- 3,534
- London
I got a custom cat-back exhaust system fitted to my car yesterday. Made a small increase in performance but nothing to shout about, my car growls now 
pics to follow...
pics to follow...
What have you done to your car today?
- Thread starter Perfect Balance
- 6,673 comments
- 392,653 views
- 3,603
Today (well, yesterday technically), I got a new used CAS for the car, installed it, and smiled a little when the car started. I mucked about setting the timing, and adjusting the idle speed down a little.
I reassembled the car, and made my battery hold-downs functional - I bought a new battery mid-week, only to find this afternoon that it's an inch taller than the old one, rendering all the old hardware useless. Readyrod, FTW!
Stupifying how one very important sensor dying puts my car out of commission for a week.
Turns out I've got another DSM'er about five doors down from me. Very nice car (though it's not fully assembled right now), and super friendly and knowledgeable. I got my CAS from him, and he offered me the use of his timing light as well.
I reassembled the car, and made my battery hold-downs functional - I bought a new battery mid-week, only to find this afternoon that it's an inch taller than the old one, rendering all the old hardware useless. Readyrod, FTW!
Stupifying how one very important sensor dying puts my car out of commission for a week.
Turns out I've got another DSM'er about five doors down from me. Very nice car (though it's not fully assembled right now), and super friendly and knowledgeable. I got my CAS from him, and he offered me the use of his timing light as well.
- 7,511
- Lisbon,Portugal
- beerzgood
Looks a lot better, Mog. 👍
But aren't those more expensive than standard chrome ones? Why didn't you get chromes in the first place?
I also heard those with the blueish mirror tend to sort of "burn", starting to look all black after a while, don't know if it's true though.
But aren't those more expensive than standard chrome ones? Why didn't you get chromes in the first place?
I also heard those with the blueish mirror tend to sort of "burn", starting to look all black after a while, don't know if it's true though.
- 12,900
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
I've no idea if they're more expensive, but the place I got them from only had the blue ones anyway. I hope they don't burn, if they do then the orange ones will go back in.
Because I've been busy cleaning other people's! 👍
boiltheocean
Premium
- 7,756
- Samoa
- 12,900
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
Thanks! I could get the paint into a better condition with a machine polisher, but I can't afford one so hand polishing had to do for now!
- 12,900
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
That's all I did to the Corsa. I used Meguairs clay with Quik Detailer as a lubricant, Autoglym Super Resin Polish (Known to be one of the best to use by hand) and Finish Kare 1000P Hi Temp Sealant to protect the paint. I would also try and use some kind of bug and tar remover on the paint before the polish stage if you can. I use Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover or Autosmart Tardis.
For the last stage, the Finish Kare sealant is known to last well over 4 months and give a good shine, too. 👍
I can't wait until the summer rolls around, I'm aiming to be stripping the sealant from my car, machine polishing it lightly and then applying 2 layers of sealant followed by a layer of Dodo Juice Light Fantastic wax on both the body and the wheels.
- 12,900
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
- 3,603
Yes, detailing on the side is a great way to make a bit of fun-money.
I charge myself at $20/hour, and given a decently sized job, can clear $180 - $200 a day when I can find work.
Hopefully business will pick up a bit during spring and summer.
Anyhow,
Today I removed the entire center console from my car, and adjusted the handbrake, as it doesn't hold the car very well.
Because I had everything out, I disassembled and scrubbed all of the console peices with some mild APC (Well, very diluted carwash shampoo, to be honest... Probably 40:1). I dried the peices, and let them sit for any remaining moisture to evaporate. I used some Megs plastic polish on a couple of chalky peices, and dressed everything with 303 Aerospace or Megs Natural Shine (depending on the material of the parts).
I'll hopefully get the console area of the car cleaned up tomorrow, and everything back in.
Edit - Great looking job with the hand polish, Mog! Next time I do my car I'll be sure to get some 50/50 shots... Black shows all! (Though I still havent had a chance to wax it after a quickie machine polish a week ago).
'Bet you're excited to get a rotary buffer, though. Say goodbye to RDS's. It would make the already good finish of that Corsa absolutely flawless.
I, of course, would reccommend a Makita. I don't have one myself, but I've got a solid 600+ hours behind one.
I charge myself at $20/hour, and given a decently sized job, can clear $180 - $200 a day when I can find work.
Hopefully business will pick up a bit during spring and summer.
Anyhow,
Today I removed the entire center console from my car, and adjusted the handbrake, as it doesn't hold the car very well.
