Front end respray

[toenheel]

Evening all

Has anyone had a front end respray? Does silver grey match easy enough? Looking at tidying front end up and wheels refurbed. Just had the roof re laquered and picked a bad stonechip up that's blistered the laquer :bigcry: so decided to go whole hog and get the car immaculated.

[glendog74]

Simpson did mine - great match and reasonable cost. :thumbs:

[cslsuperfan]

Simpson did mine - great match and reasonable cost. :thumbs:


As did mine, ditto to the above.

[shimmy]

As did mine, ditto to the above.

anybody know approx cost of a Simpson full respray?

[cslsuperfan]

anybody know approx cost of a Simpson full respray?


No to the above Shim but

2 front wings, front bumper, bonnet and leading edge of rear arches was approx. £1400 in Sep 2013.

[billyboysm3]

No to the above Shim but

2 front wings, front bumper, bonnet and leading edge of rear arches was approx. £1400 in Sep 2013.

That sounds about right. My front bumper needs doing after running in service.

[Rvd]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a247/rick135/M3%20csl/IMG_9975ps_zpsg8basoiv.jpg (http://s12.photobucket.com/user/rick135/media/M3%20csl/IMG_9975ps_zpsg8basoiv.jpg.html)

Like this?;)

[mattCSLnut]

My Cecil is in the process of having it's front end fully re sprayed as well but in my OCD case it's more like this... :whistle:

[toenheel]

Im so cheesed off as had the roof re laquered recently and it looked amazing only to pick a bad stonechip up, this time round im going to put some stoneguard wrap on the roof, front end re spray and wheels refurbed should look amazing. :supz:

[toenheel]

Do any of you guys know where is best to purchase some fresh wheel bolts? Going to need new kidney grills as well how much are they at a main stealer?

[cslsuperfan]

Matt

Are you removing the panels and taking them for paint????

Up until now I thought I displayed some level of OCD

I now know I'm fine!!!

By 'eck lad you've got it bad!!!!

[mattCSLnut]

Matt

Are you removing the panels and taking them for paint????

Up until now I thought I displayed some level of OCD

I now know I'm fine!!!

By 'eck lad you've got it bad!!!!

Yes mate :smokin: OCD to the MAX :supz:
... and all because I want the front wings painted properly right to the edge and a bit beyond to eliminate small stone chips that existed on the inside edge of the front wings which you can't get at properly if the wings are left on the car and if not treated will develop to small scabs lifting new paint (pic below). BTW the door was fine but my Pro. painter said he needs it to blend the SG paint into it as otherwise the newly painted wing will show up a different shade of SG from certain angles. Apparently SG is one of the more tricky colours to match perfectly.

[glendog74]

Deffo selling... ^^^^^ :whistle:

[mattCSLnut]

Deffo selling... ^^^^^ :whistle:
You're such a gossip queen :gayfight: Roberto ;)

[cslsuperfan]

Totally understand.

Never realised that painting the panels in situ would not give 100% paint coverage.

Are you having the sill covers painted?

Only asking as mine have quite a bit of rash from front wheel debris.

They just unscrew from the floor don't they??

[GregorFuk]

Apparently SG is one of the more tricky colours to match perfectly.

Has anyone ever had a painter tell them that a colour is an easy match?.....thought not.

[mattCSLnut]

Has anyone ever had a painter tell them that a colour is an easy match?.....thought not.

Apparently the Sapphire Black is a lot easier to colour match and blend ;)

[mattCSLnut]

Totally understand.

Never realised that painting the panels in situ would not give 100% paint coverage.

Are you having the sill covers painted?

Only asking as mine have quite a bit of rash from front wheel debris.

They just unscrew from the floor don't they??

Most probably matey :thumbs: as mine are showing the same signs of use as yours.
IIRC they are held by captive clips on the top and plastic rivets below.

[Rvd]

SB can be painted on the panel that needs to be painted, SG needs to be sprayed on the panels next to it also so it shows no difference between them.

