The Bimmer Basement

[Rockcam]

Love the wedding pic.

Champagne of beers is a top shelf choice....

 

[Mpower5266]

So I called the company that I am buying my carport/wash bay from to ask if they are still working or if the great cootie outbreak shut them down. They said that they have been trying to get a call back from the city plans inspector for the last three weeks. I messaged the city on Facebook and they said the building is closed but they are still working and gave me a number to call. I called the number to check on it, and it went straight to voicemail. I have been chatting with someone at the city for the last two hours on facebook trying to get a hold of the plans inspector. I should have just ordered a carport and put it up myself. I never thought that I would buy a house, pay taxes on it, and have to beg the city to tax me so I can build something to park my cars under that I paid sales tax on and I am annually taxed on.

 

[XJSuperman]

To hell with the city, call the company and tell em to come on out. You can deal with the city later if they ever find out, or care enough to get their **** together.

I installed an underground gas line last fall and the city guy freaks and tells me I need a permit (its 15feet long). I screw around and end up getting the papers and filling them out myself (which is supposed to be done by a licensed plumber) and my buddy (an apprentice plumber) cannot fill them out since he hasn't taken his test yet. Anyhow....city guy comes out when we are done and says "looks good to me" (no prodding, no internal inspection, nothing), but then tells me it has to be pressure tested (we forgot), so he comes back a day later, slaps the permit sticker on and leaves. The 40 bucks Im supposed to pay the city apparently isn't actually a thing, meaning neither is the receipt or proof that it was done right. Free sticker and a pain in the *** for me. The lesson here is that I should've just done it and kept my mouth shut. I say you go for it it and tell the city to figure it out later.

 

[M-technik-3]

How is progress on the E9 going ?

Here's a cool E9 for you.

 

[Purist]

How is progress on the E9 going ?

Here's a cool E9 for you.

Cool is an understatement. This thing is straight [emoji91]!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[M-technik-3]

Guess I saw too many when I would venture to das Ring.

 

[Bob Heine]

I dont wear a tie often enough to get practice. If one or both of the twins are boys I am going to have to get my poop in a group and learn how to do it.

Nick, I had to wear a tie for most of the 30 years I worked at IBM (1964-1994). I can't help anyone else but can tie a necktie one-handed in the dark on myself. During those years ties went from skinny to wide and back to something in the middle. The Windsor knot was the big deal but that knot was like having a baseball under your chin if it was a knitted wide tie.

The simplest knot is just wrap the wide end around the skinny end and bring the wide end over the loop that's around your neck and thread the tip into the outer layer of the wrap. This is the simplest knot but I hated that it was lopsided.

Not sure of the name for my knot but it is pretty simple.

1. Start with the tie inside-out.
​

2. Bring the wide end over the narrow side from front to back.
​

3. Wrap the wide end over the narrow end and bring the wide end through the neck opening from back to front and down through the loop you just made.
​

4. Pull the wide end down and you have the knot but it looks lopsided like the first knot I showed.
​

5. As you tighten the knot and pull the narrow end down, the knot becomes symmetrical. It is also small enough to be as comfortable as a hangman's noose can be.
​

 

[Mpower5266]

How is progress on the E9 going ?

Here's a cool E9 for you.

No news. The painter isn't accepting visitors but hes still working. Hope to have some news next week.

Nick, I had to wear a tie for most of the 30 years I worked at IBM (1964-1994). I can't help anyone else but can tie a necktie one-handed in the dark on myself. During those years ties went from skinny to wide and back to something in the middle. The Windsor knot was the big deal but that knot was like having a baseball under your chin if it was a knitted wide tie.

The simplest knot is just wrap the wide end around the skinny end and bring the wide end over the loop that's around your neck and thread the tip into the outer layer of the wrap. This is the simplest knot but I hated that it was lopsided.

Not sure of the name for my knot but it is pretty simple.

1. Start with the tie inside-out.
​

2. Bring the wide end over the narrow side from front to back.
​

3. Wrap the wide end over the narrow end and bring the wide end through the neck opening from back to front and down through the loop you just made.
​

4. Pull the wide end down and you have the knot but it looks lopsided like the first knot I showed.
​

5. As you tighten the knot and pull the narrow end down, the knot becomes symmetrical. It is also small enough to be as comfortable as a hangman's noose can be.
​

I will remember to check this thread next time I need to wear a tie. Its looking like maybe 2021 before more than 5 people are allowed to gather again.