Because I had everything out, I disassembled and scrubbed all of the console peices with some mild APC (Well, very diluted carwash shampoo, to be honest... Probably 40:1). I dried the peices, and let them sit for any remaining moisture to evaporate. I used some Megs plastic polish on a couple of chalky peices, and dressed everything with 303 Aerospace or Megs Natural Shine (depending on the material of the parts).
I'll hopefully get the console area of the car cleaned up tomorrow, and everything back in.
Edit - Great looking job with the hand polish, Mog! Next time I do my car I'll be sure to get some 50/50 shots... Black shows all! (Though I still havent had a chance to wax it after a quickie machine polish a week ago).
'Bet you're excited to get a rotary buffer, though. Say goodbye to RDS's. It would make the already good finish of that Corsa absolutely flawless.
I, of course, would reccommend a Makita. I don't have one myself, but I've got a solid 600+ hours behind one.
Last edited:
McLaren
Premium
- 45,624
- Texas
Pretty good? How about insane amounts?
Moglet, I wouldn't be surprised if in 5 years or so if you keep going, you could be doing this.👍
http://www.teamspeed.com/forums/fer...rrari-enzo-2008-gumball-aftermath-detail.html
http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=30756&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=40
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=93079&highlight=tbops
The first guy though, has been doing detail work for about 14 years & the 2nd guy took around 60 hours. So, I guess it'll also depend on your patience.
- 12,900
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
I love seeing 50/50s on black cars, look forward to that one! 👍
For the machine polisher I'm going for a Kestrel Dual Action with Sonus pads and polish, in this kit; http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polis...-dual-action-polisher-sonus-kit/prod_520.html
I've already got my tape to tape up exterior plastics etc. and I also want to get a bottle of Dodo Juice Lime Prime to cleanse the paint after the polishing stage, ready to apply any wax or sealant. I'm also planning on getting some Zaino Z8 to top up the shine on my car each week. I've seen some amazing results with Z8.
When I do get it all it's going to be an expensive day for me!
- 3,603
Mog, that polisher looks like a steal! The pads alone would cost me at least half that, and I get everything at net pricing!
That said, proper rotary or bust. I'm not sure why people like DA polishers (Random orbit buffers are one thing, but I would never use one for polishing).
I'm in bad need of a new pad system - I don't like the Megs one I'm using right now (where the pad and backing plate are integrated and thread on to the buffer). I'd like a separate backing plate and pad combination to help reduce costs in the long run (These pads I'm using right now are quite expensive for what they are). 3M, perhaps? Ionno, whatever I can find locally - I don't want to have to order and wait if I'm using one particular system and need something urgently.
Ze car... I vacuumed the interior today and reassembled the console.
Curse people who let their pets inside their vehicles! I've had my car for about 2.5 years, and I still havent gotten rid of all the dog hair. It's woven into the hatch carpeting and privacy cover, and nothing short of a day with tweezers will get it all out.
That said, proper rotary or bust. I'm not sure why people like DA polishers (Random orbit buffers are one thing, but I would never use one for polishing).
I'm in bad need of a new pad system - I don't like the Megs one I'm using right now (where the pad and backing plate are integrated and thread on to the buffer). I'd like a separate backing plate and pad combination to help reduce costs in the long run (These pads I'm using right now are quite expensive for what they are). 3M, perhaps? Ionno, whatever I can find locally - I don't want to have to order and wait if I'm using one particular system and need something urgently.
Ze car... I vacuumed the interior today and reassembled the console.
Curse people who let their pets inside their vehicles! I've had my car for about 2.5 years, and I still havent gotten rid of all the dog hair. It's woven into the hatch carpeting and privacy cover, and nothing short of a day with tweezers will get it all out.
- 8,480
- P_Balance
Still trying to fix my ongoing idle issue that has annoyed me for the past week or so.
So far I've tried:
Checking coolant, spark plugs, plug wires, all fuses.
Cleaning throttle body, IACV, inside distributor, all ground cables, and all electrical connectors from ECU to anything fuel or ignition related.
Replaced MAP sensor
Things left to try: Cleaning injectors, replacing TPS, fuel filter, checking connections on ignitor inside distributor.
Along with a few other things I forgot. Either way it's pissing me off, I hate car problems.
So far I've tried:
Checking coolant, spark plugs, plug wires, all fuses.
Cleaning throttle body, IACV, inside distributor, all ground cables, and all electrical connectors from ECU to anything fuel or ignition related.
