Mr Scratchy

[far4ngn 14]

So after looking for a new project ie probably an e30 or e46 330ci, I stumbled across a Cosmos Black 2000 540i Motorsport in Wellington and decided to jump in a buy it, as I've never owned one of these I'm actually impressed in its handling.

The paint is dull, interior is filthy and marked, the wheels are curbed and every panel has LOTs of scratches. So it needs lots of love and plenty of paint renovation to get this car back on its feet.

So first pics:-

Scratches, apologies for the selfies

Lunch?

[jonesrp 63]

What`s the k`s Paul ?

[far4ngn 14]

First things to address:-

Buy lots of new polish from detailed depot then clean and polish! This may take some time... I've already spent 5 hours on it lol

Fix the broken interior trim

Buff the dull lights and later replace with later model clear indicator units

Replace the kidney grilles with black items

Get the radio and nav system usable here in NZ

Replace the standard motorsport rims...keep these for winter

Coolant flush, brake flush and service

[far4ngn 14]

Sorry guys, it currently has 112,000km on the clock...so will be a good car when its had some love.

Edited April 17, 2014 by far4ngn

[jonesrp 63]

Nothing wrong with the K`s ...you`ll end up doing a Julian, turning the car into a masterpiece, then selling it to buy an 840

[KwS 2373]

Jebus, did the previous owner try to buff the car with steel wool or something?!

Should like good after a decent paint restoration. Black always look amazing when clean.

[Etwenty1 45]

must have come from another wellington bush dweller, my 540i looked like that.

Not an issue for auckland cars - its all agapanthas up there.

[_ethrty-Andy_ 2122]

must have come from another wellington bush dweller, my 540i looked like that.

Not an issue for auckland cars - its all agapanthas up there.

get covered in sap instead

[far4ngn 14]

So far I've given it a wash, used a Chemical Guys medium clay bar to clean the pain and then used a Meguiars Medium Cut and Orange pad to get rid of the worst marks. Time taken 5 hours.

This morning, I've played with some products and best so far is a Mothers Carnuba Wax cleaner, its cut through the dull grey haze in the paint, starting to look cleaner... now to try on the whole car... I wonder if this car had every been polished since new.

Never seen a build up of silt in the gaps of a car before lol

Edited April 18, 2014 by far4ngn

[lord_jagganath 421]

sounds like the car had never been polished since it's first wash/wax in NZ. My old Diamante was like that too, except it was this brown dust.

Looking forward to the first clean pics of the inside and out.

[NZ BMW 368]

And the cost of all that product is balanced out by the three days of food in the front seat.

Sounds like a great car when tidied up,look forward to the pictures.

[far4ngn 14]

The Mothers Carnuba cleaner definitely took out the haze... just a practice on my side skirts

[far4ngn 14]

Spent another 4 hours today just cleaning the paint.using the same product and repolishing the bad scratches. Still not totally clean, but getting there.

Also cleaned some of the trim, looks much better now... starting to look clean... still haven't applied any polish yet!

[3 SERIES 92]

Nice work Paul!

Good to see that you've taken another deprived bimmer and given it a new lease of life!

BTW welcome back!

[far4ngn 14]

Thanks Brett, still lots of cleaning to do and replace a few broken parts, restore the damaged front bumper etc, so should be fun.