Ask a Shiter

[DSdriver]

Just replace the rubber blades, not the whole caboodle. Just before MOT is best.

Tip for blade longevity: don't turn wipers on when screen in still frosty as the blades are probably stuck to to glass.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Clay bars. What are they and are they instead of t-cut or compound ? I've been cleaning and polishing cars as part of my job for over 30 years and have never rubbed any clay,soil or mud onto paintwork. I even spent a day of a Rolls Royce course being taught not to mix my sponges and leathers for windows,wheels and above and below the waist ( Oooh missus, etc)

But clay bars have completely passed me by, these days Romanians clean my car almost daily for £4.00, but I'm thinking about having a go at the little swirls,scratches and a bit of fence paint overspray on the roof.

Should I buy some clay bar?

[Jazoli]

Clay bars. What are they and are they instead of t-cut or compound ? I've been cleaning and polishing cars as part of my job for over 30 years and have never rubbed any clay,soil or mud onto paintwork. I even spent a day of a Rolls Royce course being taught not to mix my sponges and leathers for windows,wheels and above and below the waist ( Oooh missus, etc)

But clay bars have completely passed me by, these days Romanians clean my car almost daily for £4.00, but I'm thinking about having a go at the little swirls,scratches and a bit of fence paint overspray on the roof.

Should I buy some clay bar?

Yes you should, they are great for removing tar spots and other things like it, and will leave the paintwork really smooth, you need to make sure the clay is kept wet and keep folding it over non itself when it gets dirty, and its easier to do when its warm.

 

It won't remove swirls and scratches but will give you a good place to start before you start to polish.

[Craig the Princess]

Just replace the rubber blades, not the whole caboodle. Just before MOT is best.

Tip for blade longevity: don't turn wipers on when screen in still frosty as the blades are probably stuck to to glass.

Don't turn the frozen wipers on in a Rover R8 as the fuse is the same as the starter motor. GR8 fun to figure this out when at work after driving in and blowing the fuse. I always lift them when scraping the screen now.

[phil_lihp]

Get a clay towel instead of a bar, I was amazed at the difference first time I tried it and it's easy and quick to do a whole car. Use a bucket of soapy water to keep it lubricated, job done.

 

They're about £5 from Amazon I think.

[Jerzy Woking]

What is the reference to "pineapples" when referring to our VAG scene friends?

[Timewaster]

What is the reference to "pineapples" when referring to our VAG scene friends?

It's because the collection of crap stacked on the roof rack of many a rat look dub includes a pineapple.

No idea why they put it there though.

[willswitchengage]

No wires touching Frame? Tried twatting it with a hammer? Starter I mean,not the bike. Mind you that's an option for later.

 

This actually worked. LOL

 

bench tested relay and worked fine. Bike now working. YOLO!

[cort16]

I ordered a box of 3m clay bars off eBay and when they turned up I couldn't get them out the plastic they're in as they'd completely stuck to it. I think they're actually a chinese knock off blue tac/chemical waste. What I managed to her out the plastic seemed to work okay even getting misplaced grinder sparks out the paint.

[Bucketeer]

A friend in Lille took this photo this other day.

My question is - which model of Ami is it?

I don't know a huge amount about them. He swears it's an Ami 8 but I think/guess it's a 6 (Club?). The twin headlights are throwing me a bit.

 

[Luckythirteen]

It's because the collection of crap stacked on the roof rack of many a rat look dub includes a pineapple.

No idea why they put it there though.

Hawaiian/surf look reference.

[Skizzer]

A friend in Lille took this photo this other day.

My question is - which model of Ami is it?

I don't know a huge amount about them. He swears it's an Ami 8 but I think/guess it's a 6 (Club?). The twin headlights are throwing me a bit.

 

I think it's a late 6.  I think the 8s all had the single oval headlamps and smoother nose.  

 

Dollywobbler will be along in a minute with the definitive answer, though.

[D Spares & Tyres]

What is the reference to "pineapples" when referring to our VAG scene friends?

I just like the abbreviation `VAG`

 

It works well cos they are mostly twatts

[MrDuke]

When (roughly) did double-DIN stereos start being used?

 

And were there ever systems spread over 2 or more single-DIN units? I don't mean extra equalizers bolted wherever they'd fit.

[Lacquer Peel]

They seem popular in Japanese domestic cars, and older Volvos with a Japanese manufactured Alpine head unit, my 1997 Volvo has quite a cool double-DIN CD/cassette unit.

Similar to this Volvo 850 head unit but without the pompous Premium Sound System gold brush script.

[MrDuke]

I'd seen those Volvo jobbies on eBay, but didn't realise they were made by Alpine. I'm assuming that most OEM stuff will have model-specific wiring and security codes though? I'd prefer an aftermarket one, but I can't be doing with tacky LCD displays and cluttered controls, which most seem to have.

 

The Proton has a second DIN-size slot under the stereo, and if I'm unable to find matching 'seperates' I might cut out the plastic dividing strip and bung a suitably dated double-DIN in there.

[sheffcortinacentre]

facelift mk3 granadas & late sierras were avl with rc & cd player. if this is what you meen.

[spike60]

When (roughly) did double-DIN stereos start being used?

 

And were there ever systems spread over 2 or more single-DIN units? I don't mean extra equalizers bolted wherever they'd fit.

My 2000 Polio has a radio cassette and single CD separate DINs in the dash, standard fitment.

[Richard]

I have a Lacquer Peel spec stereo that I'm tempted to fit in the 850. There's a CD changer to go with it for extra pointlessness points.

 

If it had the pompous gold script it would be in the car already.

[HH-R]

The script is quite LOL, it looks anything but premium.

[cort16]

After marked Double Entry double Din. I don't think I've seen one of these before.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-DOUBLE-DIN-CD-CASSETTE-RADIO-HEAD-UNIT-WX-C570R-model-A-35W-x-4-D-BASS-/221533966666?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item339474114a

[cort16]

Is there someone on here who does vehicle moving? I'm looking at that p6 on Retro Rides and would need to get it Moved from Chesterfield to Ayrshire.

I've got it on the usual transport sites but it's still a bit salty.

[Skizzer]

I believe Scruff is your friend for this.  Good luck with the acquisition.

[Richard]

Krujoe might be able to help too.

[skattrd]

I believe Scruff is your friend for this. Good luck with the acquisition.

Last I heard Scruff had retired from the car shifting business.

[Skizzer]

Oh!  I stand corrected.

[MrDuke]

After marked Double Entry double Din. I don't think I've seen one of these before.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-DOUBLE-DIN-CD-CASSETTE-RADIO-HEAD-UNIT-WX-C570R-model-A-35W-x-4-D-BASS-/221533966666?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item339474114a

 

 

Oooh, by modern standards that looks quite tasteful. I shall keep an eye out for one.

 

Although I do wish it had "DOUBLE ENTRY!" printed on the fascia somewhere. That'd really make the chicks laugh.

[cort16]

They must get a focus group of 12 year old boys together when they design those stereos "MD/CD changer control". I.e you can change from CD to tape.

[320touring]

That sony double entry din is the spit of the one in the da's avensis cdx

[MrDuke]

They must get a focus group of 12 year old boys together when they design those stereos "MD/CD changer control". I.e you can change from CD to tape.

 

I think that just means that the head unit can be linked to a remote CD (or MiniDisc) mutli-changer.

 

Actually, a Minidisc player would be absolutely perfect. It's the 21st-century equivalent of an 8-track.