 

[Hugo L.]

The whole Covid thing ****!ng *****.

 

[Mpower5266]

The whole Covid thing ****!ng *****.

I am over it man. I have friends in the restaurant industry that are missing rent payments and getting tons of over draft fees. That $1200 from the government is going to hit their account and make it go from -528.50 to $671.50 and then the they have to pay their bills. If its okay to tie a tshirt to your head and go get your essential mulch or ceiling fan from Lowes you should be able to go to a restaurant. Anyway.... Enough venting.

I got up early Saturday morning and was craving some Chic-fil-a so I got my travel documents in order and headed out.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After that I went out to the shop to finish the brakes on the M3. My parents had a crew painting their deck so I pulled the wagon in to avoid the over spray.

by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Then it was time for the moment of truth. I have been really worried that two child seats wont fit in the wagon, so we borrowed a neighbors seat and tried it. Its not hooked in fully and I can move the seat up a few more inches. I don't think it will work for a 6 hour trip to the beach but around town will be fine. Crisis adverted, I can keep the wagon. They will ride in the Tahoe mostly anyway.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I had big plans for the rest of the day. I was going to work on the E9 seats, clean the house, take the dog for a walk and finish the laundry. Instead I drank beer, smoked a cigar, and caught up on youtube.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Sunday was a little odd. Easter normally consists of Church and lunch with the in-laws, and then dinner with my parents. Well Covid shut that down so I was on my own for Easter lunch. Since my wife is pregnant and usually not feeling well she had her normal cheese cubes and apples. I made a feast for one.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After that I was bored and honestly a little sick of drinking all the time so I broke down and worked on a project. The headlights on the wagon we looking a little rough and I just bought a new polisher I wanted to try out. One thing lead to another and I wet sanded and polished them out. Here are before shots showing scratching and failed UV coating.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I started my sanding them with 1000,1200,1500,2000,and 2500.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Started with some compound and a microfiber pad on my new Maxshine machine. Its a nice machine, but it does vibrate a little but it will work for me.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

For the tighter areas I broke out my air powered rotary. I need to get a small electric polisher, this thing scares the hell out of me.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

But it works and the headlights came out clear. I repeated the process with polish and foam finishing pads.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I then coated them to slow the yellowing process. The really need to be clear coated. Since I plan on either getting an m-tech bumper or getting mine fixed and resprayed I will have the body shop do it when I have that done.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[chryslerben]

If your into Hofbrau beer then I can really recommend hitting up some of the Beer halls in Munich, that's of course if you ever go over to Germany. Just watch out for the hangover the next day though!

BMWwelt in Munich is also a good day out.

 

[Mpower5266]

If your into Hofbrau beer then I can really recommend hitting up some of the Beer halls in Munich, that's of course if you ever go over to Germany. Just watch out for the hangover the next day though!

BMWwelt in Munich is also a good day out.

I love german beer in general and I really want to get over to Germany. Some day maybe.

 

[chryslerben]

My favourite has to be the Augustiner brau lagerbeer hell,

http://www.braeustuben.de/en/tradition/augustiner-beers/

Always tried to bring back crates of the stuff when moving around Europe, their beer hall also serves really good food too.

 

[tennesseewj]

Lol, I like the travel orders. In fairness, most state governments allowed places like Lowe's to stay open so that you could fix a leaking roof or replace a water line. It was never intended to promote mulching and home improvement projects. People are just stubborn and refuse to change their routines...

All the cancellations are frustrating, but on the plus side it's amazing how much you can order from Amazon to keep a few projects going!

Are you planning to treat the leather in the wagon with anything special before putting car seat bases in there? My wife has a Summit trim Grand Cherokee with the fancy leather and I've been wondering if I should do anything special to keep it nice other than just removing the seats and cleaning the leather occasionally.

Those infant carriers are space hogs for sure. FYI most people put the infants in the outboard seats, but if you put one seat in the middle and one on the passenger side you can keep your driver leg room. I'm 6'4" so I'm pretty insistent on minimizing the intrusion of those beasts...

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[Metallitubby]

The shop looks great!

 

[Mpower5266]

Lol, I like the travel orders. In fairness, most state governments allowed places like Lowe's to stay open so that you could fix a leaking roof or replace a water line. It was never intended to promote mulching and home improvement projects. People are just stubborn and refuse to change their routines...

