UPDATE // 08-JUL-2022
Well, I
think it's finally "done" for now. I'm waiting on a few parts to arrive but I
think I'm just about there.
It's been another long day at the end of a very long week. A week in which I've made attempts to address many cosmetic areas of the car that I felt needed refreshing, addressing, fixing, or manly doses of TLC. It's not all gone to plan but, screw it, job jobbed.
The paintwork has come up nicely, as long as you don't stand too close. Several days of compounding/cutting, polishing, and other things I've heard detailers mention in their vocabulary. I've mentioned already that it will get a respray AT SOME POINT DOWN THE LINE but, as I have also said to some folks, I'm not massively precious about it. I'll look after it as well as I can but - ultimately - it's a red Clio that I want to drive and enjoy. And I am because #165 is my daily, even if not the most practical for tip runs, fetching DIY supplies, or lugging garden centre purchases. In fact, I did have a go at a bit of painting after treating the rust and filling the screw holes from previous rear number plates...
Trophy enthusiasts may want to look away now.
Ghetto painting at its finest.
Don't worry, it actually came up pretty good in the end! I didn't (and still don't) have a clue what I'm doing having never done any car paint/spray stuff before. Thank you, YouTube. Anyways, the area was rust treated, primed, painted, lacquered, etc. It took bloody ages, even doing it ghetto style. Thankfully, I managed not to cover any other areas of the car in fallout or overspray. Result.
With the paintwork clean and polished-up "nice and proper", I decided to have a crack at putting the new decals onto the sills. Hmm. I won't lie, that didn't go so well. Having decided to err on the side of caution, I mixed up a mild solution of soapy water (as advised) so that I could apply the decal and then have a moment or two to slide and move it into place. Or so I thought. I roughly placed the decal (both sill and decal sprayed with said solution) in the approximate position using the provided guidelines. F**k. The decal stuck instantly! FLOL! It just grabbed and I couldn't move the damn thing! As a result, I basically had to leave the decal where it was, and to my annoyance, it is very slightly lopsided. Not by much, but more than enough to annoy me. I think I'm going to buy another set and try again. Sure enough, I experienced the same issue on the other side. This time the decal was more or less perfect (I'd learned that my first effort was pretty much going to be my only effort to locate it!) The placement was much better but the letter "H" decided to be a pillock and slightly crumpled as it left the media and attached to the sill. With it sticking instantly I couldn't do anything about it so "H" now has a slight crease in it. Again, minor but enough to pish me off. Yes, I will definitely be buying another set and trying again.
Anyways, this is how #165 is looking at the moment - complete with new plates.
(Yes, I know "Trophy" is wonky).
(Yes, I know "H" is creased-up - but not in a joviality sense).
Thankfully, it doesn't look too bad from the front end. I don't have any centre caps on these wheels as these are actually my track wheels. The original Trophy Turinis I have are stored safely away. I can't wait for the new headlights to arrive (well, when I've ordered them) as they should really tighten and tidy up the front end nicely. Toight like a toiger.
The interior got a bit of Sharky-loving as well. To be honest, it doesn't scrub up too badly for a 100k+ miler.
Replaced the number plaque as well due to the old one looking a bit worse for wear. No, it's not the original plaque spec/design but... pfft. Modified innit bro'.
Here's a pic of the fleet as it stands.
I'm really not a fan of the Abarth though so I moved it out of the way and took a couple more pics of the red twins.
That's it. I'm knackered and aching. These delicate hands weren't made for car stuff. Other than the driving bit.
Cheers!