September 2007
First of all, sorry if this is in the wrong forum....and apologies for not posting the make and model in subject...it wouldn't fit.
If it's in the wrong place, then please move it....also I have done a quick search, but can't find anything specific about this, and am sure there are some experts in this field around here.
Anyway, onto the topic in hand.....
I am in the process of starting to repair and respray parts of my car.
I've searched the internet, and can't find much detailed help on this subject.
Over the last 17 years, I have repaired and sprayed my cars, but without much success of a good finish to the top coat, and am looking for advice before I go ahead with finishing my repair job over the weekend.
What I've done so far is as follows....I suspect it's not all correct, and would value your opions and advice.
I have rust patches, and I want the car to look prettier & tidier basically (don't we all?)
I have rubbed down the rust patches to the bare metal, using P80 "sand" paper (not sure it is sandpaper) so that there is a smooth surface to work to.
Where the the paint work is sound, and it dips where I have rubbed it down, I have used a small amount of filler so that the surface is "level".
I then have rubbed down the filler, first with P400 Wet and Dry paper to get a smooth finish.
I then used P800 wet and dry to make the surface even smoother and so that it blends in with the sound paint work, so that there is virtually no dip.
My next step was to wash the area with soapy water, then rinse with clean water.
I masked the area that I didn't want any overspray on.
I then sprayed over the filled and rubbed down areas with matching Primer, over spraying to the sound paintwork.
I have sprayed at least 3 coats of Primer.
Now is the step I am nervous about....what comes next?
Do I rub down the primer with P1200 Wet and Dry or similar?
Or, do I just apply the top coat?
Once the top coat is applied....what do I do then?.....do I rub it down with P1200?...if so, wet and dry?.....or just dry paper?
Do I T Cut it?
How do I get a nice shiny finish?
In the past when when spraying wings for my old Metro, I couldn't get a glossy finish :(
You help and advice is wanted, and will be appreciated.
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Getting my 205 cabrio ready for sale, a winter project, and starting to think of a replacement. Rather like the look of the old Mk2 MR2 T-Bar and there seem to be a few on e-bay around the £2k mark. Any of you guys have experience/advice to give on this car?
s Read more
Hi - I have owned an MR2 for the last 10 years - just about to upgrade to a Boxster! I am quite surprised by the negative reports on this site of the car - I have nothing but pleasure with the car. It handles absolutely beautifully and is a scream in the country roads with superb feel and a high degree of fun factors! certainly better than any Golf! The road to steering wheel is the best you will get second only to the Porsches and super-cars of this world.
I have the T Bar and as far as wind noise is concerned, I haven't noticed anything untoward. Whilst I only do about 6000 miles a year quite a bit is on motorways. You will not expect the quietness of a saloon car but then again it's a sports car. Also the speed is not in the Porsche range but it will rev comfortably at 5000 - 6000rpm since it doesn't "red-line" until around 7000 rpm.
Maintenance - In the 10 years I have owned the car (sorry, that my WIFE has owned the car!), I have replaced the radiator the cam belt - make sure that this is done at the proper intervals) and tyres.
Check the tracking at least 1-2 times a year since a knocks on the kerb etc can throw it out and affect tyre wear.
Tyres are the main expense - I use the Yokohama soft compound - they don't last as long but the extra grip and surety of drive is well worth the extra few pounds. Expect to pay around £95 per tyre back and £70 front (Back are wider.)
As far as buying, the turbos look a good deal but are usually imports and some garages (so I believe) will not have the parts if the turbo needs attention. (Not had personal experience since mine is the standard 2.0 T bar.
There are some great deals to be had - watch out for boy racer models - better to get the "1 careful lady owner from new" since they are generally looked after well.
All in all - highly reliable, fantastic fun for 2-3 grand.
Mine is 1992 K reg. Later models up to S reg I think have more power.
HI, can anyone help. i have just fitted a new timing belt to my mates car. 106 diesel. After he snapped the cam when the timing belt adjuster gave up the ghost. put all the pins in set it all up spot on, ( what a nightmare). now takes ages to start up, then you have to rev the life out of it to get it to pull away. It crawls up the street at such a slow pace a kid on a tricycle passed me the other day. and it stalls at every gear change down. PLEASE has anyone got any advice as to what could be wrong. thanks
s
Assume tricle was a typo and corrected it ! - PU Read more
If the cambelt did snap on this engine the valves would strike the pistons and damage would be caused. We really need to know exactly what happened and what was done.
With regard to setting the belt, if your engine is a TUD5 (iron block 1525 cc) you need to be aware of the correct method of setting the vernier timing adjusters on the cam and pump wheels. Just pinning the engine and changing the belt won't do. Not doing this could leave the injection timing far enough out to give seriously reduced engine output.
