Pete-225's Leon Cupra R 225

[Pete225]

Cheers mate, I didn't want to sell it so just took it off the road till I decided to put some effort back into it.
Still puts a smile on my face

If I had the money I would go to town on it and completely rebuild it, respray, the lot, but haven't got the time or the money

So back to doing it stage by stage.

So a further update is due....
I sorted the rear window with the above plastic bung, word to the wise, the video on YouTube is misleading, states you have to break it then put the big part in 1st which appears to be a tight fit, then to put the smaller part in the bigger part (nipple) and wedge it in. However the big plastic slips through, so I wedged the nipple half way in so that it opened the bigger plastic, so that it was snug, then used some force once it was wedged to push the nipple through, then hey presto it works :-D!!

Made a start on the engine bay, since owning the leon (which was the 1st car I ever had the courage to paint parts on) was originally advised to paint using VHT paint, and learnt my lesson as it looks naff!!
So starting it all again (watch out for this).

Need to sort the coolant sensor and thermostat, as my temp gauge isn't kicking in till I've given it a good run the stopped with the engine ticking over, not a job I can prevent really.

The list is increasing slowly, as they're are other things I need to do too, but will update on that soon

Thanks for reading.

 

[Pete225]

As you may know my engine cover was red, but I used VHT Paint (bad idea).

The process began night before last where I started with sanding it by hand, and it was very repetitive and time consuming, so I've borrowed my dads sander and this is the outcome so far

Before:

After:

The majority of what's left is staining, so going to do the nitty gritty bits by hand, then go through a few more stages of wet and dry, primer and then the new colour

Also, changed the Jetex back for the original box (may have been obvious from a previous post) but just thought I'd make sure I'm being thorough through this.
2 reasons, when I took this off the road, I had purchased an astra VXR and decided to put the cone on there. Secondly, I've decided to go for more of an OEM look, and loud "tshhh" are a thing of the past, unless it's a cossy
The exhaust on the leon is standard apart from the previous owner welding the "scaffolding" DIY decat pipe to the middle section and down pipe, but in fairness gives it a little grunt and sounds quite nice.

Anyways, after I have finished sanding and painting I will post the finished results.

Till then.....

 

[Pete225]

A little update:

Once I had virtually got the engine cover back to black, and smoothing it out with wet and dry paint, I decided to give its cost of primer.

Then I went through the wet and dry process again, another layer and resumed to painting it in my new chosen colour (which I will reveal soon)

Gave this 2 coats, and is now drying with its 3rd coat of lacquer.

I then decided that the carbon look plastic panel on the engine cover was looking dull and old and weathered, and was never happy with it when it was red.
Started with 1000 grit, and worked through to 1500 with only a little pressure applied to each stroke.

Then out came the lacquer, and that's drying with its second coat.
The pic below is the of carbon look plastic sanded (still wet on the outer edge to show once lacquered should look normal again)

Also I will reveal the paint in the final picture of the engine cover, as still can't decide if I like it or not

 

[Pete225]

Well I've decided I like the new paint, hence the delay in taking my time as to put it up or not.

All lacquer is dry, and put back together again this time using some silicon and it's now fit together very snug :-D

Here's some pictures below after a good machine polish as well

Before polish (and in bits)

Now all together after polishing:

Thanks for looking

 

[arb79]

Hi Pete how's it going mate? Good thread there, read with interest. I want to re do my engine cover but keep it OEM. So do you recommend sanding it down and bringing it back up using laquar or do I need to spay it black first?
Cheers bud...

 

[Pete225]

Hi mate not too bad thanks and you? It all depends on the quality of the original fella.
If it's "rough" and scaly then yes but make your sanding even, if you're using a power sanding machine then the same rules apply, and even go through the stages of wet and dry (a very long process but worth the wait IMO)
Then primer, wet and dry that also, then paint (depending on your painting skills then you may have to wet and dry this too) then lacquer - this process start with 1200 grit and up for wet and dry process, ten buff it all up with some polish once dried.
The carbon look plastic infill, I used 1200 grit to take back the original lacquer, so it didn't effect the graphics. Then once wiped down, used to Coats of lacquer
If you want an OEM look but with something that stands out a little then use satin black, with lacquer it gives it a shiny matt finish, instead of gloss - hope this helps?
Thanks for the kind words, post some pics when you are done

 

[arb79]

Cool thanks for the advice pal. Will do. Enjoy the sunshine!