Big Steve's RB Clio 182 Cup Restoration

[Big_Steve_T]

I wanna know what you blurred👀👀👀👀👀

Especially the radio bit!

All will be revealed... when we come to the full interior section

 

[Louis]

I wanna know what you blurred👀👀👀👀👀

Drilldo

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Scrape, treat, prime, repeat...

also got a couple of coats on the fuel neck area:

Thanks for reading 🙂

 

[cliocollins]

Great work!

Did you buy new window seals for this?

Have you got a link for these mate?

Sent from my LYA-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Did you buy new window seals for this?

Thank you @cliocollins 👍👍

Yes I did buy new window seals for this car. I managed to get hold of one brand new seal off eBay, and then had to buy the other side from my local stealership..

Near/Passenger Side: 77 01 207 588
Off/Drivers Side: 77 01 207 589

 

[cliocollins]

Thank you @cliocollins [emoji106][emoji106]

Yes I did buy new window seals for this car. I managed to get hold of one brand new seal off eBay, and then had to buy the other side from my local stealership..

Near/Passenger Side: 77 01 207 588
Off/Drivers Side: 77 01 207 589

Fantastic.

Thank you mate. Continue with the great work, look forward to seeing more updates soon.

Sent from my LYA-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Whipped all the masking off today after letting it dry overnight... and chuffed with the results!

I tried an old trick I learnt when I was painting R/C Car body-shells back in the day of leaving the masking tape proud of the edge so as not to create a "HARD" line between what I've painted, and what I've not.. Turns out that worked a treat as well!

Overall a very happy camper, and I would say this job isn't too hard at all, but very much worth the effort!

Thanks for reading

 

[MLB]

Great result again!

What is the trick if you don't mind sharing as I was wondering about that

 

[frayz]

Pukka job Steve. Don’t forget to seal it up behind to stop it coming back. 🙂👍🏼

 

[Crayola]

Easiest trick to not leave a hard edge is to roll the masking tape like a tube so it gives a rolled edge

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Now the fuel filler neck is cleaned up, the fuel flap is the part that looks gritty...

Knowing I will be using a pair of M6 Flanged stainless bolts to hold it back onto the car, I don’t need the previous moulded-in bolt head securing pockets, so I carefully cut the buggers off with a junior hacksaw:

They came off really cleanly with a new blade:

To dress it up, I masked out the hinge area:

and painted it:

Let’s see how that turns out...?

Thanks for reading

 

[Louis]

Now the fuel filler neck is cleaned up, the fuel flap is the part that looks gritty...View attachment 1466530

Knowing I will be using a pair of M6 Flanged stainless bolts to hold it back onto the car, I don’t need the previous moulded-in bolt head securing pockets, so I carefully cut the buggers off with a junior hacksaw:
View attachment 1466531
They came off really cleanly with a new blade:
View attachment 1466532
To dress it up, I masked out the hinge area:
View attachment 1466533
and painted it:
View attachment 1466534
Let’s see how that turns out...?

Thanks for reading

Where you getting your paints mixed mate?

 

[Crayola]

Where you getting your paints mixed mate?

Paint mixing shop

 

[Big_Steve_T]

What is the trick if you don't mind sharing as I was wondering about that

The best way I can describe it is with a crappy iPhone drawing below:

if the edge of the part you want to paint is the black part, and the right angle is the edge you are trying to mask. Typically you would mask the part to the edge with the masking tape (The red line).

However To feather the edge, if you put the masking tape on the part, but go past the edge you want to mask off, the paint will stick to that high edge of the masking tape, and not the edge of the part being painted, thus you feather the edge.

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Where you getting your paints mixed mate?

I bought a tin of pre-mixed paint from Paints4u off eBay and the colour match is terrific!!!

RENAULT J45 Car Paint Spray 400ml Body Shop Aerosol BLUE DYNAMO | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RENAULT J45 Car Paint Spray 400ml Body Shop Aerosol BLUE DYNAMO at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Louis]

I bought a tin of pre-mixed paint from Paints4u off eBay and the colour match is terrific!!!

RENAULT J45 Car Paint Spray 400ml Body Shop Aerosol BLUE DYNAMO | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RENAULT J45 Car Paint Spray 400ml Body Shop Aerosol BLUE DYNAMO at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Just got some, cheers! I used to buy it from someone else on ebay but they stopped listing it.

 

[andy_coops]

Thank you @cliocollins 👍👍

Yes I did buy new window seals for this car. I managed to get hold of one brand new seal off eBay, and then had to buy the other side from my local stealership..

Near/Passenger Side: 77 01 207 588
Off/Drivers Side: 77 01 207 589

Dare I ask how much these were? I’m sitting down..

