Ricey

Actually I think some of those pics are out of sync - those close ups at the autosol stage are from way back - I've eradicated all of the orange peel.

Anything would cause less damage than a wire wheel........I had to sand it through all of the stages twice because it was still so scratched after the first going over!

Purchased with Orange in mind and I've already spent the debt of a small banana republic on paint and sanding crap!

Finished.......so........tired............can't speak. Quick point though - you all with think this is quite good (I hope) but it really isn't perfect........can I just say - Buy one from Tarmac..........it simply is not worth your time, energy and effort. This cost a fortune in sanding pads, sandpaper, wet and try, polishing compounds, autosol, polishing pads (not counting all the tools I had to buy to do it). Its fairly rewarding but its hard to keep your eye on the quality of your work after 8 hours of sanding........Androo makes good points - you gouge one little bit and it'll be an unholy beggar to get it back to smooth again. I also averted a disaster by testing my torque wrench in the shed on a 'test bolt'......set to 5nms - snapped the head off it. Which brings me onto another point - we might all joke about Halfrauds, Hellfords, Halfords but I have to say the quality of their kit is so much better than other places. The torque wrench from Halfords - a thing of beauty (but the wrong NM range), Torque wrench from B&Q - a lump of turd that would of either cracked my plenum or stripped the head off the bolt. I think this is the correct running order for the stages (check post above for the initial de-burring stage). 240 grit 400 grit 600 grit 800 grit 1200 grit Missed the 1500 and 2000 it was in a right mess and couldn't use the camera as I used water to help the process Autosol and polishing wheel drill bit (2 times) G3 scratch thingamy and another autosol......not perfect but I was simply too tired by this point Lambs wool polishing bonnet on the drill and wiped down with white spirit The aftermath! See this thread for the fitted pics viewtopic.php?f=26&t=49628

Ok so we decided as a forum that the Orange was fricking hideous. So Carla made the call on Purple. I purchased some Ford Velvet Purple, Purple Passion (flip paint - Purple to Green), Ford Panther Black Metallic (as a base coat for the Battery/Brake Fluid cover surrounds) and some clear lacquer. Sanded the bits I'd previously sprayed back down properly this time so the paint was properly keyed and its given a much smoother finish. Also Took the Plenum off and polished it - see viewtopic.php?f=20&t=50059&start=45 And the OEM strut brace - see viewtopic.php?f=20&t=50299 So here's the finished article.

Husky dog as done this previously and unfortunately for him I've stolen his idea and finished it before he had chance too! Basically stripped the paint off using a wire drill wheel - really scratches the feck out of the steel so find a better way if possible - I've not been able to get all the scratches out. Then sand with 80 grit, 120, 180 (I think), 240, 400, 600, 800, 1200, 1500, 2000, autosol, white spirit, water, dry THROUGHLY (This is bare steel!) Cleaned the transport wax and crap off the end bits with Cellulose Thinners then keyed the paint with wet and dry. Sprayed end bits with panther black metallic, purple flip and finally lacquer (mask the strut off with some kitchen towel and duck tape) Here it is (see it fitted here - viewtopic.php?f=26&t=49628&start=45) ]

Charger - be different

Happy do-dar

Not my fault! Its what is says here! http://www.motordyneengineering.com/manual.pdf

Cheers dawg - I found that somewhere in an old post - I've drawn myself a little map to follow! My neck is so painful.............can you die from pure neck pain...........I think I'm dying...................dead.

Sorry I meant inch lbs!!!!!!!! 40 inch lbs, then 80 inch lbs then the outer bolts up to 100 inch lbs

Fanks chaps! I had a revelation in Halfords when looking for the adapter - I just bought a little set of the right sized sockets instead........I think I must be tired! So 40nms to nip, 100nms in the same order then start and listen for any unusualness? Yes?

Christ! Didn't bother to check the torque wrench head size.....1/4 inch drive!!! Do they even make sockets that small! I guess I'm going with the hand tightening method then!

you and that search button! viewtopic.php?f=62&t=50158&hilit=scorpion ..........and I am busy doing things before you ask why I'm on here again lol! I'm just taking 5 mins from polishing this fricking plenum. Cobra are in the same budget as Scorpion but a bit drony apparently. You tube is good for listening to different set ups. I love our Scorpion but it is in the 'budget' range.

Not bald but still a fat ugly knobhead......fat ugly knoooooooooobhead............he just a fat ugly knoooooooobhead

I'll write something up when I finish.............if it looks good!

As warm and fuzzy as it sounds it is reassuring to know you can be in any shades of effluent and have your problem resolved (or at least some good advice) within a couple of hours!

Tarmac I think would be the best bet for Nismo with his importing contacts. Small bits of wrapping RTbiscuit - large things (like a car or a roof ETC) someone like RT Performance, not sure about tints, again imported kits Tarmac, bespoke weird and wonderful electronics Husky. But bear in mind there are loads of others but those guys (and ones mentioned above) are most active and there work/customer service is going to be more visible on the forum. Any before you stumble across them and ask..........Uvworldwide..........avoid like a tramps pecker

ricey - you always on this forum? haha Yeah I have taken a look through but the posts are rather old... The missus has nicked the PS3!!!!! The traders in general are still trading mate - some are more active than others. Tarmac for example has put loads of new goodies up recently. R3LEE and Zmanalex are general your stop for parts (although Alex recently announced he was pulling back a bit due to the demand and general admin of the business he gets). ChilliRed (Sarah) also sells aftermarket bits but also is winding things down I think. Loads of others too - depends what your after really bud?

You didn't look to far bud! All of the traders in one handy section viewforum.php?f=106

The boy hath already done - surprised you weren't blown away by it though Rich - Black hole is amazing stuff.

Insurance companies taking the piddle and £95 a tank.......its fairly inevitable. Bear in mind there are going to be some right dogs out there for that kind of money though. Because of the minor bump we were involved in this year that was NOT our fault our insurance is pushed up by £200!!!!!!!!!!! £200 for minding your own business and being hit by some mongtard.........insurance companies are the absolute personification of whats wrong with the world and why amazing cars like this are changing hands for money like that.

Tarmac might be able to get these - worth PM'ing him,

Nevermind - there's plenty more Zeds in the sea.

So just to clarify - If I want to clean under the butterfly valve I can move it albeit gently? Or am I best just leaving it and cleaning as close to it as I can without touching it? To clarify - today has been a great success where I've taken the plenum off, polished it and even mended a drill that broke - to end it by ruining the throttle body would be most disastrous!