monty23psk

[monty23psk]

Finished the wiper hose addition with new hoses and clips. My nozzles are fine, I just need to aim them. I ordered all the OEM parts for the install and tried to figure out how it all went together. I searched for pictures on the internet and even though I didn't find an original picture of the car in this area as it left the factory to confirm, but I believed I figured it out or at least it makes sense to me. Also, our cars did not come with the factory hood cover but I do know which holes are used for it so I used the other ones for the hose path. Pics taken at night. Now just need new wiper arms or used ones with good splines on it, to install on the linkage.

[monty23psk]

SEM prep and treatment to the trim under the front windshield:

Before: (wet after simple green washed)


After:(full prep and spray down)


Here are the arms after SEM prep and paint I got at the junkyard and the extra new trim pieces. Then I find out, the the arms are actually two driver side from the car I pulled it. So out $5 for one arm. Need to go back to get passenger side.

[monty23psk]

I received my OEM spray nozzles which were cheaper than aftermarket from my source. I would like the heated ones but here in S. FL, not needed.  Also got my new arms. Now I realize that SWF arms and Bosch ones are a little different but the angle is the same.



Here is a pic of them installed and now my wiper system is complete rebuilt minus the water tank. I have the frameless wipers from before and highly recommend them even though they are double the cost of the regular ones. I believe our stock size is 20" on both arms, but I might get 19" for the passenger side not to hit the windshield edge trim. Anyone else have this issue. I aimed the nozzles per the factory repair manual and now I move one to my suspension upgrade.

[monty23psk]

Here is small teaser pic of my next project which I have had in a box for the last 3 years in storage. I need tires very soon, so instead of getting new ones, just going to install my e30 m3 5-lug suspension. First thing is to rebuild the brakes. Here are the front brakes which I started to clean but ran out of brake clean. I am looking at options to powder coat them myself as having them down will be too expensive for me. Brakes are huge and heavy when I saw them for the first time. Can't wait for the stopping power upgrade.

[DesktopDave]

Those brakes do look tasty - are they OEM M3 calipers?

I swapped to the beam-type wipers as well. The new style don't wrap perfectly, but I can live with that. The beam wipers are FAR better during the winter. Getting ice off them is a piece of cake!

IIRC I selected a shorter blade, don't recall for sure. I can measure & report back if you like.

[monty23psk]

Yes...OEM e30 m3 front calipers and carriers. Just ordered the rebuilt kit and looking at the brass bushing sleeves as an option. Looking at pros vs cons...Any input Dave?

I don't have an issue with ice here...lol..

Do tell what size you have to compare. thanks.

[monty23psk]

Here is a picture of one of the calipers and carriers cleaned up with different wire wheels and some brake clean. I was doing this myself in the meantime while deciding to paint or powder coat the calipers. I still need to some some corners and was going to use the small wire wheel on the Dremel but I decided to powder coat them gloss black as I found a shop near me that is cheaper than most and great quality. Dropped them off today and since he sandblasts them before, I don't have to do the other side. The flash make it look dark/dirty is some corners.

[keflaman]

I think you'll be more satisfied with powder coating. The calipers that I took so long to prep and paint looked like crap less than a year later...and that was using brake caliper paint!

[monty23psk]

My current ones with caliper paint are still black but don't clean easy or lets say, never look clean. So with powdercoating it will be easier and look nicer. I also went with black as with the wheels I have in mind for the car, you won't see the caliper so no need for any color. I do like red but these are not Porsche or Brembo brakes.

[ryanjv]

are you saying those are just cleaned?  they weren't repainted?  i painted mine with trim paint but they've got stone chips and peeling

what is SEM Prep and treatment?  I'd love to refresh all my trim instead of repainting

SEM prep and treatment to the trim under the front windshield:

Before: (wet after simple green washed)


After:(full prep and spray down)


Here are the arms after SEM prep and paint I got at the junkyard and the extra new trim pieces. Then I find out, the the arms are actually two driver side from the car I pulled it. So out $5 for one arm. Need to go back to get passenger side.

[monty23psk]

are you saying those are just cleaned?  they weren't repainted?  i painted mine with trim paint but they've got stone chips and peeling

what is SEM Prep and treatment?  I'd love to refresh all my trim instead of repainting

SEM prep and treatment to the trim under the front windshield:

Before: (wet after simple green washed)


After:(full prep and spray down)


Here are the arms after SEM prep and paint I got at the junkyard and the extra new trim pieces. Then I find out, the the arms are actually two driver side from the car I pulled it. So out $5 for one arm. Need to go back to get passenger side.

They were painted. I notice on other cars when they do the trim paint, that after some time, chips and peeling happen. Its all int he prep work to prevent this. I cleaned with Simple Green degreaser then use the instructions provided on SEM sits under the MSDS doc on the trim paint. For the metail, you need to sand and use a cleaning agent which is a spray can from SEM also. Then I painted with trim paint. For the plastic pieces, you use SEM soap with grey scuff pad, very important to be gray. I got mine at NAPA. It sand finely the plastic. Then paint. Adhesion promoter not needed but recommended.

[ryanjv]

Thanks i'll definitely be giving that a shot.  I was going to just plastidip them, but i'll probably do this first and see how i fair

[monty23psk]

Decided on powder coat, gloss black. They came out awesome and very nice in person IMO. Picture is at night with flash so not the best but more pics to come of it installed. I got new OEM bleeder valves, guide pin bushing kit and new ATE seals ready to install. Will do it this week. Next is to order pads, rotors, pad sendor and m3 sway bar links. Then to check condition of control arms and my AKG offset bushings. I can save $$ if I can reuse them after 3 years of use and hope nothing is really worn.

[DesktopDave]

Those are pretty! Can't wait to see them installed. Did you get them sleeved?

[monty23psk]

Neither can I. No sleeving, just a good cleaning. Were in great condition the calipers.