It's been a while, and a very long time coming (about 3 years of planning to do this) but today I decided to dye the bumpers and plastics.
Firstly, a bottle of Solution Finish at the ready.
I degreased the bumpers and plastics using Swarfega grease and oil remover diluted to a 1:50 ratio and used a soft brush to agitate the plastics to get rid of years and years worth of tyre gels and bumper trim gels I've used in the past. Leaving them looking very tired and faded. I then jet washed them and dried them using a clean microfibre towel
Using a foam pad (and wearing gloves) I set to work, carefully applying the dye sparingly. I perhaps could have taken the bumpers off for more ease, but I felt confident in my ability to not dye any bodywork, whilst ensuring full coverage of the plastics.
Progress
Front done
Side trims
Rear bumper - looking very tired indeed
Actually required two coats!
Then set to work on anything else I could get my hands on!
So so happy the way they've come out and wish I'd done it sooner. The look is far improved over the shiny, greasy tyre dressing or bumper gel stuff I'd used previously. I lovely OEM matt finish. So time to wash the rest of the car to get rid of the dust and builders dirt that had accumulated thanks to roadworks the last few days!
First of all I'll try the proper fuel hose clip as suggested by Kenneth, as the whole accumulator and fittings were replaced with new a while back, but obviously the wrong clips used. I'll see if that makes a difference. Failing that, I may need to change the connections...
Ever since I can remember our 16v has had a fuel leak when starting from cold from the pipes from the fuel pump. Once warm it stops but I can't help thinking this doesn't look quite right, but try as I might, I can't get the pipe to budge further as there's that shoulder there.
My pleasure. It looked too good to not view and even though it had those blemishes that weren't mentioned in the advert, it is still a very nice Mk2 and a bit of a gem being so low mileage. I'm sure by the time you've put the Sam Stirrup touch on it it'll be a minter.
For a little while now I've been aware of a ticking time bomb with our 3.2 VR6 in the Black Mk2. The harmonic crank pulley has lost its harmonic properties and where rubber had perished and fallen out, leaving it wobbling all over the place, (see first video) undoubtedly putting a lot of stress on the crank. Not only that, but this was a replacement 2nd hand OEM item from a low mileage car after the original did the same thing. So I bit the bullet and coughed up for a Fluidampr pulley. Removing the old one was a daunting task, but thankfully there was enough access to undo the large bolt with a windy gun and prize out the pulley. Instructions to fit the Fluidampr were straightforward, ensuring the key was in place and then torque to 74lb/ft +90°... aka RFT! Once tightened to 74 lb/ft the bolt was marked in its present position and where it needed to be. Lots of huffing and puffing, using a mighty breaker bar the torque was met. And now we have a wonderful wobble free crank pulley with alleged power gains of 'up to 11bhp' if you believe the hype! A job that looked scary turned out to be nice and straightforward!
I can't believe after the months of texts and links sent of Golfs and words of wisdom from all of us you bloody buy a BMW!
Joking aside, it's a really nice car and looked great in the flesh when you brought it round. Look forward to the development of this and realising you should have bought a mk2.
Love this idea of a Rallye race car. At least you can be confident yours will be the only one like it! All the others are too busy being wrapped up in cotton wool to top up folk's pensions.
On Sunday was GTI International, so as we were taking Hollie, it was time for a much needed wash. 4 hours later, to revive the red again, as it had just slightly faded in the 2 and a half years since hankmanus detailed her. But all it required was some Poorboys Black Hole to bring the deep colour back and a coat of Collnite 476 wax to seal it in.
She still comes up really well. Unfortunately, both travelling to Inters, there and back, it rained, so is now filthy again. :hmm: So prior to the National Meet it's going to require another wash, at least!
Poor old Gumpert, however, is a filthy pig at the moment. Going to take a hell of a cleaning sesh to bring him up fresh!
Thanks mate. Just the little things now, like passenger electric window, and noisy speedo cable to sort out. But the main thing is it's drivable and looks good!
We have thought about taking it to see the bloke who we got it from, but worry a little bit that he'll want it back and would make us a silly offer, which he said he may do at the time! Wouldn't want to end up in that situation!
Well last week our next door neighbour's cat got accidentally locked in our garage overnight. Fortunately when I opened the door the cat shot out unharmed. But in a panic it had obviously clambered all over Hollie in the garage, leaving dusty paw prints all over it. Luckily it didn't leave any scratches, but it required washing anyway.
After a quick wash - yes that is still without wax or polish since hankmanus (The Mad Waxman) detailed it in October 2013! Gumpert's a bit dirty though!
My view from the back gate. Made me all excited!
I also noticed recently a fuel leak from under the car, so had a root around and discovered the accumulator and pump (which was pretty new, along with all new fixtures and unions) was leaking. Thankfully it was just a case of nipping up a jubilee clip.
Mrs Mac had been suspiciously quiet during my quick cleaning sesh, and she later came outside to say she couldn't wait any more and had taxed Hollie!! :brian:
Time for a blast then!
Then we found possibly the best road within a 20 mile radius! Such fun!!!
Love driving this old girl. Puts the biggest smile on my face! So happy she's taxed again!
Decided on an impromptu photoshoot of Hollie, as I felt she's been neglected over the winter, being left in the garage, effectively just getting in the way whilst trying to get to my car cleaning bits at the back of the (cluttered) garage.
Really can't wait to have it taxed and back on the road!
So I had to collect my Skoda from it's MOT yesterday (which cost me £400!!) So decided to take Hollie on a little run. Whilst filling her up I thought she looked good in the petrol station lighting, so grabbed a shot, before being told off for using my phone on the forecourt haha! Mrs Mac was trying to hide. Fail.
Not a daily yet... We'll have to wait and see with that one. Gumpert could so with some major lovin' so this one may have to become the daily. Whilst that's occurring. Anyway, waxoyl has rust inhibitor properties so the arches should stay rust free too. :-)
Oh wish I'd read that post before having just gone out and removed all the old stuff and reapplied. :problem: According to the tin it could be sprayed directly onto suspension components and arches etc.
Anyway, 2nd attempt:
Soaked tin in very hot water for over half an hour Shake tin vigorously Test spray pattern on old metal drip tray and adjusted to finer pattern. Sprayed suspension. To much better effect I feel!
I was so confident in my new found ability that I even did the rear arches. But forgot to take a photo. :hmm:
None on the tyres or brakes so that's a bonus! Pete, I may take you up on the offer of popping over with either/both cars and we'll set about doing them. :thumbs:
