Saloon number 2

[Gareth]

Give a wash out and had a photo frenzy


Just the bonnet to paint now, which il be stripping to bare metal but overall I'm happy.

Bonnet, centre section, interior trims, full exterior flat/polish, MOT : )

 

[Gareth]

Some progress been made, start of by saying it now has a full interior the remaining trims were fitted minus the steering column covers as something's not lining up correct plus I'm thinking on adding my boost gauge in the upper cover... Next step was to tackle the mammoth task of stripping the bonnet, I'd bought some paint stripper however it wouldn't touch the paint and just took the pi$$ really so back to sanding discs.. many 4-5 hrs just to sand the top off to metal. Done some work around the waste gate hole aswell. Looking to get a ring to fit over the top so it looks finished off aswell.
Etch coat on to cover the bare


Today I've sorted the underside out got it flatted off, primed and painted. My garage was baking hot so it dried pretty soon. And sorted the vents out too

Hoping to have the topside of the bonnet done tomorrow after work or at least in primer then Tuesday will be paint.

 

[Gareth]

Last night got the topside of the bonnet into primer 3 good coats more the merry tbh at this stage as your going to flat minimum 2 coats off before paint.

Crazy how fast it was drying the garage was hot.
Woke up this morning early 4:30 ish got myself a coffee and headed into the garage to flat off the primer ready for top coat..


Took about a hour to get it flat which isn't bad by hand with a block. Couple of high spots but I'm not complaining it's a 30yr old bonnet. Give it a wipe down and a wash off with plain cold water. By doing this you get to see what it will be like when clear coated with the reflections plus you see any imperfections.


Job done ready for colour and clear tonight after work

 

[TubaMagna8]

I’ll bring nitrile gloves on Wednesday…. Criminal to get fingerprints on this masterpiece

 

[Gareth]

Last night as planned got the top coat on.. cant wait to get it back on the car tonight with help from another 2 members

 

[Gareth]

It's on and I couldn't be happier massive thank you to Dan and Johnathan coming over to help out

 

[Todd100]

Looking mega mate! Much more to do before VBOA?

 

[Gareth]

Looking mega mate! Much more to do before VBOA?

No mate. I plan to get it to work next week for MOT, alignment and AC check and fill and a couple adjustments on the exhaust. I plan to polish it this weekend and a light wet flat In areas weather depending.

 

[Gareth]

Yesterday I got the car interior and exterior cleaned and Finally my car is out ready for me to take to work this morning for MOT, alignment and AC check and gas. Thought I'd take the photos for the insurance valuation too. Can't help but notice my OSR door is darker, I don't know how as all doors were painted at the same time. :/ Nevermind it's 26yrs old.

 

[JMurray]

Stunning work Gareth.

Gutted I'm not going to VBOA this year, as it's something I wanted to see.

 

[Gareth]

Stunning work Gareth.

Gutted I'm not going to VBOA this year, as it's something I wanted to see.

That's a shame bud. Always next year.

 

[Gareth]

MOT passed the other day. Taxed it this morning. Got up early and went into work for 6am to do some bits. Got the Alignment sorted out, Handbrake adjusted, exhaust adjust as the tip was tight up against the bumper it's now 5mm clear. Started on the Aircon. Connection valves were leaking FFS. New valves fitted, pressure checked it. Held fine, gassed it up, failed to kick in ''im getting annoyed by this point" ordered new Pressure sensors. Removed the gas just aswell as the valves were still leaking " blood is boiling by now" but I knew I'd have a issue with the AC. Anyway here's a underskirt view

 

[Kev_mk3]

cracking work

 

[Gareth]

cracking work

Cheers kev. Been worth it

 

[Gareth]

Yesterday I had a couple spare hours so went to work to do the remaining bits on the astra. I wasn't happy with the finish on the screamer pipe hole so bought a horn centre ring. Trimmed the screamer pipe down 5mm too. Much better in my eyes.
Also wile I was there I flatted off the 2 Offside doors as they were abit peely and got the polisher out cut them back.. Polished the whole car with Autoglym Super resin, then coated it with Si02 ceramic wax and left it over night. Il buff it off this morning when I go in

Waiting on a new AN10 fitting arriving this week hopefully today or tomorrow then I can change the one fitting that's weeping on the oil cooler. Also waiting on AC pressure switch off Autodoc wether it arrives or not in time is a different story :/

 

[reno]

Great work badger, looking absolutely stunning

 

[Gareth]

Little update now the dust has settled after a manic week prior to VBOA. Had the Thursday off work to get the final bits done on the astra technically it was just a quick clean off, finish the ring on the bonnet and trim the screamer pipe abit more to clear the bonnet.. All done
Friday the big drive out after no real shakedown miles done think I done 10miles but anyways we set off Got 5 miles from home to Tesco for a Full tank of Momentum, car wouldn't start on the forecourt tried alsorts eventually it started after 10mins. Set off to wetherby services to meet the fellow mk3ers all was good in the 70mile trip

Set off for Sywell after food and a break still thinking is it going to start again or not. But it started straight away. Hit the A1 so far down the road ran into a 30minute congestion bumper to bumper. By this time the temp is up to 96 the fan is on pleased it worked as I never checked it prior. Next thing I know steam hauling out the front of the car. Made way over to the hard shoulder after some balling and shouting at other drivers.

Top hose had slid out of the jointer with pressure and lack of a ridge on the alloy hose to prevent slipping. Snapped the jubilee when tightening up so had to take one off my ICV and clegg had 2 small ones so made one out of the 2 to fit the ICV pipe. 4.5Litres of water later we back on the A1 finding alternative route to keep out of the traffic.
Eventually we got to VBOA about 5:30pm absolutely knackered from the stressful drive got the tent set up and drank beer I left the car till the Saturday Got myself up and sorted Saturday morning bright and early got the car cleaned off and ready for a wet day. Sunday was better I got the detailed out and cleaned the car again as it was drier I could actually clean the hard to reach places.


Massive thanks to Andy and the guys selecting me for the Chairman's Cup I had my work cut out knowing the level of quality cars on show. But we tried gives me something to work against for next year. The railing few of us who were left on the Sunday took advantage of getting a few photos Infront of the hanger

The drive home was Faultless. Over 400miles completed time to improve the Faults now and get her ready for the next one

 

[Gareth]

When I say the struggle is real to getting it on and off the drive I mean it. It doesn't look bad in the pics but I'd have no exhaust left if it wasn't for the woods.

Washed it off from the Sunday drive home in the rain.


And put to bed

 

[Gareth]

Little update. Haven't drove it since VBOA as I wanted to get round to fixing the issues. So tonight I spent a hour. First up the water pipe I had to do something with the end of it. Dug out my pipe swage tool why I didn't do this previously il never know. Worked a treat 3 to 4 times around tighting the wheel each time give you a ridge.

With that done I picked up a cone filter of my friend so got that fitted. The drive back in the rain scared me with it been direct through the headlight. Had to do something about it.

Heading to croft this weekend for the Super Tourers so I plan to give it a run out and stretch her legs. Had to give the bay a little detailing.


Job done nut and bolt check tomorrow night after work weather depending now I've done 400+ miles, make sure nothings moved.

 

[DavebGsi]

Looking good, yea I need to do a nut and bolt on mine aswell, started using mine for work to rack some miles up on it!

Hows the torque steer in yours? I think I may have just forgoteen how bad it is in these but mine is savage and it has alot less than it used to