The "Today I did something to my car" thread

EPM

Top Dog wrote: »

Want a set of 16" steels? I'm sure I could convince my dad that 18's would look well on his Octy .... then again, probably not. He didn't even notice that I'd gone from 17's to 20's :rolleyes:

Curious though - what profile are the tyres? Used to have 18's on the Laguna with 45 series tyres, and didn't find them much different to the factory 17's over 15k miles (apart from the 18's being stronger and not buckling every other month)

Same width, would go from a 40 to 45 profile. 16s won't work with the brakes I'm currently bidding on...

Gary ITR

EPM wrote: »

Same width, would go from a 40 to 45 profile. 16s won't work with the brakes I'm currently bidding on...

Why are you going bigger brakes?

Top Dog

EPM wrote: »

Same width, would go from a 40 to 45 profile. 16s won't work with the brakes I'm currently bidding on...

Oooohhh big brakes - loverly :cool:

dgt

EPM wrote: »

Same width, would go from a 40 to 45 profile. 16s won't work with the brakes I'm currently bidding on...

Leon Cupra R brakes?

EPM

Gary ITR wrote: »

Why are you going bigger brakes?

Watch this space;)

vectra

EPM wrote: »

Same width, would go from a 40 to 45 profile. 16s won't work with the brakes I'm currently bidding on...

Hmmm. I saw some lovely big brakes for sale today :P

EPM

vectra wrote: »

Hmmm. I saw some lovely big brakes for sale today :P

You might know the advert...

conzy

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Great job! It looks like electroplating.

Did you use primer and lacquer too or just paint?

God no! Just plastered on a load of hammerite I dont think other paint would last as well, hammerite goes on well on that rough metal too. Will get better pics in the daylight next weekend. Just waiting on my smoked indicators and angel eyes now

CianRyan

dgt wrote: »

Leon Cupra R brakes?

They look like people.

eringobragh

CianRyan wrote: »

They look like people.

I really shouldn't:

conzy

CianRyan wrote: »

They look like people.

Overactive imagination

MetzgerMeister

conzymaher wrote: »

God no! Just plastered on a load of hammerite I dont think other paint would last as well, hammerite goes on well on that rough metal too. Will get better pics in the daylight next weekend. Just waiting on my smoked indicators and angel eyes now

Did you apply it straight onto the rust? Which hammerite was it exactly?

I painted the calipers on my RX8 with e-tech brake caliper paint. I applied (I think) 4 coats and after a while it started chipping

I really need to do them on the 6 because every time the wheels are lovely and shiny all I can see is rusty fooken calipers :mad:

166man

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Did you apply it straight onto the rust? Which hammerite was it exactly?

I painted the calipers on my RX8 with e-tech brake caliper paint. I applied (I think) 4 coats and after a while it started chipping

I really need to do them on the 6 because every time the wheels are lovely and shiny all I can see is rusty fooken calipers :mad:

This is what ye want MM



Oh and yes I know the brake disc looks rusty!

MetzgerMeister

Red looks well on that Alfa but I wouldn't use red on mine. I want it to be as stock looking as possible.

Painting the calipers red would go against the sleeper effect

challengemaster

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Red looks well on that Alfa but I wouldn't use red on mine. I want it to be as stock looking as possible.

Painting the calipers red would go against the sleeper effect

I think you misunderstood sleeper effect. It's not that you end up falling asleep because of the car like

166man

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Red looks well on that Alfa but I wouldn't use red on mine. I want it to be as stock looking as possible.

Painting the calipers red would go against the sleeper effect

True as above wouldn't anyone guessin she's a rattly 4 Cylinder daysul under the bonnet...Oh wait.. :pac:

Black/Blue would look well on your MPS..

challengemaster

If you could get the same sort of colour as the paint already on the car with the fleck in it, it'd be perfect IMO....

conzy

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Did you apply it straight onto the rust? Which hammerite was it exactly?

