Mat's BX Blog
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Loving that Stellar BTW.
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Thanks, I'm really enjoying it too! Not just the noise, but all the memories it brings back from my teens when I first learnt to drive. I actually took it to the XM meet at Cosford, where someone filmed it...
It's quite amusing driving it through a town and making heads turn - you can almost see the disappointment on people's faces when they realise it's not some supercar but just an old Hyundai!
My £1.20 rear lights arrived, so I fitted them today.
Shiny!
Old versus new - you can see how the reflector has faded.
Job done!
It's quite amusing driving it through a town and making heads turn - you can almost see the disappointment on people's faces when they realise it's not some supercar but just an old Hyundai!
My £1.20 rear lights arrived, so I fitted them today.
Shiny!
Old versus new - you can see how the reflector has faded.
Job done!
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Would an application of chrome spray paint rejuvenate the old reflectors?
Mark Smith
Is it just me or is everything shit?
1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.
1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
Is it just me or is everything shit?
1989 BX GTi 16 valve. Blanc Alpine. Completed the Citroen Classic Challenge Ecosse and 1337 miles without a hitch.
2000 XM VSX 2.1 td Auto. Rouge Magenta.
TGD saloon many years ago.
1990 Swift 'Corniche' 12/2 aka BXClub HQ.
Honda Firestorm. Gone, but not forgotten.
2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC.
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Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5
2020 Fiat Panda cross 4x4 twin air. - x 27
Re: Mat's BX Blog
"1.6 my arse" How come only one tail pipe? sounds ace.
Kevan
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
1997 Mercedes C230 W202
2003 Land Rover Discovery Series 2 Facelift TD5 - Daily driver / hobby days and camping.
1993 Land Rover Discovery 200tdi Series 1 3 door - in need of TLC
2020 Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross Twin Air.
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Chrome spray would do the trick if it was just the reflectors, but the contacts had also deteriorated. TBH chrome spray is probably overkill, as only the fog light is 'chromed', the others are a more matt silver.
I went for one tailpipe deliberately, to keep it looking standard. Really pleased with the sound, it's got the balance perfectly between knowing it's a V8, without being too intrusive.
I went for one tailpipe deliberately, to keep it looking standard. Really pleased with the sound, it's got the balance perfectly between knowing it's a V8, without being too intrusive.
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
The original reflectors will have been vacuum metalised. If you have access to a college with that facility you could maybe get them to redo the metallising, which is much better than chrome spray btw.
There are obviously commercial metallisers but they probably won't do a one/two off except for a silly price compared to replacement. Also the plastic having seen a few years of sunlight (the originals) will be a bit more brittle than a NOS or similar replacement. You really notice the difference with the headlights most....
There are obviously commercial metallisers but they probably won't do a one/two off except for a silly price compared to replacement. Also the plastic having seen a few years of sunlight (the originals) will be a bit more brittle than a NOS or similar replacement. You really notice the difference with the headlights most....
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
I'll agree with that for the fog lights, but it certainly looks as if the rest of the reflectors have been just sprayed with silver paint! I've no idea whether you can get that sort of effect with vacuum metallisation, but it's definitely a different finish/process. Obviously as the fog lights need to have a higher luminous intensity than the others.Tinkley wrote:The original reflectors will have been vacuum metalised.
As it happens my new job is in vacuum coating (although mainly on glass), but I'd better wait a while before attempting any foreigners!
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Yup, the rear ones are a more semi matt, but that will be to get a bit more diffusion and spread on the rear cluster bulbs. The headlights are high gloss - and the fogs - but I don't have them on a paltry 1.6!.
So the injection mould tooling is key for the surface finish, and then the later metallisation just adds the chrome effect. Usually aluminium vapourised.
Your not thinking of gold effect ones are you Mat?....... Christmas is coming......
So the injection mould tooling is key for the surface finish, and then the later metallisation just adds the chrome effect. Usually aluminium vapourised.
Your not thinking of gold effect ones are you Mat?....... Christmas is coming......
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
So you've finally made the move hope it all goes well for you.As it happens my new job is in vacuum coating (although mainly on glass), but I'd better wait a while before attempting any foreigners!
I do have a couple of bell jars - and a vacuum pump somewhere. But with my lack of success at finding something as big as the legs for my engine crane.. time I had a tidy up methinks.The original reflectors will have been vacuum metalised. If you have access to a college with that facility you could maybe get them to redo the metallising, which is much better than chrome spray btw
1992 BX19 TGD estate 228K Rusty - SORNed
2002 C5 HDi SX estate
2002 C5 HDi SX estate
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
It's been a while! New job (with more travelling time) plus preparing the Stellar for paint has meant less time on the internet...
But I've just done a job on the BX which I've been meaning to do for a while - the brown 7-way connector above the gearbox was causing voltage drop on a few of the contacts:
So I bought a waterproof connector last year:
Which is sealed both sides:
Job done!
The higher current pins such as starter motor solenoid and reversing lights were suffering the most, and sometimes not working (the starter I'd previously put down to the ignition switch). All seems to be OK now though
But I've just done a job on the BX which I've been meaning to do for a while - the brown 7-way connector above the gearbox was causing voltage drop on a few of the contacts:
So I bought a waterproof connector last year:
Which is sealed both sides:
Job done!
The higher current pins such as starter motor solenoid and reversing lights were suffering the most, and sometimes not working (the starter I'd previously put down to the ignition switch). All seems to be OK now though
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Good to know i'm not the only one putting that job off.
I've had the replacement connectors for 7 years! In fact since I bought the connectors, I've sourced new wiring harness for both sides.
Who knows, I might even get them all fitted if I dont scrap her first!
I've had the replacement connectors for 7 years! In fact since I bought the connectors, I've sourced new wiring harness for both sides.
Who knows, I might even get them all fitted if I dont scrap her first!
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
What's the connector type Mat and where's it from?
Should do that mod myself.
Mike
Should do that mod myself.
Mike
la BX 16 soupapes: sachez apprecier avec moderation.
It might be clever now, but it won't be in the morning!
It might be clever now, but it won't be in the morning!
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
I take it that this is the connector near the battery tray? I might have a go at mine as I know at least one connection is not working - you can see the broken wire! though I believe it to be the oil level indicator lead. However as I seem to have another rad thermostat gone, maybe it is this part causing a problem or another broken wire.
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
This is one half of the connector:
http://www.simtekuk.co.uk/product.php/2 ... :::1593628
I was after an 8 way one to include the extra wiring I've added for the oil pressure gauge. I guess in time it would be nice to replace all the exposed ones - modern cars seem much improved in this respect with sealed connectors. Yes, it is the one near the battery tray.
http://www.simtekuk.co.uk/product.php/2 ... :::1593628
I was after an 8 way one to include the extra wiring I've added for the oil pressure gauge. I guess in time it would be nice to replace all the exposed ones - modern cars seem much improved in this respect with sealed connectors. Yes, it is the one near the battery tray.
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Re: Mat's BX Blog
Time for an update from deepest Wales?