The Bimmer Basement

[Mpower5266]

Great work Nick, that really refreshed it. Hopefully you're feeling mostly recovered from the storm now.

Yea mostly. Its been a pretty rough year, I am looking forward to 2022 for sure. Haha.

 

[Mpower5266]

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and spent some time relaxing with loved ones and chowing down.

Over the last couple days I finished up the detail on the wagon. Wednesday night I wiped the car down with Eraser panel wipe to get all the polishing oils off the paint and jumped head first into my first coating project.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I watched a couple youtube videos and read the instructions, and it was actually really easy but time consuming. You basically just wipe it on the paint and make sure the whole panel is covered, taking care to not hit the adjacent panel. Then buff it off with a towel, and just to make sure you get all of it you wipe with another towel right after. I have used a ton of detailing products but nothing has made a car shine like this.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Hard to believe this is a 15 year old car that went through a tornado.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Thanksgiving morning, I cleaned the windows before running to my in-laws house to stuff my face. Then in the evening, full of turkey and all the fixings, I did a quick interior clean, dressed the tires, cleaned up the wheels, and wiped the car down with Gtechniq C2. This stuff is amazing and some how made the car look even better.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The first few days after the tornado, I spent a lot of time getting my family settled, making the house livable, and helping neighbors. Once I finally got around to checking my car and my wife's Tahoe for damage, I was pretty drained. I remember looking my car over and contemplating just selling it since it would never be right. It may seem silly to worry about such things when my house wasn't livable but cars and detailing cars are my outlet, almost like therapy. I made a post about it on facebook and I had a few people call me silly and told me not to worry about since it's a "daily." But one friend that happens to work for Gtechniq reached out and understood where I was coming from. We chatted a little bit about options and their products, and he offered to help. He sent a care package full of products and swag, it encouraged me to at least try to fix it. I know its just a car, but my family and friends are okay and the house is finally finished, so I am thankful to have it back to its former glory.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Chrisb62]

I know pictures can hide blemishes but your “daily” looks amazing and if you say it is near perfect, I fully believe it. Most important is that it finishes the destruction of the storm being erased.....not from memory but from visual and lifts that weight off your back. Everything is looking awesome......job well done.

 

[Mpower5266]

I know pictures can hide blemishes but your “daily” looks amazing and if you say it is near perfect, I fully believe it. Most important is that it finishes the destruction of the storm being erased.....not from memory but from visual and lifts that weight off your back. Everything is looking awesome......job well done.

Exactly. My wife's Tahoe is a little beat up too but we are thinking about trading it in for a Suburban soon so I don't know if I am going to bother with it. As far as I am concerned the tornado stuff is done.

 

[Chrisb62]

Trade it in....... I am partial to the Suburban, so don’t let that persuade you any

 

[M-technik-3]

Car is looking great Nick. Enjoy seeing updates.

 

[Mpower5266]

Quick random update.... I haven't done anything in the last couple weeks. The end.


Ok kinda kidding but nothing really car or garage related. Still chasing a brake squeal on the 02, and the e9 is still broken. My folks got us a Blackstone for Christmas, and we ended up getting it a little early. Its awesome.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I have been using it constantly. Phillys, chicken fried rice, breakfast.... its going to make me fatter but I love it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Snapped a pic of the wagon on the way to work last week. I am extremely happy with Gtechniq, the car is still clean... Nothing sticks to it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I messed with some watch stuff. I noticed this one was running about 2 minutes fast a day on Friday.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

So I demagnetized it and tried my hand at regulating the movement.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After several attempts at moving the lever, I got it down to about 8-10 seconds fast a day. It is going to need a service soon, but that will cost about double what the watch is worth.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I have been trying to get back into photography a bit, so I set up a little "studio" in the basement. Well, I actually moved some of my wife's antiques without asking and I really need to move them back before she notices. I did steal some of her inventory to use for props.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Saturday we got the twin's little cars out for the first time. I think they loved them even though they are trying to look tough in this pic.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Of course, I had to race them. Ives wants a rematch, her battery was low and she spun out of the box.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[GirchyGirchy]

LOL, those pics of the kids are fantastic. They're adorable. The one in the white 507 in the first pic is totally giving the "do not f with me" stink eye.