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Apparently the Sapphire Black is a lot easier to colour match and blend ;)

That's because it is a proper colour :whistle:

[Marv968]

It's the faster (to respray) colour!

[Mike R]

I seem to remember that the main reason for the difficulty with the colour match is that there are a few different shades of SG, so you can't assume that it will just match, as CSLs seem to have been sprayed with all the different shades :bigcry: :hahaha:.

[GregorFuk]

I seem to remember that the main reason for the difficulty with the colour match is that there are a few different shades of SG, so you can't assume that it will just match, as CSLs seem to have been sprayed with all the different shades :bigcry: :hahaha:.


There are 3 different shades of SG-A08. A standard shade and then two offset shaded that painters can mix to take account of paint dulling through age. I recently had my car sprayed the standard shade and it matched up fine. 200 miles away Mark was refurbing and spraying my rear diffuser. He sprayed that the standard colour too, it all matched up when brought together.

I think it's part of a painter's apprenticeship that they learn how to convincingly suck through their teeth and tell a punter that "that's a tricky colour to match".

[cslsuperfan]

Most probably matey :thumbs: as mine are showing the same signs of use as yours.
IIRC they are held by captive clips on the top and plastic rivets below.

Matt

How far are you going with the restoration?

Complete front end?

[mattCSLnut]

Matt

How far are you going with the restoration?

Complete front end?

It's getting that way Ben :thumbs:
So far I've had the front bumper, driver side front wing painted + driver side door blended into perfectly (pic to follow)
The bonnet is next :smokin: then the passenger side front corner followed by both sides lower sill covers :beer:
I've gone a bit OCD on the lower chassis already with new brackets, clips, nuts & bolts, much of it in stainless steel :smokin:

[Marv968]

Great work there Matt. I love attention to detail stuff like that :smokin:

[toenheel]

Fab! Taking mine down to paint shop next week. Stone guarding the roof this time also!

[Rick H]

Have thought about PaintShielding my roof - but am wary of the lacquer coating coming off when the film is removed. The leading edge at the front certainly picks up a chip or two so if a film IS safe, then it's well worth applying.

I read somewhere Go-Pro type cam fixings could lift the roof finish.

Anyone any experience?

[nw942]

Where did you get your exhaust clamps from as I need to do mine?

Cheers

[cslsuperfan]

It's getting that way Ben :thumbs:
So far I've had the front bumper, driver side front wing painted + driver side door blended into perfectly (pic to follow)
The bonnet is next :smokin: then the passenger side front corner followed by both sides lower sill covers :beer:
I've gone a bit OCD on the lower chassis already with new brackets, clips, nuts & bolts, much of it in stainless steel :smokin:


Matt, the underside is looking sooooperb!!!

I had every intention of getting an underside refresh but have had to address some well documented maintenance.

Would appreciate seeing some pics when you're all done. :thumbs:

[toenheel]

Have thought about PaintShielding my roof - but am wary of the lacquer coating coming off when the film is removed. The leading edge at the front certainly picks up a chip or two so if a film IS safe, then it's well worth applying.

I read somewhere Go-Pro type cam fixings could lift the roof finish.

Anyone any experience?

Tbh the guy who lacquered mine said it was easy enough to re laquer so I'm just going to apply the stone guard for longevity as mine was relaquered and second trip out boom lovely stone chip!

[toenheel]

Can anyone advise where to get new kidney grills from and new wheels bolts? How much £? Cheers

[mattCSLnut]

Great work there Matt. I love attention to detail stuff like that :smokin:

I do try ;) THANX for noticing Marv :thumbs:

[mattCSLnut]

Matt, the underside is looking sooooperb!!!

I had every intention of getting an underside refresh but have had to address some well documented maintenance.