Wiped off any crap that was on them and then wire brushed each one for about 15 minutes, a single coat covered everything then as its quite thick. Im not sure which hammerite it was I wont be able to check until the weekend now but im nearly sure it was this one

MetzgerMeister

166man wrote: »

True as above wouldn't anyone guessin she's a rattly 4 Cylinder daysul under the bonnet...Oh wait.. :pac:

Black/Blue would look well on your MPS..

I think I may go with the same colour conzy used. I like the electroplating effect

challengemaster wrote: »

If you could get the same sort of colour as the paint already on the car with the fleck in it, it'd be perfect IMO....

I don't think metallic paint can be brushed on, think it has to be sprayed. Spraying calipers is a complete nightmare!

conzymaher wrote: »

Wiped off any crap that was on them and then wire brushed each one for about 15 minutes, a single coat covered everything then as its quite thick. Im not sure which hammerite it was I wont be able to check until the weekend now but im nearly sure it was this one

Cheers! When it comes to a job like this, the end results mainly depend on the prep work.

dar83

I'm thinking I might do my calipers red... I'm still undecided though.

Black might be ok looking, but red might go best against the blue/silver...

no1beemerfan

I keep meaning to paint my calipers and drums so it s good to see the previous posts. Also some have been busy lately!

All I did on sat was clean mine and the missus' car and, also, in the Micra, the fan had stopped working on speeds 1 to 3 so sussed it was the resistor. Nissan wanted €65 plus vat for a new one. Got one in a breakers for €18 and changed it and its working fine now.

Oh and woke up this morning to a puncture on the back wheel. Can't remember the last time I got a puncture. Mabey 5 or 6 years ago.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

dar83 wrote: »

I'm thinking I might do my calipers red... I'm still undecided though.

Black might be ok looking, but red might go best against the blue/silver...

It depends on how much you want them to stand out. I've a silver car, and planning on a black and silver theme......front and rear optional Honda splitters are mainly black, will get the rear 3 windows tinted aswell, black wheels nuts......so i'm going to do my calipers black. But red calipers in general would suit silver/blue cars

Jemmy

dar83 wrote: »

I'm thinking I might do my calipers red... I'm still undecided though.

Black might be ok looking, but red might go best against the blue/silver...

Personally I think red would look well on your ST.

Need to repaint mine at some stage too, just have to try find the time

TestTransmission

dar83 wrote: »

I'm thinking I might do my calipers red... I'm still undecided though.

Black might be ok looking, but red might go best against the blue/silver...

no1beemerfan wrote: »

I keep meaning to paint my calipers and drums so it s good to see the previous posts. Also some have been busy lately!

All I did on sat was clean mine and the missus' car and, also, in the Micra, the fan had stopped working on speeds 1 to 3 so sussed it was the resistor. Nissan wanted €65 plus vat for a new one. Got one in a breakers for €18 and changed it and its working fine now.

Oh and woke up this morning to a puncture on the back wheel. Can't remember the last time I got a puncture. Mabey 5 or 6 years ago.

BDJW wrote: »

It depends on how much you want them to stand out. I've a silver car, and planning on a black and silver theme......front and rear optional Honda splitters are mainly black, will get the rear 3 windows tinted aswell, black wheels nuts......so i'm going to do my calipers black. But red calipers in general would suit silver/blue cars

Jemmy wrote: »

Personally I think red would look well on your ST.

Need to repaint mine at some stage too, just have to try find the time

I've black ones on the front and red on the rear,that's how awesome I am. :pac:

No one ever notices though.

Jemmy

TestTransmission wrote: »

I've black ones on the front and red on the rear,that's how awesome I am. :pac:

No one ever notices though.

LOL I actually noticed that on Saturday meant to say it to you! Get bored after painting two!?

TestTransmission

Jemmy wrote: »

LOL I actually noticed that on Saturday meant to say it to you! Get bored after painting two!?

The previous owner replaced the rears ,didnt bother refurbing them and didn't bother to paint them.I'll be tackling it when the weather gets a bit better hopefully.

dar83

Yeah I think Red may be the way to go alright, good call.

