Alpina B3 3.3 Coupe no 88

MCB · Post by **MCB** » Sat Aug 29, 2015 10:56 pm

polynesian2 wrote:It's strange, because I don't think I've ever touched the airbag cover- certainly not in a way that would scuff it! I'll have an update pic tomorrow, will be interested to see how the furniture clinic stuff goes- no doubt very well.

I am going to do the whole wheel, as there are patches like yours all around the rim as well. Will post pictures when it is finished.

polynesian2 · Post by **polynesian2** » Sun Aug 30, 2015 5:24 pm

Not yet perfect, but so much better!

Untitled

image

How did it get in this state??????

polynesian2 · Post by **polynesian2** » Sun Oct 04, 2015 10:28 pm

More minor titivation in denial of need for a new wing, boot and door, full respray and rust proofing

I removed the abused air intake (couldn't get the glue residue of a K&N filter sticker off with anything). Replaced with new. The little fasteners remove easily once you pull the pinhead up and then they release. At least this part won't rust.

B3 air intake

B3 air intake

The airbox lid is going to be difficult- Alpina specific and again, I can't shift whatever glue was plastered on it!

MCB · Post by **MCB** » Sun Oct 04, 2015 11:36 pm

Try Nitromors paint/varnish remover. You have nothing to lose. That Alpina air-box will cost a small fortune.

If that does not shift it then nothing will. It wont hurt the plastic, as I have tried it myself for the same kind of thing in the past.

Just make sure you keep it away from painted areas.

al cowan · Post by **al cowan** » Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:03 am

New Nitormors is a complete waste of time, the old stuff was much better. You could try Acetone as that will shift just about everything. All the good stuff seems to have been banned now.
Alasdair

MCB · Post by **MCB** » Mon Oct 05, 2015 8:21 am

al cowan wrote:New Nitormors is a complete waste of time, the old stuff was much better. You could try Acetone as that will shift just about everything. All the good stuff seems to have been banned now.
Alasdair

I have not tried the new Nitromors. A couple of months ago I removed some old sticker residue from the rocker cover on the B3 using some cheap B&Q paint stripper (only on the unpainted plastic) and it worked fine.

Not sure I would be happy using Acetone. It is a liquid and can run into places that you don't want. The paint stripper is very thick and will stay where you put it. Just leave it for 15 mins and wipe it off using a none abrasive scouring pad.

brett · Post by **brett** » Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:16 am

Have you tried autosmart tar and glue remover ?

simon13 · Post by **simon13** » Mon Oct 05, 2015 7:10 pm

brake cleaner

polynesian2 · Post by **polynesian2** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 4:31 pm

A nice big bottle of surfex hd arrived, so with a spare 15 minutes (I'm no detailer) I decided to try it out. Diluted 4:1 and liberally applied with a paint brush it has absolutely transformed my engine bay! The picture isn't very good but looking closely all of the grime of 15 years has been removed. I am impressed! Still need to get that residue off the air box- at least I have many good recommendations from the forum for what to use.

One impressed bilt hamber customer here.

jolls · Post by **jolls** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 9:12 pm

Bilt Hamber produce some good stuff. Once your satisfied your engine bay is clean get some Aerospace 303 and spray that on and leave to dry. You'll be surprised how good it looks afterwards.

polynesian2 · Post by **polynesian2** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 12:41 am

Finally some good progress! Had the interior restored. The colour is a beautiful champagne once again, as it would have been 15 years ago. To be honest, i'm not completely delighted with the quality of the work, but it's nice to have no rips, worn leather or torn piping.

hap · Post by **hap** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 12:48 am

Looks excellent job against black exterior any photos of outside of car?

Ps where has the arm rest gone?

ali · Post by **ali** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:02 am

Stunning interior.
Think the armrest is away getting repiped

polynesian2 · Post by **polynesian2** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:09 am

have some pics with the armrest somewhere! I don't know if I was expecting too much, but I'm not completely happy with it... The colour is perfect, but the new piping is much thicker than the Alpina original, the fit of the new panels isn't perfect, and I'm not sure it's all been cleaned and prepped to the same light champagne... But, the new panels are in, no tears, no worn leather, no wrecked piping, it is matte, and very pleasing, at least until you are up very close.

polynesian2 · Post by **polynesian2** » Wed Feb 17, 2016 12:18 pm

Just been down to the garage to check on the Alpina. I am as happy with them as i am unhappy with her propensity to rust. They are taking lots of pictures as they work, took me on a detailed tour of the underside, in the end we went with OEM BMW brake lines instead of cunifer. They were happier using them and we'll treat them so they last longer than 15 years this time.

Sadly they did find some new rust blebs (is that the word we use now?) along the driver's side sill, woe is me once again. But very happy with the garage! Had a good chat about Alpinas, guy working on my car used to look after a dark blue B5 Touring in North London when he worked at BMW, obviously had quite an impact on him. I didn't dare ask what oil filter he put in it on the services...

Pics of the work to follow later this week