Replaced MAP sensor
Things left to try: Cleaning injectors, replacing TPS, fuel filter, checking connections on ignitor inside distributor.
Along with a few other things I forgot. Either way it's pissing me off, I hate car problems.
Keef
Premium
- 25,166
- Dayton, OH
- GTP_KeefRacer
- GTP Keef
Don't forget to check the ignitor inside the distributor specifically. That's that little thingy I was telling you about the other day. I think.
- 8,480
- P_Balance
- 8,480
- P_Balance
So I changed the TPS, and now my car idles at a normal level. It was idling at around 2,300rpms, and now it idles at 700 or so, but it still kind of stumbles over itself every once in a while, and sometimes the engine will rev up slightly as if I turned something on.
Keef
Premium
- 25,166
- Dayton, OH
- GTP_KeefRacer
- GTP Keef
Today my buddy and I both installed our short-throw shifters. The same kind. I'm not happy with mine though because it's too far away, so I've organized a plan on Friday--take it all apart again, torch the stick, and bend the already existing bends even further to where I want them. I've also drawn up another extension I'd like my dad to wind up on the lathe in his free time at work. It'll extend my knob another 2 inches. I decided I wanted that because this short throw actually sits lower than stock, which was a bummer, and bending it how i want it will also lower the threads a bit. This new short throw feels good though, and it could actually stand to be lengthened slightly, and I think another 2 inch extension will work well.
Custom parts FTW. Like, good custom parts, not rigged custom parts.
EDIT: PB, it seems like just about every swapped Honda I've ever seen idles pretty erractically. Sometimes my cousin's D15 idles normal, and sometimes it does its rich-lean cycle on steroids, going up and down between ~700 and ~1500 rpm. Kind of annoying, but everything runs fine. Is your engine doing something like that (I know it's stock) or is it actually doing a something-is-still-broken kind of thing?
Custom parts FTW. Like, good custom parts, not rigged custom parts.
EDIT: PB, it seems like just about every swapped Honda I've ever seen idles pretty erractically. Sometimes my cousin's D15 idles normal, and sometimes it does its rich-lean cycle on steroids, going up and down between ~700 and ~1500 rpm. Kind of annoying, but everything runs fine. Is your engine doing something like that (I know it's stock) or is it actually doing a something-is-still-broken kind of thing?
- 8,480
- P_Balance
So basically every swapped Honda you've seen is broken?
I know quite a few swapped Hondas that run perfect.
It's still messed up, although now I'm getting a CEL more often. At least that gives me a starting point, because before I wasn't getting any lights. It's also running rich as hell, I left it idling while I did a quick car wash today and the bay was filled with the smell of gasoline.
EDIT: How does your already bent shifter end up being too far away? Mine was completely straight and I have absolutely no problem reaching it and shifting, neither does my buddy and he's only 5ft 4in or so.
Gangsta lean much?
- 298
- Ghost_Drift1
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
Reventón;3324037
That would be cool. The only shame is that one you've spent two days detailing them, some other lucky git gets to drive it home...
Roo
Premium
- 7,444
- Hampshire, UK
- GTP_Roo
I hit a pheasant in the Volvo - and to my suprise, the Volvo came off worse.
One of the reasons for getting a Volvo was the ability to drive into things - trees, poles, cattle, sometimes even accidentally - and thus far it has done very well. It even resisted being kicked by a bull with minimal damage. But faced with a pheasant, it went to pieces, literally. The pheasant got up and ran away, so I didn't even get any dinner out of it. Bah.
One of the reasons for getting a Volvo was the ability to drive into things - trees, poles, cattle, sometimes even accidentally - and thus far it has done very well. It even resisted being kicked by a bull with minimal damage. But faced with a pheasant, it went to pieces, literally. The pheasant got up and ran away, so I didn't even get any dinner out of it. Bah.
- 12,900
- Cambridge
- Moglet85
- Moglet
I prefer starting out on a DA, much less chance of burning through the clearcoat that way. At a recent detailing day I watched various demos of rotaries and orbitals doing full on polishing, both offered the same effectiveness but the rotary was able to burn through a layer of clearcoat in a few seconds if left in one area!
The cutting action of the DA I witnessed would be more than enough for pretty much any paint given the right pad/polish combo, so I'd much rather go for that purely for safety reasons. 👍
As for my car, today I swapped the orange front indicator bulbs for chromed ones so they blend in with my headlights. It looks much better, but no photos, if I post anymore photos of my lights I get the feeling someone will hit me
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