Any pics of your mini studio setup? That came out great.

Demagnetizers are amazing. I picked up a used Vigor on eBay for $70 (they're $340 new!) that needed a new power cable, it works great. Worst so far was a Maen Skymaster with the ETA 2894-2 (same automatic modular chrono movement used in the Speedmaster reduced) that came in running +225 sec/day. It settled down to well within spec after a hit on the demag.

 

[Mpower5266]

LOL, those pics of the kids are fantastic. They're adorable. The one in the white 507 in the first pic is totally giving the "do not f with me" stink eye.

Any pics of your mini studio setup? That came out great.

Demagnetizers are amazing. I picked up a used Vigor on eBay for $70 (they're $340 new!) that needed a new power cable, it works great. Worst so far was a Maen Skymaster with the ETA 2894-2 (same automatic modular chrono movement used in the Speedmaster reduced) that came in running +225 sec/day. It settled down to well within spec after a hit on the demag.

I just have a cheapo $9 ebay demagnetizer but it works. As for the studio, its a table pushed up to a white wall. I used my Harbor Freight detailing "sunmatch" light, and just moved it around to where I liked it. Haha

 

[jbrentd]

That post was so full of win. I love my flat top griddle, love my Seikos, and those little bimmers are awesome!

 

[Balor]

Mpower I see you have Sinn 556, I have the 556A Red and love it.

 

[smschriefer]

For whatever reason I haven't got notifications on your thread, but did notice it in the forum list. Anyway, wagon is looking great and congrats on the beirgarten. I'm shocked to find out you don't clean and restore your own movements. (Says a guy who wants to clean and service his, but has never been crazy enough to actually try it himself.) You've probably got some cheap movements you could start with from Seiko. Buy a box of **** Seiko 5's from India and practice. That's my plan anyway. lol

 

[Mpower5266]

For whatever reason I haven't got notifications on your thread, but did notice it in the forum list. Anyway, wagon is looking great and congrats on the beirgarten. I'm shocked to find out you don't clean and restore your own movements. (Says a guy who wants to clean and service his, but has never been crazy enough to actually try it himself.) You've probably got some cheap movements you could start with from Seiko. Buy a box of **** Seiko 5's from India and practice. That's my plan anyway. lol

I have an old Cyma alarm clock that I broke, and some old pocket watches that I may start with. I have swapped movements, date wheels, hands, etc etc, but fully servicing a movement seems daunting. That and my house is full of dog hair and I have zero free time. Haha.

 

[jbrentd]

I have an old Cyma alarm clock that I broke, and some old pocket watches that I may start with. I have swapped movements, date wheels, hands, etc etc, but fully servicing a movement seems daunting. That and my house is full of dog hair and I have zero free time. Haha.

I've never got up the nerve to strip down an automatic movement, but I did completely take down my baby arnie and re-assembled to get it working again.

 

[Mpower5266]

I've never got up the nerve to strip down an automatic movement, but I did completely take down my baby arnie and re-assembled to get it working again.

I love it.

 

[Trapps]

Seems to me I've seen that same 556 photo somewhere else...

Great watch! Nice composition on the shot!

 

[Mpower5266]

Seems to me I've seen that same 556 photo somewhere else...

Great watch! Nice composition on the shot!

Im on a lot of facebook watch groups and I posted it on my insta.

