Sparkie's Mk1 LCR Black Edition

[Sparkie]

Hi so originally I was going to mod up my Mk1 Leon Cupra.

I've owned it for 8 years.

But it's done over 150,000 miles and pumping my hard earned into it was a silly move.

In the end I bought a 2005 Mk1 LCR with 50,000 on the clock.

Standard it's like my Leon Cupra on mild steroids.



I've decided to go for my own version of a black edition. Along with some under the bonnet mods too.

Im looking to do some track days in the coming months too and want to surprise a good friend who runs a Mk1Honda CRX Vtec with a type R engine and gear box installed.



I've done quite a lot in a short amount of time including Brembo referbishment and experimenting with Plasti Dip which I'll go into the pros and cons of later.

For now here's a couple of pics of how it was when I picked it up. Looking pretty average.

Body work not bad at all but calipers in a state and discs pitted and scored all round.

Funny, they were the only part of the car not to have photos in the for sale advert.

 

[Sparkie]

Trouble with the I pad!
Ok here are the pics of the car in the state I picked it up.

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Here's an up to date shot.
[IMG]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170911/70f689294ed601b50eae6d064b48ddb7.jpg

 

[Sparkie]

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[Sparkie]

So first thing I wanted to do was black badges.
I looked into wrapping with vinyl but it's not easy on small shapes.
I investigated Plasti Dip. It's very interesting stuff and it's big in the states.
I liked the way it cuts its self to a seam when peeling to give a crisp cut line. Also the fact you do not need to mask up perfectly as you need overspray in order to peel it when dry.
So I attempted it on my rear badge first.
Then went for grill and S badge on front.

I was really pleased with the finished result.


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[Sparkie]

My honeycomb parts were not clean enough and the Plasti Dip started lifting in places.

Removal on large sections is a doddle but on a 6 sided honeycomb it's a pain in the ...
I found pulling a micro fibre cloth back and forth through the holes
Eventually lifts it off.
Attempt no 2 started with cleaning every bit with isopropyl alcohol.
End result much better but I found small bits lifting here and there which would only get worse over time.

Hours spent peeling it off again. Time to spray paint it.


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[Gabster]

Looks good man, keep us updated.
Where on earh did you find a 50k on the clock LCR?

 

[Sparkie]

Looks good man, keep us updated.
Where on earh did you find a 50k on the clock LCR?

Thanks bud. There's one or two about but pretty rare.


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[Sparkie]

Next thing to address was the warn out gear knob.
I wanted a Momo one but VW Audi group have their own unique way of fitting a knob. Nothing's easy right.
So trolled the internet finding nothing I liked until I found a Seat Sport version.
Sadly discontinued in Britain.
After loads of hunting I found one in Spain of course.
I love it. Feels great too.

Then back to the Black Edition theme I tinted the windows and rear light clusters.

Under the bonnet, I ordered a Badger5 enlarged TIP and a JR cone filter with heat shield also from Badger5.
Also a short shifter from eBay for 28 quid. Ludicrous price compared with what I payed for a Forge version for my Cupra.
I'll soon find out how good it is.
While car is in the shop it's also having a new water pump and timing belt. ( piece of mind )
I have also splashed out on new Black diamond discs front and rear.
( the discs were shot all round ) braided brake hoses and Ferrodo DS2500's pads.
While all the work is being done and the bumper is off the car I've taken grills and bumper back home for a good spray paint job.
Now nice and Matt black.
I also took the calipers and hangers and referbed them at home.
I bought Brembo Red calipers paint from caliperspecislists.co.uk
When it came to cleaning I started with Brake Clean but it's not very strong on built up brake dust and evaporates very fast.
I tried alloy wheel cleaner and it worked brilliantly.

I broke away as much lose lacquer and crumbling paint as I could with a sharp pointy knife.

Then a good rub down with sand paper 400 and 800 grit, which seemed to give a good enough finish.

Two coats of paint. ( 2 part with hardener )

New logos went on. Brembo logos 10% oversize.
Again from the calipers mob mentioned above.
They say they are tested at point blank range with a jet wash and they guarantee they won't come off and that they don't need to be lacquered over.
Result.
I sprayed the stone guards for the discs black, as the edges were rusting. Now it looks crisp.

Now dying to get the car back.

Next up,
I want to Plastidip the wheels Matt black.
Put Yokohama Fleva rubber all round.
Exhaust system and an AMD map.
Finish off the Black Edition with hi gloss black Plasti Dip wing mirrors
And splitter.
Pics to follow soon.



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[bega]

Just be careful with rear lights maybe they are not that visible at daylight. What type of brake discs are? They look cool

 

[Sparkie]

Just be careful with rear lights maybe they are not that visible at daylight. What type of brake discs are? They look cool

They don't seem too dark when the lights are on etc.
The discs are Black Diamond combi discs.
Thanks I think they look great.

