Wibble’s Wittering - Cortina, Senator & occasional Skoda & family ramblings, soz!

[Wibble]

Excellent, I’ll follow your lead then😄

[Wibble]

Gave the Cortina a clean today before nipping out for £25 of E5:

Got loads of smiles and a guy shouting from a new VW in the next lane, “love the car mate!” Also nice comments in the supermarket car park, which always cheers me up.

What I was upset about though was this:

Micro blistering to the paint🙁. I might have to find out how much a re-spray would be but I’m scared to ask😬

[danthecapriman]

Liked for the first bits not the micro blisters!

I don’t think there’s much you can do about them tbh. When my Capri had its old bronze paint the bonnet was absolutely covered in them. It seemed to get worse as time went by too. It’s moisture in the paint or between the layers I think that do it. Maybe you could have just the affected panels repainted? 
Seems odd yours has done it though as it’s living in a garage. Mine was outside at the time so I could understand that getting them.

[Wibble]

2 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Liked for the first bits not the micro blisters!

I don’t think there’s much you can do about them tbh. When my Capri had its old bronze paint the bonnet was absolutely covered in them. It seemed to get worse as time went by too. It’s moisture in the paint or between the layers I think that do it. Maybe you could have just the affected panels repainted? 
Seems odd yours has done it though as it’s living in a garage. Mine was outside at the time so I could understand that getting them.

Thanks Dan. I know it’s moisture and the garage has a leaking roof but it’s only blistering on the paintwork done by the previous owner. Bad prep? I don’t know but it’s pretty depressing when I’m feeling low anyway. There are panels of original paint but I was thinking of doing them, as they were looking poor compared to the repainted ones.

I’ve been Googling places for re-sprays and looking at reviews. Seems there’s some good places nearby but I don’t know if I can afford it.

Our MD’s mate owns a body shop but isn’t interested in full re sprays anymore. Where did you get yours done?

[danthecapriman]

11 minutes ago, Wibble said:

Thanks Dan. I know it’s moisture and the garage has a leaking roof but it’s only blistering on the paintwork done by the previous owner. Bad prep? I don’t know but it’s pretty depressing when I’m feeling low anyway. There are panels of original paint but I was thinking of doing them, as they were looking poor compared to the repainted ones.

I’ve been Googling places for re-sprays and looking at reviews. Seems there’s some good places nearby but I don’t know if I can afford it.

Our MD’s mate owns a body shop but isn’t interested in full re sprays anymore. Where did you get yours done?

From what I could find out when mine did that it’s poor prep or spraying paint when there’s water or damp in the airlines etc. Obviously the moisture gets into the paint or under it and eventually causes little blisters. When mine did it I actually picked a few off and it was full of liquid! Eventually it’ll start rusting the metal underneath it too. 
Im no bodywork pro though so I might not be completely right there! Someone like @GingerNuttz will probably be able to tell you better.

The place that did mine is here https://www.carcraftrestoration.com

It’s a bit of a distance from you (near Chichester) but they’re really good. I think the owner is called Steve, proper old school sort of bodywork pro! I’m really pleased with his work tbh and the set up he has is ‘right’ if you know what I mean! I recommend him to @mercrocker too who was also pleased with the work they did.

[Shite Ron]

I agree with Dan on the micro blisters, I have some on my TVR and also the Cortina S, both where they have been resprayed although I thought mine were made worse by having car covers on for longish periods. I love the colour of your Cortina, it is a great looking car.

[Wibble]

16 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

From what I could find out when mine did that it’s poor prep or spraying paint when there’s water or damp in the airlines etc. Obviously the moisture gets into the paint or under it and eventually causes little blisters. When mine did it I actually picked a few off and it was full of liquid! Eventually it’ll start rusting the metal underneath it too. 
Im no bodywork pro though so I might not be completely right there! Someone like @GingerNuttz will probably be able to tell you better.

The place that did mine is here https://www.carcraftrestoration.com

It’s a bit of a distance from you (near Chichester) but they’re really good. I think the owner is called Steve, proper old school sort of bodywork pro! I’m really pleased with his work tbh and the set up he has is ‘right’ if you know what I mean! I recommend him to @mercrocker too who was also pleased with the work they did.

Cheers Dan, that’s pretty much what I thought was the cause. They are a bit of a treck though, so I’ll keep looking more local.

[Wibble]

12 minutes ago, Shite Ron said:

I agree with Dan on the micro blisters, I have some on my TVR and also the Cortina S, both where they have been resprayed although I thought mine were made worse by having car covers on for longish periods. I love the colour of your Cortina, it is a great looking car.