 

[Mpower5266]

I actually did some car stuff this weekend. Saturday morning my buddy and I went to our local cars and coffee, it was kind of a dud but nice to get the M3 out for a cruise.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Saturday afternoon my wife and I dropped off the kiddos with her folks and went to a big antique show in Atlanta. I picked up a clock to clean up and probably sell.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And this cool little stop watch, that will probably just clutter up my desk.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Sunday I washed the wagon for the first time since coating it.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The beading is great.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

But I was amazed at just how much of the water blows right off with the leaf blower. I barely had to dry the car. I want to coat everything now.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Sunday I ran over to my parents house with the kids to help my dad work on the E9. Griggs claimed the e9 as soon as we got there.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We tuned it a little bit and its almost there. I think there is a slight timing issue, its kinda loading up/missing around 2500-3000 rpm but above that it runs like a scalded dog as my grandfather would say. We also put some Swepco in the trans and it sounds much better and the 5 speed is heading off for rebuild possibly this week.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I left the 02 with my dad since the e9 is almost drive able again. We are going to dig into the 02 and fix some little issues that have been bugging me for a while. Since I left it, I took the Wagoneer for a while. It seems like the perfect car for the season. For some reason Rutledge Wood was pulling out of my neighborhood last night and gave me a huge thumbs up.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[Mpower5266]

The e9 is almost there, we are playing with some jetting to fix the stumble off the start and at 2500-3000. We got the off the start stumble fixed but we are waiting of some larger jets to come in tomorrow hopefully. I decided to leave the 02 in the shop with my dad so I could drive the Wagoneer for a little bit. My dad shot me a text a couple days ago and said, "has your seat always been this uncomfortable?" I said, "yea, the horse hair is gone so its just flat." About 2 hours later I got these pics.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Thankfully I sell memory foam at work so I grabbed a 1" thick piece of medium and some other parts and dropped them off on the way home. The next day he sent another text saying that the seat frame was cracked and he was going to weld it. He hasnt welded in a long time............ But it will stick.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Fresh coat of paint.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Added the backing and padding.

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This is looking much better.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I had to drop some more parts off yesterday. The driver's seat release to access the rear never worked, and apparently the cable was missing. Grabbed some 1/16 galv and some swage parts and after a couple attempts, its looking good.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Its almost back together, but the seat has had an unexpected reclining issue. Basically, if I lean back a little too hard the seat will recline itself one click. Over the next day or so, hes going to look at that and see if we can fix it, worst case I can take parts off a spare seat.

I have also ordered tune up parts and I think we are going to spend some time freshening it up. It seems like a good time now the the e9 is pretty much there.

 

[nicholam77]

And this cool little stop watch, that will probably just clutter up my desk.

Ooh, I like the look of that a lot. I happen to recognize the name "Westclox". I found this mechanical mantle clock in an antique shop years ago with the same name. I don't ever wind it up, but if I do it has a very satisfying (and loud) tick-tock tick-tock...




+1 on the cheap demagnetizer, it's worked for me before, too. Kudos for getting in there and messing with the movement. I've never been brave enough to go there (and haven't really needed to).

Great pics as always!

 

[Chrisb62]

Merry Christmas and have a joyous and Happy New Year.

 

[Mpower5266]

I hope everyone had a great Christmas weekend. I spent the whole weekend with my kids and family. Friday morning, I ran out to my folks to work on the e9's carb tuning and spent some time driving it. We also worked on the 2002 a little bit. The passenger door finally closes with out slamming the hell out of it. Santa's work shop.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Friday evening we went to my in-laws for Christmas eve dinner. We let the kiddos play around in the back yard. Not exactly sure what happened here but the photo is hilarious.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

After the twins went to bed, Santa put some gifts together, had a bourbon, and watched Die Hard.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

The next morning they got up and experienced their first Christmas. We didnt get them a ton of stuff, the grandparents more than covered that, but they loved their toys.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

We did family stuff all Christmas day. Breakfast at my in-laws, and then my parents came over for dinner. After that, my wife and I relaxed by a small fire. It was almost 70 degrees but who cares, it was was nice to just sit for a little while.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Sunday, I swapped the Jeep for the E9 and took it for a little cruise. I am going to keep it at my house for a bit while I try to get the hood looking a little better. It has some sanding marks that I missed. It was really nice to get it out for a longer cruise for the first time since Sept.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

And then we hung up the gift my brother in law sent me. I love it and it makes me want to get the garage all cleaned up again.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I hope everyone had a great Christmas with friends and family and I really hope 2022 is better than the last couple years.

