The Bimmer Basement

[Mpower5266]

Didn't do much this weekend, I had to work with my wife at an antique show. We hardly sold anything, but I did buy a cooler and some awesome old car prints. They are the Dupont Cars of Tomorrow Series, I can't wait to put them up.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

I also grabbed this little cooler, it isnt old but perfect for my needs.

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Made a little "table" for it.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

And now my wife has a little koozie display for her shop.

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Yesterday I pulled the cars out to sweep and mop the shop. I also washed the m3 then washed the jeep with a strip wash so I could apply powerlock and collinite.

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The jeep looks much better than it did with the other sealant and wax.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

 

[Purist]

That cooler/display came out great. You have a good eye for that stuff!

And man, nothing beats that powerlock/845 combo. Nothing!

 

[Mpower5266]

Stopped by my dad's garage today and got some work done on the 02. On a side note the big wag is almost ready to drive.



Anyway, popped the 02 up on the lift and made quick work of the rear shocks.



I don't know how I lived without a lift. After the rear shocks I tackled the front suspension bushings. They were rough and the front end was really loose.



Got one side off but had to use the gas wrench on one of the nuts.



Pressed out the old bushes.



And installed the new.



I took it on a test drive and it handled like a dream. I need to do the front struts and put the new pedal box in but I have work trips the next two weekends so I'm not sure how much I'll get done. I also start in my new position at work tomorrow. It's my first ever 9-5 job and it's going to open up most of my weekends.


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[dchance]

Hope the new position works out great. Good deal on the hours.

Dwight

 

[Mpower5266]

Its been a busy couple of weeks, I had a trade show in Gulf Shores, home for 3 days, then gone again to Deland Florida for 5 days. I finally rested up and decided last night to get some more work done on the 02. Last night after work, I popped over to my parents and pulled the front struts out. It was a little more involved than I was expecting but not too bad.

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

As you can see, I had to remove some of the stuff I installed last time.... Thats just how it goes.

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I really hope I remember where all this goes....

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And finally the struts are out...

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I hope to get this finished and buttoned up Sunday and maybe knock out the pedal box. I sure miss driving this car.

 

[Mpower5266]

So Sunday I went over to parents house to finish the 2002 and I had one of the worst days in the shop I have ever had. It all started with trying to get one of the old struts out, it took almost an hour to do that alone. I got it apart and reassembled both of the struts incorrectly, so I had to pull them apart. Then I got them back together and noticed the studs were too short on the new hats, so I pressed them out to swap the studs from the old one... they were too small. So it was off to lowes for some metric bolts. Got the bolts, put the struts together, tried to install them and realized there was no way to get a wrench on one of the bolts.... Did some research and realized the year my car was built they added spacers to lift the front end up for US legality, so the original studs would work... Long story short I spent about 6 hours in the garage and accomplished nothing. I need to take a day or two off and hopefully knock it out one night this week after work. It was a rough day.

 

[Mpower5266]

I stopped by parents house last night to finish up the 02. Contrary to what happened on Sunday it went together like a dream last night, well mostly. I got the passenger side together in probably 15 minutes.

image3 by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The drivers side was just about as easy.

image2 by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The only think that really fought me was the new sway bar links, I think I am going to try to figure out a redesign for those. But here she is, back on the ground.

image1 by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I didn't get to test drive it since our weather has been awful, but I am hoping to drive it tonight or tomorrow. I still need to swap out the pedal box but the Wagoneer needs some lift time. Its almost ready to be licensed and driven, just in time for my wife and I to go get our Christmas tree with it.

Anyway since I didn't get a chance to test drive the car, I spent a little time in the garage working on my pressure washer set up. Since I added the reel, I figured it was time for the hose rack to go.

image2-1 by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Since I got the fancy new pressure washer wand, it deserved a fancy new wand holder. I ordered a professional car wash wand holder from a car wash supply. I still need to fix the old holes and repaint but I am tossing around the idea of putting up some aluminum on that wall, I need to measure and check some prices at work.

image1-1 by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Now I am just wait on it to stop raining so I can wash my very dirty Jeep and try out the new wand holder.

