RobDon's Ibiza Cupra

RobDon

Pro Detailer
Just picked up a little project for myself after getting rid of my Mk2 Leon DSG diesel. I don't commute to work so only really need a weekend and social car, plus my kids are older now so I don't need a 5-door anymore, so I had the chance to get this 2006 Ibiza Cupra so I took it!

On the surface I could see it needed work but I could see beyond the dirt and scratches and knew there was a really decent car underneath. 75k miles, HPi clear, extensive history, lots of invoices for stuff like timing belt, flywheel, tyres, etc. I've made a list of what needs done and am going to work my way through it, essentially I am going to restore it to near standard with some very minor and subtle OEM+ tweaks! :)

First job was to replace the fuel filler flap which had bad lacquer peel on it. Fortunately I picked one up from Ebay for £15 in the right colour! 5 min job to swap. This is the only lacquer peel I can find on the car so that's good.

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Paint was surprisingly not that bad, I've dealt with far worse on customers cars!

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The interior is in very good condition, all the seats and carpets needed were a hot shampoo extraction clean and all other surfaces cleaned with anti-bacterial Gtechniq I2 Tri-Clean. Mats are going in the bin, new ones ordered.

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Exhaust needs changing back to a single oval and a centre silencer added. It's too 'boy racer farty'! Philips head unit is junk, replacing it with an OE Alana unit.

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New discs and pads all round.

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Nearside rear bumper has a light scuff.

Before:

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After:

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Here are some after shots, spent a few hours today machine polishing.

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Engine bay was de-greased, hot rinsed and dressed.

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Headlamps need wet sanded and machined as they're a bit cloudy. Wheels are booked in for refurbishing, will get the new discs and pads on next weekend hopefully. :)
 

Daniel M

Blackbelts & Chickenheads
Apr 18, 2013
2,874
7
Middlesbrough
Very nice work Rob, love the reflections after the machine polishing. Need to get mine machined, just need a nice garage to use as the weather is pants.
 

RobDon

Pro Detailer
Yeah it comes up great, the paint on this car is actually really good under the haze of light scratches.

One thing I will mention is build quality. My mk2 Leon had zero rattles or buzzing panels, where this Ibiza has a few which annoy me greatly, seems to be worse build quality and materials than the Leon.

Alana CD head unit has arrived so this will be fitted shortly. :)
 

RobDon

Pro Detailer
Project 'restore' continues. The brakes are all replaced and painted. For some reason the AP Racing calipers are absent from this car, probably due to them seizing up at some point. Fortunately I have been able to source a 2nd-hand set which I will send off and have them fully refurbished then fitted. The nearside headlight was badly clouded over, so this was wet sanded with 1500, 2000 then 3000 grit, then machine polished until it was clear again. Other headlight wasn't as bad but I still did the same so they're both clear now.

Alana CD head unit now fitted, as are new mats, honeycomb upper side grills fitted too.

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Wheels are being refurbished this Thursday and it will get a full service next weekend. Not many jobs left to do! :D
 

RobDon

Pro Detailer
Managed to find a set of AP Racing calipers, only set I could find anywhere. I've sent them off to be fully refurbished so they're like new. Getting an optional aviation polymer PTFE coating on them to prolong their appearance. http://www.brakecaliperspecialists.uk/

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Overview of the car: fully machine corrected and sealed with PolishAngel Master Sealant. No lacquer peel or rust anywhere on this car. Wheels have just been refurbished, full service has just been done, drivers door lock module has been replaced. Interior has been steam cleaned and hot shampoo extraction cleaned, new mats too and it is also in excellent condition.

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Once I have the AP Racing calipers back and on the car, it will be up for sale! :D
 
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RobDon

Pro Detailer
Got the SEAT SPORT AP Racing 4-pot calipers back from being fully refurbished. Apparently everything on them was seized - pins, bolts, etc.! My question is ... do I spray them gloss red or leave them in this gunmetal grey? Given that my car is red, I thought the gunmetal grey might contrast the red car nicely, rather than have red calipers on a red car?

Before:

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After:

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So should I leave them in this colour with the white decals and paint the rear calipers to match, or paint them red
 
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