1980`s BMW 325i 3 step correction

[white gecko]

A long time client of mine called me up about his friend`s old (1985 i think) BMW 325i. Said it was badly faded but it was single stage. It was in very bad shape, but thankfully the paint was soft too and corrected nicely. There was heavy pitting as it was neglected in the elements for over a decade. The rubber bumpers and metal trim were toast and beyond repair, as was the lower valance on the front bumper. The car really needed a restoration but cost was a factor so i did what I could with it.



Total time 22 hours







I lost the SD card that had all the before pics on it, but I have most of the "in process" pics and all the afters. So here`s what I got.









"Test Spot" as requested by owner, who chose its location as well



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/AugustGroup101.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/AugustGroup102.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW046.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW047.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW048.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW049.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW045.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW044.jpg







My long-time client`s Vette in the background, parked at his neighbors house



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW043.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW041.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW040.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW038.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW037.jpg









After 2 steps of correction...



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW036.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW035.jpg













*Excuse the 3 different tapes. I had both the 3M Painters tape and the Meguiars tape and I wanted to directly compare the two. The long-time client (who`s home we were using) is a painter and wanted me to try "Frog Tape" and see how I liked it. It worked ok, but not very durable protection from a foam pad.*



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW050.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW051.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW052.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW053.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW055.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW059.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW062.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW064.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW066.jpg

[white gecko]

After 85RD and Blackfire Wet Diamond. It wasn`t perfect, but this paint didn`t have perfect left in it after so much neglect. But I couldn`t convince the owner of that, he was literally shouting that it was perfect. Haha, as long as he`s happy.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW068.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW069.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW072.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW073.jpg











No micromarring here, thats the excessive pitting I mentioned earlier.



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW074.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW076.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW077.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW080.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW078.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW102.jpg









Lower rockers could not be saved, there was a lack of paint material....



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW104.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW099.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW106.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW098.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW093.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW090.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW082.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/Corrections%202011/VetteandBMW081.jpg









Thanks for lookin!

[Nopstnz8]

Absolutely AMAZING!

[imported_DieselMDX]

wow great job u can see the difference between polishing stages

[JayJayPG]

Awesome recovery! :thumb:



FWIW, I think that is a 1987 325is. That was the first year the "is" was introduced. The front spoiler, rear lip spoiler, and BBS wheels were included in part of that package I believe. I love me some 1980`s BMW`s :lol:

[imported_DetailDan]

So whats better, 3M or Megs tape?

[DeanSweet]

Amazing... that same car in Ohio would be rusted to the ground?!



I helped my neighbor drag his `88 3-series in that same color to the salvage yard because it had been left in a field for 10+ years and mice had literally eaten the entire interior and were living in the motor/dash. It was so gross.

[LS1-MEX]

i love it when i get contracted to do those details, very easy to do, and the customers will love you when your finished

[C. Charles Hahn]

Looks great as always!



Frog Tape is junk... I threw out the roll I bought after the first time I tried it.