 

[botfch]

Just got some, cheers! I used to buy it from someone else on ebay but they stopped listing it.

For future reference autopaint st helens will do it for half the price, I've had artic & monaco colours off them both decent matches.

https://www.auto-paint.co.uk/aerosols/mixed-aerosols/400ml-mixed-aerosol-any-colour.html

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Dare I ask how much these were? I’m sitting down..

This gives you an idea.

7701207588
7701207589

But I didn't pay that, I've got a "good" relationship with my local Renault Dealership.

I'm sure the chaps at Renault Parts Direct will give you a better price.

 

[andy_coops]

This gives you an idea.

7701207588
7701207589

But I didn't pay that, I've got a "good" relationship with my local Renault Dealership.

I'm sure the chaps at Renault Parts Direct will give you a better price.

Thanks fella. Glad I was sitting down! 😳😳

 

[Louis]

For future reference autopaint st helens will do it for half the price, I've had artic & monaco colours off them both decent matches.

https://www.auto-paint.co.uk/aerosols/mixed-aerosols/400ml-mixed-aerosol-any-colour.html

Had a look at them before, they're more expensive when you add in shipping and also not open at the moment! Cheers though

 

[MLB]

The best way I can describe it is with a crappy iPhone drawing below:
View attachment 1466550
if the edge of the part you want to paint is the black part, and the right angle is the edge you are trying to mask. Typically you would mask the part to the edge with the masking tape (The red line).

However To feather the edge, if you put the masking tape on the part, but go past the edge you want to mask off, the paint will stick to that high edge of the masking tape, and not the edge of the part being painted, thus you feather the edge.

Ah I think I see what you mean looking at your action pictures with the tape as well.

To add to your awesome drawing, the spray direction is the blue arrow and because the tape does not end ON the paintwork you won't get the build up at the green dot (left picture) but it'll spread evenly like the small green dots (right picture).

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Ah I think I see what you mean looking at your action pictures with the tape as well.

To add to your awesome drawing, the spray direction is the blue arrow and because the tape does not end ON the paintwork you won't get the build up at the green dot (left picture) but it'll spread evenly like the small green dots (right picture).

View attachment 1466586

 

[MLB]

Awesome, thanks for the good explanation, I'm learning a lot about rust treatment and painting!

Just put an order in for the whole Bilt Hamber kit, now to find some rattle cans that sort of match Petrol Blue!

Do you finish it with a clearcoat of some sort?

 

[Big_Steve_T]

...now to find some rattle cans that sort of match Petrol Blue!

I think that's going to be a problem... because the Petrol Blue is a Pearl from what I know... so it's not going to come out of a rattle can and match like the Racing Blue does....? Maybe someone else who knows more can put me right here?

Do you finish it with a clearcoat of some sort?

Yes the cans of clear lacquer from Paints4U are great also.. They come with a better spray nozzle than the usual Aerosol Cap.

 

[MLB]

I'm afraid you're right, it's really difficult to even explain the way Petrol Blue looks, it changes colour in light but also depending on the angle you look at it.

It will be only for 'hidden' areas like behind the fuel cap, wheel arches etc so I might be able to get some paint somewhere once the lock down is over and shops open again.

 

[Big_Steve_T]

I got hold of a pair of OE Grey Insert Hella Headlights and I called on the support of my best man and detailing king Jez to see how good he can polish them up...

My mate Jez finished polishing up the Grey insert headlights, and saw that the adjusters in one of the headlights had broken:

Thankfully he managed to fish out all of the bits, and get hold of one of the BMW Adjusters:

New BMW adjusters all re-fitted to the headlights:

Headlights now ready to be fitted back to the front of the car when I get to that point.

Thanks for reading

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Been fighting with the front cross-member/radiator support for a few weeks now. Bloody thing was in shocking condition for a 2003 car! Looked like it had been at the bottom of the sea!! I've not showed pictures of the back of it, to hide it's embarrassment!

• Stripped the paint off around the rusty areas
• Then treated with Bilt Hamber
• Then heavily sanded down to look presentable
• Rust now converted with FE123 Rust Converter

Going to see if it will accept some paint this weekend...? 🤷‍♂️

Thanks for reading!

 

[Pegasaurus Rex]

Steve, we are on such similar journeys with some of these projects! I have recently overhauled my slam panel and bonnet catch... with them being in equally shocking states

I got to say I wish I took more photos and updated a thread with my build, I’m now retrospectively doing that! I haven’t refitted my slam panel as yet as I am going to change Aux belt, PAS pump, alternator and possible radiator and condenser when all this crap is over. But here is mine finished

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Wow @RustyMojo thats looks fabulous sir!!! Great inspiration to keep up the grind (literally) on mine!! 👍👍

It’s amazing how crusty they get isn’t it!??

