Corona spare time

[360beast]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

Thanks to not being in the best of health before the Corona Virus, it still takes me all day to do what i used to do all day and my routine hasn't changed with the lockdown. The only problem so far is lack of certain products in the supermarkets/shops in general such as toilet trolls, dog food, runny honey and a particular washing up liquid.

Did have a minor scare on saturday when i ran low on milk but found a place where i could get enough to last me a few days.

I have managed to take advantage of the nice weather and started painting my shed with used engine oil, now it's dried out a bit all the wood is shrunken and dry - a few weeks ago i couldn't get into the shed because of the door being too swollen!

My mum works for the NHS so she went shopping yesterday in the NHS only time. She came out said there must have been over 100 people gathering outside, so much for the 2 metre rule. It was meant to be the OAP slot next and she said it was full of people who were clearly not OAP'S.

Good idea on the old engine oil on wood. I could t open my garage door because it had swollen, I had to really force it, I will try the engine oil trick.

[360beast]

Originally Posted by V90Towman

I’m spending more time on this forum when not working and what a great community it is I am sure the numbers will grow during this period of concern. As for the garage I need to give it a good sort out and clean and re paint the floor. However I am trying to re polish my wife’s VW UP wheels the mirror sort as they have discoloured the clear coat has discoloured. It’s a tough job sanding the metal from course to fine. Bought a drill attachment set from amazon that is easy to use. And a polishing finishing set too, but the problem I’m getting is a sort of shadow on the wheel that I can’t completely blend in, it’s almost 90% there. The cost to do this professionally is 300 per wheel I. Have spent 20 quid so far and some elbow grease very satisfying too. My son who can’t visit the gym got me to join him in renovating a rusty old barbell, which I wire brushed clean with a drill wire brush attachment and two coats Hammerite black I use on my gates. It made the bar as good as new and black looks great.

Sounds like a right in pain in the bum, I knew mirror finishes were popular in the VW scene but I didn't realise they were fitting them from factory! Worthwhile doing though if it is going to save you over a grand on the set.

[V90Towman]

Originally Posted by 360beast

Sounds like a right in pain in the bum.

Yes it is severity depends on what I am sitting on usually an upturned bucket and how long I last each session...... the UP was not new but would have these stupid wheels as factory fit I guess, who invented mirrored wheels bloody lovely new horrible once the moisture cuts in. My XC60 has a sort of mirror finish too hope they last.

[loki_the_glt]

Oh dear. I rather feel that I'm letting the side down here.

All i've managed is to fettle a couple of H0 brass steam locos so they run as well as they did 50 or so years ago and put together a decal sheet for another model railroader.

It looks like I'll now have to go and do something to/with the Exxon Valdez, lest I'm run out of the forum!

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by V90Towman

Yes it is severity depends on what I am sitting on usually an upturned bucket and how long I last each session...... the UP was not new but would have these stupid wheels as factory fit I guess, who invented mirrored wheels bloody lovely new horrible once the moisture cuts in. My XC60 has a sort of mirror finish too hope they last.

You need to invest in something comfortable to sit on and preferably something to put the wheel on while polishing - it makes life much easier! Fit the spare (if you have one) or use an axle stand to make the car stable.

I tried mirror-polishing one of the Omega wheels from my 760 last year. These were painted from the factory and as i discovered when i sanded them down, had a very heavy filler coat on to make them smooth. I also found the "shadow" thing :



I think that one shows some of the shadows left behind from polishing. In the end, after a couple of weeks on just one wheel i gave up and painted them instead :



Because of the technique i used, the "VOLVO" logo is almost a "ghost image", it can disappear completely at certain angles/lighting.

You're lucky in that you started with mirror polsihed wheels. Given what i experienced with mine, even after getting all the heavy primer off, i certainly don't envy you the task but it will look nice once done!

[360beast]

I must have missed the update Dave on the wheel polishing. A shame it didn't work out how you wanted but at least it's done and you don't have to do it to another 3!

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by 360beast

I must have missed the update Dave on the wheel polishing. A shame it didn't work out how you wanted but at least it's done and you don't have to do it to another 3!

I'm not sure i did an update Luke as doing that one (which is the spare by the way) absolutely knackered me out and then the weather changed so it was no good for painting.

Means i still have 4 more to do, one of which has been in the shed for nearly 6 months now!

Only 3 more centre caps as the spare doesn't normally have one.

The darker grey (rather than silver) seems to suit the car better as it's pale green, on a darker car i think a brighter silver would work better though.

[skippyfox]

Still going in to work... Factory maintenance engineer, food production. But with the nice weather and longer days the V90 got a good wash and polish on Monday evening, the C70 got the same treatment Tuesday evening. A bit of boredom kicked in last night, having a chilled beer I decided the XC90 needed a polish. The next 10 minutes were spent polishing a die-cast model that I won in the raffle at last years Northern BKV. Pity about this years Southern, National, and Northern BKV's. Always next year. Hope all stay safe and well

[827Roverman]

Originally Posted by Forrest

Coronavirus spare time? I work in IT for the NHS!!!

And we ALL thank you for it and the rest of the NHS staff, keep well.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by skippyfox

Still going in to work... Factory maintenance engineer, food production. But with the nice weather and longer days the V90 got a good wash and polish on Monday evening, the C70 got the same treatment Tuesday evening. A bit of boredom kicked in last night, having a chilled beer I decided the XC90 needed a polish. The next 10 minutes were spent polishing a die-cast model that I won in the raffle at last years Northern BKV. Pity about this years Southern, National, and Northern BKV's. Always next year. Hope all stay safe and well

That will certainly keep you working, for quite some time at least as we all still need to eat!

I saw a lot of cutbacks in the 90s on maintenance engineers in general, particularly in the food industry. Glad to hear some at least have survived!