Mark,s Mega Project

Added a little touch of colour to the interior of Red. Instead of the decals of cups printed on them I added the audi rings.

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I'm also refurbing the tt gear stick and ring with chrome paint and it's looking pretty good. Pics to follow when refitted.
 
Finally replaced the glove box today, very easy job and took no more than ten minutes. So happy the glove box opens and closes with no issue at all and it looks better as it is in very good condition. Didn't do a pic as it's simply a like for like replacement so nothing exciting I'm afraid.
 
I've now purchased a new single din Alpine head unit to replace the original concert unit. It's modern with Bluetooth hands free and is very affordable. I will update with pics when it arrives and I've fitted it but a screen shot from the internet is below.

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I've now purchased a new single din Alpine head unit to replace the original concert unit. It's modern with Bluetooth hands free and is very affordable.
Be aware that this head unit won't integrate integrate with the car's existing electrics, even with the use of cabling adapters. Audi stereos are controlled via CAN; a 2-wire digital interface that's able to send all manner of commands. Aftermarket stereos work using a series of analogue 12V triggers, which the A2 doesn't provide. Consequently, when you install this stereo, it won't switch on and off with the ignition (you'll have to manually turn it off in order to stop it from draining the car's battery), it won't illuminate or dim with the headlight switch, etc, etc.
There are a few workarounds to overcome this problem. One of them involves buying a box of tricks that receives the CAN instructions from the car and converts them into 12V triggers that the aftermarket stereo can understand. However, this involves further spending.
To my mind, adding Bluetooth and hands-free functionality to the existing Concert II stereo is the more elegant, cost-effective solution. I also have a huge aesthetic preference for keeping the original, but I accept that's a personal matter. Aftermarket stereos are also narrower than the Audi original, meaning you'll need little filler pieces to the left and right of the head unit.
Although your car doesn't (yet!) have DIS, the original Concert II will integrate with the DIS screen. Aftermarket stereos don't.

Cheers,

Tom
 
Be aware that this head unit won't integrate integrate with the car's existing electrics, even with the use of cabling adapters. Audi stereos are controlled via CAN; a 2-wire digital interface that's able to send all manner of commands. Aftermarket stereos work using a series of analogue 12V triggers, which the A2 doesn't provide. Consequently, when you install this stereo, it won't switch on and off with the ignition (you'll have to manually turn it off in order to stop it from draining the car's battery), it won't illuminate or dim with the headlight switch, etc, etc.
There are a few workarounds to overcome this problem. One of them involves buying a box of tricks that receives the CAN instructions from the car and converts them into 12V triggers that the aftermarket stereo can understand. However, this involves further spending.
To my mind, adding Bluetooth and hands-free functionality to the existing Concert II stereo is the more elegant, cost-effective solution. I also have a huge aesthetic preference for keeping the original, but I accept that's a personal matter. Aftermarket stereos are also narrower than the Audi original, meaning you'll need little filler pieces to the left and right of the head unit.
Although your car doesn't (yet!) have DIS, the original Concert II will integrate with the DIS screen. Aftermarket stereos don't.

Cheers,

Tom
Thanks for that @timmus Tom, I had no idea. I will live with the turning it on and off myself as I'll remove the facia when I park the car, the dimming isn't of concern to me and I'm not worried about it working with the DIS. I have already ordered the extra bits to fit the stereo so that's ok.
I do need to book in with you to sort the CC and DIS, do you have any time mid August you could fit me in?
 
I do need to book in with you to sort the CC and DIS, do you have any time mid August you could fit me in?
Absolutely. There's even a possibility that I'll be able to do the work at an upcoming social, should I be able to attend. I'd like to attend Audis in the Park, but I don't have an advance ticket and there's some uncertainty over whether tickets will be available at the gates. We can shift the logistics chat to our private conversation. :)

Cheers,

Tom
 
Be great to see you there Tom, if there is confirmation of tickets on the day.

Absolutely. There's even a possibility that I'll be able to do the work at an upcoming social, should I be able to attend. I'd like to attend Audis in the Park, but I don't have an advance ticket and there's some uncertainty over whether tickets will be available at the gates. We can shift the logistics chat to our private conversation. :)

Cheers,

Tom
 
Sweet work Mark,

Really liking the results you’re achieving with a rattle can. I think you’ve given me the encouragement I required to paint my scuffed rear wheel arches.

Good luck on the next stage of the roof. Already looking forward to the next set of pictures.

Kind regards,

Tom
 
Sweet work Mark,

Really liking the results you’re achieving with a rattle can. I think you’ve given me the encouragement I required to paint my scuffed rear wheel arches.

Good luck on the next stage of the roof. Already looking forward to the next set of pictures.

Kind regards,

Tom
To be honest Tom the wheel arches are quite easy as a starting point, they aren't to big an area to spray and you have a crease which is perfect for spraying up to. I'm not even close to good but I've done ok so far, if I've learnt anything it's do it right first time by taking your time, when I've rushed it's been a second or third go, otherwise enjoy it I know I do.
 
Absolutely. There's even a possibility that I'll be able to do the work at an upcoming social, should I be able to attend. I'd like to attend Audis in the Park, but I don't have an advance ticket and there's some uncertainty over whether tickets will be available at the gates. We can shift the logistics chat to our private conversation. :)

Cheers,

Tom

@timmus I have a spare ticket here you can have FOC if you’ve not got one yet?


Sent from the future
 
I managed to paint and lacquer the pillor from front to back, it needs wet sanding at each end to feather it in and then machine polished when hardened but it does look so much better.

After paint...
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lacquered and done....
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20210729_143634.jpg

Roof to finish off the first stage of paint and lacquer correction.
 
I managed to paint and lacquer the pillor from front to back, it needs wet sanding at each end to feather it in and then machine polished when hardened but it does look so much better.

After paint...
View attachment 83339
View attachment 83340

lacquered and done....
View attachment 83341
View attachment 83342
Roof to finish off the first stage of paint and lacquer correction.
Great work there fella, just a thought though, have you considered a gloss black wrap for the roof?
 
Managed to get a break in the weather and respray the roof, it needs a machine polish but I'll wait for it to harden before I attack it with the polisher. Tomorrow the custom cat back exhaust is fitted just in time for AITP. I'll post pics after the exhaust is fitted.
 
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