 

[swimrr]

Great stuff. I don't comment much on your thread as I don't have much to add, but I do enjoy watching you bring new life to old classics. You have a nice combination there with your own garage and your father's. Having a lift is something most of us shade-tree mechanics can only dream about. But if I ever move to the country it will be on my list.

 

[Mpower5266]

Busy weekend in the shop. Friday night my new drying aid Bead Maker showed up so I gave the Jeep a much needed wash. After 2 solid weeks of rain it cleaned up great and the bead maker gave it a freshly waxed gloss, I am sold on this stuff its awesome.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Here is a video.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Saturday I had a friends wedding so I didn't get any work done and I got a late start Sunday. But I did get a lot done Sunday afternoon, I went over to my dads shop and buttoned some stuff up on the wagoneer. It actually moved under its own power too.

Here are a couple of videos of it in "action."
Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Its very slow but ran great, and more importantly it didn't leak anything. I cant wait to clean it up a little and get it out on the road, its going to be a ton of fun.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

It still needs the grille installed but it looks good next to its younger sibling.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After that I went back to the house and helped my wife clean up some MCM furniture we bought to re-sell. The steamer really helped get the old basement smell out of the fabric.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And the finished product.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

As you can see it was a busy and productive weekend. I am ready for a slow week with friends, family, driving the Wagoneer some more, oh and Thanksgiving of course.

 

[Mpower5266]

Well I hope everyone had a great Turkey day, mine was fairly productive. Wednesday on the way home from work I picked up the Wag and took it home to clean it up a little. I was happy to see that it fit in the garage.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I started with the interior. I gave the dash and all the panels a good cleaning.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Then cleaned up the dash.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After that I cleaned the inside windows. This was just after wiping the back three windows with IPA. Thats probably 30 years of gunk.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Yesterday was busy, and I started at about 7am putting a couple of turkey breast on the egg.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Then I gave the Wagoneer a wash in about 40 degree weather. I love that hot water hook up on my hose.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

She cleans up alright but the paint is still pretty rough.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I pretty much have one of these decals on all my cars. Its from Petrolicious, which makes amazingly beautiful videos, and I just like the idea of "driving tastefully."

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Soon the turkeys finished up.....

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And it was time to load up and head to the in-laws house for lunch. There's something about a vehicle like this that screams Thanksgiving to me.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I think we are getting new tires Monday and then buttoning some more stuff up in the next few weeks. Im sure there will be more updates to come.

 

[xtremek]

The old Jepp looks pretty nice. I wish I had the time and talent to clean our cars like that. I hope you and yours had a great holiday.

 

[Mpower5266]

The old Jepp looks pretty nice. I wish I had the time and talent to clean our cars like that. I hope you and yours had a great holiday.

Time is hard to come by, but there is little talent involved. Its mostly trial and error, and elbow grease. I am always happy to answer any questions involving detailing.

My wife wanted to get the tree put up this weekend so we went out yesterday to get it. Naturally I wanted to take the Jeep, and snap some pics.

IMG_6409 by Nick Wood, on Flickr

IMG_6422 by Nick Wood, on Flickr

This is starting to become a tradition, as we used my 2002 last year. I guess I need to finish one of the other Jeeps for Christmas next year.

 

[Purist]

That Jeep is so cool! And that last shot in the woods near the speed limit sign is $.

 

[Mpower5266]

That Jeep is so cool! And that last shot in the woods near the speed limit sign is $.

Thanks. I forgot to post this pic too, its one of my favorites.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We also put the Jeep up on the lift yesterday afternoon to pull the wheels for new tires. After about 100 miles, the engine and trans are dry as a bone.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Rally Classics]

Kudos on the turkey breasts. For the last several years I have been smoking one and deep frying the second instead of cooking one big bird. Theres alot less waste with the two breasts than with a whole bird. I add a pack of drumsticks to keep all the dark meat lovers happy too.

 

[xtremek]

Are you going to try to match the little one to the big one? I did take with my f-150 Supercrew.

 

[Mpower5266]

Are you going to try to match the little one to the big one? I did take with my f-150 Supercrew.

