Clio 172 Track WIP

[Midnight]

Well, not much has happened as of late.

Had this arrive yesterday:

So today I took it to TCR to have it fitted:

Only drove it back from TCR so not had chance to really see if it's made any improvement however hopefully i'll get half hour the weekend to have a little drive out.

 

[Midnight]

Not been too much progress in all honest. Had a nightmare with the wheels. Buying/Selling was let down a few times which in turn meant I had to let people down.

However finally I see the light and picking some wheels up over the weekend.

Anyway, I'm trying to cut down on the spending at the moment as the idea was to keep it a budget track car (Not that it will happen) however I was doing a little research on here for things to do that wouldn't cost much to do.

Anyway I'll let the pictures do the talking:

I bought a cheap 'heat gun' from eBay which cost circ £10.00 and got to work, I was amazed at how heavy the compound which I am guessing is some sort of tar. I used a screw driver, thinking back a plastic scraper of some sort would have been much better as I did catch the paint a few times. Once removed I then used AG tar remover and used a wheel brush to clean the excess tar.

Like I say I'm amazed how heavy the 'tar' is once its gone hard again. I would guess a saving of 3kg each side. Including the roof and boot I think the weight saving must be around 10kgs. Now to me a hour or two and a saving of 10kg is well worth it.

Only managed to do the drivers side as I ran out of tar remover, I did go a little OTT using it.

 

[icebergclio172]

I did that with mine a month back, I hated it and I haven't got the patience! Mine was worse on the roof, I ended up painting over some of it, it was that bad!

 

[Midnight]

I did that with mine a month back, I hated it and I haven't got the patience! Mine was worse on the roof, I ended up painting over some of it, it was that bad!

Basically took me 5 minutes per strip. The idea in the long run is to have the interior painted. However we're talking many moons away.

Touch wood I didn't find it too difficult however the roof I believe will be the worst to do.

 

[Fletcher]

The drivers footwell looks good Aaron.

The tar patches in the front doors and rear quarter are also worth removing

 

[Midnight]

The drivers footwell looks good Aaron.

The tar patches in the front doors and rear quarter are also worth removing

Yes I'll be doing them all. Need to get some more tar remover though and be a little more 'collective' with the use.

A little hesitant to use the heat gun around the fuel tank so the one behind the front seats I may find harder to do. (Vertical)

 

[icebergclio172]

I just used white spirit - let it soak for a while, cheaper than buying tar remover...

 

[NorthloopCup]

Yes I'll be doing them all. Need to get some more tar remover though and be a little more 'collective' with the use.

A little hesitant to use the heat gun around the fuel tank so the one behind the front seats I may find harder to do. (Vertical)

Don't worry about the fuel tank mate. I welded my cage feet in with the tank still in place!! Lol! No issues there either.

 

[Midnight]

Right I've now done the passenger and boot.

I have the roof, under rear window and one attached near fuel tank.

I did use white spirit but it's not as good as tar remover so I'll pick some up mid week and do the remaining next weekend.

I'm glad I'll be able to use the heat gun, had visions of blowing myself to pieces.

 

[NorthloopCup]

If your genuinely concerned mate fill the tank to the brim. It's less flammable! Serious as well!

 

[Midnight]

Not much in terms of great progress, just little things:

Firstly, I noticed the centre section of the exhaust was a slight bit lower than normal, so I replaced the middles exhaust hanger.

Old

New

Finally got around to picking the wheels up. They'll not be stopping black however for now they'll be fine. I've fitted a set of the Nankang NS2-R 'semi slick' tyres to them and I must say I'm very impressed with them (120).

Now I have been searching for a rear wiper blank for months, I come across a member doing a GB on carbon fibre products. Luckily they do a rear wiper blank in carbon, while not what I wanted in terms of colour I thought the carbon fibre one would be fine while I concentrate on other areas of the car as the current one I took a hacksaw to remove the rear wiper.

Extremely excited when it finally turned up, however after opening the jiffy bag I cant say I was that impressed. It either looks second hand or extremely poor made. For now it'll have to do and as its only our track day car I suppose its not the end of the world however if it was my road car I doubt it would be getting fitted. Doubt the iphone will pick up the problem. It looks when/whoever has lacquered the blank has put too much on and its run. Also the carbon isn't the neatest near the edges. However like I say at the moment it'll do.

 

[Coops Mk1]

Wheels scrubbed up lovely chap, glad I wasn't on the list of let downs

 

[Midnight]

Wheels scrubbed up lovely chap, glad I wasn't on the list of let downs

No, buddy you were extremely helpful. The wheels were treated to a little back to black lol.

Not or really let down with the wiper blank, just not the quality I was expecting.

 

[-D4N-]

Did you order the carbon wiper blank from carbon devil?

 

[Midnight]

Did you order the carbon wiper blank from carbon devil?

Yes. There is currently a group buy for 'bullets' hopefully they are better quality though!

 

[-D4N-]

I had some bullets and wing mirrors made by them and they were terrible I sent them straight back the same day.

 

[Midnight]

I had some bullets and wing mirrors made by them and they were terrible I sent them straight back the same day.

Thats a shame, I was hoping it was just a poor batch or something.

Like I say at the moment it'll do.

 

[M.C..]

If you have not got all the tar out I found WD40 good just sprayed it on and it wiped off with a cloth.
Also spray the interior with rattle cans I did mine cost about £15 with paint and plastic sheets to cover the car and it is a very good finish and looks 100% better.

 

[Midnight]

I've thought about painting the interior, I just think I'd make a total mess of it.

 

[M.C..]

I thought that but it was easy, I just wiped it all over with panel wipe then a tack rag then sprayed it.

 

[Midnight]

I'll give it some more thought as ideally before the cage goes in the better.

 

[M.C..]

Yeah much easier without the cage, I fitted my cage then decided to paint the interior and just masked it off as I could not be bothered to remove it again

 

[Midnight]

I'm going to do a little but of reading on this as I do like the idea of getting the interior painted. Thanks.

 

[M.C..]

no problem
I think I seen your car down TCR about 2 weeks ago they told me they had just fitted the PMS strut brace and mounts

 

[Midnight]

no problem
I think I seen your car down TCR about 2 weeks ago they told me they had just fitted the PMS strut brace and mounts

Yes that would have been mine. Just adding 1 bit at a time.

Slow process but it'll get there one day!

 

[MarkX]

I love reading these build threads, trouble is they just give me more ideas

 

[Midnight]

I love reading these build threads, trouble is they just give me more ideas

The rate your progress is going Mark, you'll be racing in Clio cup championship next month lol.

 

[Chi]

Trying to track down Midnight if anyone has details. He has taken payment for wheels and is now not replying to PMs
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Lt Columbo

 

[Midnight]

Due to unforeseen events. The car is now for sale