Monday, September 21, 2009

Mirrors done.

This weekend I took the time and painted my mirrors. The original paint had start to clip on the driver's side and completely chip off on the passenger side. So despite the heat, I followed the below DIY for removing the mirrors.
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?&id=4099628
The pulling of the clip to release the mirror went smooth on the passenger, but it took me some time on the driver side to release it.
Once they were off, I went ahead and cleaned them off. I removed as much dirt, grease, bugs, or anything that had caked the mirrors. The next step was sanding them. That went quicker that I had thought.
The paint I used was for truck bed liners. It is a rubber like paint that helps stop scratches and bugs from embedding themselves into the paint.
I did about 3 coats of the paint on the mirrors. The paint is a fast drying paint. So I only had to wait 5 minutes in between coats.
I reinstalled, took a break to eat, and then I preceded to pat myself on the back.

(picture coming of finished project)

Friday, September 11, 2009

Long time no update. Updated TO DO list.

I have been busy being busy. So here is a new revised To Do list for the GTI.
  • Timing belt and all that comes along with doing that
  • Replace subframe and control arms do to squeaking
  • Swap out dogbone mount to stock OEM mount
  • Tackle the power steering leak from the hoses coming off the pump
  • Tackle coolant leak from housing to block
  • Tackle fuel pump level to get a accurate fuel level reading

I am hoping to run the GTI at the Tail Of The Dragon by spring of next year. So below is my TOD To Do list.

  • New rotors (slotted)
  • New brake pads
  • New tires (either match the fronts or four new ones)
  • New stock OEM axles both sides (never can be too sure)
  • Add rear swaybar
  • Add front lower strut bar
  • Add (maybe) new shock/spring combo (no more than 1.5 inch drop)
  • New lug nuts with locking lug nuts

The last To Do list is to make the car pretty.

  • Strip and paint rims
  • Redo door card fabric
  • Strip and texture paint mirrors
  • Strip and paint valve cover
  • Tint ?! (Still on the fence on doing this and spending the money)

That is all i got for now. Its definitely going to be interesting. Now I only have to find the time to do it all.