 

[Pegasaurus Rex]

Wow @RustyMojo thats looks fabulous sir!!! Great inspiration to keep up the grind (literally) on mine!! 👍👍

It’s amazing how crusty they get isn’t it!??

Just a bit, just happy I’m catching this stuff now as I thikk no another couple of years I would be looking at panel replacement on much of this stuff. It’s funny and makes me feel old, but I don’t see these as old cars. I remember selling them new, like it was yesterday... but as my wife pointed out yesterday I am knocking on now and started in the motortrade back in 2000. My wife had 3 clios back in the day. A 2004 5dr expression in the pearl silver, then a 54 plate dynamique +5dr in silver. I needed to buy her a more reliable car back then as we had just had our first child. Last clio she had we bought new in 2006 - a black extreme. She loved them, albeit she is not interested in ‘that old s**t box’ I’m wasting my time on now!!

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Fight with front slam panel won!!

It’s FAR from perfect... but I think it will be ok. If I’m not happy with it when the cars fully assembled I’ll replace it.

Meanwhile....

When will it end!!!??? 🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️🤦🏼‍♂️

Thanks for reading 🙂

 

[MLB]

I think it looks great in those pictures!

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Finished off the under-sealing today... until I find the next bit of rust! 🤦‍♂️
Front Nearside Arch:

Front Offside arch:

And I also did the bits at the back of the car, but didn't take any pictures. 😲

I then put the petrol tank back in, and installed the fuel feed and return lines:

The PLAN was then to put the rear axle on.. I got it out and loaded it onto my dolly, ready to install and put the first mounting plate on... this is where it all went to !

I'd got the axle stripped and powder-coated and a pair of OE rear bushes installed. However when I inserted the mounting bolt... I noticed it was flapping around like a c*ck in a sock...:


I wondered what the hell had gone wrong... and had a closer look. Everything looked ok, so I then dug out the original bush that I'd stripped out of the axle for comparison...

Sure enough, Renault have screwed me here somehow!!! The original bush is a 10mm clearance hole, all the way through the bush to accept the 10mm bolt. Whereas the new bush has a 10mm hole for a section only about 15mm long, and then opens up to circa 14mm!! WTF?! I'm not sure if the OE Renault bush is defective here... or my local dealership gave me the wrong part?? I checked the part number on the bush, and it looks OK so I'm a little in the dark!? Now I wish I just went for the Poly-Urethane bush like everyone else does... Problem is now the OE bushes are pressed in, and I can't very easily get them changed now due to the COVID-19 Lockdown... so I came up with another idea:

I quickly got the digital vernier caliper out, and measured what was missing... I then got hold of THIS CHAP on eBay and asked him if he could make me a couple of bushes in mild steel... Within 10 minutes we'd agreed a price, and he's going to make them for me tomorrow! Chuffed to bits that he was so quick in responding, and can help me out so quickly also... Lets hope my measurements are correct...?! Will let you know how that goes!

Thanks for reading

 

[botfch]

I like your axle stands!

 

[Pegasaurus Rex]

What a bloody nightmare that is!
Didn’t realise you removed the tank completely. Was there much rust underneath it? I have just finished prepping for rust treatment the back end of my car. (Awaiting a delivery) biggest hurdle I have is heat shields! The two that should be under my back box (?) are long gone! And the cat back heat shield is bloody awful!

 

[Big_Steve_T]

I like your axle stands!

Thanks, i usually use regular stands, but as I want the car higher in the air whilst I'm groping around underneath, I called the old blocks of wood into action. They're great!

Was there much rust underneath it?

Surprisingly no, behind the tank was fairly good. The worst areas where the fuel & brake line clip locations, and the rear "chassis rails" (not sure what to call them..)

 

[Amos91]

Well that sounds like a right pain in the arse, the OE bushes are quite expensive too?

Sure it will be fine but if you end up having to change, the Whiteline ones are nice and good value!

 

[Pegasaurus Rex]

Thanks, i usually use regular stands, but as I want the car higher in the air whilst I'm groping around underneath, I called the old blocks of wood into action. They're great!



Surprisingly no, behind the tank was fairly good. The worst areas where the fuel & brake line clip locations, and the rear "chassis rails" (not sure what to call them..)

I know exactly where you mean. Mines exactly the same! It’s all scraped back now awaiting more rust cure to arrive. I will treat, paint and under seal it all over the coming weeks. I need to get my brakes and beam refurbished which will
Slow things down as that’s going to happen post lockdown!

 

[Big_Steve_T]

Well that sounds like a right pain in the arse, the OE bushes are quite expensive too?

Sure it will be fine but if you end up having to change, the Whiteline ones are nice and good value!

Yeah... theres me thinking the OE stuff is the best... but not this time!!