[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by matthewjmoser

what did you wet sand with before clearing the top? looks great

I wet sanded with 400 Grit on a foam block and then wiped with alcohol a few times. Then 1 light coat of Spray Max 2K aerosol can clear coat, followed by 3 medium coats every 10 mins. Here’s how it looks now after 24 hours curing...

[Biginboca]

Today was a big day and things happened very quickly compared to the last week of being hung up on prepping the carbon roof. I actually don’t think things could have gone any better today!



Steel Roof is off the car! Took me about 6 hours to drill all the spot welds with a “spot weld cutter” drill bit and then separate the metal roof with heat gun and seam splitters.

Tomorrow I just have to grind all the spot welds smooth and prime any exposed metal.

And I’m waiting on a roof crossmember (“roof bow” BMW part # 41007168999) that I accidentally cut too short when I was pulling the carbon roof. It’s a reinforcement that carbon roof cars have and sunroof cars don’t.

Once that arrive’s I’m ready to install the roof. Crossmember probably won’t be here until middle of next week unfortunately but I can wet sand and buff the roof meanwhile. And it’s Wifey’s birthday Saturday so I couldn’t work this weekend anyway.

It’s going great!

[BMB063]

This is a historic moment! We need to do a full feature video on this when it's complete!

[Biginboca]

Here’s a sneak peek! It’s not ready to go on yet and there’s a few days of work left here but I couldn’t resist!

[Minutes2Midnight]

I can't stop refreshing to see more progress! Amazing work, it looks like a tremendous undertaking and I admire your commitment to this project!

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by Minutes2Midnight

I can't stop refreshing to see more progress! Amazing work, it looks like a tremendous undertaking and I admire your commitment to this project!

Thank you sir! So much work into this and it’s been kind of stressful at times... and tiring... but I have to tell you, seeing that roof sitting on the car today makes it feel so worth it. It’s going to look amazing!

And I’m feeling very good now. Im through all the unknowns of can I salvage a roof, can I get my old roof off without damaging the car, can I get the headliner issues sorted. It’s all handled and should be smooth sailing from here once my roof bow arrives.

[W37V]

Originally Posted by Biginboca

Thank you sir! So much work into this and it’s been kind of stressful at times... and tiring... but I have to tell you, seeing that roof sitting on the car today makes it feel so worth it. It’s going to look amazing!

And I’m feeling very good now. Im through all the unknowns of can I salvage a roof, can I get my old roof off without damaging the car, can I get the headliner issues sorted. It’s all handled and should be smooth sailing from here once my roof bow arrives.

You should just leave the roof off, drill few holes in the floor for drainage and enjoy your new roofless “convertible”.

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by W37V

You should just leave the roof off, drill few holes in the floor for drainage and enjoy your new roofless “convertible”.

All the benefits of a drop top and none of the negatives

[squaredphoto]

I haven't been this pulled into a build thread/forum post in forever.

Keep going!!

[mlee4984]

great updates!

[Bufalo]

Awesome work, man! Nice job refinishing the roof.

[Biginboca]

More progress today! I focused on getting the car ready for the roof. Yesterday I got the roof off but today I actually prepped the car. I ground the remains of the spot welds that were holding the metal roof smooth (there are like 70 of them lol). I also had to remove all the old roof sealant and sand everywhere to prep for paint.

Then I masked off the car, primed, and painted. So outside of the missing crossmember I’m waiting on the car is ready for the roof install.



So now I’m stuck. Going to probably work on wet sanding and polishing the roof cause I can’t sit still for too long.

Hoping to have the roof on before next Friday and have the glass guys come out for reinstall that day. All depends on when that part arrives...

[Biginboca]

Update... I spent all day today wet sanding the buffing the roof to address the orange peel which was really bad. I sprayed it with aerosol clear coat so orange peel kind of unavoidable.

Unfortunately when I was wet sanding with 1500 grit a piece of dirt or something was on my paper and put a bunch of scratches on the roof. I’ll have to go back over it and correct it again but for now I can live with where this roof is at. The orange peel pretty much gone and it’s looking damn good considering it came off a 12 year old wrecked car and the shape it was in.

And this is the first time I’ve ever used a buffer or clear coated a panel this large. And I sprayed it outside and have done this whole project in a carport. So if anyone is wondering if it’s possible to DIY this, yes for sure it is just need to put in the time and be patient.

I love the way this roof is looking! It’s not perfect but it looks damn good for my daily driver.

Roof bow arrives Tuesday. I hope to have the glass reinstalled in the car on Thursday and finish this swap (headliner and interior trim) before next weekend is over.

[Biginboca]

Did a little minor prep work on the car. And then rolled it into the sun. OMG in the sun! My buddy said people might see the car and then think it’s a wrap.

No way! In the sun it shines like no wrap ever could.

This is a final test fit and I’m hoping to bond the roof to the car tomorrow!

[colorado.e9x]

Holy shit. Yes!

[IllSic_Design]

Looks damn good so far. Keep it up, this is my favorite thread on e90post!!

[bkwld]

Holy cow. This is the stuff that can get you anything in life if you have the drive, put your mind and situation to it! Really! Good job!

[Biginboca]

In the home stretch. I just bonded the roof to the car and am waiting on it to dry...

Tomorrow I’ll put the headliner back and I already booked the glass guys to come on Thursday afternoon. I’m still waiting on some black pillar trims, visors, and a few other trim bits to arrive but the car will be drivable and back on the road this weekend!

[Biginboca]

Well I was on a roll so kept pressing on. The roof is on, the headliner in. Just waiting on a few black trims to arrive (pillars, visors, grab handles, etc) and the glass and it’s done.

I can’t wait to drive this car. I haven’t even started it in 10 days.

[IllSic_Design]

Looks awesome bro, good job.

Can I ask why no clamping in the rain channels on the sides? I though I remember the IND videos showing they clamped all around?

[Biginboca]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

Looks awesome bro, good job.

Can I ask why no clamping in the rain channels on the sides? I though I remember the IND videos showing they clamped all around?

There’s different ways shops handle that. One IND video instruction (the M2 I think?) they just tightened the 4 roof rack bolts and clamped the front and back.

One I saw they pulled the back side windows and had the front windows down and ran clamps all around.

One I saw they left the back windows in and then clamped at the B Pilar through an open front side window only.

So I split the difference without getting too complicated. I clamped the front and back, tightened the 4 bolts, and put 120lbs of dumbells along the side rails. I didn’t want to take out any more glass to clamp the sides.

The squeeze out I had for the adhesive was just like the factory squeeze out on the car I salvaged. I’m very confident this is good to go!

[HuuuWeee]

Can I plz get the ebay links for the side skirt and front bumper lip. Fitment looks good