Old car cosmetic repairs - ideas, examples....

Kosmik

Kosmik

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Not sure if there is a thread for this but starting one. For those of us with older cars, have you done cosmetic repairs? Particularly internal?

For example, I had my roof relined a few years ago, less than R2k but made the car interior seem new as it was sagging.

I have two other ones I want to do at some point. The viynl seems to be having a issue with the glue dying ( that's on my interior doors, its like a leather ) and then my dashboard is cracking in places as well, not sure what that's called. If anyone has pointers in repairing/replacing those would appreciate.

Anyone know or had those type of repairs done? Post a sample of a low cost "cosmetic" that makes the world of difference in a old car.

Also had my headlights "buffed?" or de-yellowed, nice difference.
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
Interested in knowing about this,

I though detailing places must do it, but I think they only clean, not fix cosmetic stuff.
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My roof was done by a chap that specialized in car re-upholstery. Roofs, seats etc. The material he replaced it with actually feels better than the old felt one, apparently its the same as used in BMW's etc. Either way, money well spent for a relatively cheap touch up.

The headlights also make a differance. Mine weren't too bad but my wifes and mothers cars, both actually younger than mine by about 2 and 4 years respectively , had the ugly yellowing whereas mine just dulled. Now they look like new headlights. My mechanic is a ex-bosch mechanic who works out of a bay in a panel beater shop and the panel beater does the headlights. Also a decent R350 for nice appearance.

My main worry now is the vinyl. I will probably reach out to the re-upholster again if they are still around but Covid killed many of those guys businesses. I know there are car mad places that do like carbon fibre look alike etc but I'm just looking for a good option. I bought a custom car mat from aliexpress recently that now covers the top of my dashboard but the damage of years is done ( my car is 2008 ) and there are a few cracks all over.
 
I need the front bumper sorted out to repair damage from stone chips & also slight cracking of the OEM paint - and also need to get the headlights de-yellowed as well (16 years of sun exposure have taken their toll) - the cloth trim panel on the front passenger plastic door card is also detaching on the left edge - so that needs to be glued back on again. Also the clear coat seems to be fading on the right rear door just below the window and also on the left rear quarter panel near the roof - so looks like I will need to get that sorted out at the same time as I get the front bumper attended to as well.
 
Ivan Leon said:
I need the front bumper sorted out to repair damage from stone chips & also slight cracking of the OEM paint - and also need to get the headlights de-yellowed as well (16 years of sun exposure have taken their toll) - the cloth trim panel on the front passenger plastic door card is also detaching on the left edge - so that needs to be glued back on again. Also the clear coat seems to be fading on the right rear door just below the window and also on the left rear quarter panel near the roof - so looks like I will need to get that sorted out at the same time as I get the front bumper attended to as well.
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Yeah the cloth trim thing is similar to my vinyl/pleather door sides as well. Nothing wrong with the material , just the glue is dead. The other stuff would be like a panel beater no? Or would you get the door sorted out same place?
 
And I'm using my 3d printer to print the odd plastic bits now lol as those are going brittle but thats in my wifes i20.

Although plastic hubs and water bottle cap will be for my Avensis.
 
My dads neighbour is an ex auto-repair shop paint foreman, and I have seen some of his work, oh my, absolute precision and perfection of note.

He showed me a NP200 that was restored after a write-off, looked brand new.

Only contribution I can make regarding the interior is that he said he painted the steering wheel and dashboard (it looked great), I cannot for the life of me remember what he said (I think it was brake-fluid mixed with the paint, I could be horribly wrong though). So perhaps someone like him freelancing, could assist in refreshing some interior items that are within their remit.
 
I went to a panelbeaters shop in Pinetown that did general interior fixes for vehicles.

The foreman did my beat up Isuzu KB's interior incl dashboard for a very reasonable fee (off site).
 
Aghori said:
I went to a panelbeaters shop in Pinetown that did general interior fixes for vehicles.

The foreman did my beat up Isuzu KB's interior incl dashboard for a very reasonable fee (off site).
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Could you share? Pinetown is close to me and I'd at least like to get an idea of cost?
 
Kosmik said:
Could you share? Pinetown is close to me and I'd at least like to get an idea of cost?
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The place was called Classic Panel Beaters. A few mins drive from the shooting range I frequent (Ihawu).
 
If you are located in Gauteng and are looking to detail your chariot, get in touch with Storms Gloss Factory. Top cat, amazing work.
www.facebook.com

Storm's Gloss Factory | Roodepoort

Storm's Gloss Factory, Strubensvallei Ext 12, Roodepoort. 475 likes. Storm's Gloss Factory Specialist in High end Detailing, Ceramic coatings, Valets
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
going to be interesting in a few years, with EV's and the like, from the one hand they are like any other car, ICE or Diesel,
but from the other hand, when the batteries wear out, and the cells die, and since its so hard to remove and replace the Cells,

what will people do to EV's, use them and abuse them, and throw it away as it costs too much to fix?
 
Jet-Fighter7700 said:
going to be interesting in a few years, with EV's and the like, from the one hand they are like any other car, ICE or Diesel,
but from the other hand, when the batteries wear out, and the cells die, and since its so hard to remove and replace the Cells,

what will people do to EV's, use them and abuse them, and throw it away as it costs too much to fix?
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Off topic but I think the BYD blade system works really well for that.

www.byd.com

Blade Battery | BYD South Africa

www.byd.com www.byd.com
 
Kosmik said:
Off topic but I think the BYD blade system works really well for that.

www.byd.com

Blade Battery | BYD South Africa

www.byd.com www.byd.com
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not really off topic, as how will old EV's be treated? as I mentioned it costs too much to have them fixed up,
most people cant afford to change a battery pack, so will people look after their EV's or like I suspect, treat them like garbage,

drive them like @FiestaST drove his Fiat, take Zero care of them, not fix things and throw it away.
and buy another, simply because its an EV and disposable as it were.
 
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