All the cancellations are frustrating, but on the plus side it's amazing how much you can order from Amazon to keep a few projects going!

Are you planning to treat the leather in the wagon with anything special before putting car seat bases in there? My wife has a Summit trim Grand Cherokee with the fancy leather and I've been wondering if I should do anything special to keep it nice other than just removing the seats and cleaning the leather occasionally.

Those infant carriers are space hogs for sure. FYI most people put the infants in the outboard seats, but if you put one seat in the middle and one on the passenger side you can keep your driver leg room. I'm 6'4" so I'm pretty insistent on minimizing the intrusion of those beasts...

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Except amazon is determining what is "essential" or not an delaying stuff. The front wipers for my wives Tahoe were delayed until May, but the rear one shipped same day. Haha. I am doing some research and I think I may go with a pad that fits under the seats, or I may find someone parting a car out and buy a seat bottom.

I only had one car seat to try but I dont know if I can put one behind the pass seat and one in the middle. I think they are going to just have to ride in the Tahoe until we go front facing.

The shop looks great!

Thanks, I cant wait until the E9 is back and we can mess it back up.

 

[swimrr]

Congratulations on the twins!

I used the Prince Lionheart seat protectors in our E60 for our now 6-year old twin boys and highly recommend them. I really liked the strength of the bottom piece which is more rigid than other protectors I've seen, and the fact that you can move the back piece up if you want to get more padding for the back of the seat when they go to forward facing. 6 years later we still have the same seat protectors, although now they're in the Eurovan and the E60 has lighter seat protectors under their booster seats in that car.

https://www.princelionheart.com/2-stager-seatsaverr-1031.html

 

[Mpower5266]

Congratulations on the twins!

I used the Prince Lionheart seat protectors in our E60 for our now 6-year old twin boys and highly recommend them. I really liked the strength of the bottom piece which is more rigid than other protectors I've seen, and the fact that you can move the back piece up if you want to get more padding for the back of the seat when they go to forward facing. 6 years later we still have the same seat protectors, although now they're in the Eurovan and the E60 has lighter seat protectors under their booster seats in that car.

https://www.princelionheart.com/2-stager-seatsaverr-1031.html

Thank you, I was trying to remember the name of that company. I think Matt of Obsessed Garage has mentioned them before.

 

[Mpower5266]

I'm so bored that I am now modifying my rolling stool. I have had this Speed Master detailers stool for a few years and its great but the red trays constantly fall out.

So I looked it over, and almost ran a few self tappers through the trays into the frame, but I do need to remove them every now and then. I noticed that the trays have a channel that fits over the frame and stops them from moving in and out but nothing to keep them from moving up. The slightest bump will send them flying.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

So I bought some high quality 3m velco from work and installed it on the frame and tray.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And now I can carry the stool around by the trays if I want and they are still removable.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I washed the wagon after and they worked great. Speaking of washing the wagon, since it was clean this morning and no one is out I stopped to snap a pic that I have wanted for a while. With no police, security, or people in general around, I was able to back right up to the gate for the city of "Alexandria" from Walking Dead.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[pat9198]

That is too cool!

 

[Hawk136439]

That is pretty dang awesome!

 

[Mpower5266]

Got a little work done around the house. I swapped out some GFI breakers that kept popping, for some reason our electrician put all GFI breakers in the panel. One in the garage I guess got a little over loaded with the AC, my TV stuff, and the heat gun running, and ever since it would pop at random. I put a plug with a gfi reset there and in the bathroom where I was also having issues and put normal breakers in the panel. I also worked on the e9 seats a little. But before that, I took the M3 out for a drive. I didnt get pulled over but I certainly got some funny looks.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I thought it would be fun to do a 50/50 on one of the seats, so I taped it off and only cleaned and dyed one half. Check out the video below.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Then I finished cleaning and dyeing the other half, the finished seat is on the left.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And a before and after video with the finished seat next to the seat I had not cleaned.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

It looks like it matches to me.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And then I cleaned the other seat with ColourLock strong leather cleaner and their brush. I thought the brand new white towel would be make for a nice example.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I think they were a little dirty.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[PatrickM]

