[red clubbie]

I'm about to start some chip repairs.
I have about 10 on the bonnet and I just got some touchup paint.

I will wet sand the chips with 1200 to clean them up and will apply paint to the chip.

I will then apply clear coat and wait 24 hours to cure and then wet sand with 2000 and then 3000 W&D.

After that I will machine compound and machine polish the whole bonnet.

Sealant and wax and it should look a whole lot better.

[Socket]

Thanks guys, very helpful

[Coupes33]

Over the past week, I have replaced the Eibach Pro Kit springs and Yellow Koni Adjustable shocks with KW Street Comfort Coilovers. I lifted the height 10mm all round to get more clearance under the car. The ride has improved with a setting of 9 out of 16.

[ADEe92]

Your car looks great on the coilers Coupes!

I took my car on a road trip along the Murray River this week. Grabbed a quick snap at Lake Bonney.

[umr]

Originally Posted by ADEe92

Your car looks great on the coilers Coupes!

I took my car on a road trip along the Murray River this week. Grabbed a quick snap at Lake Bonney.

Nice shot, always love doing the drive along the river. She's looking clean!

[ADEe92]

Thanks umr - it was a good trip. My photo was a bit strategic as the front of the car is covered in bugs

[Socket]

Beautiful

[Coupes33]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

As my power window control panel on the driver's side door was starting to look a bit ragged due to the plastic covering starting to peel off, I thought that I would remove it and give it a new paint job. The panel is easy to remove from the arm rest using the plastic moulding removal tools, disconnect the wiring connector and remove the outside cover off the switches. Then I removed the peeling material with course sand paper by lightly rubbing it and painted the cover.

Attachment 2568456

I was happy with the result, however, now the hand grip in the arm rest requires same attention but isn't that easy.

Attachment 2568457

The BMW design of the arm rest makes this a difficult process. If the hand grip could be removed the same as the control panel, it would be easy to repair and paint or replace but as it is secured to the arm rest which is secured to the door trim, it requires removing the door trim and then removing the arm rest from the door trim. However, the arm rest is not secured to the door trim by screws so this becomes another problem. Has anyone removed the arm rest from the door trim and how did you secure it back on. After completing this post, I found on Youtube a video that answered all of my questions.

I have completed the restoration of the driver's side door hand grip on my car. My car is a E92 and the door trim is different from the one shown in the attached video above. The video can be used for demonstrating how to remove the door trim but my arm rest is different.
The reason for doing this task can be seen by this photo


Door trim removed from door.


The hand grip is attached to the top section of the arm rest which can be removed. It is retained to the door trim by clips.



I used a small screwdriver from underneath to hold the clip off the plastic tongue while using a plastic mould removing tool to prize the top of the arm rest up. I just worked my way along from the end on the right side until it was removed.




The hand grip is secured to the top section of the arm rest by 2 glued areas.


I used a large diameter drill bit to drill the glue away until it freed the hand grip


The inside section of the hand grip just clips on but is also retained by 5 zip ties

[Coupes33]

This shows the door trim with the arm rest removed


Hand grip removed


Hand grip dismantled



I used various grades of sand paper to remove the peeling cover on the hand grip. In the video, he uses some chemical spray which would be easier and quicker. Painted back panel and hand grip



Hand grip assembled



Nylon ties

[Coupes33]

JB Weld glue used to secure the hand grip back onto the top of the arm rest


Hand grip glued back into top of arm rest.


Hand grip in top of arm rest


Arm rest back on door trim



Door trim back on door showing end result. I am happy with outcome.

[Aus335iguy]

That looks factory fresh now Coupes33

[Socket]

Great job coupes

[Coupes33]

Thanks Aus335i and Socks. I am happy with the result as it looks like new. A video of the DIY would have been better than photos but I am not as talented as Socks in the production of a video.

[Socket]

Originally Posted by Coupes33

Thanks Aus335i and Socks. I am happy with the result as it looks like new. A video of the DIY would have been better than photos but I am not as talented as Socks in the production of a video.

Hahaha my vids sux Coupes but thanks for the compliment

[kookie]

Looks good Coupes, I'm sure Socket would have just bought a new door

[Socket]

Originally Posted by kookie

Looks good Coupes, I'm sure Socket would have just bought a new door

Hahah true

[DR-JEKL]

Nice work Ken on the DIY door handle fix!

How are the KW V3's going for you?

[Coupes33]

Originally Posted by DR-JEKL

Nice work Ken on the DIY door handle fix!

How are the KW V3's going for you?

Thanks Shane. I installed the KW Street Comfort Coilovers. I don't know why they call them coilovers when they are actually the same layout as the oem coils and springs but are height and dampening adjustable. That said, they are comfortable with the setting at 9 out of 16. Also, I lifted the height of the front by 1cm for a bit more clearance. They wouldn't be as good as your coilovers but I am happy with these.

[insanesam]

Looks like someone tried to prised of my window trim. FCP sells for about $60 so probably over $100AUD posted to my door. Decided to go Bunnings and spend $4.50 on a curved aluminium trim. Cut it to size and sprayed with some left over gloss black paint.

[naenae]

[shannon1]

Originally Posted by naenae

Wow that looks great .

Did you take DIY photos or do a write up on what you used and how to do it?

[naenae]

Originally Posted by shannon1

Wow that looks great .

Did you take DIY photos or do a write up on what you used and how to do it?

hey mate unfortunately no. I run a business doing all light related stuff. i sell these kit standalone. pm me if you're interested