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First up was an mot as their wasnt much left on the car as Martin had sorned over winter and only taxed it so I could test drive. I wouldnt usually buy a car with this little test left but after a good look round I didnt think it would need much. I then booked it in with work for a test.....
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...psec85677a.jpg
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Bit of a pain to actually get it onto a ramp at the front with how low it is but I just jacked it under the tie bar bracket then slid the lift arm under with some custom padding to ensure It wouldnt mark the mint painted underside! Rear is a lot easier just going under the end of the beam either side. For anyone having similar issues the 3m fastcut mop head pads worked a treat on the lift arms as seen here below. Although Its a crap pic the JP exhaust system is a true work of art! ........
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...ps28da2d51.jpg
Thankfully No issues were found during the mot.... Steering rack inner tie rod ends have a little play but these were only advised and will be replaced shortly. Since then Ive enjoyed putting some miles on it but have also done a little more work too....
More to follow.......
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I was going to keep the manta 400 mirrors but vision is rather pants so Ive changed to the stock mirrors that came with the car. My paintless dent guy then turned up to have a quick run round the car. As Martin used the car throughout the summer for work it had picked up a couple of small parking dents and their was also some shallow areas in both doors. Although these were brand new they were similar to what I bought for A6VXL and werent perfect to begin with so I had him sort these also to improve upon how straight the car is. .......
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With the dents removed and a few other areas levelled up SMN was now sitting much straighter and a little prettier.....
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...ps34d82702.jpg
Wheel arches/struts were all cleaned and waxed.....
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...ps99109bae.jpg
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...ps65265f5a.jpg
I also cleaned the rear arches but was losing light and pics are crap so will get some more at a later date.
More to follow........
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^^^^ looks like castle bmw where my mate works?
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Next up was a detailing session...... As I said previously Martin used the car to commute during the summer so as well as picking up the odd dent their was some fine scratches too. Although Ade's made a real nice job of the paint hes flatted it right back for a deep gloss look. Now this may look great but it leaves less material their to work with in the future when marks are found. A paint depth guage is no help as these give material figures to the metal and not individual coat thickness so I just had to work slowly and carefully to remove any marks I found. Using 2k wet & dry and trizact 3/6k to finish I managed to slowly flat the marks out....
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...psb9abe5cf.jpg
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After machining all marks are gone for good.......
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...pse7e30914.jpg
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Once all marks were removed sucessfully I gave the whole panels a clay and pass with the machine to remove any surface contamination on the paint. Another pass at a later date and a going over with the anti hologram pad/polish being finished with a good wax will see it complete and mint. Still looks well after the first pass though.....
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...psbe062800.jpg
http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3da48f7f.jpg
Thats it for today folks hope youve enjoyed the read!
Nick.
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See i have a problem that i look at everything and find my self thinking ways of making it better. "Oh why didn't they just do..." or "if they had just done it that way" or " move that to do that nicer" (even more on my own car)
I've looked thru all Martins photos from the build and studied the TV feature and ive not seen a single thing or part or bit on the car where ive thought it. Everything has been done so well and with such thought its fantastic. Huge credit to Martin and the perfect car for you.
I know you've already been enjoying, which im really glad about.
Now you just need to bring it to the shows.
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i need to see this, i will attend a show with dick and have look round
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Absolutely stunning Nick. Nothing else to say!
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Great stuff Nick, envy doesnt begin to describe it.
Big up the mk2's.
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Awesome car dude, brilliant decision, and couldn't of gone to a better home, lets just hope that tbo gets as much love and reappears on here. :)
