jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 19, 2015 I did ask him to mask the injector ports off... Didn't actually check when I picked it up if they did. Hopefully, or as you say, Tony, could be a squeeze getting the injectors back in!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1874 Report post Posted February 19, 2015 Yep, might need to bring a round file... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duvey 245 Report post Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) How so? You mean powdercoating everything or crazy colours?! I mean just getting every little part that you pull out of the car powdercoated. Not ruling out any sparkly pink valve covers though.... Edit: Ironic sparkly pink, of course. Edited February 19, 2015 by duvey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 19, 2015 Ha! Yeah, once you start pulling things apart it's very tempting to keep going and tidy everything up. Be careful powder coating though, a lot of parts have very tight clearances so might not fit with the extra layers of paint! I have considered a parts cleaner but I don't think I'd get enough use to justify the cost. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMTHUG 1031 Report post Posted February 19, 2015 Just back from Arkro Powdercoaters... Let the games begin. They are opposite my shop Julez. Hahah Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 19, 2015 They are opposite my shop Julez. Hahah Porana Road is very handy! Takes me 10-15mins to get there from Ponsonby, there's a media blaster, plastic welder, you and powdercoater (plus Supercheap) all within 2 mins of each other! Makes jobs like these a lot easier. ^ For powder coating in that area you need to go to Mikestan in Parity Drive (just up the road). Trust me, I've used both. Not heard of them. The media blaster I used has a relationship with Arkro (as they're just a block apart) so it was easier to have him drop the manifolds at Arkro rather than me having to be delivery boy. Arkro did a good job and it was very convenient. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) Back together and the engine is now running beautifully after a stuttery start... Still need to do some painting in the engine bay but it'll require some careful masking so haven't got round to it yet. The engine cover needs repainting as well, I tried to cure it in situ last time and it just didn't work as the sound deadening rubbed on it before the paint had properly cured. Then the strut bar can go back on. All up this job took a lot of man hours and that was with help from Martin. Now that I've done it once I could do it again in half the time... But I really don't want to! Edited February 24, 2015 by jeffbebe 7 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted February 23, 2015 Mmm looks much nicer indeed. Good stuff. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 Thanks chaps... It's getting there but still much to do! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1874 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 Thank Christ it's back together and running! It's been real. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) Thank Christ it's back together and running! It's been real. Famous last words. Experienced the highs and lows of DIY maintenance today. Here's the engine looking pristine and running beautifully (despite my mallet/boot strut)... Then I did something without thinking that I've done many times before - sprayed a bit of throttle body cleaner to ensure there are no vac leaks - and faaarrrrkkk!! Turns out throttle body cleaner eats powder clear coat. Here are the manifolds now... Not a pretty sight. I've tried to cut it out but got to bare metal on the raised 'ribs' in no time. Looks like the manifolds will have to come off again and go back to the powdercoater. Although it's my (costly) mistake, I'm really pissed off that the Arkro recommended a clear coat that's so susceptible to chemicals for an engine bay part. I've powdercoated without a clear and never had this problem. Ridiculous. Edited February 24, 2015 by jeffbebe 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 If Arkro won't redo it for free or discounted I'll definitely be taking them elsewhere. My mistake but it was bad advice on their part... Plus Martin and I had some problems with bolt holes they hadn't masked properly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BMTHUG 1031 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 Julez that's terrible news. Ive never used Arkro personally even though they are opposite the road from me but I have heard good things about the guy from Parity Place. I suggest you speak to him as I have heard he is very knowledgeable and skilled. Looks beautiful either way Julez. You have done such a good job man. Major thumbs up. Met Martin on Saturday also. Good guy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 wow bugger, I thought they were just reflections until I read your comments Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 Spoke to the guy at Arkro. He was actually really helpful, apologised and offered to redo for nothing as well as saying he'd let me check the masking before going ahead. Will obviously avoid the clear coat next time - it looked great but too fragile - now just got to get the f*ckers off again 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nobimmer 694 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 Are you going to redo both of them? Pretty good service on their part to sort it out, have had similar situations with others (not powder coating) and been told to F off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 24, 2015 Both are poked so yes. Good service, yes, but bad advice on the clear coat. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted February 25, 2015 damn you could have used my spare pair, but sold last week. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duvey 245 Report post Posted February 26, 2015 Bad luck! Looks great anyway - as you say, it's always easier once you've done it once before. Live and learn eh! Keep it up! 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 27, 2015 Decided to let the pros fit this little lot as it was going to be a while before I could get a hoist to use (and convince my better half to let me spend more weekends not wining and dining her!!). The difference is outrageous.... Wow! So good. No just need to do the rear.... 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted February 27, 2015 Awesome work Jooles... good idea to give it to the pros, quick and easy! Such a fiddly job DIY, even with the right tools. You'll let me have to take it for a spin now its got most of its new feel back! (rear is generally not as crucial I've found but still makes a difference) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeffbebe 1559 Report post Posted February 27, 2015 If I can drop in on Sunday morning you can take it for a run. Very different beast to the 540i, feels a lot more old school but I like that. Would have loved to have driven it with the original EDC but too difficult/expensive to fix/replace. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BreakMyWindow 1874 Report post Posted February 27, 2015 Good work! It's not until you have sorted suspension and steering that you appreciate driving a bimmer. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_ethrty-Andy_ 2132 Report post Posted February 27, 2015 looks like the same setup as E32/E34 as expected, totally different beasts with a front overhaul. I wonder if it uses E32 or E34 track width, do you know if the forward control arms are in the inner or outer holes on the subframe? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted February 27, 2015 If I can drop in on Sunday morning you can take it for a run. Very different beast to the 540i, feels a lot more old school but I like that. Would have loved to have driven it with the original EDC but too difficult/expensive to fix/replace. Ah ha, think you might make the meet in Penrose? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