If you can give an accurate report of what happened and what has been done to date, I can describe the correct method of setting these wheels - it's not difficult.
659.
I am asking on behalf of a friend. She is a single parent with 3 children. Her 14 year old son has various disabilities and often uses a wheelchair.
He will get in/out of their mpv, but at times takes a lot of persuading to get in/out. She is now thinking that she may get a car which has a ramp and allows his chair to be secured in place. However, this would obviously involve adapting a vehicle - she really needs his wheelchair space plus (preferably) 4 other seats (driver, 2 children, carer).
She is looking at the Motorbility scheme, but which vehicle would meet their needs the best? I don't think she wants anything bigger than a Picasso. A quick look on the internet suggests that Kangoos are popular for adaptation, but am I right in thinking that the wheelchair space takes up all the back seat? Can a Zafira be converted in this fashion but still have the first two rows of seats left in place? Any suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance. Read more
You would if you are paid to spam a 12 year old thread.
Hello
We have recently had our third child and therefore outgrown our ancient (1983!) VW Golf. The Golf runs very well and is reliable summer and winter round - which is why we have never changed it. Neither my wife or I know anything about cars.
Recently my wife and I (independently) saw a Nissan Cube in our area. We really like the look of this car and have discovered that there is a 7 seater version called the Cubic which, on the face of it, would suit us.
Doing a search this afternoon, I find that this vehicle is only available secondhand - which is fine but they all seem terrifically expensive - £6000 - £7000 for anything up to 50,000 km. As far as I can gather this is because they are imported used from Japan.
Has anyone any experience of owning one of these or any advice that you may offer? What alternatives are there in the UK - stylish design with enough space for two adults, three children plus space for additional passengers as required? The car will be mostly used for school run with very occasional motorway trips to relatives.
All advice welcome
Leapy
s
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Sounds like a Vauxhall Zafira might fit the bill.
After reading some of the more recent threads I have concluded that there are really only two rules for motoring:
1 Expect the unexpected
2 It's only illegal if you get caught Read more
They only apply to other people
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Aim low, expect nothing & dont be disappointed
is it ok to eat whilst driving? say a big mac or banana or drinking a cup of tea (out of the flask) ive always wondered where one stands on this ....thanks Read more
" in an emergency you would just drop the sandwich freeing up both hands..... no problem! "
Something that you can't do when holding a cigarette, yet cigarettes seem to be acceptable ???
My aunt has an auto polo 1.4. It has 26000m on the clock and since she has retired she makes lots of short runs in the car which (you've guessed) won't restart due to it's 'computer' becoming 'confused'!!!!!!!!! - AA man told us. Anyway she's now had a bump in it and wants rid of it. Is there a car out there that can make short runs and restart everytime!! Needs to be an auto and about the same size as the polo. Money not a real problem or any engine type.
Thanks
Burt Read more
I second the Daihatsu.
My mother-in-law has had a little Cuore automatic from new and also only ever potters down to the shops in it. It's been doing that for over a decade now without a hint of a problem. The little Japanese "K" cars are designed for this sort of use....
I'm looking to buy a filter wrench but really don't know which one to go for. I've got a swivel head one but I tried my level best to loosen the oil filter on my Mazda 323 TD last weekend without any luck. The oil filter is away from the front of the car and there's no way to do anything with it from the top and there's not enough room from the bottom either.
Please let me know which one would you recommend from these or anything else if its not mentioned here!
www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/53433/oil_...l
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I've used the screwdriver method successfully before, the only downside is that it's messy. I'd try it, but be sure to put the screwdriver RIGHT through the filter (i.e. so it pokes out the other side). It should then take the strain without breaking up. You'll need a big screwdriver though, and a hammer with which to insert it! ;-)
I missed HJ's announcement of the relaxation of duty on this sort of fuel for personal use (tinyurl.com/2zutd2 ), but it came up on the radio yesterday, together with a discussion on DIY conversion kits for spent oil from chippies. What particularly amused me was the admission by HMRC that the previous arrangement was costing them more to collect than it was grossing, so it's not really generosity on their part!
The vendor of the kits was getting his oil for 5p/20 litres, thus making it very economical, even with the £700 needed for his outfit, and the supply of methanol and caustic soda required to do the chemistry.
If this catches on though, I can see market forces pushing the oil price up rather quickly. Can you buy into used Wesson oil futures..? Read more
I forgot to add that when he was saying you can save fuel if you
chip the car...
I assume you'd buy the chip from the chip shop at the same time as you bought the waste chip oil ;-D
Thanks for all the advice....I'll let you know how I get on.
Once the top cut is set....do I T Cut it then polish it?