Would appreciate seeing some pics when you're all done. :thumbs:

THANX mate :thumbs: and worry not ;) there will be plenty of pix :thumbs:
Here's a few of my freshly repainted driver side front wing :smokin:

[mattCSLnut]

Cecil reunited with his door after a trip to the spray booth with the neighbouring front wing (which is yet to be re installed) :thumbs:

[JBird]

Bit of orange peel there Matt :blalalala:

[LeinsCSL]

Great work Matt! :smokin:

[73CSL]

Tbh the guy who lacquered mine said it was easy enough to re laquer so I'm just going to apply the stone guard for longevity as mine was relaquered and second trip out boom lovely stone chip!

who you going to use for paint ?

[mattCSLnut]

Bit of orange peel there Matt :blalalala:
Very funny Jay :blalalala: but as U know that's the inside of my newly painted front wing :smokin: which is a vast improvement on BMWs original efforts :banghead:

[mattCSLnut]

Great work Matt! :smokin:
THANX mate :beer:

[cslsuperfan]

Matt

Lovin' the pics.

Engine bay cover on......that's love :smt055.

[s.mac]

Nice one Matt:smokin:

[JBird]

...so are you laquering the insides too? Dedication!

[mattCSLnut]

...so are you laquering the insides too? Dedication!
Well it'll be rude not to while the wing is off ;) it's a well know E46 rust prone area if not painted/treated properly :whistle: I don't do things by half :thumbs:

[mattCSLnut]

Matt

Lovin' the pics.

Engine bay cover on......that's love :smt055.

THANX mate :beer: it's a mixture of OCD & Cecil love ;)
Few more pix of the freshly repainted front wing reunited with Cecil and the original wheel arch liner washed & dried before refitting.

[billyboysm3]

Great attention to detail. The big question is when is she going to get driven next?

[GregorFuk]

Reminds me of last winter when I had mine in bits.

Remind me again. Does the front bumper need to come off to take the wing off? I may have to replace the passenger side one this off-season.

[glendog74]

Good effort Matt. Are all the panels gonna match paint though?!! :whistle:

[73CSL]

out of interest, are our front wings different from a regular M3 ?

[GregorFuk]

out of interest, are our front wings different from a regular M3 ?

No difference to regular M3.

[mattCSLnut]

Reminds me of last winter when I had mine in bits.

Remind me again. Does the front bumper need to come off to take the wing off? I may have to replace the passenger side one this off-season.

No need :thumbs: Look closely at some of my pix and you'll see the front bumper is still firmly On while the wing is Off. ;)
The inner wheel arch liner is a bit of a bugger to remove completely though :banghead:

[mattCSLnut]

Good effort Matt. Are all the panels gonna match paint though?!! :whistle:

Na mate ;) I thought I'll go for the 50 shades of Grey Harlequin finish :thumbs: and Stevie Wonder is my paint guy ;) :hahaha:

[mistergav]

Na mate ;) I thought I'll go for the 50 shades of Grey Harlequin finish :thumbs: and Stevie Wonder is my paint guy ;) :hahaha:

How are your bolts looking, are you repainting them after fitting the panels so they don't have socket marks?

[mattCSLnut]

Great attention to detail. The big question is when is she going to get driven next?

THANX mate :thumbs:
I guess once it's all painted I'll go for a spin looking for new stone chips :bigcry:
If it was OK to drive cars on the public road without a bonnet ;) I could go for a spin now :supz:

[mattCSLnut]

How are your bolts looking, are you repainting them after fitting the panels so they don't have socket marks?

They look as factory fresh as they did almost 12 year ago, as if they haven't been disturbed :smt055
I used high quality 3M waterproof masking tape over the T30 socket holes so the paint doesn't get chipped or even marked by the removal process :smokin:
Pic below shows it as it is now, day after the wing was refitted.

[toenheel]

Can you still get hold of the black roof trim pieces?

[73CSL]

No difference to regular M3.

thanks :)

For some reason I thought the CSL ones were different

[billyboysm3]

thanks :)

For some reason I thought the CSL ones were different

The CSL ones are rolled.