Thanks Brett, I had the same problem years ago with a Mk1 Golf I had covered and vowed never to cover a car again.

And thanks also, I love the colour too but am falling out of love with the car. Just isn’t bringing back the fun I used to have with Cortinas.

[danthecapriman]

19 minutes ago, Wibble said:

Thanks Brett, I had the same problem years ago with a Mk1 Golf I had covered and vowed never to cover a car again.

And thanks also, I love the colour too but am falling out of love with the car. Just isn’t bringing back the fun I used to have with Cortinas.

Well, if it’s looking for a new home…😆

I love the colour and a mk4 saloon is well up my want list!

[Wibble]

4 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Well, if it’s looking for a new home…😆

I love the colour and a mk4 saloon is well up my want list!

Happy to talk but I really don’t think you’d like it.

[GingerNuttz]

Body filler over rust will do that to paint or poor prep so could be either.

[Wibble]

18 minutes ago, GingerNuttz said:

Body filler over rust will do that to paint or poor prep so could be either.

Poor prep I think as wings were new. 

[Wibble]

This has properly got me down. I’m so pissed off with it, I don’t enjoy driving it (apart from the comments) and I’m not sure what to do. Beginning to wish I’d never seen it and think I should have bought a Mk5.

I’m having so much grief with my back, hips and elbow that I can’t do anything I want/need to do and capped it off last night when I ordered a KFC bucket for  end of school holidays treat.

Ordered and paid for a 14 piece bucket and 5 pieces delivered. No answer from the restaurant so Mrs W and I went without. Cunts.

Fuck it!

[Shite Ron]

24 minutes ago, Wibble said:

This has properly got me down. I’m so pissed off with it, I don’t enjoy driving it (apart from the comments) and I’m not sure what to do. Beginning to wish I’d never seen it and think I should have bought a  Mk5

Sometimes it is best to lock it in the garage and come back when you are feeling in a better mood. This is a great car and looks stunning. Unfortunately over the years people have probably fitted pattern parts which are inferior to genuine and affect the way the car drives, compounded by general wear and tear. Pattern bushes seriously affect how a Cortina handles as do tyres and dampers. When parts were easier to get I always fitted good 185/70x13 tyres usually Pirelli or Goodyear. Never Michelin as they were too hard, Gas shocks and motorcraft bushes, latterly poly bushes when genuine were harder to get. I remember a very true ( possibly BMW) advert that a chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. 
Having said all that as much as I love mk4’s, mk5 ‘s do seem much better to drive,  especially for daily use, they really do seem much better, the seats, visibility and heating/ airflow are superb. As an occasional use car the mk4 is great as it has more character and looks fantastic but the mk5 is less attractive but better.

Hopefully next year I will have a couple of mk5’s on the road, keep yours until then and come here for a day out and try a couple of my mk4 and 5’s. I think yours could be great with a bit of work.

[Wibble]

Thanks @Shite Ron that’s a really kind offer. It felt a bit funny/unstable yesterday and I looked at the tyres to check the date code, 2014 firestones so probably doesn’t help. 
I bought new ball joints but they’ve already been replaced and I have a new clutch cable but, with a buggered elbow, I’ve not been brave enough to attempt replacement, though this might help the heavy  clutch.

Bushes seem to be polybushed and in the list of work carried out by the PO.

And sorry to be moaning but I don’t think the Scotland trip did anything to boost my mood. Dad was still there this time last year and loved gardening but it’s been decimated to this:

The gravel used to be pink to match the paving and the bank was a see of colour, bursting with flowers. Plus his grave is still unmarked which upsets me, but should be resolved. I’ve also just sold the last car he bought and with Mrs W’s problems, I probably shouldn’t be posting.

Sorry all, just fucking ranting now. God bless!

[Bren]

3 minutes ago, Wibble said:

Thanks @Shite Ron that’s a really kind offer. It felt a bit funny/unstable yesterday and I looked at the tyres to check the date code, 2014 firestones so probably doesn’t help. 
I bought new ball joints but they’ve already been replaced and I have a new clutch cable but, with a buggered elbow, I’ve not been brave enough to attempt replacement, though this might help the heavy  clutch.

Bushes seem to be polybushed and in the list of work carried out by the PO.

And sorry to be moaning but I don’t think the Scotland trip did anything to boost my mood. Dad was still there this time last year and loved gardening but it’s been decimated to this:

The gravel used to be pink to match the paving and the bank was a see of colour, bursting with flowers. Plus his grave is still unmarked which upsets me, but should be resolved. I’ve also just sold the last car he bought and with Mrs W’s problems, I probably shouldn’t be posting.

