Help With Body Work / Paint Prep

Looking to have my 325i painted this summer.

The body is a 7/10, there are a couple of small dings and dents, the trouble spots are the rear bumper (which is pushed in) and a small section under the rear right taillight that is pushed in. All from PO, but no idea how it got there.

Front bumper has seen better days, but its mainly just completely faded.

The hood has some paint chipping off the front (typical for an 18 year old car I guess) and rust bubbles on it from that.

Doors are ok, except one door has paint that flaked off it in about a half dollar bill sized area, not sure if this can be filled up and/or covered.

I have a couple of pics but they don’t show everything, just the bumper mainly:

What I am looking for help with:

Prepping car for an exterior only paint job (no jambs, no underhood) including:

  • removing bumper / moldings / etc
  • stripping / cleaning / sanding exterior
  • fixing body issues either with filler, or pulling, or some other method
  • replacing any weatherstrip / sealing around rear glass and front windshield (if not a PITA)

(don’t know jack about body repair so if I leave something obvious out sorry folks!!)

Since the rear bumper is screwed up I’ll probably source another front and rear bumper from another 3 series and then prep that separately…

If the door issue is bad enough that it’s easier to replace with one door and then just prep that, I’ll consider door replacement, but would like whomever responds to provide their recommendation.

Basically I can get a pro to spray the car, but would like to reduce my costs by giving him the car ready to be sprayed.

HOWEVER if you can do everything including spraying it on the exterior, I’m happy to hear from you.

Car is to be sprayed White.

You need to have a place to work on the car, as I can’t do this in my garage. The car can sit at your place for a maximum of two weeks while work is being done, and I can help out and do basic tasks but need someone who knows exactly what needs to be done, can provide guidance, and lead the way.

Those who I’ve worked with on the forum know I’m fair with working out costs and stuff, of course materials will be on me but hoping to hear from someone who knows what it will take for materials from start to finish so I don’t run over on costs. Also I need to know how many hours of work it will require so we can figure out a labor cost too.

Obviously before we work something out I can show you the car so you can look it over well and see what it needs before developing an estimate to work with.

Lastly, of course this is NOT going to be a show job.

I understand but am looking to fix the minor body issues and have the car looking nice again. I just can’t afford to pay the “pro” price to do this work so hopefully someone can help me out here.

PM me or e-mail teamosoi76 AT yahoo.com and let’s talk.

Looking to do this from end of June to July time frame.

Sorry for the novel but I like to be clear as I can on what I want.

Thanks in advance.

Vouching for character and willingness to work on price. Wish I could help you out Archie.

Fn skank is Capable of doing prep work, try him

7/10?!?!?! :rofl :rofl

What would you give it? :lol

archie, ill be happy to come take a look at it for you.

not sure but if that’s 7/10 I’d hate to see what you’d call a 5/10 :rofl