[Mike R]

The CSL ones are rolled.

Was sure I read that was just the rear arches (but may have imagined it LOL)?

[GregorFuk]

Was sure I read that was just the rear arches (but may have imagined it LOL)?

Correct. Rear arches rolled. Fronts are a standard M3 part.

[mistergav]

They look as factory fresh as they did almost 12 year ago, as if they haven't been disturbed :smt055
I used high quality 3M waterproof masking tape over the T30 socket holes so the paint doesn't get chipped or even marked by the removal process :smokin:
Pic below shows it as it is now, day after the wing was refitted.

Very nice, I do something similar with the wheel nuts so they don't rust up on me.

[toenheel]

Well that's mine dropped off at paint shop, decided to wait on re spray so having roof re laquered and a wheel refurb for £450! Awaiting a quote for 3M stonechip protection wrap to roof also.

[mattCSLnut]

So the bonnet has been reunited with the rest of my Cecil after a trip to the spray booth on its own last week :thumbs:
Just the passenger side front wing to do now and I'm almost there :beer: although I suspect I'll find a few more bits to refurbish along the way :smt100 ;)

[Marv968]

Looks downright amazing Matt :smokin:

[Mike R]

I hate threads like this, as it gives me ideas to do the same :bigcry: :banghead:.

[mattCSLnut]

I hate threads like this, as it gives me ideas to do the same :bigcry: :banghead:.

Apologies Mike ;) :hahaha:

[mattCSLnut]

Looks downright amazing Matt :smokin:
Cheers Marv :beer: slowly but surely we're getting there :smokin:

[rstoughy]

I hate threads like this, as it gives me ideas to do the same :bigcry: :banghead:.

Agree Mike.
Mine been laid up for months and now has a brand new battery used once probably knackered.
Seriously thinking of doing a full resto on it above and below to get it mint. MOT expires end of this month as well which isn't helping this decision process!!!

[billyboysm3]

Agree Mike.
Mine been laid up for months and now has a brand new battery used once probably knackered.
Seriously thinking of doing a full resto on it above and below to get it mint. MOT expires end of this month as well which isn't helping this decision process!!!

Also doing the same, got some brand new rims coming this week then a bit of paint.

[cslsuperfan]

Agree Mike.
Mine been laid up for months and now has a brand new battery used once probably knackered.
Seriously thinking of doing a full resto on it above and below to get it mint. MOT expires end of this month as well which isn't helping this decision process!!!


Contagious this resto caper

Went to Barts for an Insp2 in April.

Since then...new bumper(thank you Hartley), Intrax1K2, RTAB's, AP rotors and pagids all round, new crankshaft shells and conrod bolts, oil pump, fuel filter, propshaft donut and a new differential.

:smokin:

[mattCSLnut]

Contagious this resto caper

Went to Barts for an Insp2 in April.

Since then...new bumper(thank you Hartley), Intrax1K2, RTAB's, AP rotors and pagids all round, new crankshaft shells and conrod bolts, oil pump, fuel filter, propshaft donut and a new differential. :smokin:

Tell me about it :banghead:
Ding Ding... Round 3 ... passenger side wing off as well as the small bits of trim from beneath the headlights, all in the spray booth :thumbs:
Now my Cecil looks like someone's punched his lights out :bigcry: pun intended ;)

[cslsuperfan]

Matt

looking fab and really coming together.

I had front end done in Aug 2013, it still looks A1 bar the inevitable stone chips. Picked up a few high up on the leading edges of the front wings.

I blame Belgium for building that track. Darn it's good!

[mattCSLnut]

Matt

looking fab and really coming together.

I had front end done in Aug 2013, it still looks A1 bar the inevitable stone chips. Picked up a few high up on the leading edges of the front wings.

I blame Belgium for building that track. Darn it's good!

