C-pillar Vent Rehab

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528i-1981
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C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by 528i-1981 »

This is barely a Tech Forum topic after reading Keehn's latest post, but here are my humble offerings while my alternator is rebuilt.

My C-pillar vents were looking a bit tired.

Image

I found some silver-chrome pinstripe on eBay, the lower band of which was 1/5" (3mm). I masked the old chrome and repainted using a semi-gloss black (figuring I could always rely on the old, tired chrome if the pinstriping didn't work. Next, I burnished the pinstriping onto the vanes.

Image

Here it is on the car. It's not NOS-perfect, but it's a big improvement.

Image

Cheers,
Eric
(oo=00=oo) Eric
1981 528i Manual
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keehn
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Re: C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by keehn »

Eric,

That looks great! Do you have any long shots of the car in its entirety with the chrome vents?

Mike
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528i-1981
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Re: C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by 528i-1981 »

Thanks Mike. Not yet, she's immobilized and in a confined space. I'll post a shot ASAP.
(oo=00=oo) Eric
1981 528i Manual
canada karl
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Re: C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by canada karl »

I like the look. A big improvement over stock. :o
1976 530i. BMW 59 Triumph TR3A(rolling resto). 67 Triumph TR4A(salvageable). 86 900S Winter car
tlake
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Re: C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by tlake »

Excellent Eric. 8) And I like your red pinstripe on the black paintwork. Pinstriping used to be so fashionable on cars.
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528i-1981
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Re: C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by 528i-1981 »

Here's a longer view.

Image
(oo=00=oo) Eric
1981 528i Manual
canada karl
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Re: C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by canada karl »

Lookin' good. :) Is that a 14" wheel? I'm looking for one if anyone has a spare I can buy.
1976 530i. BMW 59 Triumph TR3A(rolling resto). 67 Triumph TR4A(salvageable). 86 900S Winter car
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528i-1981
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Re: C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by 528i-1981 »

No, that's a 16"; check for a recent thread in in the For Sale section on the 14" turbines.
(oo=00=oo) Eric
1981 528i Manual
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keehn
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Re: C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by keehn »

Eric,

That looks really great. The untrained eye would think that was OEM :wink:

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Lock
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Re: C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by Lock »

That looks amazing! I have never seen (or noticed) that look before. Great work.
1979 528i - M30B34 with 9.5:1 B35 pistons, 5-speed conversion G260/6, e28 rear subframe, e34 LSD 3.9:1, glass sunroof, e30 elec speedo, cruise control
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528i-1981
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Re: C-pillar Vent Rehab

Post by 528i-1981 »

For posterity - unfortunately the adhesive pinstripe method didn't stand the test of time. The extreme bends required at the ends of the vanes were a problem for the metallic stripe, which crumpled and admitted water behind it, leading to a loss of adhesion.

I resorted to using a dense foam roller and a metallic silver paint, and applying about seven light coats, followed by a satin clear coat. The result is very good, similar to the silver paint around the perimeter of the nose grille.

Image
(oo=00=oo) Eric
1981 528i Manual
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