The restoration proceeds. Body advice please.

[Count Knobula]

So I got a MK3 about 6 or 7 months ago. In a dreadful state in terms of electrics and body. Though mechanically was excellent.

http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36785&highlight=count+knobula

There was my intro thread.

So after much work the car is running well. Starts like a dream and runs well too. I have a sensor and condensor fan to replace. However at the same time I plan on replacing the front bumper cover (coming today! OEM) because it was destroyed by the previous owner. He carved, yes carved out the front grill to let more air in or something and it looks like a dog's dinner. The bottom then sagged.

http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v97/221/22/510258353/n510258353_67320_3120.jpg
That picture flatters it actually.

So onto the bodywork help. I have two main areas that need work and another that's a pain in the butt.

1 - Above the rear left tire is a dent about the size of a big man's buttcheek. It looks like a real heavy guy just rammed his butt against it.

2 - A dent on the passenger door frame at trim-level. The door itself is fine (though scraped). Door frame corner is intact but the dent (hand size) is right after it.

3 - Small dents on the actual ridges of the hood. Possibly need modelling putty. You can see one of the dents in the pic if you look closely.

Can anyone put (rough) estimates on the dents? Touching up isn't an issue right now because the color will change eventually. I know pics would damn well help! sorry.

Or can I just go to a bodyshop and ask for estimates on each dent? Does work take a long time or can I drop it off on my lunchhour? lol

Thanks

 

[Poodles]

the dents in the hoods are actually where the hood has buckled..

better to replace the hood since getting it back structurally to to point where a repair would hold would require more money in the work than a brand spanking new hood from the dealer...

 

[supraguy@aol]

Also, check the local salvage yards, they sometimes have a good hood. I know that there's a descent one at a yard south of Hartsfield, I just saw it last week. What part of town are you in?

 

[Count Knobula]

I live in Acworth. 30102. I've also lived here less than a year so knowing the area isnt my strong suit.

Also: awesome avatar!

 

[Count Knobula]

Lets say I'm going to replace the hood. Are there any 3rd parties that would be cheaper than going OEM?

 

[88mkIIIproject]

Lets say I'm going to replace the hood. Are there any 3rd parties that would be cheaper than going OEM?

if you want something lighter than the stock heavy ass hood, then I would go aftermarket...if you don't mind the weight, stick with the original.

 

[Count Knobula]

if you want something lighter than the stock heavy ass hood, then I would go aftermarket...if you don't mind the weight, stick with the original.

Aftermarket much more expensive or not?

 

[Rajunz]

Used stock hoods are cheap if you look around long enough. On the dents, I would go to a paintless dent removal company like Dent Busters, Dent Magic, etc. and have them take them out, Perhaps $200 and they will be completely gone. Body shops will rape you.

 

[Count Knobula]

Used stock hoods are cheap if you look around long enough. On the dents, I would go to a paintless dent removal company like Dent Busters, Dent Magic, etc. and have them take them out, Perhaps $200 and they will be completely gone. Body shops will rape you.

Ahh I just googled that process. Sounds good. I'll try to find one.

 

[supraguy@aol]

I'm in Kennesaw, just down the street from you actually.
If you need info on a salvage yard, or maybe need help w/ the car, send me a message. I'm in the process of replacing my engine, then on to bodywork myself.

 

[Count Knobula]

Thought I'd dig this up and update:

Checked the car in for a full body makeover and paint job.

Two major quarterpanel dents, 3 or 4 dings and a err bump on the roof (no idea) constitute the bodywork.

The paint job will be "sapphire black" a BMW color. There will be before, during and after pics. The guy at the shop takes them for his portfolio. Apparently this guy's attention to detail is phenomenal (highly recommended) so I am looking for something special.

So far the list of repairs I have conducted include:

Both new window switches
new starter
heater control valve
new front bumper
new hood
new engine fan
new driveshaft bearing
new stereounit
new tires all round (toyo z rated)

Still to do:
replace speakers (no bass whatsoever!)
mystery check engine light, pops off when jiggling the key around
new wheels/rims
fan shroud
replace condenser fan


currently working on changing to a manual. have got all parts but flywheel and driveshaft, both are on their way.

 

[supraguy@aol]

Cool update. Lemme know If you need any help or parts.

 

[Count Knobula]

Also forgot:

replaced knock sensor (prev. owner broke it practically in half during what I guess was a starter change)
replaced water temps sensor(s)
AC needed better wiring to get it working............ summer was a bitch on hway 75

 

[Count Knobula]

Got it back after the bodywork and paint job.

Pictures are grainy as camera is dying. I also couldn't get the car outside because my brother in law's is in the way, but as you can see the body is a lot better. It used to be covered in horrid dents. It looked like a beat up refrigerator on wheels.

http://www.countknobula.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/repaint1.jpg

http://www.countknobula.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/repaint2.jpg

http://www.countknobula.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/repaint3.jpg

http://www.countknobula.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/repaint4.jpg

 

[Facime]

wow, you dont mess around. You dont know how many times I see people come in here and SAY they are going to "do this and do that and Im gonna paint it"...but you actually do. The paint is hard to tell from those pics but looks good to me. How well did they do the color change? Door jams/underhood/underhatch areas all done to match? There is nothing more annoying to me to see a nice paint job ruined when you open the hood or doors :nono:.

Good job on the progress!

 

[Falcon148]

Who did you get to paint your car. The reason I am asking is that I am looking to get mine painted too, and so far the body shops around here (Hiram) don't leave me with a good inpression.

 

[figgie]

if you want something lighter than the stock heavy ass hood, then I would go aftermarket...if you don't mind the weight, stick with the original.

Just for the sake of MY curiousity.

How much does the OEM hood weigh. How much does a CF one weigh with the same structural rigidity?

 

[Count Knobula]

wow, you dont mess around. You dont know how many times I see people come in here and SAY they are going to "do this and do that and Im gonna paint it"...but you actually do. The paint is hard to tell from those pics but looks good to me. How well did they do the color change? Door jams/underhood/underhatch areas all done to match? There is nothing more annoying to me to see a nice paint job ruined when you open the hood or doors :nono:.

Good job on the progress!

Doors were fully done as was the trunk. I have pictures of the bodywork process with the car in a billion pieces (while it was still white).

They did a FANTASTIC job with the bodywork, I mean it looked like such a piece of junk before....

Paint was very good but there were swirlmarks all over so it desperately needed a buff. I forgave them for that because the bodywork was very impressive. I had serious dents, one with structural damage.

Anyway, some better pics....

http://www.countknobula.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/repaint5.jpg

http://www.countknobula.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/repaint6.jpg

http://www.countknobula.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/repaint7.jpg

Can anyone help me with the paint on the reflector in picture 7? It looks like someone used touch up paint (remember the car used to be pearl white) and made a mess. I tried googone to no avail, not that I expected it to. A razor aint too great because of all the little characters at the bottom and top which have paint on them too.

EDIT: I was SLIGHTLY disappointed they didn't put the turbo trim back on the bottom but the front one was all mangled so hey.

 

[Facime]

Take the lens off first, but I would try a little rubbing compound.

 

[Poodles]

Take the lense off and soak it in Castrol Super Clean (might have to scrub)

It will remove the paint without harming the lense (it's how I removed the paint from the center section of my tails so the color matches)