It's been a while since I posted an update but I've actually done quite a bit to the car since.
After stripping the interior I finally got the front window replaced and treated the car to some new wipers and a set of C2 mist jets (after looking on the forum and having two goes at ordering a sets off of ebay they are STILL the wrong type and spray the bottom of the screen?!?!?!
)
Once that was done the car was roadworthy again and it was time to make a trip down to Derv Developments in Southampton where I met Alex who fitted a new cambelt. Alex and Jonny are top blokes and know everything there is to know about these cars - I'd recommend them to anyone who is local (it's even worth a trip if you're not!).
Halfway through the job Alex sent me a picture of the existing belt...looks like I got away with it!!
Alex also found a coolant leak which he promptly fixed and gave me a list of things that would need to be done to bring the car back up to scratch.
When I got the car back home I started to attack the rust in the arches. It turns out that the offset colour in the pictures was an arch repair but the welds look neat and it is a decent job. The colour difference of the rear wing isn't all that noticeable except in certain lights/angles and I plan to address it further by machine polishing and detailing the car so the end finish will make it look even less so. Still, it was a £350 car so as I said I can't complain!
I used a trusty wire brush attachment and took the rust back to bare metal
Once that was done I applied Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 and left it for a couple of days until it did it's thing.
Freshly applied...it turns darker purple and converts the rust after 24 hours..
Once the hydrate had converted the rust I applied Bilt Hamber Dynax S50 into the cavities to hopefully stop the rust coming back. After that had settled I had bought some silent coat to start the sound deadening process ready for a new ICE install.
Silent coat is amazing, the tinny sound you get from tapping the wing is now a dull thud and it makes the car sound smoother on the road. I used 2mm sheets and applied it to the inner arches and rear sections of the boot. I plan to source more to do the doors, boot, roof and behind the dash.
With the rust treated it was time to put the interior back together. Carpet cleaned and looking (and smelling) much fresher...plus I was pleased I managed to refit it without the corner hanging out of the door rubber (I think that must have happened when the previous owners fitted the wiring for the boot speakers.
I also sourced a set of HDI car mats from Ambassador who I have always been impressed with, plus I managed to source a new coin holder from a donor car at my local scrapyard!
Before I started I cleaned all the plastic interior trim with AutoGlym Vinyl and Rubber care (I was even able to clean through the vents using a microfibre).
And I let the seatbelts rinse in a soap solution overnight - it made quite a difference
I also did a few little tidy up jobs like the gear lever gaiter which had seen better days..
Before:
After:
I couldn't identify what this wire was for - anyone know? My guess is it is for a CD changer in the boot? I just cable tied it up and shoved it into the console in case it turns out to be important later on.
The boot had a load of yellow glue on it where I pulled off the dank thin carpet, so I got busy with the white spirit. The wires were all burnt out but that was next up on my list.
After much rubbing and still a little bit left in the corner to do another day.
After stripping the interior I finally got the front window replaced and treated the car to some new wipers and a set of C2 mist jets (after looking on the forum and having two goes at ordering a sets off of ebay they are STILL the wrong type and spray the bottom of the screen?!?!?!
)Once that was done the car was roadworthy again and it was time to make a trip down to Derv Developments in Southampton where I met Alex who fitted a new cambelt. Alex and Jonny are top blokes and know everything there is to know about these cars - I'd recommend them to anyone who is local (it's even worth a trip if you're not!).
Halfway through the job Alex sent me a picture of the existing belt...looks like I got away with it!!
Alex also found a coolant leak which he promptly fixed and gave me a list of things that would need to be done to bring the car back up to scratch.
When I got the car back home I started to attack the rust in the arches. It turns out that the offset colour in the pictures was an arch repair but the welds look neat and it is a decent job. The colour difference of the rear wing isn't all that noticeable except in certain lights/angles and I plan to address it further by machine polishing and detailing the car so the end finish will make it look even less so. Still, it was a £350 car so as I said I can't complain!
I used a trusty wire brush attachment and took the rust back to bare metal
Once that was done I applied Bilt Hamber Hydrate 80 and left it for a couple of days until it did it's thing.
Freshly applied...it turns darker purple and converts the rust after 24 hours..
Once the hydrate had converted the rust I applied Bilt Hamber Dynax S50 into the cavities to hopefully stop the rust coming back. After that had settled I had bought some silent coat to start the sound deadening process ready for a new ICE install.
Silent coat is amazing, the tinny sound you get from tapping the wing is now a dull thud and it makes the car sound smoother on the road. I used 2mm sheets and applied it to the inner arches and rear sections of the boot. I plan to source more to do the doors, boot, roof and behind the dash.
With the rust treated it was time to put the interior back together. Carpet cleaned and looking (and smelling) much fresher...plus I was pleased I managed to refit it without the corner hanging out of the door rubber (I think that must have happened when the previous owners fitted the wiring for the boot speakers.
I also sourced a set of HDI car mats from Ambassador who I have always been impressed with, plus I managed to source a new coin holder from a donor car at my local scrapyard!
Before I started I cleaned all the plastic interior trim with AutoGlym Vinyl and Rubber care (I was even able to clean through the vents using a microfibre).
And I let the seatbelts rinse in a soap solution overnight - it made quite a difference
I also did a few little tidy up jobs like the gear lever gaiter which had seen better days..
Before:
After:
I couldn't identify what this wire was for - anyone know? My guess is it is for a CD changer in the boot? I just cable tied it up and shoved it into the console in case it turns out to be important later on.
The boot had a load of yellow glue on it where I pulled off the dank thin carpet, so I got busy with the white spirit. The wires were all burnt out but that was next up on my list.
After much rubbing and still a little bit left in the corner to do another day.
190k Moonstone 3dr HDI sold
..on the lookout for a 6/rallye
..on the lookout for a 6/rallye