 

[Gabster]

I've seen those blackened out number plates on some range rover , have you thought about having it?

Also where did you get plasti dip? I'm thinking to do my alloys

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[Sparkie]

I've seen those blackened out number plates on some range rover , have you thought about having it?

Also where did you get plasti dip? I'm thinking to do my alloys

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Nope not seen those. Sounds interesting though.
Plasti Dip from Plastidip.co.uk English arm of an American company.
Check out YouTube
Dip your car . Com. Very useful videos of them doing badges,
Wheels and whole cars like newM3s etc.
Great tips.
In their vids they talk about their own cleaning products etc. Don't bother with any of that.
Thinners works well but test it before as it can melt certain products ( plastics ) best thing you can use is Isopropyl Alcohol. Brilliant stuff.
I've used it for years on vehicles etc. When laying graphics.
Doesn't harm the surface. Very mild. But leaves stuff clean without an oil residue which white spirit etc leaves.
Can be bought at Maplin electrical stores.
My main tip would be clean it. Dry it. Clean it with Isopropyl Alcohol
And get a cotton bud and clean into the smallest areas that are hard to get to. Best way to get it to stick is for it to be uber clean.
Leave it to harden for a couple of weeks before attempting to jet wash.
I'll be doing my wheels, if I ever get my car back.
I'll post up my efforts.
Now looking to purchase a new set of brake hoses as the saga continues with the rubbish hoses I was sent!


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[Sparkie]

Took my 5 stars to a good mate for a full refurb and paint job.

Checked on the car.
Still on the ramps.
Still awaiting a new set of braided brake lines. Check out the finished product from Goodrich!!

That's their finished product with no 90 degree fittings.
Found a set of fittings on fleabay. The guy wouldn't send them over night. Wanted 10 days to send them!!! WTF!!
Bitten the bullet and bought another set from Demon Twirks! Arriving Monday.
Will it ever end?
On a plus note the bumper is back on. New head light clusters look uber shiny!
Water pump and cam belt done.
New Hella Supa tone horns. LOUD.
Induction kit fitted.
Can't wait to drive it.

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[Sparkie]

Picked up my wheels today.
All looking great except one of the trainees dropped my newly painted wheel on its face walking it to the balancing machine. Well pissed.
It will be done again but I don't seem to have much luck right now.


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[Sparkie]

Here's the wheels before

Now satin black

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[bega]

Picked up my wheels today.
All looking great except one of the trainees dropped my newly painted wheel on its face walking it to the balancing machine. Well pissed.
It will be done again but I don't seem to have much luck right now.


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I understand you,usually happens to me too.When you think everything is perfect some **** must happend and ruin all happiness.Just keep up good work you will fix it again and it will be perfect
Before when thing like this happens to me I get pissed but in the end I fix it like nothing happend.Sometimes it costs me extra money but again I am glad that I am well and alive,alive head will fix all,dead wont

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[Sparkie]

I understand you,usually happens to me too.When you think everything is perfect some **** must happend and ruin all happiness.Just keep up good work you will fix it again and it will be perfect
Before when thing like this happens to me I get pissed but in the end I fix it like nothing happend.Sometimes it costs me extra money but again I am glad that I am well and alive,alive head will fix all,dead wont

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Thanks.
Calming thought provoking.
Thank you.
And yes it will all come together soon.

 

[notorious_d]

Plastidip - would this have issues with stone chips? I know normal paint can get chipped however I'm sure it is stronger than plastidip??

I plastidipped some motorcycle fairings a while back and they were allways getting stonechipped

 

[Sparkie]

Plastidip - would this have issues with stone chips? I know normal paint can get chipped however I'm sure it is stronger than plastidip??



I plastidipped some motorcycle fairings a while back and they were allways getting stonechipped

To be fair it is quite resilient. Yes it will chip but as it has a rubbery texture it's not too bad. Also they sell a dip protector which you wipe on.
Aparently reduced chips and assault by road grime etc. Who knows how good it is.
The only bits which will remain plasti dipped or will be in the future are my rear badge, wing mirrors and splitter I'm doing in gloss black as they do a gloss coat.
I hope glossy wing mirrors and splitter will come out looking good and different. I'll post up the results.



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[Sparkie]

Update.
I've ordered some new rubber for my pristine wheels.
Not even available in England for another 3 months.
Yokohama Fleva V701
Most grippy. Even in the wet.
Should be with me in a week. Touch.
Also bought original centre caps.
Wow 4 cost £68 with VAT
They were £26 for 4 in 2011
Thanks Seat.


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