Page 1 of 2

Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:34 pm
by SegR
Since I need something to populate the 'Profile URL' field on my account (props, Ric)...

When I joined this forum I had some misguided idea that I would simply clean up and maintain the car. I guess a few people on here had that same delusion. Work and other things kill me time-wise :-(

Stuff done so far:
LED parkers, dome (not doom) light, reverse lights, boot strip lighting (Leo)
Silicon front lower arm bushes (Phat)
New Bilstein shocks & springs (Wheelpower)
Rota 18x7.5 +48 GR-A's in steel grey + Kumho 225/40 KU31's
STI quad tip mufflers (well... dual dual tip mufflers)
Dixcel SD front rotors, M pads (Phat again)
Dixcel SD rear rotors, M pads
Goodridge braided brake lines
Cusco brake cylinder stopper
Removed supercrap car yard advertising on rear window + cheap number plate surrounds
Removed headlight protectors
Installed (then removed) parrot handsfree kit
Installed GME CB radio + ZCG scalar removable antenna
Had parcel shelf sub repaired (perished surround fixed)
Installed xcarlink ipod interface to Mcintosh head unit. Runs to centre console with ipod touch 2nd gen for its alleged quality wolfson audio chip.
Slimline custom plates + covers
Painted calipers
Replaced audio system with Alpine+DLS+Mosconi gear

Stuff which is too slowly in progress:
Tune (Tactrix ordered)
Removal of super crap condition paint protection film (40% done on bonnet section)
Cargo nets in boot (purchased aaaages ago; still haven't installed)

Stuff for the future:
All-around dent removal (need to remove paint protection film first)
Touch up remaining chips after dent removal
Clay, polish, wax after above two items
Replace scratched tints with something cleaner and darker

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:18 pm
by hamish_023
Any pics? always good to see the progress of the profile

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:32 am
by SegR
From not long after I first bought it:

Image

More to come after the other restoration work which is happening SLOWWWWLY

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:34 am
by hamish_023
What "paint protection film" is it?

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 9:04 pm
by SegR
hamish_023 wrote:What "paint protection film" is it?


I stated here that it's 3M paint protection film, but honestly I have no idea what it is ("it was like that when I got here") and I suspect it is some cheap first generation knockoff which hasn't been applied well. I've rung an absolute heap of places in Brisbane and most people haven't heard of the stuff (one smash repairer and at least one detailer tried to convince me I was talking about my clear coat!).

Took it to a detailer and a guy who applies the stuff for a living (Merrick from Duco Scratch - very knowledgeable) who both said it's unlike anything they've ever seen as far as protection films are concerned, and neither wanted to touch it. Merrick had a crack with a high pressure hose and it lifted a little - but very very slowly. The detailer was willing to try out some different things for an hourly rate - most of which I've now tried myself.

Heat gun and plastic scraper helps a little, but not a lot. Haven't tried a steamer, which I've seen done on youtube, haven't tried any chemicals to break down the plastic (not sure what to get or how safe it is) and haven't tried the rubber 'eraser wheels' which sound scary as shit on the finish (and I don't have a compressor to power one anyway).

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 4:58 pm
by bigBADbenny
Any luck with the dent repairs? Mine's peppered with pointy little dents :-)

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 12:08 pm
by SegR
bigBADbenny wrote:Any luck with the dent repairs? Mine's peppered with pointy little dents :-)


I spoke to a few places about pricing and the best I could find from a non-backyard-operator was $300-$400 to do the whole car (quite a few dents in the doors and one of the wheel arches, a small number on the bonnet). I placed that on hold however until I can get this freakin' paint protection film off. Sadly while I achieved some other things over the holidays, this wasn't one of them.

I do know that the pointy dents pose a particular problem for paintless dent removal though and apparently sometimes they can't be fully corrected.

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 9:32 am
by bigBADbenny
At least they're barely noticeable - straight on - on mine at least.
I'm thinking to do my best for less, and keep a little "patina" :-) .

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Tue Jan 17, 2012 1:33 pm
by SegR
Changed out my mufflers for some STI quads after cleaning them up and giving the rear face a few fresh coats of high temp matt black. Finally some mufflers I'm happy with on the 3.0R auto!

The Phat quads were great but just not suited to this engine + transmission. They were designed for the turbo's and that's where they belong.

Image

Image

Image

Yes, bad perspective on the last one giving her a fat arse.

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:40 am
by HyRax
SegR wrote:I stated here that it's 3M paint protection film, but honestly I have no idea what it is

I've got a roll of that stuff somewhere at home - never actually got around to using it. It's basically a clear vinyl sticker similar to the vinyl used in race livery. You should be able to peel it off just like any other sticker. A heat gun can help, but shouldn't actually be necessary. Peeling the stuff won't strip the paint.

You wouldn't think so, but 0.5 to 1mm of vinyl does an amazing job of stopping stone chips and door/trolley bumps at the shops.

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:02 am
by Rome_BRZ
You should add STI pink springs to match the STI quads :wink:

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 7:49 pm
by SegR
Hyrax this shit does not come off easily, I've tried nearly everything. Check out this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13123

I know most people don't have trouble removing film but this stuff in particular is evil.

Rome I have contemplated them but I vaguely recall reading that the ride is a little harsher than stock springs on billies and she's rough enough as is with 225/40 tyres.

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:42 pm
by jslayz
try goof off.
You get it at bunnings or you can soak it with citrus cleaner or isopropyl alcohol.
Use a credit card to get under it, put in your chosen adhesive deadener, slowly push further under it.
It's gonna take a long time to remove.

I work for a company that manufactures & prints label materials......this what the tech guys recommend.

J

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:02 am
by Rome_BRZ
SegR wrote:Hyrax this shit does not come off easily, I've tried nearly everything. Check out this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13123

I know most people don't have trouble removing film but this stuff in particular is evil.

Rome I have contemplated them but I vaguely recall reading that the ride is a little harsher than stock springs on billies and she's rough enough as is with 225/40 tyres.


All good SegR was just trying to sell my wares :P You could always see if you can go for a drive as passenger in an STI if you know a member that has one? That's how I decided I wanted my springs!

Re: Member Profile - SegR

PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:22 am
by SegR
Good idea Jerome.

J I might try that process with 3m adhesive and residue cleaner which I scored for free after trying to find it for months. I think it's citrus based also. Goof off is pretty harsh, don't think I'd touch my paint with it.