I want to but my wife likes the patina on it. Its kind of a win-win for me, she uses it as Christmas decorations and I get to have car models hanging around the house.

Speaking of Christmas decorations, I went a little crazy on the Jeep this weekend.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We took it to pick up dinner last night and it got a lot of attention. People giving my thumbs up, kids waving, people taking pics, etc etc. It was a lot of fun.

I also started to clean the garage up a little, it got pretty bad over the last few weeks. I got it swept and mopped, and I hope to clean up the bench and table and get the cabinet organized again.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I must say, its really nice finally having weekends.

 

[XJSuperman]

I don't know how you find the time to do the detailing you do. I have read through the whole thread I think without commenting, but all the things I had to say have already been stated by others. Wow, the garage looks nice, the cars are shiny, and the details in all the work are astounding. Many little touches I am incorporating into my own space, but I wish I could get my floorspace as clear as you. That last pic makes the garage look really empty, whereas my garage has jacks, jackstands, brooms, tools, steel and materials, and the like all scattered in corners or near cupboards. Where do you hide all those items?

 

[Mpower5266]

I don't know how you find the time to do the detailing you do. I have read through the whole thread I think without commenting, but all the things I had to say have already been stated by others. Wow, the garage looks nice, the cars are shiny, and the details in all the work are astounding. Many little touches I am incorporating into my own space, but I wish I could get my floorspace as clear as you. That last pic makes the garage look really empty, whereas my garage has jacks, jackstands, brooms, tools, steel and materials, and the like all scattered in corners or near cupboards. Where do you hide all those items?

I still have the basement through those double doors, that's where I hide the mess.

And now that my dad has the shop with a lift less than 5 minutes away, I do all my work over there. I really just use my garage for storage and detailing.

 

[XJSuperman]

I still have the basement through those double doors, that's where I hide the mess.

And now that my dad has the shop with a lift less than 5 minutes away, I do all my work over there. I really just use my garage for storage and detailing.

Right, I keep forgetting the original basement is still back there somewhere. The shop is a great addition obviously, my father has an awesome one as well......but its 700miles away... hahaha. You are very lucky to be in close proximity.

 

[NewEdgePerf]

I got a text from my dad today. I know he ordered it but I had no idea it was showing up today!!!

Untitled by mpower5266, on Flickr

What kind of garage is the one pictured above? What kind of snow load will it withstand? What is the R value of the insulation?

Thanks in advance




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[Mpower5266]

What kind of garage is the one pictured above? What kind of snow load will it withstand? What is the R value of the insulation?

Thanks in advance




Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Its a Sturdy brand building but as for R value and snow load I have no idea. We live in Georgia so I doubt it will be an issue.

 

[NewEdgePerf]

Its a Sturdy brand building but as for R value and snow load I have no idea. We live in Georgia so I doubt it will be an issue.

Thanks for the reply!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Mpower5266]

I haven't driven the 02 in a while so last night I picked it up from the shop and drove it home. Once I got it home I noticed it was really dusty.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I would have liked to wash it but since it gets dark at 5pm now I was stuck using ONR rinseless wash. Basically you put it and water into a bucket, wipe the car down with a plush microfiber and the wash water and buff the water off with a dry microfiber. It actually works pretty well and if you are careful, it wont scratch the car. This was when I was halfway done.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After that I put on the first coat of Beadmaker on this car and wow. It has never popped like this before.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The really cool part is that it "cures" after a little while and gets even better looking a few hours after you apply it. This was a couple hours after I applied it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Purist]

Bead Maker is LEGIT!

 

[Mpower5266]

Bead Maker is LEGIT!

I fought it for a long time because I thought it was like that F11 stuff but it is insanely nice. The only thing that ***** is that I have to wash my drying towels after every use. It works so well that the towels don't absorb as much water after they get bead maker on them.

 

[Ronin22]

I really need an E36 M3 parked next to a 2002. Like, really need them. Now.

 

[davidstutler]

I totally agree on Beadmaker. I fought and fought buying it because I felt it was a fad. I broke down about a month ago and applied it across all my cars. It's unreal. The only drawback I see is the amount you have to use for the first application. Buying a gallon alongside the standard bottle is a must.

 

[tath]

Hi,
Where did you buy the flakes for the floor ? I'd really like to do the same thing. (I've got 2 ///M )
What's your flakes density ?
Thanks.

 

[Mpower5266]

Hi,
Where did you buy the flakes for the floor ? I'd really like to do the same thing. (I've got 2 ///M )
What's your flakes density ?
Thanks.

I got them from Armorpoxy when I placed my order from them. I did a fairly light broadcast, I didn't want lose any hardware if I dropped it.

 

[tath]

I got them from Armorpoxy when I placed my order from them. I did a fairly light broadcast, I didn't want lose any hardware if I dropped it.

Thanks

 

[sweet victory]

Glad to see a fellow Obsessed Garage viewer!

Beautiful 2002! I've always loved their charm and periodoically pop on craigslist to look for a project.

Have you tried Optiseal before? If you have, would you prefer the Beadmaker over it? I use Optiseal as a drying aid paired with ONR, and love how quick and easy it is to use.

 

[Mpower5266]

Glad to see a fellow Obsessed Garage viewer!

Beautiful 2002! I've always loved their charm and periodically pop on craigslist to look for a project.

Have you tried Optiseal before? If you have, would you prefer the Beadmaker over it? I use Optiseal as a drying aid paired with ONR, and love how quick and easy it is to use.

I haven't tried it yet. I kinda come from the old school style of detailing since that's what I did in high school and college. Back then we would set the Dewalt on 3000 rpm with a woolpad and we never heard of a drying aid or foam cannons. I have just recently fallen down the finesse style of detailing worm hole. I might order some of the optiseal thought just to give it a try, but it would have to be some amazing stuff to beat Beadmaker.

 

[sweet victory]

I haven't tried it yet. I kinda come from the old school style of detailing since that's what I did in high school and college. Back then we would set the Dewalt on 3000 rpm with a woolpad and we never heard of a drying aid or foam cannons. I have just recently fallen down the finesse style of detailing worm hole. I might order some of the optiseal thought just to give it a try, but it would have to be some amazing stuff to beat Beadmaker.

It's an addiction that pairs well with tools! I wish more tools companies would follow in the foot steps of Rupes: make tools (even the motors) in their home country and manufacture it in house. It's proven to be quiet a successful niche company. I would highly recommend AMMO NYC's plant tour video of Rupes if you haven't already; you'll learn a lot about the company!


I ordered the optiseal because I love the fact that it doesn't make plastic, trim, or rubber shiny if you get it any on it. It also makes a fantastic glass cleaner so when it rains, water rolls right off. I have CCW Corsair C14 wheels; they have a shot peened, matte surface. No conventional sealant would work or applicator would work. Anything shiny wouldn't work well with the matte finish, and the shot peened surface will tear through applicators. The optiseal is great because I can just spray it on, wipe with a rag, and I'm done. I've had it for about a year now, and I'm only a 1/3rd of the way through the bottle: a little really goes go a long way. Here's a video the rag company did with the inventory/owner of Optimum:

 

[Mpower5266]

It's an addiction that pairs well with tools! I wish more tools companies would follow in the foot steps of Rupes: make tools (even the motors) in their home country and manufacture it in house. It's proven to be quiet a successful niche company. I would highly recommend AMMO NYC's plant tour video of Rupes if you haven't already; you'll learn a lot about the company!


I ordered the optiseal because I love the fact that it doesn't make plastic, trim, or rubber shiny if you get it any on it. It also makes a fantastic glass cleaner so when it rains, water rolls right off. I have CCW Corsair C14 wheels; they have a shot peened, matte surface. No conventional sealant would work or applicator would work. Anything shiny wouldn't work well with the matte finish, and the shot peened surface will tear through applicators. The optiseal is great because I can just spray it on, wipe with a rag, and I'm done. I've had it for about a year now, and I'm only a 1/3rd of the way through the bottle: a little really goes go a long way. Here's a video the rag company did with the inventory/owner of Optimum:

I may have to try it out, I haven't put a topper on my moms wagon yet. It might be fun to do a comparison.

