehensive advice...much appreciated. I'll be doing the hood frame and cover replacement my self, so I think I'll do before the paint job....infact thats probably gonna be the last thing on my list as some of the workmen are bound hace an accident !!!

Dont suppose anyone knows a supplier for Car Carpets ?

Thanks Again
Estee

[placey]

fab recycling supplied me a mint boot carpet for not too much money...

Broadmoor Road, Cinderford, Gloucestershire, GL14 2YL, England.
Tel: 01594-827333 (6 lines) - Fax: 01594-829455