Great thread, love the older BMW's. Your desire to attain perfection when cleaning your cars. I did have a question regarding foam cannons. I see that you use yours with a power washer. Does anyone use an air compressor to power them, I see that they exist. Are there benefits to one over the other? I can detail the **** out my cars, but I have always washed them the old school way, and am interested in moving to present day.
Thanks, Patrick

 

[Mpower5266]

Great thread, love the older BMW's. Your desire to attain perfection when cleaning your cars. I did have a question regarding foam cannons. I see that you use yours with a power washer. Does anyone use an air compressor to power them, I see that they exist. Are there benefits to one over the other? I can detail the **** out my cars, but I have always washed them the old school way, and am interested in moving to present day.
Thanks, Patrick

I am not familiar with pressure washer powered foam cannons. Do you hook up a hose and an airline? That seems like a lot of trouble when you can get a decent pressure washer and a foam cannon for under $200-250 and get great results.

 

[Purist]

Got a little work done around the house. I swapped out some GFI breakers that kept popping, for some reason our electrician put all GFI breakers in the panel. One in the garage I guess got a little over loaded with the AC, my TV stuff, and the heat gun running, and ever since it would pop at random. I put a plug with a gfi reset there and in the bathroom where I was also having issues and put normal breakers in the panel. I also worked on the e9 seats a little. But before that, I took the M3 out for a drive. I didnt get pulled over but I certainly got some funny looks.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I thought it would be fun to do a 50/50 on one of the seats, so I taped it off and only cleaned and dyed one half. Check out the video below.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Then I finished cleaning and dyeing the other half, the finished seat is on the left.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And a before and after video with the finished seat next to the seat I had not cleaned.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

It looks like it matches to me.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And then I cleaned the other seat with ColourLock strong leather cleaner and their brush. I thought the brand new white towel would be make for a nice example.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I think they were a little dirty.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

That Colourlock seems pretty damn legit. I'm interested in trying out some of the Swissvax leather products that the OG store sells, but of course the smaller bottle of the Leather Cleaner is out of stock. I've done the Leatherique treatment on the M3, but would like the Swissvax as more of a maintenance item for our vehicles.

Nice work!

 

[Mpower5266]

That Colourlock seems pretty damn legit. I'm interested in trying out some of the Swissvax leather products that the OG store sells, but of course the smaller bottle of the Leather Cleaner is out of stock. I've done the Leatherique treatment on the M3, but would like the Swissvax as more of a maintenance item for our vehicles.

Nice work!

I would think you would just need their mild cleaner. You can get it on Amazon and Colourlock makes a lot of stuff for Swissvax.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V4SGV6N/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can wait and "honor the source" but I know Matt doesnt always do that.

 

[Purist]

I would think you would just need their mild cleaner. You can get it on Amazon and Colourlock makes a lot of stuff for Swissvax.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V4SGV6N/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can wait and "honor the source" but I know Matt doesnt always do that.

Agreed! And yes, I like to try and HTS as much as possible. But thanks for the info. I'll definitely take that into consideration.

 

[dubber]

Great job on those seats. And I can understand the plug situation. My new garage i found out after a month had 11 plugs on one circuit. Thankfully the box is in the garage and i was able to get a few other circuits added.

 

[Mpower5266]

Agreed! And yes, I like to try and HTS as much as possible. But thanks for the info. I'll definitely take that into consideration.

Don't get me wrong I like OG but I also know why they have the skin wedge in stock and why Matt even knows its called a skin wedge.

Great job on those seats. And I can understand the plug situation. My new garage i found out after a month had 11 plugs on one circuit. Thankfully the box is in the garage and i was able to get a few other circuits added.

Thankfully they didn't over load any of the breakers but I am still not sure why they put GFI breakers on everything.

 

[Purist]

Don't get me wrong I like OG but I also know why they have the skin wedge in stock and why Matt even knows its called a skin wedge.

I think he did honor the source there. He said his buddy from Boston (I forget the name of the stereo place he works at) told him about it. Ha, either way, I love my skin wedge and use it pretty damn often!

 

[Mpower5266]

I think he did honor the source there. He said his buddy from Boston (I forget the name of the stereo place he works at) told him about it. Ha, either way, I love my skin wedge and use it pretty damn often!

I put him in touch with the manufacturer when he asked if anyone knew the manufacturer and if so he would "send you something cool." I got a "thank you" from Chris.