Cheers Ben :beer: but it's just a gentle DU VAY Refresh... not a full on Resto, honestly ;) :hahaha:
Seriously though, have U had a close up look at your front wing edges lately ? Mine looked OK too after a front end refresh (before I bought it in '09) but upon closer inspections, after 5 years of enjoyment :whistle: they didn't look too cleaver :banghead:
IMHO the problems started 12 years ago when BMW painted them (not particularly well) already attached to the car, for the first time.

[khooni]

wow, how on earth are you going to drive it properly after all this restoration....................

my front bumper needs re-spraying i think every year from all the stone chips i pick up on track.

Dun know about you guys, but i bought this as a track slag and i fully intend to use it as such..... But a supremely well maintained track slag..... :)

[mattCSLnut]

wow, how on earth are you going to drive it properly after all this restoration....................

my front bumper needs re-spraying i think every year from all the stone chips i pick up on track.

Dun know about you guys, but i bought this as a track slag and i fully intend to use it as such..... But a supremely well maintained track slag..... :)

Well, it took me almost 6 years of continental hooning around to collect all of my stone chips and since I'm not tracking my Cecil any more I thought it was about time he got some well deserved TLC :smt055
With all due respect ;) your Cecil was a well used Race slag before you acquired it to be your Track slag while my Cecil was an extremly tidy fast road car with F.BMW.S.H., full interior and no scaffolding. Originally my main reason for buying the Cecil was to finally score that illusive 8 minute Nordschleife lap time :supz: in BMWs greatest 'M' hit... or at the very least have lots of fun trying :smokin: As certain goals have been achieved, times has moved on, as have my goals & priorities. My Cecil is (and always was) far too good of a road car to turn into a full on Track slag, so here I am reverting it back to an immaculate OE showroom condition :smokin:
Surprisingly even to me, I'm actually enjoying the process as much as I use to enjoy tracking it :thumbs:

[cslsuperfan]

Well, it took me almost 6 years of continental hooning around to collect all of my stone chips and since I'm not tracking my Cecil any more I thought it was about time he got some well deserved TLC :smt055
With all due respect ;) your Cecil was a well used Race slag before you acquired it to be your Track slag while my Cecil was an extremly tidy fast road car with F.BMW.S.H., full interior and no scaffolding. Originally my main reason for buying the Cecil was to finally score that illusive 8 minute Nordschleife lap time :supz: in BMWs greatest 'M' hit... or at the very least have lots of fun trying :smokin: As certain goals have been achieved, times has moved on, as have my goals & priorities. My Cecil is (and always was) far too good of a road car to turn into a full on Track slag, so here I am reverting it back to an immaculate OE showroom condition :smokin:
Surprisingly even to me, I'm actually enjoying the process as much as I use to enjoy tracking it :thumbs:

Matt, me & Khooni are the scaffold brothers!!! I remember a few years back cages were the new black but the CSL's rocketing premiums has deterred people from major modding.

BTW you close did you get to the magic 8 minutes?

[mattCSLnut]

Matt, me & Khooni are the scaffold brothers!!! I remember a few years back cages were the new black but the CSL's rocketing premiums has deterred people from major modding.

BTW how close did you get to the magic 8 minutes ?

8:05 BTG ... 2 up (passenger with a stop watch I wasn't aware of at the time) a bit rugged with some light traffic to dodge :whistle:
I have done smoother laps with virtually no traffic on my own :smokin: without ballast or timing gear ;)

[cslsuperfan]

8:05 BTG ... 2 up (passenger with a stop watch I wasn't aware of at the time) a bit rugged with some light traffic to dodge :whistle:
I have done smoother laps with virtually no traffic on my own :smokin: without ballast or timing gear ;)


Very impressive Matt. I've seen a few 8 minute laps on the tinternet. Needless to say the drivers are getting a lick on to make that pace.

8 minutes is beyond me this year but I'm confident DN13 in September will get me within 30 seconds.....;)

[mattCSLnut]

Very impressive Matt. I've seen a few 8 minute laps on the tinternet. Needless to say the drivers are getting a lick on to make that pace.

