After a long time idling (work getting on the way as usual) I was really anticipating the x-mas vacation, to actually work a bit on the car. Had plans over doing some interior cleaning, some rattleproofing, properly adjusting my hardtop, aligning bumpers, installing a bunch of stuff and sort out the noise insulation, or at least come up with a solid plan as alread intorduced in the DIY section. Unfortunately, time was rather limited again; neverheless managed to squeeze in a few things.
First one on the list was hunting down an annoying noise/rattle seemingly coming from the A-pillar. This was no surprise, as the PO has installed an aftermarket radio antenna and the wiring was routed in the windshield frame trim. So, out they go, only to realize that there was more to it than just loose wires... All tabs broken, attempted to be fixed by hot glue, unsuccessfully.
Obviously, broken tabs resulted in rubbing...and noise.
Secured the added wires to the existing harness every 4" or so by using electrical tape (white, as I ran out of black. I know, unseen, but bugs me, so I will most probably re-do this )
I used some self-adhesive velcro material to line the inside of the trim where wires were passing, to make sure that there are no rattles. Used some of this stuff also where rubbing marks were found, before reassembling the lot.
All broken tabs were cleaned, sanded lightly and then bonded using proper adhesive. End result:
No installed picture, but it is immersively more quiet now. So much, that I actually found another source of rattles. Seems that the chrome sill plate covers have some tabs bonded on their back side, which then clip onto the plastic parts. Almost all of them are broken, so the whole thing rattles quite a lot. Lack of proper adhesive made me postpone this for now, but will get back to it.
Next up on the list was installing the KG Works stainless panel I bought. Looking awesome with Adam's gauges:
And installed!
Not massively fond of how it looks on my interior; I do not like beige together with stainless. Maybe it just needs more stainless/polished details to match. Nevertheless I am looking for a black one to swap, albeit the brushed finishing on the stainless one is so classy it's almost unreal.
Last "achievement", I finally got around to install my lip. This is an RS Factory Stage knockoff, so fitment was not quite right out of the box. It actually took quite bit of effort, cursing, borrowing a second set of hands (my dad), using my sisters' hairdryer (as I forgot my heatgun back home) and a cut finger, but it is ON!
Really like the looks of it (if you excuse the very dirty car). I have also ordered a nose badge, as the car looks really weird to me without one. Last but not least, insurance company approved my claim over that freak accident with the flying object landing all over my car, so it is going in for a full respray once the weather gets warmer (probably around May). It is time to paint the wheel centers as well, hopefully within January.