Sorry all, just fucking ranting now. God bless!

You are ok to rant.

[Shite Ron]

3 minutes ago, Bren said:

You are ok to rant.

Indeed, it is better to have a rant than let things build up or play on your mind, life is crap sometimes.

[Wibble]

Thanks guys, really not in a great place right now and back to work tomorrow but really can’t be arsed.

[danthecapriman]

Sorry to hear things aren’t doing so good at the moment.

Id second the suggestion of just closing the garage door on the car for now. Put it to bed for a while and come back to it with a clearer head later. It does help! I used to be a right stubborn bastard with things like cars and when I was losing my temper or interest in it I’d force myself to carry on regardless - which just made things worse and made my mood worse! Every time since ive left it for a while and come back with a clear head (and not seething with fury!!) things just work better.

Maybe try doing something different to help take your mind off the bad things? When depression hits me now I like to go out for a walk somewhere or focus on another hobby. It’s good to divert your mind onto something else other than the bad stuff or feeling depressed and just milling it over in your mind making things worse.

Getting things off your chest by ranting is a good thing too. I do it often enough!😆

If you need anything or just want to chat to someone who will listen I’m always around…

[Wibble]

43 minutes ago, danthecapriman said:

Sorry to hear things aren’t doing so good at the moment.

Id second the suggestion of just closing the garage door on the car for now. Put it to bed for a while and come back to it with a clearer head later. It does help! I used to be a right stubborn bastard with things like cars and when I was losing my temper or interest in it I’d force myself to carry on regardless - which just made things worse and made my mood worse! Every time since ive left it for a while and come back with a clear head (and not seething with fury!!) things just work better.

Maybe try doing something different to help take your mind off the bad things? When depression hits me now I like to go out for a walk somewhere or focus on another hobby. It’s good to divert your mind onto something else other than the bad stuff or feeling depressed and just milling it over in your mind making things worse.

Getting things off your chest by ranting is a good thing too. I do it often enough!😆

If you need anything or just want to chat to someone who will listen I’m always around…

Thanks so much Dan, you are of course right. I’ll snap out of it but just want to cry at the moment. I won’t of course, family first.

[High Jetter]

Did you get a refund from KFC?

[Wibble]

11 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

Did you get a refund from KFC?

Lol, nope!

[High Jetter]

Request a claw back then.

[Wibble]

Have done👍

[Wibble]

Refund received! 
In other news, having just returned from Scotland, I’m back there on Monday.

We’ve been asked to attend a couple of supplier open days at Aviva Insurance in Perth. Myself and a colleague fly up Monday. It’s a 2 day event so we don’t fly back until Thursday.  We’re all invited to dinner Tuesday night🫤

Anyway, @Cavcraft will be pleased to hear that our new Iveco Luton that we bought last year brand new, has just had its first service at 31000 miles. We asked them if it’s normal for there to be such loud diff/gearbox whine, which it’s had from day one.

Answer, no, diff is fucked, new rear axle ordered under warranty 😆

[Wibble]

Back now from sunny Perth and the suppliers road show. It was sunny and it was a good couple of days, with much love shown by the claims handlers for what we do.

Anyway, we hired a car and paid for a premium level 3 car and got a Golf 1.5 with 47k miles. Avis clearly keep their fleet longer than others. It was ok but a bit gutless.

We flew in to Edinburgh and then drove to my mum’s for a quick cup of tea and then up to Perth.

Shoutout for Perth, very clean and the Aviva building is quite something. For all you doubters, the main focus is sustainability and what’s best for their customers. Looks like a great place to work and they really seem to look after their staff.

The drive from there back to Edinburgh in the sunshine yesterday morning was a bonus, beautiful!

[High Jetter]

23 minutes ago, Wibble said:

Back now from sunny Perth

That's a long drive, from down under

[Wibble]

Well, I can’t believe it’s been a year. God bless you dad

[Wibble]

My car mojo still hasn’t returned , I’ve been concentrating on work,  but I’m heading back to Renfrewshire on Thursday, so give me a toot if you see me on M6, M74, M8. Silver Superb estate, PF15VXK🙂

With the first anniversary of Dad’s death now passed and Mum still in hospital, a lot of reminiscing has been going on. So, if anyone has a Mk5 Cortina estate in red, like this one:

and fancy a swap for a Mk4, let me know. Sorry, can’t seem to rotate it. It was  a 1.6 base automatic and had GL side trims added, and after market centre console and rear wiper, all fitted by the Air  BP guys  at Prestwick. Doesn’t appear to exist anymore, GYN428W

[Matty]

Life can be a shit house. Best to come out swinging. No surrender 👍