8 minutes is beyond me this year but I'm confident DN13 in September will get me within 30 seconds.....;)

It's effin' hard work mate :banghead: doing these sort of times & trying to shave off those last few seconds when you're a weekend hobby driver like me ;) never actually driving @ 10/10ths and constantly warring about binning the percious Cecil into the barrier :bigcry:

[cslsuperfan]

It's effin' hard work mate :banghead: doing these sort of times & trying to shave off those last few seconds when you're a weekend hobby driver like me ;) never actually driving @ 10/10ths and constantly warring about binning the percious Cecil into the barrier :bigcry:


Billy has the right idea with the track M3. 15-20K budget on the build and you've got a car that's very capable and permits the driver to be a little adventurous. That said it's all about having some fun and getting home safe and sound.

[mattCSLnut]

So yesterday I collected my other front wing back from the body shop along with the lower headlight trims (not pictured) As with the driver side front wing I've had recently refurbished I also had the inside of this front wing treated, sealed at the edges, primed, painted and even lacquered. The outer paint is simply exquisite :smt055 and a perfect match without any stone chips.
Few happy snaps below.

[s.mac]

Nice job Matt :smokin:

[mattCSLnut]

Nice job Matt :smokin:

THANX mate :beer: The headlights with the repainted lower trims go back on tomorrow :thumbs:

[mattCSLnut]

Finally got both of my lower sill covers back :thumbs: freshly painted and looking brand new :smokin: First 2 pix show just how badly stone chipped they were before the re-fresh :bigcry: especially on the leading edge.
While the plastic sill covers were off being re-sprayed I thoroughly cleaned the metal sills (which are usually hidden) and applied couple of cheeky layers of AUTOGLYM's finest for future preservation :smt055

[cslsuperfan]

Matt

lookin' good. :smt055

Just had mine done.....couldn't believe how battered the leading edges were!!

[Mike R]

Matt,
If you were any sort of person, you would be doing a photographic step by step guide on how to remove these items :p ;).

[73CSL]

out of interest, why not just give teh car to the bodyshop rather than transporting freshly painted items back & forth ?

[mattCSLnut]

out of interest, why not just give teh car to the bodyshop rather than transporting freshly painted items back & forth ?

To do it properly :smokin: the front wings and the sill covers had to come off anyway + I didn't want the inevitable car body shop dust all over Cecils interior and in all the nooks & crannies ;)

[mattCSLnut]

Matt,
If you were any sort of person, you would be doing a photographic step by step guide on how to remove these items :p ;).

:hahaha: If only I had your spare time Mike ;) Count you lucky stars you've seen this much :whistle:

[Trawler]

Matt,

Looking lovely. May I ask which body shop you have used?

[73CSL]

:thumbs:

forgot about the kind of mess / dust a bodyshop can chuck out

[mattCSLnut]

Matt,

Looking lovely. May I ask which body shop you have used?

THANX Pete :beer: incoming PM with my Auto body shop info :smokin:

[toenheel]

Well mines back home after having roof re-laquered, wheels refurbed, new front flippers and a good polish and wax. Loving it!

http://i62.tinypic.com/ztypvq.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/24fbq0l.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/2hhlxk5.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/5plegm.jpg
http://i59.tinypic.com/2hycmy1.jpg

[cslsuperfan]

Car looks mint.

20mm front spacers?

[toenheel]

Car looks mint.

20mm front spacers?

Yeah, spacers make such a difference. Car has a great stance.

[cslsuperfan]

Yeah, spacers make such a difference. Car has a great stance.


Agreed. Paintwork looks like glass, especially rear bumper quarter!

Must try harder!!!!

[toenheel]

In the past mines had a bomb spent on detailing which seems to of payed off in its elder years!

[Mike R]

Beautiful :).

[CraigMillwardCroft]

All goes to pot when they go on track :whistle: