Tidying up has started

Having recently taken delivery of a new to me 348 (and while the alternator is being sorted), I have started the spit and polish process. Thought I'd give you all some progress updates!

Started on the sticky dash. Following previous peoples excellent work, i decided to have a go.

I used Dettol Mould and Mildrew Remover, because on the back it said "dont use near rubber". As suspected, once sprayed onto the sticky bits, the rubber just fell off!

I then lightly sanded the clean surface to create a key. For finishing, I tried Plasti Kote and Dip but decided that I didnt like the finish. So following the advice from another forum, I used Halfords (UK Auto store) Bumper Paint. It seemed to provide a better finish when the can was warmed through. Then on to my little spraying station - 3 coats is enough, any more and it starts to get worse, any less and you dont get an even finish.

Preparation is key, if any rubber contaminants remain, it reacts with the paint and you have to start again! You must get ALL the sticky off.
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Here are some "after" photos and then onto the HVAC area!
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I would just like to say that you have to be incredibly careful when separating the facia from the HVAC panel as it is very flimsy and glued on.

Here is the facia completed. Then onto the centre vent - yuck!!
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This was a nice surprise, I bought the 348 from a well respected specialist in Scotland: Top Gear Cars. A parcel arrived in the post and it was a little present from Carlo at Top Gear Cars! Its a Timberland jacket emroidered with Top Gear Cars logo and the "trotting donkey" as my wife calls it...
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So today, the trailer arrived to collect her to sort out the alternator issue and oil radiator fan (stuck on 100% of the time). It's off to SuperCar Rooms in Worcester, but will be some time because they are very popular and stacked at the moment :-(

I would have attempted the work myself but there isnt enough room in my garage and the weather outside has been awful recently. I want to make sure that as soon as the weather improves, it's ready to go!
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Next stage is the Crema interior. I have already completed the passenger seat but the pictures havent come out very well. I was a little nervous as I have never worked with leather before BUT, the results are truly amazing! I decided to remove the seat and work on it out of the car. I removed all plastic parts and sanded and prepared the leather carefully. This is what I did:
1.) I used Simply Leather cleaner - left on for 20 minutes and the dirt just fell off. This meant I could see the wood through the trees and assess the true condition
2.) Sanded the creases on the bolsters back so it was flat (basically the cracks are in the surface layer and not deeper in the leather)
3.) A second go with the cleaner
4.) Then I conditioned the leather with Meguiars leather conditioner
5.) I'm using Dynamix leather paint/dye with sealant built in
6.) I got so excited to get the first coat of paint on that I dont think the leather conditioner had completely dried!
7.) Cleaned off the first failed attempt and started again
8.) I used a Sealey airbrush and can of propellant which cost about £18 - it takes a bit of tweaking to get the right coverage, I watered down the leather paint with 10% water.
9.) I used a sponge to get good coverage on the bolters and other darker marks
10.) Each spray coat goes on better than the last and it takes about 4-5 coats to cover a darker mark
11.) I tried to use a hairdryer between coats but it didnt seem to work for me so left 24hours between each coat

The finished seat is amazing - i cant believe it. The drivers seat will need some of the cushioning built back up and the overall condition is much worse, but feeling confident! The kit I used is below:
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Will do - once the car is back, I can give after shots of the passenger seat. When I do the drivers side, I will be sure to get loads of before and after shots.

 

I would say if you have done the door already you will probably have no issues with the seats. The biggest issue I had was trying to get the coverage right on the crema seats. Darker marks needed a lot of coverage with the crema but I had to be careful to blend in areas which needed several coats with the larger areas which needed fewer coats. I simply broke each part of the seat down by the sticching and assessed each panel individually. I must say it was one of the easiest tasks I've completed - plus a lot of fun too. I'd be happy to help out if you decide to crack on and have questions along the way. Suggest you check out my finished results before you take me up on my advice though

 

So here is a little update of some of the things i've been doing!

Continuation of the seats. Finished the passenger side seat which was not too bad.
The drivers seat was pretty poor especially the depth of the cracks. I used "Leather Binder" to give the leather some strength then used "Heavy Filler" and "Flexi filler" for the cracks.

To allow me to focus on the drivers seat, I actually swapped the passenger seat and drivers seat around.

Results:
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More
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Then work started on the sticky throttle..
Removed the GO pedal. Found huge amounts of crud everywhere. Even coins, stones etc.
Gave it a real good clean.
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Then removed the pivot mechanism and found lots of crud inside there too. Cleaned it out with a cloth and a long thin poking device.

Used Castrol Multipurpose Grease and greased the pivot, and cleaned out the connecting ball joints.
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Cleaned out the rest of the crud. Removed the throttle cable linkage protector and greased all joints. One ball joint clamp was missing, but found it under the carpet - reinstalled correctly after greasing.

Once all back together took it for a test drive and WOW. What a difference. The action is so much smoother and the revs drop back to 1000rpm much faster than before when stationary. Highly recommend.
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The list of future fixes/tidying:
Front bumper respray.
Lower panel/valance treatment to remove some small rust bubbles and paint.
Get the 18" challenge wheels sorted - they are still at the machine shop, but then need a refurb and then need shoes. Also need new stud bolts.
Then have proper alignment and corner weighting done.
Oil change - she has only done 2000 miles in the last 4 years, 700 by me in the last 3 weeks (it's been a joy) so thought it would be prudent to complete the oil change.
Gearbox oil change - only because I am not sure when it was last done. The history is fabulous, but many of the specialists it has been service at have simply put "fluids changed" on the invoices. To give me a line in the sand, I would be happier knowing it has been done. 2nd gear is notchy at cold but like butter when warm.
Clean out IACV's because sometimes I get a complete drop of revs and it's cuts out coming to a stop.
Recently purchased the hills gate lock - what a fab quality item.
Engine detailing.
Remove swirls from bodywork.
Carbon sills or similar.
General screw replacements as many look untidy/rusting.
Thinking of going to black sills like Nosevi and others.


Items completed to date:
Seat refurbed
Hills aluminium pedals
Sticky vents and console sorted
Targa roof reprinted as it was scratched from storage behind the seats
Nouvalari exhaust installed
Full cambelt change with hills tensioners
New water pump
Cam seals
Hills clutch release bearing
Triple seals
New twin plate clutch

 

Yes, I went for the Nouvalari after quite a bit of research and question asking. I choose the sport over the super sport as I don't like drawing too much attention to myself. I'd rather people heard me after I have gone by rather than hear me coming. It came down to the Seca vs the Nouvalari but in the end the quick professional response from Nouvalari helped me decide. if I had 2 348's I would have the Kreissieg on one and the Nouvalari sport on the other.

The sport provides a lovely sound IMO, with no boom at all. I get lovely but subtle popping when coming off throttle and a warm rich sound on WOT. At motorway speeds the Nouvalari is relatively quiet and comfortable. Overall, I am extremely impressed by all aspects of Nouvalari. What about you? You have the super sport if I recall correctly?

 

Nice, I would have loved that too, unfortunately I live in the middle of Bristol with people everywhere. I also live in a small cul de sac with lots of retired folk. I like to have a few late or early morning runs to blow out the cobwebs and the sport is loud to the point I'm worried about the neighbours as it is. I'll try and make a sound recording and we can compare. Hopefully we can meet up at an event at some point too.