Side Repeaters
Changing them is easy. Simply take off the existing covers - then carefully rotate the inner mounting until the lugs which locate it in the wing can be withdrawn through the cut out notches that are there for that purpose. Now - the new repeaters are unlikely to need any of the old mountings, which means cutting the wires and attaching them to the new kit.
You
may find that the new fittings need modifying in order to get a good snug
fit -
don't
be tempted to start hacking around with the hole in the wing to do this,
take
the
time to slowly take off just the amount of plastic needed to get a good
tight fit.
That
way the new repeaters will be supported properly, and not with just the
sealant
you
use to weatherproof the joint.
Another
tip when you've finished - use some tape over them for as long as
it
takes
the sealant to cure, you may put them in and think they're not going to
move,
only
to find next day that they've gradually shifted and set in place at an
angle,
meaning
you'll have to pull them off, remove all the sealant, and do it again.
Colour Coding
The
most golden rule when spraying is preparation, closely followed by the
correct
conditions
- follow these two rules before you spray and you're well on the way to
getting
a
good looking job done.
Don't
be lazy and attempt to spray bits whilst still on the car - You won't be
able
to prep them properly unless you take them off.
Always
use a primer coat - grey or white depending on the final colour you're
aiming
for. If the bit you're spraying isn't metal, use a plastic primer,
which
can flex when dry.
Always
spray in mild to warm conditions, ideally just after a good shower, which
takes all the dust and bugs out of the air for a while - if you've got
a garage, damp
the floor down first. Don't even try spraying if the temp is less than
10 degrees C -
you might end up with a horrible milky effect where the solvent in the
paint did not
evaporate fast enough.
Get
the piece smooth, then clean it thoroughly with a detergent solution, then
wash
off with just water - let it dry naturally, or if you can't wait,
use
a lint free cloth to wipe dry.
Sand the final coat of primer and wash again before applying the actual colour coat
Now
it's basically down to how good you are with a spray can. Basically, don't
try and put
too
much on - gloss paints and laquers etc. will run very easily - much more
so than primers,
so
don't go wild and try to get a final finish first try.
Also,
let the coats have a chance to dry a bit before the next one goes on.
Delocking
Delocking
is a good way to achieve that subtle smooth look, not to mention extra
security.
The
best way is to weld in a piece of steel plate - screwdrivers can still
be punched through
if
you just use an extra piece of standard panel thickness steel. If that's
to much trouble,
you
can get a little insert with a threaded stud on which is held firmly onto
the old lock
hole
by a nut and large steel washer behind the door skin - you could even smooth
the hole
with
filler afterwards to achieve the same smooth look, or at least paint the
insert body colour
to
give the same impression - at least at first glance.
If
you weld, careful not to warp the door skin with heat - use spot welds
all the way round,
alternating to give the heat an adequate chance to dissipate.
Make
sure you give yourself an alternative entry in case the central locking
packs up or
your battery goes flat - I would recommend leaving the tailgate lock on
manual opening.