Getting ready for the Annual Meet
 

Started the annual deep clean this weekend. First up was the paintwork, so here a a few photos of the bonnet, boot lid and rear wing. As you can see, we had a nice day for it!

+++

Looks lovely Jim

Shiny!
 

Looking great Jim! +++

I haven't got as far as the exterior yet; been working on the interior and the engine bay.

The engine bay is nice and clean now, complete with shiny new rings :)

The silver/grey paint had been flaking off the original engine cover rings and I was looking to repaint them. Instead, after a bit of research, I found the early Q7 rear badge (Part# 4L0 853 742 2ZZ) happens to be exactly the same size (to the millimetre in fact!).

I've also re-Woollied my driver's seat, which was beginning to look a little worn. Now it's like new again. I used a different technique this time which seems to have resulted in a much better (potentially harder-wearing) job. Ignoring the advice in Woollies' instructions (NOT to use brushes), I used a soft shoe polish brush to massage the dye in. I also used another shoe polish brush with a different leather cleaning product beforehand; I find that the blue Woollies' leather cleaner leaves the leather a little blue.


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:mad: Now I had just done the rings using an old set I had hanging about! Unfortunately there are 2 things wrong with mine which yours will show up - the rings (ex-bootlid) are a millimeter or 2 oversize and, secondly, I didnt want to drill out the plastic ones and so mounted the rings over the top of the plastic ones. It sort of works but yours make mine look amateurish :o

Very interesting. Did you manage to remove the old rings then?

:lol:

You could still remove the original and replace it with a Q7 badge -- it's easy to drill-out without any damage. If you (carefully and slowly) drill/countersink the fixings from the rear the badge pops off, with fixing posts intact, should you ever want to glue it back in. The Q7 badge doesn't have the fixing posts of course but it's a perfect fit, and it's properly chromed (unlike the original badge that's just silvery/grey painted). I can't see any reason you'd want to put the original back on, unless the Q7 boot badge proves to be unsuitable for the environment (ie if it melts!) .... time will tell! :eek3:

The Q7 badges can be had for about £17 inc postage:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252917182113

Yeah, I just used a large drill bit and (very carefully and slowly) removed the fixings from the rear, which essentially comprise of plastic posts that have been melted behind to hold it in place. You just have to be careful the drill doesn't snatch and go straight through. I suppose you could use a hand drill or countersink tool instead. There's enough left of the fixing posts that you could refit it with a little glue later, should you need/want to for any reason.

Is it fixed with 'double sided 3M VHB tape' that comes with the rings originally? A bit worried about the adhesive since its so hot there. Otherwise great mod!

It is. I just cleaned the area with alcohol first and stuck it down using the self-adhesive backing that it came with. Like I said, time will tell! ... I shall report back! :)

As long as the badge itself doesn't melt, if it does come unstuck or the badge begins to move around, I'll re-stick it using something more suitable.

Yes, please.

Would be great to know if it'll survive a 2-3 of months of summer driving.

Perhaps polyurethane adhesives will work, i.e.
1. Petec 94730 Car Body Sealant Adhesive Putty Black
2. Sikaflex by Sika
3. Sodudaflex by Soudal

Or super glue ...

I also added some additional (and, I hope, tasteful) features which I will post on some photos tomorrow.

On my "to do" list as well. :o

What cleaner did you use? My end result is decidedly patchy and will have to be done again some time soon.
My leather is cream and I think the slight blue tint from the cleaner has made some parts look worse.

Yeah, I don't know what Woollies were thinking. I'm sure it's ok on darker colours but it definitely leaves a blue tint on lighter leather.

I've used a few different leather cleaners. I think most will probably do a better job than Woollies leather cleaner but Dr Leather was what I used this time:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B007KARWZE/

When I've used the Woollies' kit in the past, I've always followed the instructions to the letter and had similar disappointing patchy results.

So this time I figured I'd try a shoe-polishing type of technique. I bought a couple of soft shoe polish brushes and used the first one to gently scrub the surface clean, using leather cleaner and wiping off a few times with a clean microfibre cloth. Once it was clean and dry, I applied Woollies' dye to the other brush and gently massaged it in, covering large areas and repeatedly moving the brush around all areas until it had started to soak in a dry a little. I left it to dry for an hour or two then repeated the process to apply another couple of coats, until it looked even. Once it was dry, I gently buffed it with a microfibre cloth then carefully applied the sealing paste. The next day, I finished off with some Auto Glym Leather Care Balm.

I think the problem with Woollies' recommended technique is that the dye doesn't always adhere very well. They do stress the importance of getting the leather thoroughly clean to allow the dye to adhere/soak better but I don't think you can get leather properly clean by wiping it with cloths and the same goes for applying the dye. Whenever I've followed their recommendations, using cloths to apply the dye, no matter how long I leave it to dry or how carefully I apply the sealing paste, it always seems to wipe off again and end up patchy. Perhaps on more porous leathers their technique works well, but the A/S8 seat leather seems to respond better to a brushing.

Come on David, where are the photos, or have you decided that they aren't tasteful enough for us? +++

Truth is I have only just downloaded the photos in the last few minutes and I cannot really say that I can see the difference!! I attach a few photos to see what you think. I have used 3mm "chrome" trim to highlight the drab grey trim lines. As you can see, the rings are sat on top of the grey, plastic rings (as I didnt want to drill out the originals) and whilst it gives them a slightly "3-D" appearance you can see the slight mismatch in size (only 2-3mm - but it shows).

+++ Very tasteful indeed, although that engine is disgustingly clean :-(

Now where did I leave that tin of elbow grease?

Interesting. I've just done my driver's seat again too, but following the Woolies instructions. I've not noticed the blue tint or the patchy colouring, but I'll try the brushes next time.

There is an easier way, get a black interior+++

I used Woollies once, on a small part of my (lovely!) red leather. Never again - very disappointing.

Good idea Brian.

Leave your car unlocked at the meet. I'll bring my tools +++

You've done a very neat job of the chrome lines +++

Was that just self-adhesive chrome strip?

Thanks, yes, just 3mm chrome strip with 3M backing. Another couple of photos which show off the lines....

Shiny! +++

Well I guess we'll find out soon enough if 3M backing can cope with the heat under there!

If we arrive at the meet, your horizontal strips hanging vertically and my rings stuck to the underside of the bonnet, we'll know we need to find a more suitable adhesive! :ROFL:

I'm working on the theory that the hotter it is, the stickier the glue will be :)

now, where's that fire extinguisher......

Now that's a bit drastic! Who'd want a black car with black leather? You'll be suggesting we replace the chrome with black next! :eek: ;)

well why not....+++

Just to update: Rings are still stuck solid after several hundred miles, including various drives in the present heatwave we're having +++






How are your horizontal chrome strips holding out David?

... and the stripes are still ok too. +++

And the beadings still ok on mine too ;). Must find time for some beading porn...

I think you must be still rubbing it in Stephen.

And I don't mean the wax ;)


The beading on mine is diminishing already, but of course that's to be expected from a mere 2nd place winner :p

I was also a second place winner but I've cleaned and waxed mine twice since then and doing it again on Thursday ready for the "Vag at the Manor" show on Sunday . . . . . slackers!!! :p