Rehab continues for my beloved 90 Q45...

[nuQ]

I guess I should start from the beginning...after trying to find a Z in the mid 90's, I feel in love with the Q. In the early 2000's I discovered NICO and joined, and met a member in NJ that was selling his 90Q45. It was a Saturday, worked all day in NJ, then picked up his car and drove IMMEDIATELY to our buddy Keith Vanmeter for a chain guide replacement. Old guides were totally shot, and in the oil pan (thank God she didn't jump). Replaced the guides and some needed spark plugs, belts, and fluids.
Bought the Q in 2003 and from then until 2005, tried my best to bring her back to OEM condition (total trans flush w/ pan drop and screen replace, all synthetic fluids added, new rims from a 99Q, strut brace, clean up MAF, etc.).

Well, took a new job in 2006 that supplied a new Ford Fusion, all insurance, fuel, and maintenence......so my beloved Q and BMW sat with no reason to keep up. My bad.....

So, this past winter met the girl of my dreams, dropped the old job, moved in with her, plan on gettin married, and in the process of starting my own business..... and the good news,,,,getting both of the classics back on the road.

Just took a ton of pictures of my Q today,,,,just not sure how to post on here.......all help is welcome!!! Yes, I'm not the best internet guy....remember I've been away since 2005......and haven't learned a G-damed thing since.......

[nuQ]

worst case...write me at.......... [email protected] and I can send you all my pics that I took today. The exterior paint needs a total re-hab...... as you will see... Jeff

[OwnerCS]

Sent you an email. I can help you resise the pictures for the internet or post to my PhotoBucket or Wes has a place on q45.org. We're here to help.

[nuQ]

Thanks---email sent

[OwnerCS]

Cool.. Will get email when I'm home from work tonight..

[nuQ]

Well, my question was, would you like me to forward the pics to the your email?

[OwnerCS]

Absolutely.. So I will have available when I get home..

[nuQ]

Will do, thanks so much. I will also look into joining Photobucket and the like to make posting easier in the future, as I would like to keep all updated on the progress...

[Q451990]

I prefer google's Picasaweb to photobucket. Seems like there are fewer issues with bandwidth and advertising.

Heath

[nuQ]

Thanks Heath,,,,as I am a total 'newbie',,,I will take your advice...
Jeff

[OwnerCS]

Got all 17 running through a resampling script for 1024x768. That will significantly reduce the bytes..

[OwnerCS]

Just returned the pictures resampled at 1024x768.. Just let me know if you want them loaded to PB.

[OwnerCS]

Here's a slide show..

Looks nice!

http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll11 ... =slideshow

[nuQ]

Thank you soo much for posting the pics! Lot's to be done for my Q to get her back to original. Detail wise,,,interior, engine, and trunk is pretty much 100%, but as you all can see, the paint has taken beating from 6+ years of unprotected exposure to the elements of cement factory enviroment,,,,where she was parked.... You can also see where a tent post was blown over in a wind storm and landed on my truck! I always wanted to install a factory spoiler,,so this may not be so horrible..
All other advice to bringing back the paint is highly appreciected....

[OwnerCS]

Looks like a nice solid Q!

What kind of rear muffler do you have connected to those pipes? I'm starting to look for a good dual-in dual-out.


Here's a video from eHow that seems fairly complete.

http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_497_repai ... amage.html

Here's a slide show that I put together a couple years ago about (temporarily fixing) cracking clear coat. In that particular case, the clear coat was determined to continue disintegrating, so while I made it look good for a few weeks, it only lasted until the next round of cracking started. If you try something like that, you've really got to be careful use the finest paper you can find with a polymer detailer.

Don't flame about the brand as the intent is so share a technique for living with a dark pearl finish and troubled paint. Way back when I was in school, I did first cut compounding for a processional detail shop that serviced local used car dealers. I have a PorterCable 7424 random orbit polisher that I really recommend, as there is some risk associated with an old high-speed rotary like the one in the picture for burning paint.

Clicking the following image starts the show.

[nuQ]

Actually, my exhaust systerm is completely stock,,,,those are just chrome tips over the stock tailpipes. Definitely enhances the look IMO. Someday I would like to get aftermarket mufflers and get rid of the rear (suit case) resonator. I will be searching for what most here have gone with in the past, in regards to muffler setups.
I also just met with a local mechanic this morning who is very into 'side work', does quality stuff, and is charges very reasonable prices. I went over all my upcoming projects with him, so I'm soo excited thinking that my rehabbing will go by pretty quickly and I should be where I want the Q to be at by the end of the year.

My question is, will the PorterCable 7424 handle tough compounding situations, as you can see by my paint, as good as rotary drills? I will plan on purchasing one, if so... I've been checking out Autogeek.com for supplies, unless anyone else knows a good place for detailing equiptment.

[OwnerCS]

With a random orbit polisher, the pad needs to be matched up with the type of polish or wax.. There are firm pads for deep cleaning/compounding and soft pads for finishing wax. I bought my PC 7424 from eBay a couple of years ago. I see there is a new and improved model. I use it for sanding paint off the exterior of a house that I'm painting in addition to grinding and polishing various aluminum parts. So I've got my money's worth for sure. The only thing I think could be improved with my 7424 is it lacks a second handle. The motor exhaust blows out in the area where a second hand rests. After a while, you hand starts to feel baked. You want a polisher that is easy to handle -- as I've had mine running for 3 to 4 hours a time.

Get a machine that is comfortable to use and that you can get replacement brushes at some point in the future. You might be surprised how long you will end up owning it -- so don't let $20 stand in the way of getting a polisher that you really want. Also, you can use it for other home projects in addition to car care.

[Haitian_King]

Sweet. Keith Van Meter did my chain guides too. He's pretty awesome.

[nuQ]

yeah, Keith is the man. Spoke to him about a year and half ago, and he is still very eager to bring back all the first and second year Q45's....

He is a very rare thing these days...an honest tech that loves and appreciates the early Q's....