Managed to get gas on Monday so that meant I had a bit of work to do on the Astra.
first thing I did was finish that front wing so I could get some primer on it and put some filler on.
roughed out a bottom lip for it, trimmed it down to meet and welded it up. Primer on followed by 2 layers of filler and some paint thrown at it.



I stress again that I’m fine with this car not looking great. Rough and ready is fine.
I’ve decided that any chance of this car looking good in it’s current paint (or me polishing a full car in one day ever) I’m going to have to buy both a da sander and a machine polisher.
the bonnet on this car was the worst, It was pink white orange all sorts, and to be fair it’s not brilliant now. But I wet sanded cut back and polished both the bonnet and the NS wing yesterday.
the rear tub was the main bit of welding still needing done to the shell so I got that done. With bits from the off cut bin so it’s got a funny shape in it but it’s there, and it’s hidden by the bumper so it’s all good. Welded and sealed up. Got some paint on it the following day.


the tyres on the tsws were catching the arch on the rear OS, I was keeping an eye out for a set of 45 profile to see if that would be enough difference. And luckily enough the ideal solution, gumtree, “4 bolt alloys with tyres” £40 6 miles away, spot on.
went and picked them up, different offset wheel, I’m not sure if the tsws would fit with the 45’s even tbh looking at it all now.
but these don’t scrub, and they look alright

I mean.. they need a rub back and a paint.
But they are round and spokey and hold air and don’t scrub so what more could I want?
wheels that aren’t black.. I suppose would be nice
final bit of welding, very small patch needed on the front inner arch. No photo just a half hour job.
did that and then fitted the new drop links and track rod ends I got for it. Ball joints, track rod ends and links comes to about £26 all in I think. Front end is in pretty good shape now, mechanically anyway
once I had fitted those today I set about mounting the rear bumper and compounding the boot ready for polish. It was while doing this really, comparing the rear arch/side and how faded that had become after I think 2 weeks since the same treatment, that I decided I really needed a machine polisher etc. For it to have a chance.
Ah well, it’s good enough for me just now.
I fixed my compressor so I might paint it who knows.

only panel left is the roof and that wing I’ve repaired, I’ll probs have a go at those tomorrow and see if I can get the front end back together.
I need maybe a ft. Of suitable pipe and I can fit a twin exit backbox I’ve got laying about.
then hoover it haha it needs a good clean
cheers,
