borarob 0 Posted May 22, 2015 (edited) starting this for my own benefit really, but comments always welcome. I've had this rado for about 3ish years, though due to a circumstance change it was taken off just over a year ago as I needed a bigger car, I bought myself my first ever non-VW, though didnt stray too far with an Audi A4! This is how I bought it: The bodywork was (is) tatty, the bonnet wouldn't open, the central locking didnt work, the electric windows didn't work and nor did the electric mirrors. On the plus side it did have working spoiler and sunroof! bonnet fixed by dismantling an old brake and cable from a push bike, works brilliantly and much cheaper than the other options available: The light blue interior and boot carpet was also essentially brown, so got the rug doctor and went to work: Obligatory boot build: along with comps up front, used the standard tweeter positions: I also refurbed some BBS RX2, 16" 4 stud from the mk3.5 golf cabby I had, ended up selling these when i took the rado of the road So last month the time came to come back to it after a year off, and this time I'm 'going for it'. Its now MOT's and back on the road. Had been covered but i did fear the worst when I uncovered it, but it wasnt too bad, just dust and full of cob webs and leaves. Also found a False Widow in the door shut! All cleaned and standard grille setup So far has had: new ISV new Handbrake cables new accelerator cable new bearing all four corners new brakes and pads all round new front ABS sensors new battery Edited July 22, 2015 by borarob Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted May 22, 2015 The plan is to get this up to a decent standard, other than the mechanical work i've this week fitted this also new door strikers. The standard 90mm splitter was buggered so I got a brand new 50mm item from VW heritage as my plan is to go low. The wheels were in a terrible state, lots of rash and one of them very bent, plus they were a very nasty dirty flat grey colour. Last week all refurbed and the balloon tyres that were fitted were replaced by 195/40/16 much better! Next month its going to Shaun Harvey at CCW for 3 weeks worth of fettling, all panels straightened, rust sorted and respray in fresh aqua blue. Can't wait! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tman2714 0 Posted May 22, 2015 Looks great. Neat boot set up. Good effort with the rug doctor. Might do mine this summer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 2, 2015 Only 2 weeks until the respray! Gonna start stripping it down a bit. Mainly inside as I want to fit new black carpet after the respray. Started to strip the insulation from under the bonnet as it was a mess and have new stuff to go on. Anyone recommend a product to get rid of the sticky stuff? On the purchase list this week is new sun roof seal and some cheap coils. Thinking if going bagged next year so not gonna waste money on expensive set up now. Any other bits worth replacing for post respray? Annoyingly I've started to get 2nd gear crunch unless the car is very cold or I go very gently. Would redline mt90 be worth trying to improve things? Cheers all Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 5, 2015 only a small update but progress nonetheless, old gear gaiter knackered, though these were leather but clearly not! new one fitted and this time actual cow! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carat1990 10 Posted June 5, 2015 LOL ACTUAL cow lol. Looks awesome! x1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 8, 2015 black carpet cleaned this weekend, got the old rug doctor on the case, came out well three bucket fulls of this came out of it! This week mostly prepping ready for the bodyshop on monday, this includes fitting coilovers and new top mounts front and rear so we can get the height right so arches can be pulled to accomodate the wheels and my desired lows. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 15, 2015 This weekend I took the old and very rusty springs and dampers of her and fitted with some nice new coilovers. Nothing fancy as I want to put it on bags next year. Ride is surprisingly good. Also replace the mounts front and rear while we there. manky: shiney: Also drained the gearbox oil and refilled with redline mt90. Dropped it to the bodyshop today, will be there for the next 3 weeks so will post updates when I have them! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 17, 2015 dropped her off at the bodyshop on monday! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 18, 2015 side strips back on or leave off? loved them on my previous C, which was red, broke up the light colour. I'm thinking on this darker colour that maybe they don't have as much of a visual effect? Its only been gone since monday morning but I really miss her :-( Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VW_OwneR_85 2 Posted June 18, 2015 Nice! , idd say pull strips off as its the perfect time and they could allways go back on later. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 19, 2015 well strips are coming off anyway for the resto so I think I'll just make sure they are taken off with care so that they aren't too bent to maybe put back on at a later date. Other things to consider colour coding wise.... door handles? rear number plate plinth? The black part of the wing mirrors? out of all those complete colour coding of the mirrors is most appealing. Anyone done this? have any pictures? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SR_Neale 10 Posted June 19, 2015 In my opinion if you paint the black plastics metallic black it breaks the colour up but gives a better shine and doesn't fade or require greasy shine products that get all over paint work plus no need to be so carful when waxing. I hate it when you get white smears on textured plastic and a nightmare to get off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 19, 2015 In my opinion if you paint the black plastics metallic black it breaks the colour up but gives a better shine and doesn't fade or require greasy shine products that get all over paint work plus no need to be so carful when waxing. I hate it when you get white smears on textured plastic and a nightmare to get off. ah i like your thinking! will have to discuss that with CCW. THe mirrors bits and rear plinth would look awesome gloss black... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lance08 11 Posted June 20, 2015 Looking good ! Side strips take off for sure ;) looks so much cleaner that way Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 22, 2015 few more pics from last week, hopefully a few more today and tomorrow Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SR_Neale 10 Posted June 22, 2015 Now for the long wait. How long do they recon it will take? Any decisions on black plastics? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
subcool 0 Posted June 22, 2015 Haha Shaun painted my car too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 22, 2015 Now for the long wait. How long do they recon it will take? Any decisions on black plastics? I'm going in tomorrow morning to have a look and talk about the mirrors being completely colour coded and rear plinth and handles being gloss black. Def going to leave the side strips off. Was going to see about de-wipering the back by properly welding up and smoothing the hole but I'm now leaning towards the old rubber grommet trick just in case I ever want to put the wiper back on! Peed off with VW Classic Parts, thought i was in luck with getting new outside window scrapers, got one side from heritage and the other from DE as unlike heritage it was showing as in stock. Anyway after days waiting for it to arrive I check my email and find a german email explaining they didn't have stock after all! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 22, 2015 Haha Shaun painted my car too! Yeah he said he'd recently done another one. I trust you were happy? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
subcool 0 Posted June 22, 2015 Very happy wouldn't use anyone else and a top chap too! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SR_Neale 10 Posted June 22, 2015 I think if your gonna take out the rear wiper you've gotta fill the hole as the rubber will look like an after thought much better to get it right now than decide you should have done it when you had the chance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 23, 2015 I think if your gonna take out the rear wiper you've gotta fill the hole as the rubber will look like an after thought much better to get it right now than decide you should have done it when you had the chance. I know you're right, gonna go in to see him today. As far as I'm concerned shaun is Mr vw, I used to live opposite him when I was a kid, and his many projects were the reason I fell in love with dubs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
borarob 0 Posted June 23, 2015 Went to see progress today, not as much done as he'd hoped as some little jobs needed clearing last week. Over the next couple / three weeks it will pretty much be sole focus so should come on well. Found a few holes that needed welding up, some pretty major rot around bottom of passenger wing and inner arch and sill. I'm going for gloss black rear plate holder and completely colour coded mirrors. Have new gloss black rear vw badge to go on so to continue the theme going for gloss black corrado script rather than colour coded. So now I'm thinking front grille gloss black as well? Also I've decided only to reapply stoneguard stuff to the very bottom of the sills and have the rest smooth. new metal for indicator needed Took the ashtray out while I was there so I could start the A4 cup holder mod Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SR_Neale 10 Posted June 23, 2015 Made any decisions about rear wiper yet? What is the suspension? Any good? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites