Tim's 1992 'K' 1.8 GLS auto...

[Cavalier342]

I actually have a roll of pinstriping, unopened, given to me by another member on here for my old V6, as I think I was intending on re-spraying a panel and needed replacement pinstriping but never got round to it. I'm not sure what style exactly you're after, the one I have is a silver 2-stripe one, I think there are several different designs.

[tim130879]

Didn't realise there were different styles, all the ones I've seen/ had were a twin strip, one slightly thicker than the other. Best kind of picture I can find to show what I mean, and they'd have to be in black.

Stripes by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

[Cavalier342]

The ones I have are silver, so probably not what you're after then.

[tim130879]

No I don't think they would show up at all lol

Found some on ebay, I'll give it a go. It'll prob look shit and I'll end up taking them back off

[tim130879]

Hi guys, tomorrow I'm attempting the aerial grommet; after every ones advice, I've had a good look round the boot interior trim panel. I cant seem to work out how to remove it? Even the Haynes manual (cheers for that Robsey) states its held in by screws? But all the trim seems to do is disappear under plastic trim all around it. Plus it also looks like its held more in place by the boot light, cargo net hooks etc.

Before I start ripping anything apart can any one just clarify further for me?

Many thanks

[Cavalier342]

No, the carpeted trim just pulls out, You can loosen the screws which secure the plastic trim above if you like, but it just pulls out. If you lift up the trunk floor carpet trim, you can clear access for the bottom edge of it to come out, the courtesy light is just simply clipped into the trim panel, it's not structural in any way.

[tim130879]

I’ll give it more of a go then.

Why does the Aerial need removing anyway? Doesn’t the grommet just slide over the top of it and attach to the body work?

[Cavalier342]

I think it's to help the grommet come out at a slight angle, otherwise the mast going through the middle acts as a blocker in a way.

[tim130879]

Ah ok. Well tbh the old one will just fall part once I start tugging at it with a trim tool lol

Just have to see what happens

[Cavalier342]

Don't tug too much.

But ye, once they start cracking around the edges, they just tend to flake apart.

[ilovedmymantas]

….Back from my fairy liquid faux pas ….
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If you do It with the mast fixed in place then as Cavalier 342 says, it will act as a blocker and make it more difficult to seat the lip of the grommet without tools, potentially damaging.

With the aerial out of the way you can seat it easily using the hot water method.
The mast hole in the grommet allows more movement and you'll be able to see if the lip is fitted correctly underneath.

-I'm a convert to the adage 'do it once, do it right'.

It's also a chance to see the condition of the inner rear arch, less accessible than the other one that you can monitor anytime via the first aid flap.

matt

[tim130879]

Haha well forgetting the washing up liquid incident - it wasn't as difficult as I thought. But Matt thanks for the advice about the hot water. Was really unsure it wasn't going to be a right pain getting the new one on; but it really softened up so just literally slipped on. Getting old one off was a right pain but got the in the end.

Done a few other little detail jobs this week. Nothing huge at all, just tiny details that can change the look of a car from tidy to looking slightly tatty in my opinion….

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

New front indicators... mouldy ones gone. Need to get headlamps out soon and clear some dirt and mould out and realign the rubber seals underneath.

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Not quite sure what the current wing mirror glass was all about as it was kind of wedged in the housing, but new one fitted, and motor works fine now.

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

That stupid boot badge - done! Was driving me mad, and looked awful from behind. Mind you it wasn't half glued on well. Original GM part fitted there.

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

New battery for the main key. Although I'm only using the spare because it clearly looks like the main key has never been used. Not a mark on it anywhere.

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

And one thing I couldn't resist was this off the internet. Has the cars reg date on it and where it was first registered lol

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

[Cavalier342]

Excellent stuff Tim, good work. That old aerial grommet looks like you've stuck it into a shredder lol. Also I've never seen the car registration etched on a headlamp lens, that's quite unusual. Things like new badges, new indicator units, really bring out the details.

[Robsey]

Looking very nice.
Lots of new / clean part goodness.
Yummy.

Although that last photo will cause another bone of contention.

The wrinkle of the fabric coating on the 'A' pillar trim.
One of the many jobs mine will need sorting this year

[tim130879]

Hehe yeah - well it needed a littler 'persuasion' to come out

Not quite sure what causes the 'wrinkle' but tbh doesn't bother me at all.....

But also good news - had a quite look around the body behind the trim. Small patches appearing but nothing I hope to serious rust wise. Its now going on the ramp Tuesday first thing so will double check from other side.

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

[Robsey]

That rust is only very minor.
Just need to keep an eye on the bit at the base of the inner wheel arch pressing.

A bit of kurust or Vactan rust treatment should slow rot down from the inside.

This is where they rot out first.
This was my scabby cat, back in 2015.



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I have thought about getting an old replica tax disc for the car, many times.
But I am trying (and struggling) to stick to stuff that needs doing... and avoid any of my feable minded wants.

[Cavalier342]

That's not too bad at all looking at those photos. The corners under the tail lights are usually the worst if there is any rust present. One of those rust treatment pens with the small brushes would be useful in your case, let it do it's work overnight then use a touch-up pen of the same colour to re-coat the bare metal. If the carpets feel damp, it's well worth taking them out and hanging them either in a garage or shed, or in the sun when it's out to dry up.

[tim130879]

Oh treat ya self Robsey! It was only a few quid, and I think looks pretty cool.

Yeah I'll swing in Halfords on way back from work (not exactly busy today hence the jobs lol). No, carpets don't feel damp at all tbh. But I've yet to really clean anything up in the boot and its been so cold I doubt whether I'd really noticed dampness on them. I might bring them into tonight for a good hoover and stick em in the airing cupboard just in case.

In any case - my mate Colin's going to have certainly sort this out

Untitled by CaptainTimbo, on Flickr

[Robsey]

Oh treat ya self Robsey! It was only a few quid, and I think looks pretty cool.

Without detracting too far off topic...

I have two MOT's and associated services due in March (Cavalier and Vectra-C)
The Vectra-C dual mass flywheel is living on borrowed time and will cost a fortune to replace.

Then there is the prospect of spending upto £10,000 on a rusted out 1983 VW campervan restoration when funds allow.

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=16383

Short of a miracle / lottery win, I really do need to watch every penny.

Hey ho, that is the joy of owning older vehicles.

[Cavalier342]

Ye I would get that sorted as soon as possible. Sills love to rot out.

[tim130879]

Ouch!! That's fair enough as these are going to be some expensive months!!

Yeah I might have to put a few bits off and certainly get these sills done - they seem to look worse every time I have a poke around. Any one tell me how that rubber/ metal seal comes off to have a better look?

[Robsey]

It is just pinned on.
The pins are welded to the sill skin, and look like flat round headed tacks or nails sticking out of the skin.
The rubber trims have an aluminium channel that slides or clips over the tack heads.
If that makes sense.

[tim130879]

What everyone’s opinion about de-badging?

[Cavalier342]

For me, if the car is to remain original, definitely keep the badges. On a tidy modified car, removing the badges can give that clean and mean look, depending on the rest of the car.

[tim130879]

Hi all. Won’t be posting for a while and the old gal won’t be going anywhere for a week or two. Had two heart attacks yesterday morning so still in RGBH. Cleary got too excited over fitting my fanblades