I actually have the paint already from when I had the notion for my MkIV Golf, so I just need to get the motivation now. :P

EPM

dar83 wrote: »

Yeah I think Red may be the way to go alright, good call.

I actually have the paint already from when I had the notion for my MkIV Golf, so I just need to get the motivation now. :P

I definitely prefer red anyway. Although properly done black with nice decals can be good. Depends on how big the space between spokes. If there's a lot you can go plainer but with better detail, small space a brighter colour works best.

ottostreet

MR2 is being delivered to my mechanic to get new calipers, discs, and pads fitted. Rear wheel bearings & balljoints as well, and alternator belt & alternator itself to be reconditioned.

Also ordered a new front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper, so they should arrive this week.

MetzgerMeister

EPM wrote: »

I definitely prefer red anyway. Although properly done black with nice decals can be good. Depends on how big the space between spokes. If there's a lot you can go plainer but with better detail, small space a brighter colour works best.

Your calipers are red from the factory aren't they?

EPM

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Your calipers are red from the factory aren't they?

Yep, but had the last cars ones done in red for a while too. The early Mark 2's are green.

EPM

ottostreet wrote: »

MR2 is being delivered to my mechanic to get new calipers, discs, and pads fitted. Rear wheel bearings & balljoints as well, and alternator belt & alternator itself to be reconditioned.

Also ordered a new front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper, so they should arrive this week.

Nice:D

Ardennes1944

spark plugs arrived today, if my spring clamps come before friday ill have the eibachs fitted for the cork meet

MetzgerMeister

EPM wrote: »

Yep, but had the last cars ones done in red for a while too. The early Mark 2's are green.

If that's the case then red calipers on dar's ST would look great too.

Fizman

Got the GTI serviced 2 weeks back and it's amazing how nicer it feels with new oil, sparks and filters. Just booked the NCT for Friday of next week so will be ordering 4 new tyres before then. On top of renewing the insurance two weeks back too, January is one bloody expensive month for me on the motoring front.

conzy

boing boing

Ardennes1944

pro kit :cool:

MetzgerMeister

conzymaher wrote: »

boing boing

Did you get them already?! :eek:

Hal1

I was going to change my brake fluid and clean up my engine bay but it's cold and damp after the rain here. I did pay my tax for the year though €478 (1596cc). That's all I'll be doing today.

Ardennes1944

€478 for a 1.6 is just criminal. i know the rates but when i actually hear someone having had to pay it makes me infinitely angry. madness

166man

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

€478 for a 1.6 is just criminal. i know the rates but when i actually hear someone having had to pay it makes me infinitely angry. madness

Especially when you see what's being paid over in the UK... :mad:

Ardennes1944

Precisely

MetzgerMeister

166man wrote: »

Especially when you see what's being paid over in the UK... :mad:

And when your car is .7 more And you were told there will be a 5% increase and it turns out to be €20 more than a 5% increase :mad: :mad: :mad:

Hal1

Hopefully they will leave the rates alone now for a few years. I doubt they will though.

conzy

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

Did you get them already?! :eek:

Nah I just ordered them from the UK, should be here for the weekend.. It was either order the springs or you and EPM go on a strict diet

MetzgerMeister

conzymaher wrote: »

Nah I just ordered them from the UK, should be here for the weekend.. It was either order the springs or you and EPM go on a strict diet

Hmmm wouldn't make sense since I was in the front all the time :P

vectra

EPM wrote: »

The early Mark 2's are green.

Was that just the petrol ones? red for the diesels?

EPM

vectra wrote: »

Was that just the petrol ones? red for the diesels?

I think you're correct there.

damo86

Installed my dension gateway 5..and nothing happened

Even after the trouble of getting it coded for it too.

useless piece of crap, very disappointed!

EPM

damo86 wrote: »

Installed my dension gateway 5..and nothing happened

Even after the trouble of getting it coded for it too.

useless piece of crap, very disappointed!

OEM ftw!