Pics of my DIY Paintjob on my '87 535iS

[John535isMaine/Mass]

Clearly I'm not the only one who's thinking they might be crazy enough to try this... as TJ said- all the tools, none of the experience. Ryan, and other paint experts, do you have any links to the info on preparation and process that you would personally recommend? Thanks!

[Robbie]

Ryan,

Congratulations!!! you should be proud, the car looks clean
and straight. I can tell from the pics the attention to details.

Did you also paint the bumpers and shadowline trim? or did
you have it powder coated? If painted I would like to know the
prep and paint process so I can attempt doing the same.

Do you have a picture of the side skirts that you fabricated?
Interested in making another set?
I agree with Raj, paint them body color and a small black
edge at the bottom. Will you be pin striping the car?

Prior to installing my Saab Moon Roof I droped it on the roof,
leaving some scratches at the front corners of the roof. I used
3M rubbing compound and Meguires wax to remove some of
the scratches but some still remain. What grit sand paper
would you recommend, or another process to try. Its a minor
issue since I'll have to install one of those plastic wind deflectors
that will hide the area where the scratches remain. Thats the
only thing I don't like about the Moon Roof. I will have to make
those clips that hold the deflector so I can move the deflector
as far forward as possible, that way I can get as much sun as
possible while driving.

Your car a great stance, what set-up of springs and shocks
are you running? or will be changing to.

Haven't made up my mind if I'm going to Bimmerfest

Thanks
Robbie
87 535iS
Diamond Schwarz Metalic
Detroitmuscle1@yahoo.com
in San Diego

[Paul]

Ryan,

That is a truly impressive paint job! Your car looks great with all the blacked out trim. What did you do to get the trim like that? Painted?

TIA,

Paul

[tacm]

Looks real nice man i wish i had that talent..S

[Ed]

That
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kicks
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ass!

Ed

[Nick C.]

Absolutely nuts!!! That looks amazing. How did you do those front side markers? Was that the florescent light cover/dremel trick? Everything looks amazing! Great Work


[Edit by Nick C. on [TIME]1112059732[/TIME]]

[fastpat]

I'll add my vote with the others, great job of a relatively complicated and delicate process.

[BMWJustin]

Ryan, that looks like it came out great. Its a very time intensive project but well worth the end result, best of all you can say you did it yourself. Keep up the good work ,and those BBS LM copies look awesome on an e28.
TIA
Justin

[Jordan528e]

Beautiful, probably the best looking paint job I have ever seen, I love the color.

And how much would it cost to have a dealer do this?

[Edit by Jordan528e on [TIME]1112418354[/TIME]]

[M3 Ryan]

Probably around $5k for a shop to do it.
This paintjob is alright... I would rank it as a 6 out of 10. Its got some flaws and some of the paint got buffed though, but the way I see it, its my daily driver and if its too nice then I won't be able to drive/use it have I need to.
I took the 18's off of it already so its back to the 17" Motorsport II's. I am going to clean the car today and possibly wax it as its been a month since I painted it.

[gol10dr1]

nice resto, very clean, love the bbs wheels.

[alpinass]

Ryan,
AWESOME paint job@! It was worth all the hrs of hard sweat and back breaking labor. CONGRATS! Now - want to paint mine? I am stripping all the trim, bumpers headlights, taillights, door locks off my '87 535IS - removing all the dents and sending it out for a 2 stage.
I LOVE the clear lens - I use to supply the fronts - out of them where did you get them or did you make them? By the way - BBS LM's are one of my most favorite wheels - Look the best on a Porsche Carrera. email me with clear lens info - laclean@yahoo.com THANKS PaintBoy!

[lscc]

I painted my wifes Alfa and I know how much work that is. The car looks awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!