 

[Mpower5266]

I hope everyone had a great New Year weekend. I am hoping 2022 is better than the last two over all. I didn't make any resolutions other than to try to be a little more positive and get some projects done. I started the year off knocking off a small one, although after working on it in a hunched position for hours, my back didn't see it as small. I finally got around to fixing the sanding marks in the e9's hood. I resanded with 3000grit, then compounded with megs 101 twice, jescar correction compound, and polished with Sonax perfect finish.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Its looking pretty good. There are a couple other spots that I want to touch up and I may coat it. But that's a little ways down the road. Saturday night before the bad weather moved in, I gave it a bath.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Up next will be the 5 speed swap, hopefully before The Vintage in May. Hopefully, I can drive it a bit before then.

We are also working on the 02 quite a bit and I have plans to finish part of the basement. I have big plans for 2022, I hope they work out.

 

[Metallitubby]

The Vintage in May.

What is this? An event or show of some sort?

 

[wreckdiver1321]

Nick, beautiful work on the cars, as always. That E9 is looking absolutely ******.

Thanks for sharing the pics of your kids too. Reminds me a lot of my boys. We got them some really fun stuff this year, and their reactions to it is even more fun than being the one opening presents.

Happy new year, hope it works out for you how you want it to!

 

[GirchyGirchy]

If you diffused the lights and hung some sheets around the open frame of that car port, you'd have an excellent photo booth!

 

[fourmotioneer]

The poster - why does it say 24 Stueden? It looks to be in German, in which case it would be “24 Stunden”. What am I missing here?

 

[Mpower5266]

The poster - why does it say 24 Stueden? It looks to be in German, in which case it would be “24 Stunden”. What am I missing here?

I think its a typo, oh well I still like it. Haha.

 

[M-technik-3]

What is this? An event or show of some sort?

It's a town wide BMW event and this year it's in Ashville N.C. https://www.atthevintage.com/ Webpage is slow but it's booking fast.

Oh since your the local watch guy here what's you opinion of Citizen PCAT AT4127-52H I just got one from c-list for $150 think I got a good deal.

 

[Metallitubby]

It's a town wide BMW event and this year it's in Ashville N.C. https://www.atthevintage.com/

It sounds like Southern Worthersee or what it was intended to be until the stance-bros showed up and ruined it for Helen, GA.

 

[Sumboodie]

Re: My first post and basement garage build.

I haven't updated in a few weeks, but I have gotten a lot done.

Wired the light above the door.



Hooked up the hot and cold water outside. Im a huge car guy and former detailer, this is the best thing I have ever done.



I then had a company come in and pour a slab of concrete.











Started painting the back wall. I would have rather had exposed brick on all the walls but someone "sealed" it before me with green sealer paint.



Then started to paint the support poles, they still need a few coats.



And how it sits now.





I still have a ton of work to do but its nice that its starting to come together. I will try to update this thread more frequently. Thanks for looking.

Not required frost free bibs with vacuum breakers?

The vacuum breaker is code in most places.

 

[danyo492]

Random question and sorry if I missed it in this thread, but didn’t you DIY your garage flooring or pay someone to do it? Looking for a good place to do my 3 car garage in the metro Atlanta area.

 

[Mpower5266]

It's a town wide BMW event and this year it's in Ashville N.C. https://www.atthevintage.com/ Webpage is slow but it's booking fast.

Oh since your the local watch guy here what's you opinion of Citizen PCAT AT4127-52H I just got one from c-list for $150 think I got a good deal.

I am not familiar with that watch but it sounds like you got a great deal on it. I like the looks of it.

It sounds like Southern Worthersee or what it was intended to be until the stance-bros showed up and ruined it for Helen, GA.