On a side note, I drove the wagoneer to work today and about halfway in the heater quit. It turns out the wire just came of the flap on the heater box...... I love old cars that you can fix with duct tape.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[xtremek]

Bailing twine, duct tape, paper clips, and 10 penny nails will fix almost every problem on an old car.

 

[Mpower5266]

Its been a busy couple of days. I have signed up to drive the 2002 to the BMWCCA foundation museum January, which is the furthest I have driven it. They had an exhibit of 2002's and they are having a finale party. The 02 needed a few things fixed before such a long trip so I got started on the pedal box. I don't know if its obvious but here is the issue...

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

There is a lot of rust mixed with a leaking brake slave cylinder. I have new box but I had to dig the old one out first, so out came the carpet.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Finally out, and it was a bit of a pain.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

There is a little rust around the pedal box hole but I don't have time to fix it now. I will just make sure its properly sealed and get it all back together.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Now that its out, my dad will work on rebuilding the new box this week and we will hopefully button it all back up this week.

I also made a trip to Lowes to get a gift for my dad and I ended up buying myself a gift. I told the wife it was for blowing leaves off the driveway and deck but I really wanted it for blow drying cars. I have been very impressed with it so far.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I washed and applied bead maker on the M3. With the blower I barely had to dry it off.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also cleaned up the garage enough to move Hof's bed back in, I think he enjoyed hanging out.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I washed the wife's Tahoe this weekend and while I was running out of daylight and rushing to get it finished I came up with an idea... I moved the M3 over the next morning to see how it would work.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The plan is to eventually add more concrete, enough to park two cars, and cover and light this area. Once that is complete I want to add water hookups, a small shed to house the pressure washer, a de-ionizing system, and the rest of the washing supplies. Yep.... I think I am going to build a wash bay.

 

[On Edge]

Love the idea of the wash bay. Cars looks really good as well as the garage!

 

[Purist]

Its been a busy couple of days. I have signed up to drive the 2002 to the BMWCCA foundation museum January, which is the furthest I have driven it. They had an exhibit of 2002's and they are having a finale party. The 02 needed a few things fixed before such a long trip so I got started on the pedal box. I don't know if its obvious but here is the issue...

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

There is a lot of rust mixed with a leaking brake slave cylinder. I have new box but I had to dig the old one out first, so out came the carpet.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Finally out, and it was a bit of a pain.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

There is a little rust around the pedal box hole but I don't have time to fix it now. I will just make sure its properly sealed and get it all back together.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Now that its out, my dad will work on rebuilding the new box this week and we will hopefully button it all back up this week.

I also made a trip to Lowes to get a gift for my dad and I ended up buying myself a gift. I told the wife it was for blowing leaves off the driveway and deck but I really wanted it for blow drying cars. I have been very impressed with it so far.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I washed and applied bead maker on the M3. With the blower I barely had to dry it off.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I also cleaned up the garage enough to move Hof's bed back in, I think he enjoyed hanging out.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I washed the wife's Tahoe this weekend and while I was running out of daylight and rushing to get it finished I came up with an idea... I moved the M3 over the next morning to see how it would work.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The plan is to eventually add more concrete, enough to park two cars, and cover and light this area. Once they is complete I want to add water hookups, a small shed to house the pressure washer, a de-ionizing system, and the rest of the washing supplies. Yep.... I think I am going to build a wash bay.

Oh hell yes! I am all aboard that train! [emoji577] chooo chooo


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[TX4runner]

There is a little rust around the pedal box hole but I don't have time to fix it now. I will just make sure its properly sealed and get it all back together.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr


The plan is to eventually add more concrete, enough to park two cars, and cover and light this area. Once they is complete I want to add water hookups, a small shed to house the pressure washer, a de-ionizing system, and the rest of the washing supplies. Yep.... I think I am going to build a wash bay.

What happened on the outer edge of the foot well.

I'd love to have a covered wash bay. It's so hot here in the summer with the direct sun making washing a car a spring. Good luck getting ready for the CCA Foundation event!