 

[Purist]

I put him in touch with the manufacturer when he asked if anyone knew the manufacturer and if so he would "send you something cool." I got a "thank you" from Chris.

Ohhhhhh. Well that *****. Sorry man!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mpower5266]

Ohhhhhh. Well that *****. Sorry man!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not that big of a deal, I just ordered like $100 worth of pads because it was a better deal and shipping sooner. I also ordered a Maxshine because it was good enough for what I do and I dont need a Rupes. I couldnt imagine putting an Obsessed garage banner up in my garage or buying pictures of someones car so I dont know if Ill get in on the M5 raffle.

 

[Purist]

Not that big of a deal, I just ordered like $100 worth of pads because it was a better deal and shipping sooner. I also ordered a Maxshine because it was good enough for what I do and I dont need a Rupes. I couldnt imagine putting an Obsessed garage banner up in my garage or buying pictures of someones car so I dont know if Ill get in on the M5 raffle.

Yeah I don't blame you there. I don't buy everything from OG. It's not like my wife and I are each pulling in $200k+, so I have to be somewhat responsible with my spending. I buy 90% of my items through OG, but I bought my mosmatic gun and wand elsewhere because at the time, it was a better deal.

And yes, while the prints of his cars came out awesome, I don't want prints of someone elses car in my garage, either. That said, the banners are pretty coo, as are the Hex logo's. I'll probably grab one or the other as my M5 raffle entries.

 

[Mpower5266]

Yeah I don't blame you there. I don't buy everything from OG. It's not like my wife and I are each pulling in $200k+, so I have to be somewhat responsible with my spending. I buy 90% of my items through OG, but I bought my mosmatic gun and wand elsewhere because at the time, it was a better deal.

And yes, while the prints of his cars came out awesome, I don't want prints of someone elses car in my garage, either. That said, the banners are pretty coo, as are the Hex logo's. I'll probably grab one or the other as my M5 raffle entries.

I still may to CSL/EXO on the wagon, so if I decide to do it I may get those for the raffle. I think my wife would leave me if I buy another hat.

 

[Purist]

I still may to CSL/EXO on the wagon, so if I decide to do it I may get those for the raffle. I think my wife would leave me if I buy another hat.

I’m not brave enough to try coatings, yet. Hell, I barely polish cars. My goal is to work on getting more comfortable with polishing this “car season“.

And yep, I already have 3 OG hats. I do like the raffle shirt and don’t own any OG shirts yet, so maybe that, too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mpower5266]

I’m not brave enough to try coatings, yet. Hell, I barely polish cars. My goal is to work on getting more comfortable with polishing this “car season“.

And yep, I already have 3 OG hats. I do like the raffle shirt and don’t own any OG shirts yet, so maybe that, too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I once was a "professional" detailer that would polish out black Ferarri's with a Dewalt and a 10" wool pad. You really cant mess anything up with a random orbital.

 

[dubber]

I’m not brave enough to try coatings, yet. Hell, I barely polish cars. My goal is to work on getting more comfortable with polishing this “car season“.

And yep, I already have 3 OG hats. I do like the raffle shirt and don’t own any OG shirts yet, so maybe that, too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've enjoyed this exchange and feel very similar. Car pics in my garage are of my cars. I did however scoop a hat as a raffle. Lets agree, the M5 would look nice in my middle bay.

 

[Mpower5266]

I've enjoyed this exchange and feel very similar. Car pics in my garage are of my cars. I did however scoop a hat as a raffle. Lets agree, the M5 would look nice in my middle bay.

Well if either of you win, feel free to stop by on your way home if you drive it home.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Purist]

I once was a "professional" detailer that would polish out black Ferarri's with a Dewalt and a 10" wool pad. You really cant mess anything up with a random orbital.

Ya, fair enough. Right now, I only own the HF random orbital. We'll see how I make out.

I've enjoyed this exchange and feel very similar. Car pics in my garage are of my cars. I did however scoop a hat as a raffle. Lets agree, the M5 would look nice in my middle bay.

Yep! Unless they're cool, vintage racing photos, of course. Those are perfectly acceptable! Pretty sure all of us have those.

It would look really good in that middle bay, for sure! It would also look damn nice parked alongside my M3, just saying!

Well if either of you win, feel free to stop by on your way home if you drive it home.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Noted! Just save me some of that BBQ I see you photograph from time to time and I'll absolutely swing by!