I was at the last SOWO, it was insane. The vintage is much much much much more laid back. Haha.

Not required frost free bibs with vacuum breakers?

The vacuum breaker is code in most places.

No not required as far as I know. There were not required when I did the addition either.

Random question and sorry if I missed it in this thread, but didn’t you DIY your garage flooring or pay someone to do it? Looking for a good place to do my 3 car garage in the metro Atlanta area.

I did it myself, and did my dads 30x40 shop as well.

 

[Sumboodie]

I am not familiar with that watch but it sounds like you got a great deal on it. I like the looks of it.


I was at the last SOWO, it was insane. The vintage is much much much much more laid back. Haha.


No not required as far as I know. There were not required when I did the addition either.



I did it myself, and did my dads 30x40 shop as well.

The reason for a vacuum breaker is there's a chance of siphoning water into the water system and contaminating it.

The frost free is to prevent the valves from freezing.

We also have to have a backflow check valve on the water main. Not exactly sure who mandated it, but I know the cheap *** builder didn't shell out nearly $1000 because it was the "right" thing to do!

 

[Mpower5266]

The reason for a vacuum breaker is there's a chance of siphoning water into the water system and contaminating it.

The frost free is to prevent the valves from freezing.

We also have to have a backflow check valve on the water main. Not exactly sure who mandated it, but I know the cheap *** builder didn't shell out nearly $1000 because it was the "right" thing to do!

I don't believe that is code down here, the current set up was done by a licensed plumber and it was inspected by the city. We are getting a new water main this week, we have a leak on ours, I will have to ask the plumber doing that if we need a check valve or if he is installing one. I typically just default to what plumbers and electricians tell me. I don't wire and I don't want to deal with poop.

 

[Mpower5266]

I haven't been doing too much lately. It really seems like I wake up Monday, finally look up and its Thursday, get off work Friday, and then its Monday again. Time has been flying lately and Im not sure why. I haven't had much time to do anything let alone work on cars, but my dad has been plugging away. We found out the e9 was lean, and that is probably the cause of the issues we have now so we are trying more jets. He has also been working on the 02 quite a bit. He pulled the door cards to replace some rubber grommets that will quiet down some rattles. While he was in there he finally got the windows properly adjusted.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

He also pulled the sunroof in preparation of installing a new headliner.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

This is a bit of an experiment. The dash was in really bad shape, and we were going to pull it to send to Just Dashes but they currently have a very long lead time. We are going to try to fix it in the car. We had some filler and "bondo" made for leather and vinyl from when we did the m3's seats. Here it is with the cracks fixed.

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

I believe the front and rear glass is going to come out for the headliner install so we may paint it then, and we have a plan for adding the texture. Like I said, its an experiment and if it looks like **** we will eventually send it out.

 

[Mpower5266]

Here goes nothing.....

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

Untitled by Nick Wood, on Flickr

 

[jbrentd]

Nice work on the 02. Not that you need it, but how hard is it to find replacement glass, seals, etc on the old BMWs? The windshield for my Audi has been NLA for years and are impossible to find. I've been waiting for "a special run" of aftermarket units to show up that I paid for almost a year ago.

 

[Mpower5266]

Nice work on the 02. Not that you need it, but how hard is it to find replacement glass, seals, etc on the old BMWs? The windshield for my Audi has been NLA for years and are impossible to find. I've been waiting for "a special run" of aftermarket units to show up that I paid for almost a year ago.

Its not too bad for 02's, I think they are still being made. The e9 may be another story, I hope I never have to find out.

 

[jbrentd]

Its not too bad for 02's, I think they are still being made. The e9 may be another story, I hope I never have to find out.

That's good! Maybe the audi gods heard me...I got a message 2 hours later saying they were ready to ship. Crossing my fingers they survive overseas transport.

If only Audi of America would allow Audi Traditions to ship the vintage OEM parts they are still making directly to the US consumers. We have to go through someone (usually in Canada) to receive and ship to the US.