Mark,s Mega Project

Started sanding the wheels today in preparation for painting, all done by hand. It took all day to do one wheel but I wanted it done properly so the finish will be the best it can be. I imagine it will take the week to prep all 4 but I must say as hard work as it is I'm loving it.

Just after starting the sand down.
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And the finished article.
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One down and three to go.......
 
Managed to complete the light switch retro fit today using only a pair of pliers and a Stanley knife. Once fitted into the housing I used a little clear silicone to make sure it doesn't move around but can still be removed if required and then re-inserted it back onto the car. It looks much better now but I need to find something to cover the slight gap between the facia and back of the chrome bezel.

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Post arrived today and with it brought the re-programmed CCCU and key fobs. I went straight to it and within five minutes I had swapped both the CCCU and fobs over, then I started to check what had changed. The climate unit now blows air through the central vents so that was an unexpected bonus, the car central locking now works off the key fobs with a lovely little churp from the alarm to tell me it's locked (most pleased with having that sorted). Sadly it seems the all round electric windows still won't open and close from the drivers side so I am assuming it is the unit on the door or a break in the wiring, thoughts are appreciated on this one @timmus.
To be perfectly honest just having the locking work off the keys again is enough for me so a massive thanks to both @A2Steve for supplying the parts and to @timmus for his skills re-programming the parts and sending them on to me, a perfect example of the club members working to resolve a fellow members A2 needs.
 
Nothing to major at the moment and this has already been posted on another thread but as it's an addition to the car I am posting a couple of pics here to add to my project thread....

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I'm very pleased with the new custom footrest, it really works well and looks great in the A2.

I waiting for some s-line badges to be delivered, they will go on each rear door strip at the furthest point back. I'm also waiting for a tin of paint stripper to remove some seriously hard lacquer and paint from one of the upgrade wheels I'm returning, then I can finally start priming, painting and lacqering ready to be fitted with new rubber and fitment onto the A2.
 
Just ordered the isopropanol, primer, paint and lacquer to complete my wheel refurb, also the red springs and a couple of washers for the boot opening all from the well known auction site, got everything for a good price, can't wait to get the wheels finished. I will update with pics as the wheels are transformed.
 
Mka306 said:
Managed to complete the light switch retro fit today using only a pair of pliers and a Stanley knife. Once fitted into the housing I used a little clear silicone to make sure it doesn't move around but can still be removed if required and then re-inserted it back onto the car. It looks much better now but I need to find something to cover the slight gap between the facia and back of the chrome bezel.

View attachment 79366
Click to expand...
Difficult to see in the photo though careful cutting (I used a dremel) will allow the ring to sit back 'flush' with the switch surround.

Today I.....

...hacked apart my old headlight switch and fitted an automatic light switch and sensor. Finished off with an alloy bezel round the new switch. Looks much better than my tatty old switch as a bonus.
www.a2oc.net
 
damadgeruk said:
Difficult to see in the photo though careful cutting (I used a dremel) will allow the ring to sit back 'flush' with the switch surround.

Today I.....

...hacked apart my old headlight switch and fitted an automatic light switch and sensor. Finished off with an alloy bezel round the new switch. Looks much better than my tatty old switch as a bonus.
www.a2oc.net
Click to expand...
The cut I did worked out well for the tools I used, it is sitting very nicely in place but I still put a little silicone inside the housing just to keep it in place when operating the switch.
 
Sorry, I may have misunderstood, I thought you were looking to fill the gap as the ring was sitting against the front surface.
 
damadgeruk said:
Sorry, I may have misunderstood, I thought you were looking to fill the gap as the ring was sitting against the front surface.
Click to expand...
It's a minimal gap, a little extra shaving will sort it out. Thanks for the thought though it's always appreciated.
 
Mka306 said:
Wheels have now been lacquered so they will just need a machine polish to smooth out some minor orange peel and they will be ready for their new shoes....

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They’re looking great Mark,

Such an improvement from when you showed us them in Post #18. Very well done.

What’s next on the list of rejuvenation treatment.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
2work said:
They’re look great Mark,

Such an improvement from when you showed us them in Post #18. Very well done.

What’s next on the list of rejuvenation treatment.

Kind regards,

Tom
Click to expand...
Thanks Tom, they are not perfect but a vast improvement.
I've got cruise control being fitted by @timmus next month so that will be a big plus, I also want to get the climate buttons refurbed and try and sort some of the paint peel but the weather needs to improve for that.
I have mud guards sat waiting to be fitted and a couple of s-line badges to go on.
So plenty to keep me going for now.
 
Mka306 said:
Thanks Tom, they are not perfect but a vast improvement.
I've got cruise control being fitted by @timmus next month so that will be a big plus, I also want to get the climate buttons refurbed and try and sort some of the paint peel but the weather needs to improve for that.
I have mud guards sat waiting to be fitted and a couple of s-line badges to go on.
So plenty to keep me going for now.
Click to expand...
Mud flaps??? If they’re OEM ones I hope you’ve notified your insurance company that you’ve doubled the value of your car you lucky thing ?
 
Good work Mark, they’ll look fantastic once fitted to your chariot. Great to see the work undertaken, makes me wish I’d compiled a similar thread. Look forward to the next instalment.
 
As the sun is shining today I decided to respray the N/S/R wheel arch as it had the worst lacquer peel on the car. I cleaned the panel, masked it off and 600 wet sanded followed by 1200. Then I cleaned it again and wiped it over with rubbing alcohol. Finished with 3 coats of 2k lacquer. It has some orange peel but it needs to harden for 24 hours before cutting and polishing to achieve the desired finish. I went through the paint on a couple of edges but I'll correct that when I get the correct paint. But for now I'm really chuffed with the results.

After wet sanding
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And the finished result
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This has given me the confidants to correct all the lacquer peel on my car, with a little time and patients you can all do it.
 
That's a good result Mark. That orange peel will wetsand out without isssue and give a good finish after compound. Good job.
 
Much respect is due! I think many of us are horrified by the idea to paint (-correct) their vehicle or do not have the ability to do so. Looks fabulous from your pictures.

???
 
Also today I had my newly refurbished wheels and tyres fitted at National Tyres and Autocare in Plympton, Plymouth, I have no affiliation to them but I was extremely impressed with the time and care taken fitting my new tyres and then fitting them to the car, the chap kept cleaning the face o
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f the wheels with a rag and was very careful when putting them on the machine and laying them down.
Anyway i did a few pics for you all to enjoy.

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So so pleased with the results, definitely worth the time and effort. The car now holds the road so much better and I'm not being shifted about on the motorway anymore. One very happy chap.
 
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